KSDE Weekly

Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024 | Issue 110

In This Week's Edition

Feature Stories



Reporting and Operations




IT & Cybersecurity


Accountability, Accreditation and Assessments



Standards and Instruction



Student Health and Nutrition



Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition



Feature Stories

2023-24 Year in Review

Our educators and students continue to work hard to recover from COVID-19, Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson said this week when summing up the 2023-24 annual report prepared by the Kansas State Department of Education. 


“We’re progressing in our post-pandemic recovery process,” he said. “That’s the good news. COVID set us back but we’re still on target.” 


More specifically, Watson said incremental progress is being made on one of the Kansas State Board of Education’s goals to move more students out of the lowest level of reading on the spring state assessments. 


Read more...

State board receives 2023-24 annual report, approves literacy licensure test

Members of the Kansas State Board of Education received the 2023-24 annual report prepared by the Kansas State Department of Education during the board’s October meeting this week in Topeka.

 

Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson presented the report to board members, which includes the results of the 2024 state assessments in reading and math. 


Read more... 

October is National Bullying

Prevention Month

The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) joins all Kansas schools in observing Oct. 7-11, the first full week of October, as Kansas Anti-Bullying Week, part of National Bullying Prevention Month.


This is an opportunity to create awareness and address the harm that bullying creates. It’s also a time to recognize the responsibility to safeguard schools to ensure physically safe and emotionally secure environments for all Kansas students and school staff. 


Bullying is defined as aggressive behavior that is intentional and that involves an imbalance of power or strength, typically repeated over time. A child who is being bullied has a hard time defending themselves. Bullying can take many forms: 


  • Physical bullying (hitting, punching, etc.) 
  • Verbal bullying (teasing, name-calling, etc.) 
  • Nonverbal bullying or emotional bullying (intimidation using gestures, social exclusion, etc.) 
  • Cyberbullying (sending insulting messages, etc.) 


Read more...

Reporting and Operations

U.S. Department of Education offers free COVID-19 tests to Local Educational Agencies

U.S. Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona is urging local educational agencies (LEA) across the country to order free, over-the-counter rapid antigen COVID-19 self-tests for their students, families, staff, and school communities. 


“We encourage LEAs to make use of this free COVID-19 test offering, which schools may use, for example, to stock school nurses’ offices and main offices with tests; to send test kits home with students or parents; or to distribute within their communities to put these valuable safeguards in the hands of students, parents, and staff who need them,” Cardona said in a recent letter.  


Read more...

Dropout Graduation Summary Report

now open

The Dropout Graduation Summary Report (DGSR) is open for all districts. Districts should validate data across all K-12 levels to ensure accurate reporting for the DGSR. The report will close on Oct. 31. This is a hard deadline. 



If this is your first time submitting this report, visit the DGSR webpage: Dropout Graduation Summary Report (DGSR).


Many resources, including the 2023 Q&A, will help troubleshoot any issues before the DGSR opens. The accompanying information will ensure data quality. 


If you have questions prior to the reporting window opening, contact the KIDS help desk, kids@ksde.org, or the DGSR help desk, dgsrhelpdesk@ksde.org.  

Instructions for submitting quarterly ESSER report due Oct. 18

The ESSER Quarterly Reporting opened on CommonApp on Oct. 1, and will close at the end of the day, Friday, Oct. 18.

  

This is a cumulative report, so use last quarter’s spreadsheet to add expenditures. This report should include all ESSER expenditures (reimbursed and planned) and will be the last of the state quarterly reporting for ESSER. The federal annual performance reporting will continue into 2026. 

 

Remember: Even if you haven’t had any expenditures this past quarter, you are still required to submit a report. 


Read more...

Kansas Volunteer Commission announces mini-grant for MLK National Day of Service

The Kansas Volunteer Commission has announced the MLK National Day of Service mini-grant, which provides grant funding to recruit and engage volunteers in meaningful service activities or deliver a service-learning activity related to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

  

Applications are due Nov. 4. All school districts, as well as community-based and youth-serving organizations, are encouraged to apply. The grant period is from Jan. 1 – Jan. 31, 2025, and applicants may request up to $5,000. 


A service-learning activity is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility and strengthen communities.  


For more information, visit https://kanserve.ksde.org/resources/commission-mini-grants/mlk-national-day-of-service-mini-grant or contact Tierney Kirtdoll, tkirtdoll@ksde.org

KDHE announces free K-12

One Health lesson plans

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Preparedness program now offers free One Health lesson plans for Kansas K-12 educators. One Health is an initiative that seeks to help educate students about the connections between the health of humans, animals and their shared environment. 


Developed in partnership with public educators from across the state, these customizable lesson plans are aligned with KSDE curricular standards and are available for a variety of subject areas including an Introduction to One Health, Air/Water Quality, Natural Disasters, Humans & Animals, Food and Vector Borne Illness and more. 


