Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025 | Issue 166 | | |
Feature Stories
Reporting and Operations
IT & Cybersecurity
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Standards and Instruction
Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition
| | In addition to the KSDE offices closed for the Thanksgiving holiday, Nov. 27-28, there will not be a KSDEweekly on Nov. 27. | | Kansas teachers celebrate students' literacy successes during American Education Week | | Kamdyn Johnson, a kindergarten teacher at Clearwater West Elementary School, Clearwater USD 264, works with one of her students on a decodable text. (Photo submitted by Kamdyn Johnson) | | |
Literacy is fundamental for nearly everything throughout a child’s educational experience. American Education Week, Nov. 17 – 21, gives us a chance to celebrate literacy as the foundation by which children become successful academically and thrive as adults.
Over the past handful of years at a small, Kansas elementary school near Wichita, Kamdyn Johnson could see many of the students in her building who, when reading, “struggled with true comprehension” and she knew a change in instructional approach was necessary.
Read more...
| | Kansas State Board of Education celebrates American Education Week | | |
American Education Week, Nov. 17 - 21, recognizes the importance of public education and the contributions of educators, families and communities.
Click on the video above to hear from members of the Kansas State Board of Education and Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson and what makes them the most proud about education in Kansas.
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Two Kansas schools recognized as
National ESEA Distinguished Schools
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TOPEKA — The National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program has recognized two Kansas schools for exceptional student achievement in 2025.
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Lakeside Elementary School, Waconda USD 272, was recognized in Category 1 for exceptional student performance and academic growth for two consecutive years.
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Norwich Elementary School, Kingman-Norwich USD 331, was recognized in Category 2 for closing the achievement gap between student groups.
Read more...
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State Board chooses search firm
to find new education commissioner
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Members of the Kansas State Board of Education took another step forward in finding a new education commissioner during a special meeting this week after Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson announced his intent to retire on Sept. 10.
The board met in executive session for nearly two hours in the first floor board room of the Landon State Office Building on Tuesday, Nov. 18, to review the bids submitted by several search firms.
Read more...
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ICYMI: KSDE Insight Podcast:
Stronger Schools, Brighter Futures:
How Kansas Improves Student Learning
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What does “school improvement” really mean, and how does it help your child? In the current episode of KSDE’s Insight Podcast, we explore how Kansas schools are working together to strengthen learning for every student.
You’ll hear how teachers are using the science of reading, aligning lessons to clear standards, and making smarter use of assessment data. It’s all part of Kansas’ effort to create stronger schools and brighter futures.
Read more...
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"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!
| | Kansas Preschool Pilot grant window open; closes Jan. 21 | | |
By Natalie McClane, KSDE early childhood team
The application window for the 2026-27 Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) grant is open until Jan. 21, 2026.
The KPP grant provides school districts and their community partners with funding to provide preschool services. Eligible applicants include Kansas unified school districts (USDs) and other entities partnering with school districts. At least 50% of children served by KPP grant funds must meet criteria to be at risk of entering kindergarten socially, emotionally or academically unprepared for success.
Read more...
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Title IA schoolwide action plans,
targeted assistance plans and
required documents due Nov. 26
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All schoolwide programs and all targeted assistance programs are required to house their required Title IA documents within the KansaStar platform.
- Schoolwide Programs are required to complete the Title IA Action Plan review form, the Schoolwide Action Plan and upload their required documents.
- Targeted Assistance Programs are required to upload the required documents, including their Targeted Assistance Plan.
Read more...
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Updates to KEDS scheduled to be
released week of Nov. 24
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By Christopher Fletcher, KSDE IT team
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) continues to move forward with the modernization of the state longitudinal data system (SLDS) through the implementation of the Kansas Education Data System (KEDS).
The KEDS team will be releasing some updates beginning Nov. 24.
Read more...
| | Standards and Instruction | | George Vega, second from left, parent educator in Turner USD 202, earned the Parent Educator of the Year award at the 2025 Parents as Teachers (PAT) International Conference. (Photo submitted by Lisa Williams) | | Brittnie Brake, center, Shawnee Mission USD 512/Growing Futures Early Education Center, earned the Inaugural Parents Choice Award at the 2025 Parents as Teachers (PAT) International Conference. (Photo submitted by Lisa Williams) | | |
Two Kansas home visiting professionals
earn international accolades
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By Lisa Williams, KSDE early childhood team
Two Kansas Parent Educators recently received recognition at the 2025 Parents as Teachers (PAT) International Conference for their outstanding dedication, compassion and impact on families.
George Vega and Brittnie Brake’s achievements provide a glimpse into the impactful and meaningful work being done by more than 275 parent educators in 61 PAT programs across Kansas.
Read more...
| | Public comment on draft higher education preparation standards available | | Remaining 2025-26 virtual update sessions for CTE and Perkins coordinators to be on Teams | | |
The remaining 2025-26 virtual monthly updates for Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Perkins coordinators will be on Teams. These updates will continue to provide the latest CTE and Perkins news, deadline reminders and the opportunity to share information and ideas.
The Teams meetings will be from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on each of the dates below. Join the Teams meeting here; Meeting ID: 255 722 129 620 4; Passcode: qw74Qm3o
- Dec. 16
- Jan. 20
- Feb. 17
- March 24
- April 21
- May 5
Contact Barbara Bahm, Barbara.Bahm@ksde.gov, or (785) 291-3538 with questions.
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Reminder: 2025-2026 Kindergarten Readiness Snapshot (ASQ) participation rate data
available to review
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By Amanda Petersen, director, KSDE early childhood
The first five years of a child’s life are an incredible opportunity to set a positive direction. Strong relationships between families and teachers lay the foundation for a successful school year.
In Kansas, all elementary schools must partner with families to complete the Kindergarten Readiness Snapshot. Collecting information about each child’s development prepares schools, families and children for kindergarten. The Ages & Stages Questionnaires®, Third Edition (ASQ-3) and Ages & Stages Questionnaires®: Social-Emotional, Second Edition (ASQ:SE-2) are questionnaires completed by a child’s parent or caregiver to provide a snapshot of developmental milestones.
Read more...
| | Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition | | |
EDCS training sessions
in December will be on Teams
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School staff members who are new to the Educator Data Collection System will participate in three more training sessions in December. “What is it and why do I have to do it?” on Nov. 13, was the first session in the four-part series.
Note: These trainings will be on Teams.
Dec. 2: Part 2: “My staff is entered, now what?,” 1-3 p.m. Join the Teams session here. The agenda includes exploring the Staff Data tab:
- Find/update staff
- Add new staff
- Shared staff
- Exited staff
- Delete data
Read more...
| | Reminder: Save-the-Date: 2026 Great Ideas in Education Conference slated for July 27-29 | | |
The 2026 Great Ideas in Education Conference will be July 27-29, at the Hyatt Regency and Century II Convention Center, in Wichita.
Join educators, leaders, and innovators from across Kansas for two and a half days of inspiration, collaboration, and forward-thinking ideas in education.
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.
| | Renaissance provides FastBridge virtual trainings to districts and Kansas educators | | |
There are still available slots as part of the KSDE FastBridge partnership for district-specific
virtual sessions at no charge to the district. These sessions must be held prior to Dec. 31.
Contact Jeff Lancial, jeff.lancial@renaissance.com, to sign up.
Renaissance Learning is also offering the following FastBridge virtual trainings for Kansas educators in November, December and January:
Read more...
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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. | | | | |
