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One-day sessions known as “School Improvement Days” are integral to districts creating action plans to address student achievement as part of the second iteration of the Kansas Education Accreditation System, known as KESA 2.0.
“This process is tremendously much more intentional, meaningful to actually be able to have the time to collaborate with like-sized schools, sharing ideas,” Karla Tanking, assistant superintendent of Holton USD 336, said during a recent School Improvement Day at Greenbush Education Service Center in Lawrence. “But it’s also just having the time to talk through and analyze data with our own group that is very helpful and beneficial.”
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.
The Kansas State Board of Education has directed the creation of a blue-ribbon task force charged with making recommendations for student cell phone use in the classroom.
During their July meeting this week, board members asked Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson to form the group, which is expected to be comprised of two board members, students, teachers, principals and other education representatives.
They will be asked to provide recommendations for a policy or guidance for the non-academic use of cell phones during instructional time.
Using a support model of cohorts to maximize resources, coaching and training, Kansas districts and private schools are set to implement the second iteration of the Kansas Education Systems Accreditation, known as KESA 2.0, this fall.
“We want to focus on fewer priorities and do those well,” said Dr. Ben Proctor, Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) deputy commissioner for learning services. “We want our students to know more and be able to do more which will give them more options and opportunities as they go through school and ultimately graduate and go on in life."
Members of the Kansas State Board of Education approved the school improvement model for KESA 2.0 during their July meeting in Topeka.
In this edition | Feature Story | Assessments and Accountability | Reporting and Operations Standards and Instruction | Student Health and Nutrition | Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition
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