Accreditation

Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) is how Kansas ensures every school system is improving outcomes for students. The model focuses on continuous improvement by helping schools strengthen instruction, use data effectively and align their work so all students are prepared for success after high school.

A Coherent Approach to School Improvement

Kansas is strengthening school improvement through a focus on coherence. This means aligning what students are expected to learn, how they are taught, how learning is measured and how educators are supported.

This work is centered on four key areas known as the Four Fundamentals.

The Four fundamentals

  • Structured literacy
  • Standards-aligned learning
  • Balanced assessment
  • Quality instruction

When these fundamentals are in place across classrooms, school systems are better equipped to deliver consistent, high-quality learning experiences for every student.

How Schools are Accredited

Each school system is reviewed annually in three areas:

School improvement

Implementation of the Four Fundamentals across classrooms

Student outcomes

Measures such as achievement, growth and graduation rates

Compliance

Meeting state and federal requirements

This balanced approach ensures schools are focused on both results and the practices that drive those results.

The Continuous Improvement Cycle

KESA follows a structured annual cycle that supports ongoing progress:

  • Participate in a School Improvement Day
  • Develop and implement a KESA Action Plan
  • Engage in a six-month progress check-in with KSDE

This cycle helps school systems identify priorities, take action and adjust based on results to better support students.

What is a School Improvement Day?

A School Improvement Day is a dedicated time when school and district leaders work with KSDE to review data, identify priorities and plan next steps for improving student outcomes.

These sessions focus on the Four Fundamentals and help school systems align their efforts, share strategies and strengthen their approach to teaching and learning.

Support for Every School System

KSDE provides ongoing support through a Region and Cohort model designed to meet the needs of each school system:

Regions

Districts are grouped geographically as West, Central or East and supported by a KSDE regional executive.

Cohorts

Districts are also grouped by shared characteristics such as urban, suburban, private or special purpose to provide more tailored support.

This structure ensures consistent guidance, meaningful collaboration and direct access to KSDE resources.

What it Means to be Fully Accredited

A fully accredited system has the Four Fundamentals in place across classrooms and demonstrates results that show students are learning, growing and prepared for life after high school.