As part of the second iteration of the Kansas Education Systems Accreditation process, known as KESA 2.0, districts and school systems are attending regional School Improvement Days during the 2024-25 school year with three to four other like systems.  

These days are facilitated by Kansas educators who have been trained and volunteer their time to help their colleagues understand what is required for KESA 2.0 accreditation. They guide those attending the School Improvement Days through a broad review of their district-level data, including assessment scores. After reviewing and discussing their data as a district team and then with colleagues from similar districts, attendees begin discussing how their data is going to drive the creation of their student achievement action plans. These plans will later get input from the broader school communities before they’re submitted and reviewed by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE). 

Dan Magie, director for curriculum and instruction for Ellsworth-Kanopolis-Geneseo USD 327, said he wanted to facilitate the school improvement days to help him better understand the process for his district and interact with his education colleagues.  

“The processes and the structures that Kansas has been putting into place are the right type of processes to put our kids (on track) to leading the world,” he said. “I actually believe in the model. I couldn’t get up here if I didn’t believe this was a good school improvement model for kids in Kansas.” 

KSDE regional executives, like Jean Rush, provide support, resources and focus while attendees move through the tasks of a school improvement day. She said she’s been told by attendees they appreciate the facilitators are “from districts.” 

“Sometimes the facilitators will say, ‘in our district, this is what we’re experiencing,’” Rush said. “It gives it (the process) credibility. Facilitators aren’t required to be experts in the process, but they understand the components and will add their personal experiences. That adds value to the School Improvement Day.”  

Ashley Udell, an elementary math curriculum coach for Kansas City Kansas USD 500, said since becoming a facilitator, she’s heard members of the district leadership teams say they value the time they’re given to share with their counterparts how their districts are progressing through the school improvement process. 

“I think we’ve been learning how important it is to collaborate with other districts to learn ‘what are you doing? What areas of need do you have?’” she said. “Sometimes you need somebody else to bounce ideas off of, and not just anybody else. It’s somebody else in a similar position in a similar district, the same type of students and families and community. It gives you confidence in what you’re seeing and feeling in your district. I think it helps move their thinking forward.” 

In addition to promoting the group discussions and expediting the work done during a school improvement day, the facilitators help attendees create a framework of an action plan before returning to their districts, something for which Udell said she’s heard attendees express their appreciation.  

“There’s a reason why we’re here,” she said. “The whole purpose is to be pro-active and plan next steps. We leave here knowing what we’re going to do next.” 

Sheila Berridge, director of elementary education for Hutchinson USD 308, said she became a facilitator to better understand the school improvement model so that she can help lead her own district’s staff through the accreditation process.  

In addition, Berridge said, facilitating the school improvement days has given her the chance to witness the discussions similar districts are having with each other about building their action plans around the shared goal of improving student achievement.  

“It’s a delight to hear from other districts and when KSDE put like systems together to sit with one another, it was genius because we all learn from one another,” she said. “What a great opportunity for us all to collaborate together and get better together.”  

Berridge said she’s watched as districts are “getting on board and stepping up to the plate” to navigate the school improvement process. 

“I feel like that is a win for everybody,” she said. 

For resources and information about KESA 2.0 and the school improvement process, go to the KSDE Accreditation and Design webpage.