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The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) will be accepting nominations for the 2027 Kansas Teacher of the Year beginning Sept. 3. Every school district is encouraged to nominate one exemplary elementary classroom teacher and one exemplary secondary classroom teacher for this prestigious award.
The Kansas Horizon Award program offers school districts an excellent opportunity to honor outstanding first-year teachers.
The program, sponsored by the Kansas State Department of Education, recognizes and rewards teachers who have served as examples of excellent teaching in elementary and secondary classrooms during their first year of teaching.
KSDE is hosting higher education program reviewer training in October with two virtual options.
Higher education institutions must have approved programs for all areas for which they make licensing recommendations so these program reviews are vital to maintaining strong educator preparation in Kansas.
The Presidential Scholars program recognizes and honors high school seniors who have demonstrated high achievements academically or in the arts — some having to overcome special challenges or hurdles to do so.
Applications are being accepted for the 2026 United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) and are due Oct. 10. The students selected will be notified after Dec. 1.
Olathe USD 233 and Judge Robert J. Wonnell of the Kansas 10th Judicial Court in Olathe invite all Kansas third grade students to participate in a nationwide virtual live mock trial at 10:30 a.m., on Sept. 17, to celebrate Constitution Day.
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) testing and Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) and instruction will be available for school transportation professionals Sept. 22-23, in Goddard. Attendance is required for both days.
Join parents from across Kansas for this one-day conference in September of learning, connection and inspiration. Participants will spend the day connecting and learning from one another.
Breakout sessions will focus on parental rights in special education, challenging behaviors, creating positive childhood experiences, supporting the mental health and substance abuse of parents, fatherhood, the dangers of social media, and many more. A Parent Cafe and a parent panel will engage and inspire.
The Kansas Technical Assistance System Network (TASN) provides evidence-based professional learning and technical assistance, grounded in the federal requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
The Kansas Local Interagency Coordinating Council Fall Retreat is a free, virtual opportunity appropriate for all early educators and families. This year’s retreat is titled, “Screen Time and Young Minds: What’s the Real Impact – And What Can We Do Instead?”
As part of the KSDE partnership with Renaissance, districts can now schedule virtual sessions at no cost covering FastBridge topics of their choosing. These are one-hour sessions and must be held prior to December 31, 2025. These sessions will be open to other districts as well.
September
3: 2027 Kansas Teacher of the Year nomination application opens. Contact Tamla Miller, tamla.miller@ksde.gov, (785) 296-4950 with questions.
3: KESA 2.0 information sessions (repeat of spring session information), in-person, Northwest Kansas Educational Service Center, in Oakley. Free and no registration is required. Contact Rue Huereca-Retana, Rue.Huereca-Retana@ksde.gov, with questions.
4: Fall Vacancy Report (FVR) training; virtual, 1:30 p.m. Contact Leslie Bruton, leslie.bruton@ksde.gov, to receive the Zoom link and more information.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) and Kansas Information Parent Resource Center (KPIRC) are partnering to offer Introduction to the Ages and Stages Questionnaires®.
Contact Michele Hayes, mrhayes@pittstate.edu, with questions.
August
25: Counting KIDS workshop, 1-4:30 p.m., Northwest Kansas Educational Service Center, 703 W. 2nd, in Oakley. Register here by Aug. 19. Contact Fiscal Auditing, 785-296-4976 or auditing@ksde.gov with questions.
26: Fall Vacancy Report (FVR) training; virtual, 9:30 a.m. Contact Leslie Bruton, leslie.bruton@ksde.gov, to receive the Zoom link and more information.
26: Counting KIDS workshop, 8:30 a.m. – noon, Dodge City USD 443 central district office, 2112 1st Ave., in Dodge City. Register here by Aug. 20. Contact Fiscal Auditing, 785-296-4976 or auditing@ksde.gov with questions.
Virtual support for transitioning for students with autism and complex learning needs
The Kansas Technical Assistance System Network (TASN) Autism and Tertiary Behavior Supports (ATBS) is offering a year-long, month-by-month approach to supporting transitioning for students with autism and complex learning needs.
Kansas Math Project facilitator training offered in August and October
The Kansas Math Project team is offering virtual and in-person facilitator training sessions for those interested in becoming recognized KMP facilitators within their local district.
The KSDE teacher licensure team is seeking volunteers to participate in higher education accreditation reviewer training in early November.
Those who are interested need to sign up no later than Friday, Aug. 15, for the training that will be 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., on Nov. 6, in Topeka. Online modules will need to be completed before the in-person training.
A note from Pat Bone, coordinator of the Great Ideas in Education Conference, KSDE division of learning services
On behalf of KSDE, we hope you enjoyed the recent conference and found the experience both valuable and inspiring. We appreciate you taking time from your busy summer schedules to prioritize professional growth and team collaboration as you prepare for the new school year.
The Kansas State Department of Education and partner agencies will begin hosting webinars every second Tuesday of the month to share information about secondary transition.
Beginning Sept. 9, the webinars are virtual and will be 3:30-4:30 p.m. They are free but registration is required.
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: (CTE) pathways student data management system closes. Contact PathwaysHelpDesk@ksde.gov with questions.
15: Higher ed accreditation reviewer training application deadline. Contact Catherine Chmidling, catherine.chmidling@ksde.gov, with questions.
15: ESEA programs bootcamp, 8:30 a.m. – noon, virtual, for new administrators of ESEA programs and the Local Consolidated Plan (LCP). Register here: https://ksdetasn.org/events/wnZ5UA. Contact Twyla Sprouse, twyla.sprouse@ksde.gov, or (785) 296-6714, with questions.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Special Education and Title Services (SETS) team announces 2025-26 Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) support opportunities.
The ESEA programs bootcamp is for new administrators of ESEA programs and the Local Consolidated Plan (LCP). This virtual training is 8:30 a.m. – noon, Friday, Aug. 15.
New and experienced ESEA program administrators are invited to attend in-person Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) program meetings slated for early September.
The purpose of these meetings (formerly the Local Consolidated Plan quarterly meetings) is for ESEA program administrators to access support from KSDE and statewide experts to apply new and existing guidance in their local context. The focus of these meetings will be hands-on work with the LCP.
Those who are interested need to sign up no later than Aug. 15, for the training that will be 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., on Nov. 6, in Topeka. Online modules will need to be completed before the in-person training.
11: Educator Data Collection System (EDCS) virtual training for submitting the Fall Vacancy Report (FVR), 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Contact Leslie Bruton, leslie.bruton@ksde.gov, or (785) 296–8011, with questions about EDCS and/or training opportunities.
11: KESA 2.0 information sessions (repeat of spring session information), in-person, Greenbush North, in Lawrence. Free and no registration is required. Contact Rue Huereca-Retana, Rue.Huereca-Retana@ksde.gov, with questions.
11: KESA 2.0 virtual update; 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. Join the meeting here. Contact Rue Huereca-Retanta, Rue.Huereca-Retana@ksde.gov, with questions.
12-13: Kansas State Board of Education monthly meeting, Landon State Office Building, 900 S.W. Jackson, in Topeka. Click here for the agenda and meeting materials.
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.