News Releases
Our press releases provide timely, accurate information about key initiatives, policy updates, and important events in Kansas education. They serve as an official source for news and announcements from the Kansas State Department of Education, helping educators, families, and communities stay informed about developments that impact schools statewide.
State Board adopts policy for the effective use of instructional technology
Nov 12, 2026
by Angela Deines, KSDE CommunicationsMembers of the Kansas State Board of Education approved a policy this week providing minimum requirements for Kansas districts and nonpublic accredited schools regarding their local school board-approved policies for the effective use of instructional technology.
To meet the minimum requirements of the State Board-approved policy, districts and nonpublic accredited schools must address the following areas in their instructional technology policies as of July 1, 2027:
- Purpose and intended use of technology in elementary and secondary education settings
- Student technology access and use including:
-Technology access and availability
-Expectations for student use
-Take-home access
- Digital citizenship and student well-being
- Artificial intelligence
- Privacy and security
- Technology-use expectations and violations
State Board members approved a resolution and board directive No. 2026-1 to implement the policy they’ve been working on for the past several months. This includes a requirement districts and nonpublic accredited schools provide a parental acknowledgement process for their instructional technology policies that goes into effect by the start of the 2028-29 school year. The State Board-approved policy will sunset on July 1, 2030, if no action is taken prior to that date.
In addition to the board’s November consent agenda, other items board members approved this week included the recommendations from the Professional Practices Commission (PPC) for cases 24-PPC-31 (denial of limited apprentice teacher license) and 25-PPC-41 (public censure).
The following receive items were on this month’s agenda for action during the board’s December meeting:
- Legislative priorities for the 2027 session that encompass academic support efforts, health and safety, general funding, funding for school districts and education governance.
- Grants that will expand the state’s teacher, administrator and special education teacher apprenticeship programs across the state to strengthen the Kansas educator pipeline.
- The agreement that has Central Plains USD 112 transferring an estimated 125 square miles of land in Ellsworth County to Sylvan-Lucas USD 299 in Lincoln County, effective July 1, 2027.
- Recommendations received from the Evaluation Review Committee (ERC) regarding educator preparation provider accreditation for the University of Saint Mary and program approvals for Bethany College, Fort Hays State University, Newman University, Ottawa University and Pittsburg State University.
- The State Board policy committee's recommendations for several new and updated policies that govern the operations and processes of the State Board.
- Board members agreed, without a formal vote, to defer the discussion of guidance for elementary recess time to January when the newly-elected board members are seated.
The State Board heard the following presentations during their November meeting:
- Tammie Benham, of the Southeast Kansas Library System, outlined the role of local public libraries to promote literacy, especially among young readers.
- Bill Faflick, executive director of the Kansas State High School Activities Association, presented KSHSAA’s annual report to the State Board and updates on KSHSAA’s heat protocols for student-athletes.
- Joelle Allen and Joan Macy, interim superintendents of the Kansas School for the Deaf (KSD), presented information about the search process for a new permanent superintendent, KSD’s literacy program, topics KSD’s site council recently addressed including the Olathe school’s unified action plan, among other school improvement initiatives.
- Damien Johnson, president of the Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA), informed board members about the functions of the KMEA and how the elements of quality instruction are central to the musical arts.
- The Holton High School choir provided a vocal performance.
- Information about the Kansas Open Meetings Act (KOMA).
The board’s next meeting will be Dec. 8-9, in the first floor board room of the Landon State Office Building, 900 S.W. Jackson, in Topeka. The meeting materials and livestream will be posted here when available.
