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KESA Monthly Update

September 2025

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.

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Topics for this Update

An update on KESA Outcomes Standards

Overview of KESA Action Plan Implementation
Standards
System Share-out
Evaluation

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

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If we strengthen coherence across Kansas through focusing on a few high-leverage, fundamental actions, ��then our students will develop more knowledge and skills leading to greater opportunities and fewer limitations.

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.

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Kansas School Improvement Model

Fundamentals

(The foundation for school improvement in Kansas Schools)

Structured Literacy

We provide literacy instruction in pre-K-12 aligned to the science of reading and assure teachers and admin are well-trained and knowledgeable in the elements and implementation of structured literacy.

Standards Alignment

We align lessons, instruction, and materials to Kansas standards and clearly identify what students must know and be able to do. This includes interpersonal, intrapersonal, and cognitive skills in pre-K-12.

Balanced Assessment

We assess students for risk and standards and use data to adjust instruction. We have a deep understanding of the purpose of each assessment and how to use the data to raise achievement.

Quality Instruction

We have a culture of high expectations in our classrooms and provide each student access to grade level standards and content through high-quality instructional materials.

Kansas School Improvement Model

Structures

(Reinforce lead indicators and sustain fundamentals within the system)

Lead Indicators

(Actions that support implementation of the Fundamentals)

Measures of Progress

(How we know the action is being implemented effectively)

Resource Allocation

Budget emphasis on implementing high-quality instructional

materials (HQIM) and professional development aligned to state

standards and structured literacy.

Measure

6 Month Target

1 Year Target

Educator Evaluation

Educator evaluation processes and conversations account for

standards in pre-K-12 and optimizing conditions for learning in

classrooms.

Measure

6 Month Target

1 Year Target

Professional Learning

District professional development and mentoring plans account for

the alignment of classroom practice with state standards and HQIM

to optimize conditions for learning in classrooms.

Measure

6 Month Target

1 Year Target

Professional Collaboration

Collaboration system includes grade level and content area teachers

aligning instruction with state standards and HQIM to optimize

conditions for learning in classrooms.

Measure

6 Month Target

1 Year Target

Tiered System of Supports

Data analysis and utilization includes screening for risk and

performance against standards. Appropriate time is provided for

core activities and interventions to meet student needs.

Measure

6 Month Target

1 Year Target

Family, Community and

Business Partnerships

Educators, families, and community partners collaborate to ensure

students are progressing on state standards, competencies, and

postsecondary readiness indicators.

Measure

6 Month Target

1 Year Target

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

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KESA Outcomes Standards

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

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KESA Outcomes

Graduation
ELA and Math State Assessments
Postsecondary Effectiveness

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

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Timeline

School Year	Compliance	School Improvement	Outcomes
2024-2025	Report Evaluate	Evaluate Action Plan	Report
2025-2026	Report Evaluate	Evaluate Action Plan Implementation	Report
2026-2027	Report Evaluate	Evaluate Action Plan Implementation	Report Evaluate*

*We will begin evaluating outcomes in 2026-27 school year as we are making an investment in school improvement through implementation of four fundamentals. By delaying evaluation, we will be able to elevate the importance of high-leverage action.

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

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KESA Graduation Rate

The KESA Graduation Rate is based on the system’s 5 most recent graduating classes.

Calculated by taking the total number of graduates from the 5 most recent graduating classes and dividing by total number of students in the 4-year cohort in each of those classes.

Ex. – State KESA Graduation rate

Graduating classes of 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

Total number of graduates – 169,657

Total number in 4-year cohorts – 191,396

State KESA Graduation rate: 169,657 / 191,396 = 88.7%

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.

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Rate of Change

The Rate of Change is the difference between the most recent KESA Graduation Rate and the previous year’s KESA Graduation Rate.

Calculated by subtracting the most recent KESA Graduation Rate with the KESA Graduation Rate from the previous year

Ex. – District A

KESA Graduation Rate (2020-2024) – 96.2% (Recent)

KESA Graduation Rate (2019-2023) – 96.5% (Previous)

KESA Graduation Rate of Change: 96.2 – 96.5 = -0.3%

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

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Significant numbers

Targets

95% - State Goal
88% - The state KESA graduation rate has recently ranged between 88-89%.

Rate of Change from One KESA Graduation Rate to the Next

2% - Rounded to a whole number from -1.60; the average rate of change for systems whose KESA Graduation Rate decreased between 2023 and 2024

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

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*KESA Graduation Standards are based on a system’s 5-year graduation average.

