Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024 | Issue 105

Feature Stories

• Kansas State Board of Education to consider inclusion of American Sign Language in world languages standards during September meeting
• Updates provided for licensure literacy requirement FAQ fact sheet
• Veterans speak with Washburn education students on what they want Kansas school children to know about patriotism, American history

Reporting and Operations

• "Ask an Auditor" Zoom-based help sessions offered Sept. 17-19
• Checklist available to aid school districts in preparing for annual KSDE audit
• Application deadline extended to Sept. 13 for the fourth cohort of Kansas Vaping ECHO for Education
• Reminder: Webinar scheduled for Sept. 12 on required real property recording and reporting
• Reminder: Dropout Graduation Summary Report opens Oct. 1
• Reminder: "EDCS for Beginners" and Fall Vacancy Report submission trainings available in September

Accountability, Accreditation and Assessments

• Reminder: Accreditation Advisory Council seeks applicants for open positions
• Accreditation and Design reminders for virtual and in-person KESA trainings in September

Standards and Instruction

• Using Kindergarten Readiness Snapshot data to support a successful school year; Snapshot window closes Sept. 20
• Early childhood special education administrators should review, finalize data by Sept. 15
• Reminder: Career and technical education (CTE) technical assistance sessions available in September and October
• Reminder: Professional development resource for career exploration now available

Student Health and Nutrition

• Sept. 11 deadline for families to apply online for Summer EBT program benefits



Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition

• School mental health professional development opportunity offered by Technical Assistance System Network (TASN)
• Reminder: Sept. 24 webinar to highlight work of Developmental Language Disorder top scholar
• District test coordinators: Mandatory in-person training sessions scheduled for September and October
• Reminder: Innovate Next Steps: Pre-K-12 Learning set for Feb. 8, 2025, at Bethany College
• Kansas MTSS & Alignment Leadership Institute slated for November
• Upcoming FastBridge and Star professional learning sponsored by KSDE; deadline to schedule virtual learning extended
• Calendar

Kansas State Board of Education to consider inclusion of American Sign Language

in world languages standards during September meeting

Members of the Kansas State Board of Education will consider approving American Sign Language (ASL) as part of the higher education educator preparation standards for Pre-K-12 world languages during their monthly meeting, Sept. 10-11, in Topeka. 

A committee of ASL educators and world languages educators convened to review the world languages preparation standards and revise them to include features of ASL, such as expanding references to speaking to include signing, and identifying a minimum proficiency level for ASL educators.

Read more...

Updates provided for licensure literacy requirement FAQ fact sheet

The Kansas State Department of Education’s teacher licensure program has recently made some updates to a frequently asked questions (FAQ) fact sheet for the licensure literacy requirement that will go into effect in 2028. 

Those updates are as follows: 



• Elementary is defined as grades Pre-K-6. 
• The Certificate of Mastery is specified as the type of certificate educators must receive to complete LETRS® training. 
• Information about additional training providers has been updated to include links to their websites and a list of the training options the provider offered. 

Click here for more information and to access the FAQ fact sheet.

Jadyn Nachtman, left, Zayreli Reyes, and Illiana Gallardo are elementary education majors at Washburn University who visited with veterans this week as part of their social studies method class.

Veterans speak with Washburn education students on what they want Kansas school children to know about patriotism,

American history

As part of a social studies methods class to learn how to teach content that involves history and military service, Washburn University hosted a group of veterans and education majors during an event on the Topeka school’s campus this past week. 

“Our veterans get to tell their stories and our students get to listen to those stories,” said Cherry Steffen, a professor of education and chair of the Washburn University School of Applied Studies. “It’s ‘let me hear your voice and what message should I be sharing with my students?’” 

Read more...

"Ask an Auditor" Zoom-based

help sessions offered Sept. 17-19

As a follow-up to the annual Counting Kids workshops, KSDE’s Fiscal Auditing Team will offer six “Ask an Auditor” Zoom-based sessions to help answer 2024-25 Counting Kids questions. The sessions will be on the following dates: 

• Sept. 17: 9-11 a.m.; 1-3 p.m. 
• Sept. 18: 9-11 a.m.; 1-3 p.m. 
• Sept. 19: 9-11 a.m.; 1-3 p.m. 

