Long Description: Kansas School Improvement Model Infographic
The image is an infographic titled “Kansas School Improvement Model.” It is presented in a horizontal layout with a dark blue header at the top and four vertical columns beneath it. The columns are labeled Fundamentals, Structures, Lead Indicators, and Measures of Progress. The graphic is branded by the Kansas State Department of Education and uses a consistent color scheme with blue, gray, orange, red, green, and teal accent sections.
Column 1: Fundamentals
This column is labeled “Fundamentals (The foundation for school improvement in Kansas schools).” It describes core instructional priorities for Pre‑K through grade 12.
The listed fundamentals include:
Structured Literacy:
Schools provide literacy instruction in Pre‑K through grade 12 aligned to the science of reading. Teachers and administrators are expected to be well trained and knowledgeable in structured literacy practices.
Standards Alignment:
Lessons, instruction, and materials are aligned to Kansas academic standards. This includes identifying the standards students must know and be able to demonstrate, including interpersonal, intrapersonal, and cognitive skills.
Balanced Assessment:
Schools use a mix of assessments for risk and progress monitoring. Educators understand the purpose of each assessment and how to use data to raise student achievement.
Quality Instruction:
Instructional practices are high quality, classrooms promote student engagement, and students have access to grade‑level standards and high‑quality instructional materials from Pre‑K through grade 12.
Column 2: Structures
This column is labeled “Structures (Reinforce lead indicators and sustain fundamentals within the system).” It lists organizational supports that enable schools to implement the fundamentals effectively.
The structures listed are:
Resource Allocation
Educator Evaluation
Professional Learning
Professional Collaboration
Tiered System of Supports
Family, Community, and Business Partnerships
Each structure corresponds directly to practices described in the next column.
Column 3: Lead Indicators
This column is labeled “Lead Indicators (Actions that support implementation of the fundamentals).” It explains how the structures are put into practice through specific actions.
Each structure from Column 2 includes a brief description:
Resource Allocation:
Budget decisions support high‑quality instructional materials and professional development aligned to state standards and structured literacy.
Educator Evaluation:
Evaluation processes and conversations account for Pre‑K–12 standards and optimize instructional learning in classrooms.
Professional Learning:
District professional development and mentoring align with classroom practice, state standards, and high‑quality instructional materials.
Professional Collaboration:
Grade‑level and content‑area teams align instruction with state standards and optimize classroom conditions for learning.
Tiered System of Supports:
Data analysis and utilization include screening for risk and performance against standards. Adequate time is provided for core instruction, interventions, and enrichment.
Family, Community, and Business Partnerships:
Educators, families, and community partners collaborate to support student progress toward standards, competencies, and postsecondary readiness indicators.
Column 4: Measures of Progress
This column is labeled “Measures of Progress (How we know the actions being implemented effectively).”
For each lead indicator, progress is tracked using:
A 6‑month target, and
A 1‑year target.
The word “Measure” appears repeatedly to emphasize that each action area includes defined benchmarks over time.
Footer and Branding
At the bottom of the infographic is a footer with branding and a tagline. It includes:
“Kansas State Department of Education”
A website reference: www.ksde.org
A hashtag: #KansasCan
A statement reading: “Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.”
A small multicolored starburst graphic appears at the lower right corner.
Purpose and Overall Meaning
Overall, the infographic communicates how Kansas connects instructional fundamentals, system structures, and actionable indicators to measurable progress. It emphasizes alignment, collaboration, data‑driven decision‑making, and shared responsibility for improving student outcomes statewide.
