KSDE Newsroom

The Kansas State Department of Education’s transition from the Kansas Individual Data on Students (KIDS) system, created nearly 20 years ago, to a more advanced Kansas Education Data System (KEDS) continues to progress.

This week's Picture of the Week features Holton USD 336’s earliest learners.

Members of the Kansas State Board of Education approved new performance level descriptors (PLDs) for the revised 2025 state assessments during their May meeting in Topeka. 

“It’s clarity,” Beth Fultz, director of the Kansas State Department of Education’s Career, Standards and Assessment Services, told board members. “It’s just clarifying what the test will measure.” 

The revised performance level descriptors were developed and reviewed by Kansas experts and educators over the past year. The PLDs will provide a foundation for setting cut scores that identify the level of proficiency students achieve on the assessments. 

As summer break approaches, how can Kansas families and educators help students avoid the "summer slide" and hold onto the academic gains they've made throughout the year?

Join Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson and his guests as they discuss engaging, accessible ways to keep kids reading, thinking, and learning all summer long.

Second grade students in Valley Center USD 262's Abilene, West and Wheatland elementary schools creating their own popcorn business is this week's Picture of the Week.

For their senior prank this past week, seniors at Lawrence High School, Lawrence USD 497, brought their dogs to school.

As summer break approaches, how can Kansas families and educators help students avoid the "summer slide" and hold onto the academic gains they've made throughout the year?

Join Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson and his guests as they discuss engaging, accessible ways to keep kids reading, thinking, and learning all summer long. From library partnerships to simple at-home activities, discover tools and tips that make summer learning fun and meaningful.

As Teacher Appreciation Week begins to wrap up, the members of the 2025 Kansas Teacher of the Year team wanted to show their appreciation for the educators who inspire them to be better teachers.  

Members of the Kansas State Board of Education are slated to vote on updated state assessment performance level descriptors during their monthly meeting, May 13-14, in Topeka. 

Five students at Indian Hills Middle School, Shawnee Mission USD 512, were recently crowned the champions of the 2025 National Space Grand Challenge, a prestigious, virtual, game-based cybersecurity competition. The annual event challenges middle and high school students to develop cyber and IT skills through an innovative blend of STEM, space themes, gamification, and esports.