Standards and Instruction

Preschool-Aged At-Risk approval forms must be submitted by Thursday, April 3. 

On Wednesday, March 12, the monthly All In For Kansas Kids webinar featured several schools discussing their experiences operating licensed child care facilities.  

Representatives from Southern Lyon County USD 252, Kingman-Norwich USD 331 and Satanta USD 507 shared bright spots and lessons learned from their experiences. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE), Office of the State Fire Marshal and Child Care Aware of Kansas also shared resources.

On Wednesday, March 12, the monthly All In For Kansas Kids webinar featured several schools discussing their experiences operating licensed child care facilities.  

By Amanda Petersen, director, KSDE Early Childhood 

The first five years of a child’s life are an incredible opportunity to set a positive direction. Engaging with families to better understand children’s development prepares children, families and schools for a successful start to the kindergarten year.  

To advance kindergarten readiness, all Kansas elementary schools are partnering with families of incoming kindergarten students to collect kindergarten-entry data. Families complete the Ages & Stages Questionnaires® (ASQ) to provide a snapshot of children’s developmental milestones. 

This month's All In For Kansas Kids webinar will feature several schools discussing their experiences operating licensed child care facilities. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Kansas State Department of Education, Office of the State Fire Marshal and Child Care Aware of Kansas will also share resources. Panelists will share bright spots and lessons learned to help schools better understand the process of operating licensed child care, and the supports available in the process.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s Child Care Licensing Team shared the following message with licensed child care providers on Feb. 21. The following information may be useful for schools seeking to open licensed child care programs in summer or fall 2025: 

Providers, 

We are quickly approaching spring and want to provide you a reminder regarding submitting applications for summer and fall time programs in a timely manner. Please remember, applications should be submitted at least 90 days prior to your anticipated opening date. This will ensure KDHE is able to look over all required documentation and work with you to remedy any unforeseen circumstances should they arise. 

The Preschool-Aged At-Risk Program provides school districts with funding for preschool-aged students. In districts operating approved programs, 3-and 4-year-old students who meet an at-risk criterion for the Preschool-Aged At-Risk Program and who are enrolled and attending on Count Day will automatically count as a ½ student (0.5 FTE) in calculating a district’s enrollment and accompanying weightings. Districts are encouraged to create integrated programs that include all students and to develop strong community partnerships.  

Engaging with families to build strong relationships during children’s transition into kindergarten is a key strategy to prepare children, families, and schools for a successful start to the kindergarten year.  

The Preschool-Aged At-Risk Program provides school districts with funding for preschool-aged students. In districts operating approved programs, 3-and 4-year-old students who meet an at-risk criterion for the Preschool-Aged At-Risk Program and who are enrolled and attending on Count Day will automatically count as a ½ student (0.5 FTE) in calculating a district’s enrollment and accompanying weightings. Districts are encouraged to create integrated programs that include all students and to develop strong community partnerships.  

Engaging with families to build strong relationships during children’s transition into kindergarten is a key strategy to prepare children, families, and schools for a successful start to the kindergarten year.  

All Kansas elementary schools are required to partner with families to complete the Ages & Stages Questionnaires^®, Third Edition (ASQ-3) and Ages & Stages Questionnaires^®: Social-Emotional, Second Edition (ASQ:SE-2). These tools provide a snapshot of children’s developmental milestones. As caregivers know their children best, they complete both questionnaires before school staff share and discuss the screening results.  

The Kansas State Department of Education is proud to celebrate the success of the most recent group of Kansas Parents as Teachers programs to earn a prestigious endorsement from Parents as Teachers National Center (PATNC) called the “Blue Ribbon Endorsement.” Parents as Teachers programs that earn this endorsement are designated as the top-performing home visiting programs within the Parents as Teachers international network.   

The Kansas State Department of Education is proud to celebrate the success of the most recent group of Kansas Parents as Teachers programs to earn a prestigious endorsement from Parents as Teachers National Center (PATNC) called the “Blue Ribbon Endorsement.” Parents as Teachers programs that earn this endorsement are designated as the top-performing home visiting programs within the Parents as Teachers international network.   

The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is seeking applications for 2025-26 Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) grants to provide preschool services.  

Eligible applicants include Kansas unified school districts (USDs) and other entities partnering with school districts. At least 50% of children served by KPP grant funds must meet criteria to be at risk of entering kindergarten socially, emotionally or academically unprepared for success.  

The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is seeking applications for 2025-26 Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) grants to provide preschool services.  

Eligible applicants include Kansas unified school districts (USDs) and other entities partnering with school districts. At least 50% of children served by KPP grant funds must meet criteria to be at risk of entering kindergarten socially, emotionally or academically unprepared for success.  

