Thursday, March 5, 2026 | Issue 179 | | |
Feature Stories
Reporting and Operations
IT and Cybersecurity
Accountability, Accreditation and Assessments
| | |
Standards and Instruction
Student Health and Nutrition
Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition
| | Read Across America Week, March 2-6 | | Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson read to the "kindergators" at Green Springs Elementary School, Olathe USD 233, this week to celebrate Read Across America. He read to first graders at Whitson Elementary, Topeka USD 501, earlier in the day. (Photo submitted by Jaylie Postlewait, Olathe USD 233) | | |
Paige Kibbee (left) and Reese Black, juniors at Santa Fe Trail High School and National Honor Society members, read to USD 434 preschoolers for Read Across America this week. (Photo submitted by Carrie Mugridge, Santa Fe Trail USD 434)
| | Fifth grade and first grade students at Irving Elementary School, Winfield USD 465, recently participated in a reading session that emphasized kindness as a character trait. (Photo submitted by Sally Pipes, Winfield USD 465) | | |
Fifth Graders Read, First Graders Listen:
A Winfield classroom shows the
power of reading aloud
| | |
As we celebrate Read Across America this week, we take a look at how the simple act of reading aloud has helped the students at a Winfield USD 465 elementary school deepen their already existing sense of community.
A recent character trait of the month at Irving Elementary was “kindness.” One of the squares on the students’ kindness BINGO cards was to read to someone else.
That’s when Sally Pipes, an Irving fifth grade teacher, got the idea for a reading activity where her students would read aloud to Irving first graders.
Read more...
| | State Board to review comprehensive statewide literacy plan | | |
Members of the Kansas State Board of Education will hear more about the comprehensive plan to address literacy during their March meeting, in Topeka.
Dr. Laurie Curtis, manager of the Kansas State Department of Education’s early literacy and dyslexia program, will present board members with the statewide comprehensive literacy plan with the following five guiding principles:
- Science of Reading is non-negotiable; implementation quality is the work.
- Early identification + strong core instruction prevents most reading failure.
- Local control with state guardrails produces sustainable improvement.
- Transparency must lead to action, not just awareness.
- Outcomes matter more than effort.
Read more...
| | |
RTAP Apprentice in Action:
New State, New Start, New Calling -
Jennifer McDougal, Easton USD 449
| | Jennifer McDougal, Easton USD 449, is participating in the Kansas Registered Teacher Apprentice Program (RTAP). (Photo submitted by Aysha Satterlee) | | |
By Aysha Satterlee, KSDE teacher licensure team
When Jennifer McDougal moved to Kansas with her family in 2022, she expected a new beginning, but she didn’t expect to discover a new calling.
After joining Easton USD 449 as a paraeducator, McDougal quickly became known for her dedication, curiosity, and natural ability to connect with students.
“I always loved kids and loved learning,” she said. “But I never pictured myself as the person in charge. I was comfortable supporting someone else.”
Jeanine Murphy, USD 449 director of curriculum and instruction and McDougal’s mentor, saw potential in her long before McDougal saw it in herself.
Read more...
| | |
Coming Soon: KSDE Insight Podcast –
Beyond the Diploma: What Parents Should Know About Readiness for
Life After High School
| | |
Graduation is an important milestone, but true success after high school requires more than earning a diploma. In this month's episode of the KSDE Insight Podcast, available on March 12, we explore what it really means for students to be ready for life after graduation.
This conversation looks at three essential areas that shape student success: academic readiness, financial readiness, and emotional readiness. Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson and his guests discuss the knowledge, skills, and habits students need to navigate life after high school with confidence.
Read more...
| | |
"Ask the Commissioner" podcast segment answers parents’ questions about education
Have a question about your child’s education? Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson wants to hear from you.
Each month on the KSDE Insight Podcast, Dr. Watson will answer parent questions in his “Ask the Commissioner” segment.
Encourage parents to email their questions to insightpodcast@ksde.gov — and it could be featured in the next episode!
| | | | Senate votes to pass KSDE budget during eighth week of Kansas legislative session | |
By a vote of 21-19, the Kansas Senate voted on Thursday, March 5, the eighth week of the 2026 legislative session, to pass the state appropriations bill as amended for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. Sub for SB 315 will now head to the House.
Read more...
| | |
KDHE offers award for district owned
and operated bus fleets
| | |
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) currently has a school bus award opportunity open to districts that own and operate their own fleets.
The award criteria:
- One older model diesel powered school bus is required to be decommissioned for every new school bus awarded through the Kansas Volkswagen program. There is no limit on number of applications or buses.
- Diesel powered school buses with engine model years 2009 and older are eligible for funding.
Read more...
| | ICYMI: Districts across the state continue to prepare for the transition from KIDS to KEDS | | |
By Christopher Fletcher, KSDE IT team
Districts across the state continue to prepare for the transition from Kansas Individual Data on Students (KIDS) to Kansas Education Data System (KEDS).
As of Feb. 25, 248 systems have received the key and secret combination to connect their student information system (SIS) to KEDS. This is roughly 72% of the districts and accredited private schools who report to the state.
Read more...
| | Accountability, Accreditation and Assessments | | |
Kansas instructional materials
dashboard available
| | KELPA and WIDA Alternate ACCESS assessment testing windows close March 13 | | |
The testing window for both the Kansas English Language Proficiency Assessment (KELPA) and the WIDA Alternate ACCESS Assessment closes Friday, March 13.
Additional dates to remember:
- The scoring window for KELPA closes Monday, April 6.
- The deadline to return materials to DRC (WIDA Alternate Assessment only) is Wednesday, March 25. (Postmark date).