To RSVP, call or email the KSDE Fiscal Auditing office in advance to request the Zoom link that connects to one of these live help sessions.  

Remember: The Enrollment Handbook located on the Fiscal Auditing webpage is another important resource for school districts as they prepare for the official student Count Day, Sept. 20.

Email auditing@ksde.org or call (785) 296-4976 with questions. 

Reminder: 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.  

Call (785) 296-4976 or email auditing@ksde.org with questions. 

Application deadline extended to Sept. 13 for the fourth cohort of

Kansas Vaping ECHO for Education

Is vaping an issue at your school? Are you ready to address it and get students connected to the help they need? If yes, enroll in the Kansas Vaping ECHO for Education program for the 2024-25 school year by Sept. 13. 

By participating in cohort IV, your school team will have the opportunity to do the following: 



• Participate in a groundbreaking approach to address vaping in schools. 
• Create a school-centered team approach to address vaping in schools. 
• Engage with a network of stakeholders committed to reducing vaping in schools. 
• Increase confidence in schools’ ability to address the cessation needs of students. 
• Develop participants’ skills to provide support and referrals for vaping cessation. 
• Utilize tele-mentoring to access expert advice concerning prevention and cessation. 
• Apply the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Model (WSCC) model, a student-centered framework, which calls for greater alignment between the public health and education sectors and emphasizes the importance of evidence-based school policies and practices. 

Read more...

Reminder: 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. 

Reminder: 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, visit the DGSR webpage: 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. 

Reminder: “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 (in-person) 

Sept. 6: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. 

Chanute USD 413; district board office, 321 E. Main Street  

Facilitator: Kelly Colter 

Read more...

Reminder: 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...

Accreditation and Design reminders for virtual and in-person KESA trainings in September

The following are reminders for KESA-related trainings as well as in-person and virtual information sessions in September:  

KESA facilitator in-person trainings available at education service centers 

Training sessions are open to any Kansas educator interested in serving as a School Improvement Day facilitator for KESA. There is still time to register for these September sessions at the following locations: 

• Sept. 9 - ESSDACK - Hutchinson 
• Sept. 16 - Smoky Hill - Salina 
• Sept. 20 - Greenbush North – Lawrence 

Read more...

Using Kindergarten Readiness Snapshot data to support a successful school year;

Snapshot window closes Sept. 20

On Sept. 4, Kansas Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) Online users received the fourth installment of Kansas Kindergarten Readiness Snapshot News & Updates, a five-part guide to a successful start to the kindergarten year. 

Each edition provides proven resources to guide Kansas educators through each step of the Ages & Stages Questionnaires® (ASQ®) screening process. If you are not a Kansas ASQ Online user, you can visit https://agesandstages.com/ks to sign up for these emails and view past newsletters. 

When schools and families collaborate to support children’s growth and development, students are better prepared for a successful kindergarten year. ASQ resources provide excellent opportunities for families to support their children’s learning at home. 

Read more...

Early childhood special education administrators should review,

finalize data by Sept. 15

Early childhood special education administrators should review and finalize their early childhood outcomes data for the 2023-24 school year by Sept. 15.

The Outcomes Part B Web System (OWS) is the online data collection system that Kansas uses to collect the assessment data for Indicator 7 for Part B, one of the 17 indicators reported to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). 

Read more...

Reminder: 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...

Reminder: 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. 

Sept. 11 deadline for families to apply online for Summer EBT program benefits

In partnership with the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE), the Kansas Department for Children and Families identified more than 117,300 Kansas school-aged children who were eligible to receive benefits to offset the cost of groceries during the summer break. The families of these children were automatically issued benefits in July. 

Schools can share Summer EBT Fact Sheets (available in English and in Spanish) so that families who did not automatically receive benefits may access this program. 