KESA Graduation Standards				2020-2024
Performance Category	Additional Description	Criteria KESA graduation rate = average of the 5 most recent 4-year graduation cohorts	Supports	#/% of Systems
Exceeds Performance Expectations	Meets the Standard: Systems that meet or exceed KSDE’s Kansas Can Lead the World! Graduation rate goal	95.0%+ KESA graduation rate (regardless of change from one KESA graduation cohort to the next.)	-No supports required	60 (21.0%)
Meets Performance Expectations	Meets the Standard: Systems that meet KSDE’s performance expectations for KESA graduation rate	A) 88.0-94.9% KESA graduation rate AND KESA graduation rate does not decrease more than 2.0% from one KESA graduation cohort to the next. OR B) Below 88.0% KESA graduation rate AND KESA graduation rate does increase from one KESA graduation cohort to the next	-No supports required	187 (65.4%) Criterion A: 151 (52.8%) Criterion B: 36 (12.6%)
Identified Need for Improvement Toward Performance Expectations	Does not Meet the Standard: Systems that do not meet KESA graduation rate expectations	A) 88.0-94.9% KESA graduation rate AND KESA graduation rate does decrease more than 2.0% from one KESA graduation cohort to the next. OR B) Below 88.0% KESA graduation rate AND KESA graduation rate does not increase from one KESA graduation cohort to the next.	First Year Not Meeting Standard: 1. System notified. 2. Discussion with Regional Executive about improving outcome. 3. Must indicate how this data will be addressed in the KESA Action Plan. *Second Consecutive Year Not Meeting Standard: 1. System notified. 2. ARC conducts an on-site review.	39 (13.6%)* Criterion A: 13 (4.5%) Criterion B: 26 (9.1%)
			*If these standards were in place now, 23 systems would be receiving an ARC on-site review.

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

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Example #1

	Total Cohort Size	Total Grads	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4	Year 5	KESA Grad Rate	Rate of Change	Category
KESA Grad Rate 2019-2023	113	109	96.3%	95.8%	95.0%	95.8%	100%	96.5%
KESA Grad Rate 2020-2024	106	102	95.8%	95.0%	95.8%	100%	95.0%	96.2%	-0.3%	Exceeds Performance Expectations (above 95%, regardless of rate of change)

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.

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Example #2

	Total Cohort Size	Total Grads	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4	Year 5	KESA Grad Rate	Rate of Change	Category
KESA Grad Rate 2019-2023	198	157	100%	86.4%	88.5%	74.5%	69.6%	79.3%
KESA Grad Rate 2020-2024	239	179	86.4%	88.5%	74.5%	69.6%	71.6%	74.9%	-4.4%	Identified Need for Improvement Toward Performance Expectations (below 88% and negative rate of change)

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.

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Example #3

	Total Cohort Size	Total Grads	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4	Year 5	KESA Grad Rate	Rate of Change	Category
KESA Grad Rate 2019-2023	7923	5617	73.2%	69.1%	70.2%	68.8%	73.4%	70.9%
KESA Grad Rate 2020-2024	8082	5804	69.1%	70.2%	68.8%	73.4%	77.6%	71.8%	0.9%	Meets Performance Expectations (below 88% but positive rate of change)

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.

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Example #4

	Total Cohort Size	Total Grads	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4	Year 5	KESA Grad Rate	Rate of Change	Category
KESA Grad Rate 2019-2023	10248	9114	90.0%	89.7%	88.5%	89.1%	87.4%	88.9%
KESA Grad Rate 2020-2024	10212	9056	89.7%	88.5%	89.1%	87.4%	88.7%	88.7%	-0.2%	Meets Performance Expectations (above 88% and rate of change does not exceed 2% decline)

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.

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KESA Graduation Standards - Evaluation Timeline

2026-2027 Evaluation Timeline
October 2027	Systems submit final report for class of 2027.
January 2028	Each system’s yearly Graduation Rate posted publicly. Each system’s KESA Graduation Rate (2023-2027) and rate of change (compared to KESA Graduation Rate (2022-2026)) evaluated against the standards. Systems notified if they did not meet the standard (Identified Need). Those systems in Identified Need would need to address how they are seeking to improve Graduation rates in their KESA Action Plan.

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.