View and download lesson plans, activities and supporting resources. Visit kdhe.ks.gov/1911/ for more information on the One Health Initiative. 

Reminder: Commercial Driver License permit training offered this month

Wabaunsee USD 329 is hosting an Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) and Commercial Driver License (CDL) permit training exam event, Oct. 23-24, in Alma. 


Click here to register: CDL permit training. The training will be 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. each day at the Alma Community Center, 1050 Ohio Street. The ELDT Theory will be Oct. 23; the CDL written test will be Oct. 24.


Read more...

Reminder: Make plans to celebrate National School Bus Safety Week, Oct. 21-25

Start making plans now to celebrate National School Bus Safety Week, Oct. 21-25. 


This important public education program is an excellent way for parents, students, teachers, motorists, school bus operations, school administrators, and other interested parties to join

forces and address the importance of school bus safety. 


Read more...

Environmental Protection Agency announces 2024 Clean School Bus Rebate Program

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the latest round of funding for the Clean School Bus Rebate Program is available to school districts. 


Applications for this year’s Clean School Bus Rebate Program are due on the EPA online portal by 4 p.m. EST on Jan. 9, 2025. Applicants can request up to $325,000 per bus for up to 50 buses per application, an increase in the total buses per project in response to stakeholder feedback for larger projects to help achieve faster fleet turnover.



Read more...

IT & Cybersecurity

Final reminder: E-Rate training

offered Oct. 14-18

The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) Information Technology will host E-Rate training sessions, Oct. 14-18, across the state.


Don Dietrich and Lori Thompson from BTU Consultants will conduct five in-person sessions across the state to discuss the E-Rate program's opportunities and requirements. 


Information regarding registration and costs is posted on each service center's website (links below). Each of the following sessions will be held from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 




Read more...

Mike Tassey, data security advisor for the Privacy Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)

KSDE IT to host data breach webinar

on Oct. 16

The next KSDE’s Information Technology (IT) webinar will be at 1 p.m., on Oct. 16. This month’s topic is on data breaches. 


This presentation puts attendees in the driver’s seat for a simulated data breach.


Mike Tassey, data security advisor for the Privacy Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), will be the presenter for this webinar. He has decades of information security experience as a hacker and security expert. Tassey helps education institutions at all levels develop strong, compliant information security programs and manage risk to education data. 


Read more...

Accountability, Accreditation and Assessments

Monthly virtual KESA update scheduled for Oct. 14

The Accreditation and Design team is hosting the KESA monthly virtual update, 10:30-11:15 a.m., on Oct. 14.  


Access the Zoom link here; no passcode is required. This meeting will be recorded and posted on the Accreditation and Design webpage at  KESA Conference Call and Training Information (ksde.org) where previous KESA monthly updates can be found.   


Contact Rue Huereca-Retana, rhuereca-retana@ksde.org, or (785) 296-3379, with questions. 

Standards and Instruction

Kansas State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC) hosts virtual fall retreat

The Kansas State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC) is hosting a virtual retreat for local councils, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., on Nov. 1. 


This free event is a learning opportunity for anyone who works with children birth to five years of age. Attendees will learn the following: 


  • How daily routines and naturalistic communication strategies increase language learning;  
  • How to access and use Promoting Communication Tools for Advancing Language in Kids (PC TALK) communication tools;  
  • How individual differences, sensory processing, body needs, feelings, and emotions impact behavior; and 
  • How to investigate what a child's behavior is communicating. 


Read more...

Reminder: KSDE kicks off virtual monthly science collaboration opportunities

for 2024-25

The Kansas State Department of Education’s virtual monthly science collaborations for the 2024-25 school year start this month.


Mark your calendars for these monthly meet-ups for curriculum leaders, science teachers and new science teachers in a professional learning community (PLC). Get updates from KSDE, meet colleagues, ask questions and share resources.


Read more...

Student Health and Nutrition

Final reminder: Summer EBT benefits online applications due Tuesday, Oct. 15

The deadline for submitting online applications for 2024 Summer EBT program benefits is 5 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 15.


This is a new federal program designed to help eligible families offset some of the costs of buying food for their school-aged children during the summer.  


Since July 2024, about 117,200 students have received the one-time $120 Summer EBT benefit through an auto-issuance, and the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) has received more than 2,000 applications.  


Read more...

Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition

Final reminder: Oct. 11 deadline to register for Great Ideas in Education Conference

The Oct. 11 deadline is fast approaching to register for this year’s Great Ideas in Education conference, “Lighting the Path Forward.”  



This year’s conference is focused on the Four Fundamentals and supporting structures necessary for KESA implementation and school improvement. There will also be sessions on safe and secure schools and technology. 


