In this edition ...

Giving districts and school systems the chance to focus on their school improvement initiatives going into the 2025-26 school year was the intent of the reimagined Great Ideas in Education Conference held this week in Wichita. 

“We have to stay true to systems and processes,” Dr. Renee Nugent, KSDE deputy commissioner of the division of learning services, told the crowd of more than 400 attendees. “Your processes are important, but your people are more important.” 

KESA 2.0 information sessions slated for August and September   

For the latest updates and valuable insights into the KESA 2.0 accreditation process, school districts and systems are invited to attend in-person information sessions in August and September.   

Please note: These fall 2025 information sessions will be repeated for those who couldn’t attend the sessions this past spring.    

By Amanda Petersen, director of KSDE early childhood 

KSDE available to support quality early childhood programming this school year 

A child’s earliest years are an incredible opportunity to support later success. More than 90% of a child’s brain architecture develops by age five, and one million new neural connections happen every second during the first few years of life. 

The Kansas State Department of Education’s Special Education and Title Services (SETS) team announces 2025-26 Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) support opportunities.   

The ESEA programs bootcamp is for new administrators of ESEA programs and the Local Consolidated Plan (LCP).