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During its May meeting in Topeka this week, the Kansas State Board of Education received draft recommendations regarding the use of technology in the classroom.

Board members Melanie Haas and Danny Zeck began looking into the use of classroom technology and providing 1:1 devices for students. They said their presentation on Tuesday was a starting point for board discussions expected throughout the summer for how districts and their local boards of education can begin to modify educators’ instructional use of digital technology.

Haas said after hearing from parents, superintendents, educators and other stakeholders, the message she received is the board needs to avoid rushing decisions about wholesale changes in how classroom technology is used. She said more data needs to be gathered and “putting students first” remains a priority. Zeck emphasized the need for parents to be involved in this process.

As part of the technology and children discussion, Paul Larkin, superintendent of Syracuse USD 494, Liz Plunkett, principal of Syracuse Elementary School, and Taryn Parks, a mother of three USD 494 children, shared with board members what they’ve learned about a program initiated with district families on the effects of technology and social media on children.

Parks said she was initially skeptical of the program, believing it was a way to gather data on her children. However, she said she soon realized her family needed to make some changes when it came to their use of technology.

“That transition was difficult,” Parks recalled, saying she saw an immediate impact on her family when they began engaging in more technology-free activities. “But it’s never too late to make a positive change with my family.” 

Board members also heard from Dr. Renee Nugent, deputy commissioner for the KSDE division of learning services, about House Bill 2299, which became law during the 2026 legislative session. She explained some of the provisions of the so-called, “cell phone bill,” which establishes a bell-to-bell ban on K-12 students’ use of personal devices during the school day and official communication between school staff and students on social media platforms. 

Other presentations board members heard during their May meeting included the following:

• Shane Carter, director of KSDE teacher licensure, updated board members on the Kansas Registered Youth Teacher Apprenticeship Program (RTAP) and the state’s youth teacher apprentice program for Kansas high school students.  As part of a pilot during the 2025-26 school year, students from Topeka USD 501, Spring Hill USD 230 and Liberal USD 480 shared their experiences working alongside classroom teachers in their district and what they’re excited about as they continue their paths toward becoming teachers.
• Carter also provided board members with information on streamlining out-of-state teacher licensure requirements and licensure application fee changes for action by the board in June.
• Scott Gordon, KSDE general counsel, presented information for future board action regarding the research-based, national Model Code of Ethics for Educators (MCEE). Developed by the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification, or NASDTEC, Gordon said the code of ethics “establishes principles for ethical best practice, mindfulness, self-reflection and self-regulation.” 
• Dr. Laurie Curtis, manager of KSDE’s early literacy and dyslexia program, explained KSDE will issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to meet the Blueprint for Literacy’s statutory requirement to adopt a universal, statewide screener for reading risk, which will be implemented beginning in fall 2027.
• Dr. Catherine Chmidling, KSDE assistant director of teacher licensure, presented the board with updated agriculture and theatre education standards for them to vote on in June.
• Representatives from the Orion Education and Training Center, in Wichita, presented information about the 15-district pilot program for adults to earn their high school diploma. 
• As part of the board meeting’s Reading Corner to highlight literacy, teachers and students from Roesland Elementary, Shawnee Mission USD 512, explained the reading exercises they go through to research and understand the origin of words and how to diagram sentences.
• Students from Williams Fine Arts and Science Magnet, Topeka USD 501, sang to board members under the direction of music teacher Laura Cluke.

The board took action to approve several items, including the following:

• The appointment of Dr. Zach Conrad as deputy commissioner of KSDE’s newly-created Division of Accountability and Technology.
• The career and technical education (CTE) cluster reviews for the 2025-26 school year; approval of pathway credential recommendations made by the Kansas Advisory Committee for Career and Technical Education. 
• The school breakfast program waivers recommended by the waiver review committee. State statute requires schools with 35% or more students eligible for free or reduced-price meals to offer a school breakfast program, with waivers available under specific conditions.  
• A five-year contract with the National Student Clearinghouse for obtaining postsecondary student data.
• The memorandum of understanding (MOU) that adds six days to the Kansas School for the Deaf’s academic calendar.
• Recommended language from the Board’s Policy Committee regarding the citizens’ open forum at board meetings. 
• Recommendations made by the Professional Practices Commission (PPC).
• Consent agenda items including the incoming education commissioner’s start date and salary. 
  

The board’s next monthly meeting will be June 9-10, in the first floor board room of the Landon State Office Building, 900 S.W. Jackson, in Topeka. 

Kansas State Department of Education names Dr. Zach Conrad deputy commissioner of Accountability and Technology

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