Contact Chelsea Pelfrey, KSDE assessment coordinator, chelsea.pelfrey@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-0040, with questions.
| | Reminder: Sign up to participate in the optional second grade assessment | | |
The testing window for the optional second grade assessment opens March 23 and closes April 24.
This optional assessment is NOT included in the state accountability framework; however, the data gathered from it will be useful for decisions determining program effectiveness and identifying students who might need additional support over the summer or as they move into the next school year.
Read more...
| | |
News from the
KSDE accreditation and design team
| | |
The KSDE accreditation and design reminds districts and systems of the upcoming virtual monthly update for KESA 2.0 and the guidance for revising action plans.
Read more...
| | Standards and Instruction | | |
Public comment invited for 2025-2026
CTE Cluster Review recommendations
| | |
By Natalie Clark, assistant director, KSDE career, standards and assessment services
The Kansas State Department of Education’s goal for career and technical education (CTE) pathway competencies is to keep pathway competencies relevant, rigorous and reflective of current business/industry standards or practices.
To that end, public comments are invited for recommendations made by several CTE career cluster review committees for their reviews of the 2025-26 clusters/pathways.
Read more...
| | |
Reminder: Public comment offered for draft
higher education preparation standards
| | |
Draft revised educator preparation standards for Agriculture Education 6-12, Mathematics 5-8, General Mathematics 6-12, Advanced Mathematics 6-12, and Speech/Theatre 6-12 are available for public comment until March 25.
These standards will be used by Kansas colleges and universities to train future educators for these license areas. They have been updated to reflect current language and needs.
Read more....
| | Kansas early educators gather to deepen skills related to quality instruction in early learning environments | | |
By Amanda Petersen, director of the KSDE early childhood team
An estimated 300 Kansas early educators gathered in Wichita, Feb. 27-28, for the Kansas Division for Early Childhood Conference.
Attendees represented a range of early learning settings, including preschools, Part C early intervention staff, Part B early childhood special education staff, child care providers, and community partners focused on promoting kindergarten readiness.
Read more...
| | Student Health and Nutrition | | |
Schools and community organizations
can offer summer meal programs
| | |
Summer meal programs are designed to fill the nutrition gap that occurs during the summer and make sure children can get the nutrition they need.
Administered by the Food and Nutrition Service in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, summer meal programs provide free, nutritious meals to kids ages 1 to 18. Many sites provide not just meals, but educational, enrichment, and recreational activities that help children continue to learn and stay safe when school is not in session.
Read more...
| | Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition | | |
Deadline to register for federal
education funds administration forum
moved to March 9
| | Active weapon and critical event training for school transportation directors set for April 8 | | |
School transportation directors and supervisors, and school bus contractor supervisors, are invited to an active weapon and critical event training on April 8.
This training will be 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., at Bishop Professional Development Center, 3601 S.W. 31st Street, in Topeka. There is no cost to attend.
Click here to register and for more information.
Contact Keith Dreiling, keith.dreiling@ksde.gov, with questions.
| | Reminder: Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) Virtual Workshop scheduled for April 18 | | |
Registration is open for the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) video conference workshop, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., on April 18. The deadline to register is April 10.
The "EIPA Workshop: “Quote” Interpreting “End Quote” Standardized K-12 Assessments" will be presented by Kimberly F. Hutter, Ph.D. Standardized assessments present significant linguistic challenges for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students, demanding complex American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation strategies.
Read more...
| | Reminder: School Mental Health Initiative offers online training opportunity | | |
The KSDE-sponsored Technical Assistance System Network (TASN) School Mental Health Initiative (SMHI) announces a new high quality, evidence based online learning opportunity.
The “Neuroscience in Education Implementation Course” is for school and community professionals who are interested in learning more about the Applied Educational Neuroscience (AEN) Framework.
Read more...
| | Kansas Technical Assistance System Network training opportunities | | |
The Kansas Technical Assistance System Network (TASN) provides evidence-based professional learning and technical assistance, grounded in the federal requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Contact Michele Hayes, mrhayes@pittstate.edu, with questions.
| | |
March
6: ESEA program administrator webinar series, 10:30 – 11:45 a.m. Click here to register: https://ksdetasn.org/event_groups/T0xWJA. Contact Twyla Sprouse, twyla.sprouse@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-6714 with questions.
9: Monthly KESA virtual update, 10:30 – 11:15 a.m. Join at this Zoom link. Contact Jay Scott, jay.scott@ksde.gov, with questions.
9: Deadline to register for Kansas federal education funds administration forum, March 26-27, in Wichita. Cost is $250. Click here for the agenda and registration details. Contact Brad Schwartz, blschwartz@pittstate.edu, with questions.
10-11: Kansas State Board of Education meeting, Landon State Office Building, in Topeka. Click here for agenda and meeting materials.
11: KIDS Collection MILT – (military funding) deadline for submission. Contact helpdesk@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-7935 with questions.
13: Kansas English Language Proficiency Assessment (KELPA) and the WIDA Alternate ACCESS Assessment window closes. Contact Chelsea Pelfrey, chelsea.pelfrey@ksde.gov, with questions.
Read more...
| | |
|  |
| |
|
|
KSDEweekly is a weekly external email newsletter distributed to subscribed parties.
What would you like to see in KSDEweekly? Email us at ksdeweekly@ksde.gov
| | Click here to have KSDEweekly sent to your inbox. | | The Kansas State Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: KSDE General Counsel, Office of General Counsel, KSDE, Landon State Office Building, 900 S.W. Jackson, Suite 102, Topeka, KS 66612, (785) 296-3201. | | | | |
