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The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) is a dynamic, dedicated service agency that provides leadership, resources, support and accountability to the state’s K-12 education system. KSDE administers the state’s governance of education, standards and assessments, special education services, child nutrition and wellness, title programs and services, career and technical education, and financial aid. It is the goal of the agency to provide all Kansas children with equal access to a quality, high-level education that promotes student achievement and prepares all students for global success.
The department is governed by the Kansas State Board of Education, but the day-to-day administration of the agency is the responsibility of the Commissioner of Education, who is appointed by the Board of Education.
Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.
We are an agency of Kansans serving Kansans by inspiring, coaching, and leading to create the conditions for each student's success.
The Department of Education consists of:
Each of the divisions is overseen by a Deputy Commissioner.
The Commissioner of Education has ultimate responsibility for the entire agency and directly oversees those agency functions that provide services to the entire agency, including Communications, Legal Services, Human Resources and Recognition Programs. The Office of the Commissioner provides leadership to schools and the State Board of Education in complying with all state and federal laws, regulations and requirements.
The Division of Fiscal and Administrative Services supervises the financial aspects of the agency, including preparation of the budget for the Kansas State Department of Education and the distribution and audit of state aid payments to schools. The division also has primary responsibility for working with the State Legislature, including coordinating agency activities with the Executive and Legislative branches of government, preparing fiscal notes on all education legislation introduced during the legislative session, preparing testimony on education legislation, and assisting the State Board of Education in the development of legislative and budget recommendations. The division has primary responsibility for managing computer information services and programs and for providing technical support to all staff members and school districts utilizing KSDE applications. It also oversees the administration of federal child nutrition programs in our state.
The Division of Learning Services works collaboratively to provide leadership for continuous improvement of educational systems to ensure and enhance learning for all Kansas students. To accomplish this mission, the division engages in federal and state program administration; approval, compliance and licensure; educational assistance and school improvement. To assist local schools and districts, division members provide consultative services for general and special education programs for disadvantaged, migrant and limited English proficient students. Division members also provide support for career and technical education programs and programs for early childhood education. The assistance provided to the field includes the development and implementation of local district staff development programs, distribution of information about materials and programs for educational improvement, and assistance for local program approval. School improvement activities are implemented through the Quality Performance Accreditation System and a number of federal initiatives.
This division promotes best-practices and programs firmly grounded in data-based research to improve student performance, as well as provides technical assistance and support to schools with “priority or focus” status, professional development, interpretation and dissemination of state assessment results, reports on educational trends and practices, and data for use by the U.S. Department of Education and other education organizations.
Kansas State Department of Education 900 S.W. Jackson Street Topeka, Kansas 66612-1212 (785) 296-3201 Email
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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. (more information...)
To accommodate people with disabilities, on request, auxiliary aides and services will be provided and reasonable modifications to policies and programs will be made. To request accommodations or for more information please contact the Office of General Counsel at gc@ksde.org or by 785-296-3201.