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KESA Update

March 2025

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Topics for this Update

  • KESA Standards Development

  • KESA Action Plans

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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.

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Accreditation Determination Areas

Each accreditation area has:

  • A set standard to meet.
  • A measure to evaluate a school system’s performance.
  • Supports to assist systems in meeting the standard.

School Improvement

Student Outcomes

Compliance

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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.

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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

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KESA Standards Development

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KESA School Improvement Standards

  • “Ready to Implement” Action Plan - Clear, Aligned, Data-Driven
    • Every year beginning in 24-25

  • Implementation - Standards & Tool coming late spring 2025
    • Implementation evaluation will take place at School Improvement Days, every year beginning in 25-26

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KESA Outcomes Standards

  • Graduation & Postsecondary Standards - to the State BOE in May

  • ELA & Math State Assessment Standards - developed Fall 2025 (after cut scores are set)

  • All KESA Outcome Standards will be evaluated as part of an accreditation determination, every year beginning with the 2026-2027 school year data.

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KESA Compliance Standards

  • “In Compliance” standards set in each compliance area, outlined in the 24-25 KESA Compliance Guide
    • evaluated every year beginning in 2024-2025

  • Compliance standards are being revised this year
    • Legal basis
    • Connection to school improvement

  • Newly revised KESA Compliance standards will be shared with the State BOE in May

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KESA Action Plans

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Action Plans - Overall Data

166

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Fundamentals

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Structures

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Fundamentals & Structures

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New Resources

  • Exemplar Action Plans

  • All Standards-aligned Toolkits posted

  • Coming soon - Quality Instruction Resource page

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KSDE Annual Conference

  • Audience: District Leadership Team Members (Workshop)
  • 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.
  • Dates: July 28-30, 2025
  • Location: Wichita Hyatt Regency
  • We will host our annual KESA Facilitator Trainings and our first Literacy Summit during the Annual Conference (more information to come soon).

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SAVE THE DATE

  • Please mark your calendars

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

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KESA Monthly Updates

Mark your calendars for the 2024-25 KESA Zoom updates 

        • Aug. 12  
        • Sept. 9  
        • Oct. 14  
        • Nov. 18 (3rd Monday of month)
        • Dec. 9  
        • Jan. 13  
        • Feb. 10  
        • March 10 
        • April 14 
        • May 12 

2nd Monday of each month except for November

10:30 – 11:15

Zoom link

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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.