Don’t miss out on this excellent opportunity for your leadership team to attend. Teams of four will receive a discount on registration.  


Read more...

Reminder: 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year nomination packet now available; nominations close Nov. 8

The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is accepting nominations for the 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year. Every school district is encouraged to nominate one exemplary elementary classroom teacher and one exemplary secondary classroom teacher for this prestigious award.

 

Not only does participating in this program demonstrate that your district values exceptional teaching, you will be providing critical professional development opportunities for your nominees. Participants say year after year this program is life-changing and has made them better teachers. 


Read more...

Kansas MTSS and Alignment to host regional reading road show later this fall

Kansas MTSS and Alignment is hosting a regional reading road show in October and December. 


Attendees will learn about the latest research in Reading for All Pre-K-12th readers and will leave with a plan, resources and practical tools to implement the classroom immediately. 


Register here for the following sessions that will be 9 a.m.-3 p.m.: 

 

  • Oct. 30: Courtyard By Marriott, Junction City 
  • Dec. 3: Boot Hill Casino & Resort, Dodge City 
  • Dec. 5: Hyatt Regency, Wichita 

 

Contact Vicki Cooper, vicki@kansasmtss.org, with questions. 

Virtual sessions available later this fall to

dive deeper into QSSSA

Virtual sessions will be available in November and December to take a deeper dive into QSSSA, an instructional method for all K-12 teachers who are looking for ways to engage their English language learners in academic discussions.  


These sessions will highlight and explain in detail each component of the QSSSA strategy: question, signal, stem, share and assess.

 

Register here for the following Zoom discussions that will be from 6-7:30 p.m. on each of the following dates: 


  • Nov. 7 
  • Nov. 14 
  • Nov. 21 
  • Dec. 5 
  • Dec. 12 

 

Click here for more information about Fort Hays State University offering one to two graduate credit hours for this study.  


Contact Heather Musil, hjmusil@fhsu.edu, for more information regarding enrollment and fees for graduate credit.  

Reminder: Kansas MTSS & Alignment offers behavior intervention protocol training

Kansas Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and Alignment is offering an in-person, no cost training session on Nov. 19 for attendees to learn a 5-step research-based behavior intervention protocol to implement across classroom environments.  


Attendees will receive intervention resources, including assessments and student monitoring forms. Focusing on the intrapersonal competency, self-efficacy, attendees will be ready to implement an intervention plan.  


Virtual coaching support will be available in February. A final in-person session in April will prepare attendees for next steps and systemizing intervention implementation. 


Click here to register for the Nov. 19 training, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, Salina. 


Contact Susan Danner, susand@kansasmtss.org, with questions. 

Reminder: Kansas Math Project offers

professional development in

October and spring 2025

Pre-K-12 educators are invited to participate in training sessions in October to develop students’ language, understanding, fluency and problem solving across Kansas math standards.  


Kansas Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) math specialists and Kansas Math Project facilitators will help participants do the following:  


  • Invest in growing grade-level content while learning alongside other professionals. 
  • Earn professional development points toward license renewal. 
  • Collaborate with other district leaders to develop a plan to scale the learning with capacity constraints. 




Read more...

Upcoming KSDE-sponsored FastBridge sessions scheduled

Many districts have virtual hours that they can use to schedule a session from the Professional Learning Catalog. See if this applies to you by watching the recording at the 1:37 time stamp. You do not need to hold the session by Dec. 31, but you do need to schedule it before then so that it does not expire.  


Contact scheduling@renaissance.com for more information and/or schedule sessions here


Read more...

Calendar

October

 

1-17: CommonApp opens for quarterly ESSER reporting. Email esser@ksde.org with questions. 


11: Introduction to the Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ)® training, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., on Zoom. Register at ksdetasn.org/events.  


14: KESA 2.0 monthly Zoom update, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Click here for the Zoom link. (Mark your calendars for these future Zoom meetings: Nov. 11, Dec. 9, Jan. 13, Feb. 10, March 10, April 14, and May 12.) 


14: E-Rate training, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Greenbush South, Girard. Register here. Contact Jenni Marlatt, jmarlatt@ksde.org, with questions. 


15: Deadline for Summer EBT program food benefits online application. Click here for more information that can be shared with families by school districts.  


15: E-Rate training, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Orion, Clearwater. Register here. Contact Jenni Marlatt, jmarlatt@ksde.org, with questions.

 

16: McKinney-Vento virtual training, 1 p.m.; contact Maureen Tabasko, mtabasko@ksde.org, (785) 296-1101, or Roxanne Zillinger, rzillinger@ksde.org, (785) 296-7260 for access to the Zoom link and/or additional information. 


16: E-Rate training, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Smoky Hill, Hays. Register here. Contact Jenni Marlatt, jmarlatt@ksde.org, with questions. 


17: CommonApp closes for quarterly ESSER reporting. Email esser@ksde.org with questions. 


