At-Risk Evidence Based Programs and Practices

The Kansas State Department of Education provides resources and support to districts that serve at-risk students. This page provides information for districts related to the at-risk accountability plan, approved list of programs and practices for at-risk services, and at-risk funding.  

At-Risk Accountability Plan

K.S.A. 72-3574 establishes requirements to create at-risk student accountability plans, annually report on at-risk student performance, show longitudinal academic improvement for those students, and report annually to the State Board of Education on the progress of such plans. KSDE has resources to support district’s at-risk accountability plan creation. 

At-Risk Accountability Plan Trainings

KSDE offers virtual and in-person trainings to support districts around the process and requirements for the At-Risk Accountability Plans due October 31, 2026. Sessions will focus on the cohort and goal setting process and the authenticated application. Expenditure report related questions may contact stateatrisk@ksde.gov.

At-Risk Trainings may be registered here.

Virtual Informational Session and Q&A (does not include application training)

  • August 12: 1-2 pm
  • August 26: 11 am-12 pm
  • September 15: 1-2 pm

Virtual At-Risk Plan and Application Training

  • September 21: 1-2:30 pm
  • October 15: 1-2:30 pm
  • October 22: 1-2:30 pm
  • October 28: 11 am-12:30 pm

In-Person At-Risk Plan and Application Training

Topeka Area

  • Date: September 24, 2026
  • Location: Topeka, KS
  • Building: KSDE, Docking State Office Building
  • Address: 915 SW Harrison St, Topeka, KS 66612 
  • Time: 1-3:30 pm
  • Registration limited to 80 attendees

Southwest Area

  • Date: September 29, 2026
  • Location: Dodge City, KS
  • Building: USD 443 District Office
  • Address: 2112 1st Avenue, Dodge City, KS 67801 
  • Time: 1-3:30 pm
  • Registration limited to 100 attendees

Northwest Area

  • Date: September 30, 2026
  • Location: Hays, KS
  • Building: USD 489 Rockwell Administrative Center Board Room
  • Address: 323 W 12th Street Hays, KS 67601
  • Time: 9-11:30 am
  • Registration limited to 60 attendees

Northeast Area

  • Date: October 1, 2026
  • Location: Eudora, KS
  • Building: USD 491 West Resource Center
  • Address: 1310 Winchester Rd. Eudora, KS 66025
  • Time: 1-3:30 pm
  • Registration limited to 40 attendees

Wichita Area

  • Date: October 5, 2026
  • Location: Andover, KS
  • Building: USD 385 Andover Public Schools District Office
  • Address: 1432 N. Andover Road Andover, Kansas 67002
  • Time: 9:30 am-12 pm
  • Registration limited to 60 attendees

Central Area

  • Date: October 7, 2026
  • Location: Salina, KS
  • Building: USD 305 District Office SEC Board room
  • Address: 1511 Gypsum Avenue, Salina, KS 67401
  • Time: 9:30 am-12 pm
  • Registration limited to 60 attendees

Approved List of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices

K.S.A. 72-5153 (d) states “the state board shall identify and approve evidence-based best practices for at-risk program and instruction of students receiving at-risk program services.” This list, linked below, is updated and approved by the State Board of Education annually. 

District Provisional At-Risk Programs and Practices Application 

The Provisional At-Risk Programs and Practices Application allows school districts to request provisional authorization for the use of at-risk funds on programs and practices not currently listed on the Approved List of State At-Risk Evidence-Based Programs and Practices List, per K.S.A. 72-5153. The provisional authorization process provides districts with the opportunity to implement innovative programs while building evidence of their effectiveness for at-risk Kansas students. To apply for provisional approval, please complete the following application: 

If you would like to view the application before you begin, a PDF of the application is available below. 

District Provisional At-Risk Programs and Practices Annual Data Submission

Once provisional authorization is granted, school districts may use at-risk funds to implement the approved program or practice for up to three school years without submitting a new provisional application. 
 
During this three-year period, school districts should submit annual data to KSDE that demonstrate the effectiveness of the program or practice on their identified at-risk student population. The annual data collection is intended to support the evaluation and continuous improvement of programs and practices used to serve at-risk students. Submitted data will not be used for accountability purposes. Rather, the information provided helps KSDE determine whether a program or practice demonstrates sufficient evidence of effectiveness for statewide approval and inclusion on the Approved List of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices. 

To submit your annual data, please use the following form: 

If you would like to view the form before you submit your annual data, a PDF of the form is available below. 

Vendor At-Risk Programs and Practices Application 

The Vendor At-Risk Program/Practice Application allows vendors to apply for their product be added to the Approved List of State At-Risk Evidence-Based Programs and Practices List, per K.S.A. 72-5153. The purpose of at-risk educational programs and practices is to provide students identified as at-risk to receive services and additional educational opportunities, interventions, and services above and beyond regular educational services. Vendors may apply to have a program or practice added to the list by using the following application: 

If you would like to view the application before you begin, a PDF of the application is available below. 

The Vendor application window opens annually on September 1st and closes on October 31st. Vendor applications will be evaluated after the application window has closed and subsequently presented to the State Board of Education for approval. The review form utilized by KSDE to determine if a program/practice will be recommended to be added to the approved list is shown in the PDF below. 

At-Risk Funding 
School Finance supports districts at-risk funds allocation.  

For more information, contact:

Brooke Wells
(785) 291-3574