Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 | Issue 104

Feature Stories

• Three generations of Kansas educators agree on what makes a great teacher

Reporting and Operations

• Webinar scheduled for Sept. 12 on required real property recording and reporting
• Checklist available to aid school districts in preparing for annual KSDE audit
• Dropout Graduation Summary Report opens Oct. 1
• "EDCS for Beginners" and Fall Vacancy Report submission trainings available in September

IT & Cybersecurity

• Reminder: KSDE Information Technology announces E-Rate, cybersecurity training opportunities
• Reminder: Federal Communications Commission offers cybersecurity pilot program and training for schools and libraries

Accountability, Accreditation and Assessments

• Accreditation Advisory Council seeks applicants for open positions
• Reminder: September KESA facilitator in-person trainings available at education service centers
• Reminder: KESA virtual monthly updates have resumed for the 2024-25 school year
• Reminder: In-person KESA 2.0 fall information sessions available for districts and systems at education service centers

Standards and Instruction

• Career and technical education (CTE) technical assistance sessions available in September and October
• Professional development resource for career exploration now available

Student Health and Nutrition

• KSDE CNW to host Sept. 5 verification training



Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition

• Sept. 24 webinar to highlight work of Developmental Language Disorder scholar
• Final reminder: Aug. 30 deadline to register for Sept. 9-10 Kansas FCS educator and FCCLA adviser training
• Reminder: Mandatory in-person training sessions scheduled for district test coordinators
• Reminder: Keynote speaker, college credit announced for Great Ideas in Education conference
• Reminder: Innovate Next Steps: Pre-K-12 Learning set for Feb. 8, 2025, at Bethany College
• Reminder: Kansas MTSS and Alignment offers free informational event about the FastBridge assessment system
• Mark your calendars to join upcoming KSDE-sponsored trainings; deadline to schedule virtual learning extended
• Calendar

Becky Cole, left, Janice Wilkerson (retired), and Madison Cole represent three generations of Kansas educators in the Labette County USD 506 and Parsons USD 503 school communities. (Photo: Kevin Cole/X)

Three generations of Kansas educators agree on what makes a great teacher

As another school year begins, three generations of educators in southeast Kansas – one retired and two in the classroom – share what experiences and advice they’ve given and received over the years that helped make them the teachers they are today.  

Janice Wilkerson, a retired Parsons USD 503 teacher and considered the “elder statesman” of the family, said her teaching career was “a wonderful life.” 



“It couldn’t have been a better gift being a teacher and watching children grow and develop,” she said. 

Read more...

Webinar scheduled for Sept. 12 on required real property recording and reporting

KSDE will host a webinar from 11-11:30 a.m., on Sept. 12, to review important updates to the recording and reporting requirements for all districts that used federal funds for capital improvement projects or materials, or for services for capital improvements. 

Click this link to join: https://ksde.zoom.us/j/89195909170

Examples of federal expenditures that require capital improvement reporting include HVAC, bottle fillers, windows, remodeling, plumbing and fixtures, building wiring, and site improvements. 

Email esser@ksde.org with questions. 

Checklist available to aid school districts in preparing for annual KSDE audit

A new tool, “Checklist for School Districts’ Annual KSDE Audit,” clearly identifies documents required for the audit, including a short list of items to upload in advance of your district’s scheduled audit. The checklist is available on the KSDE Fiscal Auditing webpage under the heading, “Audit Guides.”

The checklist will also be previewed and discussed during this fall’s Counting Kids workshops.  

Read more...

Dropout Graduation Summary Report

opens Oct. 1

The Dropout Graduation Summary Report (DGSR) will open Oct. 1. Districts should validate data across all K-12 levels between now and Oct. 1 to ensure accurate reporting for the DGSR. 

If this is your first time submitting this report, please visit the DGSR webpage located here: Dropout Graduation Summary Report. There are many resources here that will help you troubleshoot any issues before the DGSR opens including the Q&A from 2023, along with the accompanying information to ensure data quality. 

If you have questions prior to the reporting window opening, contact the KIDS help desk, kids@ksde.org, or the DGSR help desk, dgsrhelpdesk@ksde.org. 

“EDCS for Beginners” and Fall Vacancy Report submission trainings available in September

Whether you are new to the Educator Data Collection System (EDCS) or just want a refresher, these trainings are for you. Each session, either in-person or by Zoom, will cover the same information.  

EDCS For Beginners 

Sept. 4: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. 

Join the Zoom meeting at https://ksde.zoom.us/j/86722889991 

Meeting ID: 867 2288 9991 

Read more...