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Senate Bill 45 Impact

Establishes an alternative calculation for yearly Graduation rate.

Currently, the federally-defined calculation for Graduation rate has been used in accreditation.

Depending on how the State Board of Education wishes to proceed, the KESA Graduation Rate calculation will be adjusted.

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.

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KESA State Assessment Standards Development

Can now be developed since SBOE approved cut scores

Standards could include the following:

Comparing your systems level 1 percentage to the state average
Comparing your systems level 3 and 4 (combined) percentage to the state average
Rate of change in level 1 and levels 3 and 4
A multi-year look as opposed to a single year

Standards need to be:

Clear
Rigorous
Fair
Simple to understand

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.

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Timeline for KESA State Assessment Standards

August - December 2025

Develop KESA Standards for ELA/Math State Assessments

January - May 2026

Stress-Test Standards

June 2026

Present to SBOE

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

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KESA Action Plan Implementation

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

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KESA Action Plan Implementation

Each system will be evaluated using the following standards:

Standard 1 – Plan (Ready to Implement Action Plan)

*Standard 2 – Do

*Standard 3 – Study

*Standard 4 – Act

*Shared at School Improvement Day

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

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Standard 1: Plan

�

The System develops a clear, data-informed action plan that is aligned to the School Improvement Model, describing the specific actions to enhance the Fundamentals by building upon coherent actions.

�

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Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.

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Standard 2: Do

The System implements the action plan through clear steps, monitors progress, identifies barriers and communicates with key stakeholders.�

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

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Standard 3: Study

The System collects, analyzes and applies data to monitor the implementation and impact of the action plan on professional action.

*In the future, student data will become part of this standard.

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

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Standard 4: Act

The System utilizes data to refine strategies, identify and sustain effective practices and plan for future actions.

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

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System Share-outs at School Improvement Day

Systems will share their progress in implementing their current KESA Action Plan at the beginning of the day.

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

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Context for System Share-outs

System Share-outs (not presentations) are grounded in the KESA Implementation Standards and will be limited to 10 minutes.

Systems will share responses to the questions at the bottom of the KESA Implementation Resource document.

Whole group collaboration after each system DLT shares out (5 minutes).

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.

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KESA Implementation Evaluation

System share outs will be summarized by KESA Implementation Specialists at the School Improvement Day.
During lunch, KESA Implementation Specialists will guide the system DLT through a reflective exercise regarding the system’s implementation.
Each system will respond to an implementation prompt in their next KESA Action Plan, outlining how it will address the KESA implementation standards in their next Action Plan.
The Action Plan Review Team will evaluate implementation when they review each systems’ KESA Action Plan.

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.

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Quick Hitters

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

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Check out our Accreditation webpage��If you would like to subscribe to the KESA listserv, email accreditation@ksde.org��

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.

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KESA Monthly Updates

Mark your calendars for the 2024-25 KESA Zoom updates

Aug. 11
Sept. 8
Oct. 13
Nov. 10
Dec. 8
Jan. 12
Feb. 9
Mar. 9
Apr. 13
May 11

2^nd Monday of each month

10:30 – 11:15

Zoom link

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

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Next KESA Monthly Update

October 13

Topics for next time:

KESA Implementation Evaluation

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.

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KSDE Annual Conference

Audience: District Leadership Team Members

Purpose: To support district leadership teams in developing and implementing system action plans and leveraging supports, resources, and collaborative partners to successfully kickoff the new school year.

July 27-29, 2026 - Wichita Hyatt Regency

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

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Mindy Bruce, Central Regional Executive

Mindy.Bruce@ksde.gov

Amber Miller, West Regional Executive

Amber.Miller@ksde.gov

Jean Rush, East Regional Executive

Jean.Rush@ksde.gov

Myron Melton, Assistant Director

Myron.Melton@ksde.gov

Rue Huereca-Retana, Adm. Specialist

Rue.Huereca-Retana@ksde.gov

Jay Scott, Director

Jay.Scott@ksde.gov

The Kansas State Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: KSDE General Counsel, Office of General Counsel, KSDE, Landon State Office Building, 900 S.W. Jackson, Suite 102, Topeka, KS 66612, (785) 296-3201.

The Kansas State Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: KSDE General Counsel, Office of General Counsel, KSDE, Landon State Office Building, 900 S.W. Jackson, Suite 102, Topeka, KS 66612, (785) 296-3201.

Kansas State Department of Education | www.ksde.gov

Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.