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Award Winners: 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025
The Star Recognition Program celebrates Kansas school districts and systems for their outstanding achievements in key areas that reflect success across the state’s education system.
The program highlights excellence in eight areas, using both quantitative and qualitative measures to showcase districts’ or systems’ accomplishments and areas of strength.
Kansas school districts will now have an extra year to submit applications for the Kansans Can Star Recognition Program qualitative measures. Beginning January 2026, the qualitative Star Recognition process will transition to a two‑year application cycle, with the next application window for both renewals and first‑time applicants opening in January 2027.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) recently updated the qualitative rubrics to better reflect the agency’s current work. Moving to a longer cycle supports:
Districts recognized in 2025 will automatically retain their stars through 2026.
Districts and systems can receive gold, silver, bronze or copper stars in the following quantitative measures based on data submitted to the Kansas State Department of Education:
District recognition in the following areas will be automatically calculated by the Kansas State Department of Education based on collected district data.
Districts must apply to be recognized in the following areas:
No application necessary.
The deadline to submit applications for 2026 will be announced at a later date.
kcanstars@ksde.org
(785) 296-3201
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. (more information...)
To accommodate people with disabilities, on request, auxiliary aides and services will be provided and reasonable modifications to policies and programs will be made. To request accommodations or for more information please contact the Office of General Counsel at gc@ksde.gov or by 785-296-3201.