KSDE Information Technology announces

E-rate, cybersecurity training opportunities

The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) will host E-Rate training sessions in October. Don Dietrich and Lori Thompson from BTU Consultants will conduct five in-person sessions across the state to discuss the E-Rate program's opportunities and requirements. 

Information regarding registration and costs is posted on each service center's website (links below). Each of the following sessions will be held from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 

Read more...

Federal Communications Commission offers cybersecurity pilot program and training for schools and libraries

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced a cybersecurity pilot program that will allocate up to $200 million to selected schools and libraries. To participate in this three-year initiative, schools must apply and be chosen. The program covers the following eligible services: 

• Advanced and next-generation firewalls. 
• Endpoint protection. 
• Identity protection and authentication. 
• Monitoring, detection, and response. 

Read more...

Accreditation Advisory Council seeks applicants for open positions

The Accreditation Advisory Council (AAC) is currently seeking applicants for several open positions. The council consists of about 40 education professionals who represent a variety of roles and perspectives in Kansas education.

This group provides input and recommendations to KSDE and advises KSDE staff on accreditation related topics.  

Read more...

Reminder: KESA facilitator in-person trainings available at education service centers

Training sessions are open to any educator wanting to serve as a school improvement day facilitator for KESA. There is still time to register for these sessions in September at the following locations: 

• Sept. 3 - Orion – Clearwater 
• Sept. 5 - Greenbush South - Girard 
• Sept. 9 - ESSDACK - Hutchinson 
• Sept. 16 - Smoky Hill - Salina 
• Sept. 20 - Greenbush North – Lawrence 

If you need to change information on your registration, contact Pat Bone at pbone@ksde.org.  

Reminder: KESA virtual monthly updates have resumed for the 2024-25 school year

If you were unable to join KSDE’s Accreditation and Design on Aug. 12 for the first KESA monthly update, here are the slides and a recording of the meeting of the meeting. 

The next monthly update is scheduled for 10:30-11:15 a.m. on Sept. 9. Slides and recordings of these monthly updates are available on this on this webpage after every meeting.  

Reminder: In-person KESA 2.0 fall information sessions available for districts and systems at education service centers

Make plans to attend the in-person KESA 2.0 information sessions this fall for updates on the latest developments and valuable insights on the new accreditation process. 

KSDE’s Dr. Ben Proctor and Dr. Jay Scott host these events to ensure districts and systems are prepared for the 2024-25 school year. Attendees will be able to ask questions, share feedback and network with fellow educators. 

Registration is not required for these sessions. However, the Greenbush locations will conduct registration for the districts in their service areas.

Read more...

Career and technical education (CTE) technical assistance sessions available in

September and October

The KSDE Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is offering technical assistance in September and October. Click on the education service center links below to register. Registration is $35 and includes lunch. 

• Sept. 19: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Greenbush North – Lawrence 
• Sept. 20: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Orion – Clearwater 
• Sept. 30: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Smoky Hill – Salina 
• Oct. 4: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.; ESSDACK – Hutchinson 
• Oct. 7: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.; Southwest Plains – Sublette 
• Oct. 30: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Greenbush South - Girard 

Read more...

Professional development resource for career exploration now available

A free, online professional development resource is available to view for preschool through middle school educators.  

Click here to access the virtual session, hosted by HirePaths. Speakers include Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson, educators from across the state and others, who share how to incorporate career exploration into the classroom. You will find tangible tips, and a certification for continuing education credit may be downloaded. 

KSDE CNW to host Sept. 5 verification training

The KSDE Child Nutrition and Wellness (CNW) team will host verification training from 1:30-3:30 p.m., on Thursday, Sept. 5.

Verification is the process school nutrition program (SNP) sponsors must conduct annually to confirm households are eligible to receive free and reduced-price school meals. The training will cover the purpose and focus of verification and review the steps required to complete verification within all established deadlines. 

Read more...

Sept. 24 webinar to highlight work of Developmental Language Disorder scholar

If students are gaining decoding skills and STILL struggling with comprehension, what might be the problem? Join us to learn from a leading scholar about Developmental Language Disorder, or DLD. 



KSDE will host a free webinar with Dr. Tiffany Hogan (right) to teach educators about DLD, 4-5 p.m., on Tuesday, Sept. 24. (registration link below). You will learn what this disorder looks like alongside dyslexia; how it may present without dyslexia; and how we might identify it with our youngest of students and get them the help they need before they struggle with comprehension as they get older. 

Read more...

