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By Natalie McClane, KSDE early childhood team
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) invites school districts to submit plans to provide preschool services to children at risk of entering kindergarten socially, emotionally, or academically unprepared for success.
The Preschool-Aged At-Risk approval form for the 2026-27 school year is now available on the Early Childhood Preschool Programming Webpage. The form is embedded in the 2026-2027 Preschool-Aged At-Risk Program Requirements and Assurances document.
All school districts seeking to operate approved Preschool-Aged At-Risk programs and receive associated school finance formula funding must complete and submit the form by April 3, to be approved by the Kansas State Board of Education in May.
The Preschool-Aged At-Risk program provides school districts with funding for preschool-aged students. In districts operating approved programs, three- and four-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.
For a copy of your 2025-26 Preschool-Aged At-Risk approval form for reference, or if you have any questions as you complete this short approval form, contact Natalie McClane, natalie.mcclane@ksde.gov.
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To accommodate people with disabilities, on request, auxiliary aides and services will be provided and reasonable modifications to policies and programs will be made. To request accommodations or for more information please contact the Office of General Counsel at gc@ksde.gov or by 785-296-3201.