Early childhood experiences set the stage for lifelong success. Providing excellent early learning opportunities for preschool students with disabilities is an important area of focus as districts seek to improve kindergarten readiness. Research clearly indicates creating environments for all students to learn together regardless of ability improves outcomes for all students.  

Smooth, seamless transitions from Part C to Part B ensure young children with disabilities receive services without disruption or delay.

Each year, school districts report data for Indicator 12 for Part B, one of the 17 indicators reported to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). Part B Indicator 12 is a compliance indicator that measures the percent of children referred by Part C prior to age 3, who are found eligible for Part B, and who have an IEP developed and implemented by their third birthdays. 

Kansas Child Care Training Opportunities, Inc. (KCCTO) is excited to announce hard copies of the recently updated Core Competencies for Early Childhood Care and Education Professionals have begun arriving in districts. Each school district will receive three hard copies to share with early childhood staff. 

The Kansas State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC) is hosting a virtual retreat for local councils, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., on Nov. 1. 

This free event is a learning opportunity for anyone who works with children birth to five years of age.

The Kansas MTSS & Alignment preschool team is providing a free, one-day event that will engage preschool teachers in understanding the importance of standards-based activities for their classrooms. 

This hands-on, make and take event will help Pre-K teachers create standards-based, small group activities for preschool students that align with educational standards while also catering to the developmental needs and interests of young children.  

The Kansas MTSS & Alignment preschool team is providing a free, one-day event that will engage preschool teachers in understanding the importance of standards-based activities for their classrooms. 

This hands-on, make it-take event will help Pre-K teachers create standards-based, small group activities for preschool students that align with educational standards while also catering to the developmental needs and interests of young children.  

On Sept. 18, Kansas Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) Online users received the fifth and final installment of Kansas Kindergarten Readiness Snapshot News & Updates, a five-part guide to a successful start to the kindergarten year.   

Each edition provides proven resources to guide Kansas educators through each step of the Ages & Stages Questionnaires® (ASQ®) screening process. If you are not a Kansas ASQ Online user, you can visit agesandstages.com/ks to sign up for these emails and to view past newsletters.  

Important reminder: To advance kindergarten readiness, all Kansas elementary schools are required to partner with families to better understand incoming kindergarten students’ development. The 2024 Snapshot window closes Friday, Sept. 20.

The KSDE Early Childhood Team is excited to announce 6,551 hard copies of the recently updated Kansas Early Learning Standards (KELS) have begun arriving in districts. The Kansas Early Learning Standards provide information regarding what young children birth through kindergarten should know and be able to do as a result of engagement with caring knowledgeable adults, evidence-based curriculum, and developmentally appropriate activities. 

Next Friday, Sept. 20, is the deadline for all elementary schools to partner with families to complete the Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ).  

To advance kindergarten readiness, all Kansas elementary schools are required to partner with families to better understand incoming kindergarten students’ development. The 2024 Snapshot window closes Sept. 20. Schools should administer both the ASQ-3 and ASQ:SE-2 questionnaires to all incoming kindergarten students by Sept. 20.  

All data (including pending Family Access screenings and finalized manual screenings) must be entered in ASQ Online by Sept. 27. 

Early childhood special education administrators should review and finalize their early childhood outcomes data for the 2023-24 school year by Sunday, Sept. 15.  

The Outcomes Part B Web System (OWS) is the online data collection system that Kansas uses to collect the assessment data for Indicator 7 for Part B, one of the 17 indicators reported to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).  

On Sept. 4, Kansas Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) Online users received the fourth installment of Kansas Kindergarten Readiness Snapshot News & Updates, a five-part guide to a successful start to the kindergarten year.   

Each edition provides proven resources to guide Kansas educators through each step of the Ages & Stages Questionnaires® (ASQ®) screening process. If you are not a Kansas ASQ Online user, you can visit https://agesandstages.com/ks to sign up for these emails and view past newsletters.  

Early childhood special education administrators should review and finalize their early childhood outcomes data for the 2023-24 school year by Sept. 15.  

The Outcomes Part B Web System (OWS) is the online data collection system that Kansas uses to collect the assessment data for Indicator 7 for Part B, one of the 17 indicators reported to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).  

Early childhood teachers and administrators have multiple opportunities for professional learning and collaboration in the next several months. 

• Sept. 10: Greenbush will host “Early Childhood Programming in Kansas: Implementing High Quality Services in the Least Restrictive Environment” in Salina. Districts that are not currently meeting state targets for Indicator 6: Preschool Environments may especially want to attend. (Note that a district must be meeting state targets for Indicator 6 in order to be eligible to apply for Kansans Can Star Recognition in the area of Kindergarten Readiness.) Click here to learn more and to register for the Sept. 10 workshop. 