Final reminder: Aug. 30 deadline to register for Sept. 9-10 Kansas FCS educator and FCCLA adviser training

Are you looking for a specialized professional development opportunity for Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) educators in your district?

This two-day training in Salina, Sept. 9-10, is tailored directly to the needs of FCS educators in Kansas and will cover topics like work-based learning in the FCS classroom, managing an effective Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) chapter, methods for running a high-quality FCS program, and much more.  

Read more... 

Reminder: Mandatory in-person training sessions scheduled for district

test coordinators

Whether you are a new or veteran test coordinator, make plans to attend one of the mandatory trainings held across the state beginning in September. 

Every district must have a district test coordinator and each district test coordinator is required to attend annual security and ethics training before training all district staff involved in giving state assessments. 

Each training session will be 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The dates and registration links are below. You will register directly with the education service center. 

Read more...

Reminder: Keynote speaker, college credit announced for Great Ideas

in Education conference

Make plans to attend this year’s Great Ideas in Education conference, “Lighting the Path Forward,” Oct. 23-25, by clicking here to register, make room reservations, access the schedule and see the list of titles, strands and audiences for the breakout sessions. 

Chris Perry (left), co-founder and executive director of Cultivate Education, an education consulting company based in Baldwin City, will be the keynote speaker on Oct. 23.

College credit is now available for attending this conference. Click here for more information. 

Read more...

Save the date! Innovate Next Steps:

Pre-K-12 Learning set for

Feb. 8, 2025, at Bethany College

Veteran educators, anyone considering a career in education, or anyone in between is invited to Bethany College’s education conference, Feb. 8, 2025.

Click this link to register: https://www.bethanylb.edu/education-conference 

Attendees will have an opportunity to earn graduate credit, obtain professional development points, collaborate and network with other educators, and learn more about a career in education. 

The cost for college credit is $300 ($150 per credit - conference is 2 credit hours). The registration fee, which includes lunch, is $40 for teachers and $10 for high school students. Bringing a group? Ask about possible transportation gas reimbursement. 

Contact Alan English, englishAE@bethanyLB.edu or (785) 227-3380 for more information. 

Reminder: Kansas MTSS and Alignment offers a free informational event about the

FastBridge assessment system

FastBridge screening assessment measures give instructional teams a wealth of data. Yet, how do teams harness that data to inform instructional practice at the ground-level?

During this free, one-day event, the Kansas Multi-Tier System of Supports (MTSS) and Alignment team will guide districts in navigating several key FastBridge reports to make sense of the data and connect it to specific practices that ultimately impact student learning. 

Click on this link: https://www.ksdetasn.org/mtss/trainings to register for one of the following sessions that run 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.: 

• Sept. 24: Garden City, Lee Richardson Zoo 
• Sept. 26: Wichita, Hyatt Regency 
• Sept. 27: Junction City, Courtyard by Marriott 

Contact Todd Wiedemann at todd@kansasmtss.org with questions. 

Mark your calendars to join upcoming

KSDE-sponsored trainings; deadline to schedule virtual learning extended

Districts with virtual learning to complete now have until Dec. 31 to schedule your session(s). Check this recording at the 1:37 time stamp to see if this deadline applies to your district. Districts can use their allotted virtual learning for any 60-minute session(s) in the Professional Learning Catalog. You do not need to hold the session by Dec. 31, but you do need to schedule it before then so that it does not expire.  

Contact scheduling@renaissance.com for more information, schedule sessions here, and/or join Sheleena Clark for professional learning office hours for assistance on Sept. 19 in the morning or afternoon.  

Read more...

 September

2: KSDE offices closed in observance of Labor Day. 

3: Counting KIDS Workshop, 1-4:30 p.m., Kansas City USD 500 Central Office. Email auditing@ksde.org with questions.

4: Counting KIDS Workshop, 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Olathe USD 233 Instructional Resource Center. Email auditing@ksde.org with questions. 

5: Blue-Ribbon Task Force on Student Screen Time, 4-5:30 p.m. Click here to access the livestream.

5: Counting KIDS Workshop, 1-4:30 p.m., Andover USD 385 District Office Board Room. Email auditing@ksde.org with questions. 

5: School Transportation informational meeting, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., Bishop Professional Development Center, Topeka. Questions? Contact Keith Dreiling at kdreiling@ksde.org or (785) 296-4567.

6: Counting KIDS Workshop, 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Maize USD 266 Performing Arts & Aquatic Center. Email auditing@ksde.org with questions. 

6: Curriculum leader meeting, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Fort Hays State University Union Ballroom. Questions? Contact Pat Bone, pbone@ksde.org or (785) 296-2303.  