17: E-Rate training, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Smoky Hill, Salina. Register here. Contact Jenni Marlatt, jmarlatt@ksde.org, with questions.


18: District test coordinator mandatory training, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Orion, Clearwater. Register here. Contact Chelsea Pelfrey at cpelfrey@ksde.org or (785) 296-0040 with questions. 

 

18: E-Rate training, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Greenbush North, Lawrence. Register here. Contact Jenni Marlatt, jmarlatt@ksde.org, with questions. 


21: Individual Plan of Study (IPS) technical assistance session, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Greenbush, Lawrence. Register here. Contact Natalie Clark, ndclark@ksde.org or (785) 296-4351, with questions. 


22: Individual Plan of Study (IPS) technical assistance session, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Smoky Hill, Salina. Register here. Contact Natalie Clark, ndclark@ksde.org or (785) 296-4351, with questions. 


23-25: KSDE Great Ideas in Education: Lighting the Path Forward annual conference, Hyatt Regency Wichita. Click here for conference information.


30: CTE technical assistance session, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Greenbush South, Girard. Click here to register. Registration is $35 and lunch is included. Contact Natalie Clark, ndclark@ksde.org or (785) 296-4351 with questions. 

 

November


1: Electronic Training Equipment CTE cluster application for FY2025 Perkins Reserve grant due. Contact Helen Swanson, hswanson@ksde.org, with questions.  


7: Individual Plan of Study (IPS) technical assistance session, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., southwest Plains, Sublette. Register here. Contact Natalie Clark, ndclark@ksde.org or (785) 296-4351, with questions. 


8: 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year nominations due. Instructions for accessing the online application can be found here. Contact Tamla Miller, tmiller@ksde.org, or (785) 296-4950 for more information or questions.  


8: Introduction to the Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ)® training, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., on Zoom. Register at ksdetasn.org/events


8: Individual Plan of Study (IPS) technical assistance session, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m., ESSDACK, Hutchinson. Register here. Contact Natalie Clark, ndclark@ksde.org or (785) 296-4351, with questions. 


11: KESA 2.0 monthly Zoom update, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Click here for the Zoom link. 


12: Kansas MTSS & Alignment Leadership Institute, Topeka. Click this link to register: ksdetasn.org/events. Contact Josh Lee at josh@kansasmtss.org with questions. 


12: McKinney-Vento virtual training, 10:30 a.m.; contact Maureen Tabasko, mtabasko@ksde.org, (785) 296-1101, or Roxanne Zillinger, rzillinger@ksde.org, (785) 296-7260 for access to the Zoom link and/or additional information. 


13: Kansas MTSS & Alignment Leadership Institute, Wichita. Click this link to register: ksdetasn.org/events. Contact Josh Lee at josh@kansasmtss.org with questions. 


13: District test coordinator mandatory training, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Southwest Plains Educational Service Center, Sublette. Register here. Contact Chelsea Pelfrey at cpelfrey@ksde.org or (785) 296-0040 with questions. 


14: District test coordinator mandatory training, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Northwest Kansas Educational Service Center, Oakley. Register here. Contact Chelsea Pelfrey at cpelfrey@ksde.org or (785) 296-0040 with questions. 


14: Kansas MTSS & Alignment Leadership Institute, Garden City. Click this link to register: ksdetasn.org/events. Contact Josh Lee at josh@kansasmtss.org with questions. 


18: Individual Plan of Study (IPS) technical assistance session, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m., Orion, Clearwater. Register here. Contact Natalie Clark, ndclark@ksde.org or (785) 296-4351, with questions. 


December 


3: Kansas MTSS & Alignment preschool team’s standards-based make it-take it event for preschool teachers, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., KU Edwards campus. Register here. Contact Lea Harding at lea@kanasmtss.org with questions. 


9: KESA 2.0 monthly Zoom update, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Click here for the Zoom link. 


2025 


Jan. 18: Deadline to register for Innovate Next Steps: Pre-K-12 Learning conference, Feb. 8, at Bethany College. Click here to register. Contact Alan English, englishAE@bethanyLB.edu, or (785) 227-3380, with questions.  


Feb. 7: Kansas MTSS & Alignment preschool team’s standards-based make it-take it event for preschool teachers, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, Salina. Register here. Contact Lea Harding at lea@kanasmtss.org with questions. 


Feb. 8: Innovate Next Steps: Pre-K-12 Learning conference, at Bethany College. Click here to register. Contact Alan English, englishAE@bethanyLB.edu, or (785) 227-3380, with questions.  


April 3: Kansas MTSS & Alignment preschool team’s standards-based make it-take it event for preschool teachers, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Lee Richardson Zoo, Garden City. Register here. Contact Lea Harding at lea@kanasmtss.org with questions. 

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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.