On Aug. 21, Kansas Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) Online users received the third installment of Kansas Kindergarten Readiness Snapshot News & Updates, a five-part guide to a successful start to the kindergarten year.   

The Kansas Children's Cabinet and Trust Fund board adopted the updated All in for Kansas Kids strategic plan for early childhood on Aug. 2. Updates to this plan continue years of work and collaboration between state agencies to collaboratively improve our state's early childhood programs and services.   

The Kansas Early Learning Standards (KELS) revision team is excited to announce the KELS website is officially live. 

All Preschool-Aged At-Risk Approval Forms for the 2024-2025 school year are due by Wednesday, April 3. The link to this form can be found on the Early Childhood Preschool Programming Webpage.

Fifty-eight Kansas Parents as Teachers program coordinators gathered Nov. 6-7 in Wichita for a two-day meeting focused on supporting Kansas families and children through high-quality PAT home visiting services.

The Kansas State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC) hosted an online fall retreat for members of Local Interagency Coordinating Councils (LICCs) on Nov. 3.

The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) Early Childhood team and the Kansas Parent Information Resource Center (KPIRC) are partnering for an online training on the Ages and Stages Questionnaires ^® Third Edition (ASQ- 3) and Ages and Stages ^®: Social-Emotional, Second Education (ASQ: SE-2).

The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is seeking public comment on the proposed Kansas Early Learning Standards (KELS).

The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is seeking public comment on the proposed Kansas Early Learning Standards (KELS). 

This week, Kansas Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) Online users received the fourth installment of Kansas Kindergarten Readiness Snapshot News and Updates, a five-part guide to a successful start to the kindergarten year.   

On Wednesday, Sept. 6, the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is offering a live webinar to walk through required reporting for Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) grantees. 

This week, Kansas Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) Online users received the second installment of Kansas Kindergarten Readiness Snapshot News and Updates, a five-part guide to a successful start to the kindergarten year. 

Kansas Parents as Teacher (PAT) affiliates served 8,323 children and 6,178 families from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, statistics from affiliates’ annual reports show.

This week, Kansas Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) Online users receive the first installment of Kansas Kindergarten Readiness Snapshot News & Updates, a five-part guide to a successful start to the kindergarten year. 

The Kansas Preschool Revenue Calculator and Budget Template can help districts estimate preschool revenue and budget across multiple funding sources. An updated version of this tool for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years is now available.

Engaging families as children transition into kindergarten supports kindergarten readiness and later student success.

Engaging families as children transition into kindergarten supports kindergarten readiness and later student success. Please make sure your school is kindergarten ready for the 2023-2024 school year by preparing to partner with families of incoming kindergarten students to complete the Ages & Stages Questionnaires®, Third Edition (ASQ-3) and the Ages & Stages Questionnaires®: Social-Emotional, Second Edition (ASQ:SE-2).  

As required by Program Assurance 20, Kansas preschool programs funded by Preschool-Aged At-Risk and/or Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) must enter data into the Early Childhood Foundations for School Success Authenticated web application. 

The Approval Form for Preschool-Aged At-Risk Funding are due April 3, 2023.  

The Kansas Parents as Teachers (KPAT) program grant application packet for the 2023-2024 school year is now available online and will be emailed to all current PAT program coordinators, said Lisa Williams, Parents as Teachers consultant for the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE). 

The path to leading the world in the success of each student starts in early childhood, long before a 5-year-old child begins kindergarten. 

On Wednesday, Dec. 14, the KSDE Early Childhood team hosted two Zoom meetings to provide an overview of 2023-2024 preschool funding resources, including the Preschool Revenue Calculator and Budget Template. PowerPoint slides from that presentation are now posted on the KSDE Early Childhood webpage. 

All data, including questionnaires administered via paper, pending Family Access screenings and child profiles noting the reason for not participating, is due in the ASQ Online system by Monday, Oct. 10.

Tuesday, Sept. 20, marks the close of the window to administer both ASQ-3 and ASQ:SE-2 to all incoming kindergarten students.

June 30 was the deadline to enter Early Childhood Outcomes data into the Outcomes Web System (OWS). However, if there are additions or changes that need to be made, this is the time to do so.

The 2022-2023 Events Calendar for Early Childhood Programs is now posted to the KSDE Early Childhood webpage.  

Building relationships with families lays the foundation for a strong start to the kindergarten year and for later student success. The Kindergarten Readiness Snapshot gives schools another opportunity to partner with families and better understand each kindergarten student’s development. 

Engaging families as children transition into kindergarten supports kindergarten readiness and later student success. All children are ready to enter kindergarten when they meet the age requirement – 5 years old on or before Aug. 31 of their kindergarten year.