9: Counting KIDS Workshop, 1-4:30 p.m., Southeast Kansas Education Service Center, Girard. Email auditing@ksde.org with questions. 

9: KESA 2.0 monthly Zoom update, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Click here for the Zoom link. (Mark your calendars for these future Zoom meetings: Oct. 14, Nov. 11, Dec. 9, Jan. 13, Feb. 10, March 10, April 14, and May 12.) Email accreditation@ksde.org with questions. 

10-11: Kansas State Board of Education meeting, Topeka.

10: Counting KIDS Workshop, 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Hutchinson USD 308 CTE Academy. Email auditing@ksde.org with questions. 

10: School Transportation informational meeting, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., NKESC, Oakley. Questions? Contact Keith Dreiling at kdreiling@ksde.org or (785) 296-4567.

10: School Transportation informational meeting, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., Dodge City USD 443 district office building. Questions? Contact Keith Dreiling at kdreiling@ksde.org or (785) 296-4567.

11: Counting KIDS Workshop, 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Eisenhower Elementary School, Abilene. Email auditing@ksde.org with questions. 

11: School Transportation informational meeting, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., Hays USD 489 district office building. Questions? Contact Keith Dreiling at kdreiling@ksde.org or (785) 296-4567. 

11: School Transportation informational meeting, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., Ulysses USD 214 district office building. Questions? Contact Keith Dreiling at kdreiling@ksde.org or (785) 296-4567.

12: Blue-Ribbon Task Force on Student Screen Time, 4-5:30 p.m. Click here to access the livestream.

12: School Transportation informational meeting, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., Dodge City USD 443 district office building. Questions? Contact Keith Dreiling at kdreiling@ksde.org or (785) 296-4567. 

12: School Transportation informational meeting, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., KCK USD 500 district office building, east wing, 3rd floor. Questions? Contact Keith Dreiling at kdreiling@ksde.org or (785) 296-4567. 

12: School Transportation informational meeting, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., El Dorado Performing Arts Center. Questions? Contact Keith Dreiling at kdreiling@ksde.org or (785) 296-4567. 

13: Counting KIDS Workshop, 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Hiawatha USD 415 High School Auditorium. Email auditing@ksde.org with questions.

17: School Transportation informational meeting, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., Arkansas City, Avery Learning Center. Questions? Contact Keith Dreiling at kdreiling@ksde.org or (785) 296-4567.

17: School Transportation informational meeting, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., Great Bend, Front Door Community Center. Questions? Contact Keith Dreiling at kdreiling@ksde.org or (785) 296-4567. 

18: School Transportation informational meeting, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., Greenbush, Girard. Questions? Contact Keith Dreiling at kdreiling@ksde.org or (785) 296-4567. 

18: School Transportation informational meeting, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., Salina, Hageman Education Center. Questions? Contact Keith Dreiling at kdreiling@ksde.org or (785) 296-4567. 

19: Blue-Ribbon Task Force on Student Screen Time, 4-5:30 p.m. Click here to access the livestream.

19: School Transportation informational meeting, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., Newton, The Education Technology Center. Questions? Contact Keith Dreiling at kdreiling@ksde.org or (785) 296-4567. 

19: School Transportation informational meeting, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., Clay Center USD 379 district office building. Questions? Contact Keith Dreiling at kdreiling@ksde.org or (785) 296-4567. 

24: School Transportation informational meeting, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., Osborne High School auditorium, north door. Questions? Contact Keith Dreiling at kdreiling@ksde.org or (785) 296-4567. 

25: School Transportation informational meeting, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., Greenbush, Ottawa board office. Questions? Contact Keith Dreiling at kdreiling@ksde.org or (785) 296-4567. 

26: Blue-Ribbon Task Force on Student Screen Time, 4-5:30 p.m. Click here to access the livestream.

27-28: Kansas Teacher of the Year conference, Wichita. 

October

8-9: Kansas State Board of Education meeting, Topeka. 

10: 2025 Kansas Horizon Award nominations due. Contact Tamla Miller, tmiller@ksde.org or (785) 296-4950 with questions. 

14: KESA 2.0 monthly Zoom update, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Click here for the Zoom link. (Mark your calendars for these future Zoom meetings: Nov. 11, Dec. 9, Jan. 13, Feb. 10, March 10, April 14, and May 12.) 

23-25: KSDE Great Ideas in Education: Lighting the Path Forward annual conference, Hyatt Regency Wichita. Click here for conference information. 

24: Blue-Ribbon Task Force on Student Screen Time, 4-5:30 p.m. Click here to access the livestream.