Southern Lyon County USD 252 first district to receive recognition in all categories

More than 100 school districts excelling in outcomes established around the vision for education in Kansas were recognized during the Kansas State Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 9.

The vision for education in Kansas – Kansas leads the world in the success of each student – was announced in 2015 by the State Board of Education and the Kansas State Department of Education. A new accreditation model, Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA), was announced shortly after. KESA accredits at the system level to create systemic change among school buildings in a district.

The Kansans Can Star Recognition Program is designed to support the KESA process by providing a level of recognition that helps districts identify where they want to focus their improvement efforts.

The program recognizes district success in the outcome measures Kansans said they value. These outcomes, categorized as either quantitative or qualitative measures, are serving as a roadmap to help Kansas reach its educational vision.

Districts have to apply for recognition in the qualitative measures area.

District recognition in the quantitative measures area is automatically calculated by KSDE based on collected district data. No application is necessary.

Districts can receive gold, silver, bronze or copper stars in the qualitative measures of:

• Social-emotional growth.
• Kindergarten readiness.
• Individual Plan of Study.
• Civic engagement.
   

Districts can receive gold, silver, bronze or copper stars in these quantitative measure areas:

• Academically prepared for postsecondary.
• High school graduation.
• Postsecondary success.
   

For the first time since the program’s inception, a district received recognition in all seven categories, as well as being honored with a Commissioner’s Award. Southern Lyon County Unified School District 252 received a bronze in social-emotional growth; a bronze in kindergarten readiness; a copper in Individual Plan of Study; and gold in civic engagement. In the quantitative measures area, USD 252 received a copper in academically prepared for postsecondary; a gold in high school graduation; and a silver in postsecondary success.

There were 68 districts that achieved the Commissioner’s Award; 36 received the Commissioner’s Award with Honors; and two received the Commissioner’s Award – Highest Distinction. The Commissioner’s Award recognizes those districts that outperform their predicted postsecondary effectiveness rate.

For more information about the Kansans Can Star Recognition Program and to see a list of recipients, visit https://www.ksde.org/Agency/Fiscal-and-Administrative-Services/Communications-and-Recognition-Programs/Vision-Kansans-Can/Kansans-Can-Star-Recognition.