In-person KESA 2.0 spring 2025 information sessions 

Educators are invited to attend in-person KESA 2.0 information sessions this spring for updates on the latest developments of the accreditation process.  

These events are hosted by Dr. Ben Proctor and Dr. Jay Scott, of KSDE’s Division of Learning Services, to ensure districts and systems are prepared for the 2025-26 school year. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, share feedback, and network with fellow educators.  

Registration is not required for these sessions; this is an optional gathering for everyone. Attendees can participate in either a morning session from 9-11 a.m. OR an afternoon session from 1-3 p.m.   

Dates and locations are as follows:  

• April 21: Orion (Clearwater) 
• April 25: Smoky Hill (Salina) 
• April 30: Northwest Kansas (Oakley) 
• May 7: ESSDACK (Hutchinson) 
• May 8: Greenbush North (Lawrence) 
• May 14: Southwest Plains (Sublette) 
• May 16: Greenbush South (Girard) 

Contact Rue Huereca-Retana, Rue.Huereca-Retana@ksde.gov, with questions.  

KESA application components: Current state activity and school improvement survey 

As the conclusion of the School Improvement Days for this school year is fast approaching, systems are reminded of two parts of the KESA application to complete that are in addition to their action plan:   

• The current state activity (a.k.a. the radar graph or “spider web”), which is the digital version of what was developed at the School Improvement Day.  Members of the district leadership team (DLT) came to a consensus on the current state of each of the six structures using the hard copy of the radar graph. Each system needs to complete the digital form located in the KESA application (see screenshot below) as soon as possible. A current state activity will not be evaluated; it is simply a quick and easy method to gauge a system’s current state in each of the six structures. The current state activity will be used each year moving forward to ascertain the structure or structures that need to be emphasized in a system’s action plan. 
• Systems are highly encouraged to provide input on the impact of the new accreditation model. Each DLT member is asked to complete the school improvement survey (see screenshot below) as soon as possible after submitting an action plan. Please note: Each DLT member will need a district-level authenticated application account to access the survey.   

Regional executives or cohort leads should be contacted with questions about a system’s current state activity or the survey. Technical questions with the KESA application should be directed to Rue Huereca-Retana, rue.huereca-retana@ksde.gov. 

KESA’s compliance evaluation process explained 

The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) will take a snapshot of each system’s compliance status in each of the KESA compliance areas on May 15 of each year. If a system is not in compliance in any one area as of that date, the superintendent will be notified soon after May 15.  

Systems not in compliance as of July 1 each year will be notified of their non-compliance. Non-compliance as of July 1, 2026, will prompt an Accreditation Review Council (ARC) review. Compliance status will soon be available in the KESA application.  

Contact Rue Huereca-Retana, Rue.Huereca-Retana@ksde.gov, with questions.