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Educate Kansas will host Building Opportunities for Outstanding Teachers (BOOST) on June 17, in Hays. This event is a chance for Kansas leaders to collaborate, exchange ideas and develop proactive solutions to address the educator pipeline.
Several training opportunities are available for school transportation personnel this summer.
Attendees of this year's Great Ideas in Education conference can access the conference schedule (subject to change) via the Sched application accessible via mobile and desktop.
At the end of May, join the growing number of Kansas Pre-K-12 educators in developing students’ language, understanding, fluency, and problem-solving across Kansas math standards.
Developed in partnership with the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) and Kansas MTSS & Alignment, the Kansas Math Project aims to build understanding of evidence-based teaching strategies and math content knowledge.
May
1: Deadline to submit Perkins Secondary Improvement Grant Application Part Two for FY26. Click here for more information. Contact Natalie Clark, natalie.clark@ksde.gov, with questions.
1: Mentor stipends final report due. Contact Leslie Bruton, leslie.bruton@ksde.gov, with questions.
2: 2025 Star Recognition applications deadline. Contact kcanstars@ksde.gov with questions.
6: All In For Kansas Kids Early Childhood and Wellness conference, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Russell Child Development Center (RCDC), in Garden City. Lunch will be provided. Click here to register. Contact Ashley Lafond, alafond@ku.edu, with questions.
The full schedule for the annual Great Ideas in Education conference, July 28-30, will be released next week.
In April and May, join the growing number of Kansas Pre-K-12 educators in developing students’ language, understanding, fluency, and problem-solving across Kansas math standards.
The Kansas Technical Assistance System Network (TASN) will be offering an online course, “Systemic Implementation of Universal Design for Learning” (UDL), in June.
District and building administrators, as well as instructional coaches, are encouraged to participate in this administrator cohort to learn more about implementing UDL through engaging modules and collaborative discussions at 11 a.m., on June 3, 10 and 17.
The team supporting the All In For Kansas Kids statewide strategic plan for early childhood invites families with young children, early childhood care providers, and mental health professionals to attend two free conferences on May 6 and 8. These conferences will focus on mental health and special healthcare needs, foster family-driven connections and help professionals better support families.
By Sandy Johnson, Kansas Department of Labor
The Labor Market Information (LMI) division of the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL), has launched Today’s Occupations, Tomorrow’s Opportunities (T.O.T.O.), an innovative career exploration platform designed to help students and career changers navigate their professional paths.
April
25: KESA 2.0 in-person information session, at Smoky Hill, in Salina. This is an optional meeting and registration is not required. Attendees can participate in either a morning session from 9 -11 a.m. OR an afternoon session from 1-3 p.m. Contact Rue Huereca-Retana at Rue.Huereca-Retana@ksde.gov for more information.
25: Optional second grade reading assessment window closes. Click here for more information. Contact Chelsey Pelfrey, chelsea.pelfrey@ksde.gov or the Kite service desk at 855-277-9752 or kap-support@ku.edu with questions.
28-29: Kansas Math Project professional development, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, in Hays. *PLEASE NOTE: This session is full. Email kmp@kansasmtss.org to be placed on a waiting list.
30: KESA 2.0 in-person information session, at Northwest Kansas Educational Service Center, in Oakley. This is an optional meeting and registration is not required. Attendees can participate in either a morning session from 9 -11 a.m. OR an afternoon session from 1-3 p.m. Contact Rue Huereca-Retana at Rue.Huereca-Retana@ksde.gov for more information.
April 30-May 1: Kansas Math Project professional development, Topeka, Sunflower Nonprofit Center, 5820 S.W. 6th Street. *PLEASE NOTE: This session is full. Email kmp@kansasmtss.org to be placed on a waiting list.
The Labor Market Information (LMI) division of the Kansas Department of Labor has launched Today’s Occupations, Tomorrow’s Opportunities (T.O.T.O.), an innovative career exploration platform designed to help students and career changers navigate their professional paths.
By Lisa Williams, coordinator, KSDE Early Childhood team
The inaugural National Home Visiting Week (NHVW) will take place April 21-25, an observance to celebrate and recognize home visitors and the positive impact they make on maternal and child health outcomes.
The Institute for the Advancement of Family Support Professionals, an organization focused on strengthening home visiting and human service programs across the country, is collaborating with nonprofit partners and elected officials to organize the event.
