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By Pat Bone, KSDE division of learning services
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) invites district and building leadership teams to the 2026 Great Ideas in Education Conference, July 27-29, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Convention Center, in Wichita. This powerful three-day experience has been designed to strengthen coherence across Kansas’ school improvement efforts.
School districts are invited to participate in an informational session about hosting a Visiting International Teacher (VIT) during the 2026-27 school year. The webinar will be 12 – 1 p.m., on Feb. 12. Access the webinar at this link.
The National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching, and Learning will host "Read, Talk, Play, Thrive: A Whole-Child Literacy Institute," Feb. 24-26, in Kansas City. This conference will shine a light on best literacy practices that support brain development and help every child take their first steps toward a lifelong love of learning.
February
2: KELPA, WIDA Alternate ACCESS assessment window opens; closes March 13. KELPA scoring window opens on Feb. 2; closes April 6. Contact Emily Scott, emily.scott@ksde.gov or (785) 296-4941, with questions.
2: Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) alternate assessment spring test window opens; closes April 24. Contact Cary Rogers, cary.rogers@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-0916 with questions.
3: 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Grant applicant webinar, 1-3 p.m. Access the webinar here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82157803344. Contact Christine Macy, Christine.Macy@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-3287 with questions.
4: CNW Wellness Wednesday, Seed Oils, vitual, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Join the meeting now (Meeting ID: 268 377 696 640 70 Passcode: Pu3Wb7AK). Contact Holly Steinlage, holly.steinlage@ksde.gov, with questions.
School districts are invited to participate in an informational session about hosting a Visiting International Teacher (VIT) during the 2026-27 school year. The webinar will be 12 – 1 p.m., on Feb. 12. Access the webinar at this link: Join the meeting here.
The Kansas Division for Early Childhood (KDEC) will host a one-day preconference "Supporting Young Children with Challenging Behavior (birth-five),” on Feb. 25.
January
23: Kansas Parents as Teachers mid-year report for FY26 due. Contact Lisa Williams, lisa.williams@ksde.gov, or (785) 296- 4964.
26: 21st CCLC grant workshop, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 S.W. 10th Ave., in Topeka. Register here: https://ksdetasn.org/events/yADUaQ Contact Christine Macy, Christine.Macy@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-3287 with questions.
27: Office hours available for school staff serving highly mobile students, 2-4 p.m. Click here to register. Contact Maureen Tabasko, maureen.tabasko@ksde.gov, (785) 296-1101, or Joe Jewett, joe.jewett@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-2600.
27: 21st CCLC grant workshop, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Pittsburg Public Library, 308 N. Walnut, in Pittsburg. Register here: https://ksdetasn.org/events/g6alZg Contact Christine Macy, Christine.Macy@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-3287 with questions.
28: 21st CCLC grant workshop, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Advance Learning Library, 711 W. 2nd Street, in Wichita. Register here: https://ksdetasn.org/events/YWYDKQ Contact Christine Macy, Christine.Macy@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-3287 with questions.
29: ESEA Title IA monthly office hour, 9 – 10 a.m. Register here:
Dr. Kelly Hoelting, an agriculture educator in Mission Valley USD 330, recently won the Region II Teacher Mentor award given during the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) convention in December.
Registration is now open for the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) online workshop, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., on Feb. 7. The deadline to register is Jan. 30.
The Kansas Volunteer Commission is eager to hear from you through the Kansas Volunteerism Survey. Your voice matters—and by participating, you can help shape the future of Kansas communities.
Make 2026 your district’s most aligned and impactful year yet by attending the Great Ideas in Education Conference, July 27-29, to ignite coherence, accelerate learning and expand opportunities.
Virtual statewide sessions are now available on the PAX Trainings for Kansas event page. Through funding by the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services, these trainings and related materials are provided at no cost.
15: KSDE Insight Podcast: How Kansas Funds Schools and Why It Matters for Families. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
15: Request for February Federal Funds (Form 240) deadline, if funds available. Contact Amanda Williams, amanda.willliams@ksde.gov, (785) 296-2020, with questions.
15: Kansas Pre-Kindergarten Pilot (KPP-TANF) 2nd quarter expense reimbursement payment request due. Contact Amanda Williams, amanda.willliams@ksde.gov, (785) 296-2020, with questions.
15: Local Consolidated Plan (LCP) final expenditure report due. Contact Nicole Clark, nicole.clark@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-4925.
By Andrea Etzel, editor, Kansas! Kids
The team at KANSAS! magazine is excited to announce the second edition of KANSAS! Kids will be headed to Kansas schools for students in grades four through six.
There are still available slots as part of the KSDE FastBridge partnership for district-specific virtual sessions at no charge to the district. These sessions must be held prior to Jan. 30.
14: IDEA Maintenance of Effort and Excess Cost report due for stand alone, co-op/interlocal LEAs. Contact Helen Swanson, helen.swanson@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-1712.
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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The Kansas State Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. (more information...)
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.