Families who didn’t receive Summer EBT benefits but believe they have an eligible child may apply through the DCF online self-service portal at https://cssp.kees.ks.gov/apspssp/ssp.portal until Sept. 11. 

Read more...

School mental health professional development opportunity offered by Technical Assistance System Network (TASN)

The KSDE TASN School Mental Health Initiative is excited to share the following professional development opportunity: 

Mindfulness and School-Based Yoga: Tools for the Classroom

• Oct. 8: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Maize, Maize Performing Arts and Aquatics Center; Register here: https://ksdetasn.org/events/LsAQ-A 
• Oct. 9: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Topeka, Bishop Professional Development Center; Register here: https://ksdetasn.org/events/naLuZA 
• Self-paced online course: Complete the registration form to participate. 

Click on the flyer below for an overview, learning targets and continuing education information for this professional development.

  

Contact Laura Hattrup, laurah@tasnsmhi.org, or (785) 249-5160 with questions.  

Reminder: 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...

Reminder: Mandatory in-person training sessions scheduled for district

test coordinators

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 other district staff involved in administering state assessments. 

Register directly with the education service center at the links below. 

Each training session will be 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.  

• Sept. 16 - Greenbush - Lawrence 
• Sept. 26 - ESSDACK - Hutchinson 
• Sept. 27 - Smoky Hills - Salina 
• Oct. 10 – Greenbush – Girard 
• Oct. 18 – Orion - Clearwater 
• Nov. 13 - SWPESC – Sublette 
• Nov. 14 - NKESC - Oakley 

Contact Chelsea Pelfrey at cpelfrey@ksde.org or (785) 296-0040 with questions. 

Reminder: Innovate Next Steps: Pre-K-12 Learning set for Feb. 8, 2025,

at Bethany College

Veteran educators, anyone considering a career in education, and 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; the conference is two 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. 

Kansas MTSS & Alignment Leadership Institute slated for November

Kansas Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and Alignment announces the upcoming Kansas MTSS & Alignment Leadership Institute, a dynamic, one-day professional development event tailored for building and district leaders in November. 

• Nov. 12: Topeka 
• Nov. 13: Wichita 
• Nov. 14: Garden City 

Heath Peine will be the keynote speaker. The institute will also include breakout sessions on critical topics such as instructional leadership, change management, measuring effectiveness and more.

Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your leadership skills and network with peers from across the state. Click this link to register: ksdetasn.org/events.  

Contact Josh Lee at josh@kansasmtss.org with any questions or if you need help getting signed up.

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 

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: 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: 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: FastBridge assessment system information session, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.,; Lee Richardson Zoo, Garden City. Click here to register: https://www.ksdetasn.org/mtss/trainings. Contact Todd Wiedemann at todd@kansasmtss.org with questions. 

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: FastBridge assessment system information session, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.,; Hyatt Regency, Wichita. Click here to register: https://www.ksdetasn.org/mtss/trainings. Contact Todd Wiedemann at todd@kansasmtss.org with questions. 

27: FastBridge assessment system information session, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Courtyard by Marriott, Junction City. Click here to register: https://www.ksdetasn.org/mtss/trainings. Contact Todd Wiedemann at todd@kansasmtss.org with questions. 

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.)

14: E-Rate training, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Greenbush South, Girard. Register here. Contact Jenni Marlatt, jmarlatt@ksde.org, with questions.

15: E-Rate training, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Orion, Clearwater. Register here. Contact Jenni Marlatt, jmarlatt@ksde.org, with questions.

16: E-Rate training, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Smoky Hill, Hays. Register here. Contact Jenni Marlatt, jmarlatt@ksde.org, with questions. 

17: E-Rate training, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Smoky Hill, Salina. Register here. Contact Jenni Marlatt, jmarlatt@ksde.org, with questions. 

18: E-Rate training, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Greenbush North, Lawrence. Register here. Contact Jenni Marlatt, jmarlatt@ksde.org, with questions.

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