Registration is open for the Safe and Supportive Schools Conference, May 7-8, at the Hilton Garden Inn, in Manhattan. The cost for this day and a half training is $75.
The deadline to register is May 6. Click here for event and lodging information.
Click here for presentation titles and times. Attendees should plan ahead to attend breakout sessions that best meet the needs of their school district.
The keynote speaker is Mitch Holthus, voice of the Kansas City Chiefs.
The KSDE Teacher Licensure team is seeking volunteers to help revise the educator preparation standards for the following license and endorsement areas:
Indicate interest and availability for any of the license/endorsement areas on the survey: https://ksde.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bm6eYfkG6Je9qrc.
The KSDE Division of Learning Services has announced a few of the session titles for the Great Ideas in Education Conference, July 28-30.
As part of the Kansas FastBridge statewide program, Renaissance Learning offers opportunities for professional learning and support to Kansas educators. This includes videos, webinars, consultation, and on-site workshops. The videos can be accessed through FASTFLIX.
Webinars are listed below under “Upcoming FastBridge virtual trainings.” Consultations and workshops can be requested on topics such as onboarding, data reviews and more.
21: KESA 2.0 in-person information session, at Orion, in Clearwater. This is an optional meeting and registration is not required. Attendees can participate in either a morning session from 9 -11 a.m. OR an afternoon session from 1-3 p.m. Contact Rue Huereca-Retana at Rue.Huereca-Retana@ksde.gov for more information.
22: (POSTPONED) Cracking the Code: Practical Strategies for Teaching Word Recognition (K-12), Southwest Plains, in Sublette. Register here. Contact Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.
24: (POSTPONED) Cracking the Code: Practical Strategies for Teaching Word Recognition (K-12), ESSDACK, in Hutchinson. Register here. Contact Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.
24: (POSTPONED) Clear, Intentional and Effective Writing: The Writing Tenets (3-12), Orion, in Clearwater. Register here. Contact Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.
24: Higher education program reviewer virtual training, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Contact Catherine Chmidling, catherine.chmidling@ksde.gov, with questions.
The month of April provides an opportunity to recognize and honor the service of our youngest heroes: military children.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly signed a proclamation on Tuesday, April 1, designating April as the Month of the Military Child. “Purple Up! For Military Kids” day in Kansas was Wednesday, April 9.
11: Curriculum leaders meeting (New date and location), 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., at the Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex (Metroplex), Room 180, East 29th and Oliver, on the Wichita State University campus. Register here. Contact Pat Bone, pat.bone@ksde.gov, with questions.
12: Data-Driven Success - Unpacking Literacy Assessments for Maximum Impact (K-12), Southwest Plains, in Sublette. Register here. Contact Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.
14: KESA virtual monthly update, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Join the meeting here; no passcode required. Contact Rue Huereca-Retana, Rue.Huereca-Retana@ksde.gov, with questions.
15: Science collaboration for curriculum leaders, virtual, 4-5 p.m. Register here. Contact Stephanie Alderman-Oler, stephanie.alderman-oler@ksde.gov, with questions.
15: (POSTPONED) Cracking the Code: Practical Strategies for Teaching Word Recognition (K-12), Greenbush, in Lawrence. Register here. Contact Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly signed a proclamation on Tuesday, April 1, designating April as the Month of the Military Child. “Purple Up! For Military Kids” day in Kansas is Wednesday, April 9.
Changes have been made to the upcoming Local Consolidated Plan (LCP) quarterly #4 meetings.
As preparations continue for the upcoming Great Ideas in Education Conference, the following information clarifies which staff members on the District Leadership Teams (DLT) and Building Leadership Teams (BLT) should attend this conference.
8: (CANCELED) Local Consolidated Plan (LCP) quarterly #4, in-person, Hilton Garden Inn and Convention Center, Hays. Contact Twyla Sprouse, twyla.sprouse@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-6714, with questions.
8-9: Kansas State Board of Education meeting. Click here for the agenda and meeting materials.
9: Science collaboration for new science teachers, virtual, 4-5 p.m. Register here. Contact Stephanie Alderman-Oler, stephanie.alderman-oler@ksde.gov, with questions.
10: (CHANGED TO VIRTUAL) Local Consolidated Plan (LCP) quarterly #4, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., virtual, Register here. Contact Twyla Sprouse, twyla.sprouse@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-6714, with questions.
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.