KSDE Weekly

Accountability, Accreditation and Assessments

Posted: Nov 14, 2024
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In an effort to evaluate the impact of KESA 2.0, the KSDE Research and Evaluation team has developed the school improvement process survey to be taken by district leadership teams (DLTs). Completing the survey is required for each DLT member after the system’s action plan has been submitted to KSDE.  

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Posted: Nov 14, 2024
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With the enhanced English Language Arts (ELA) assessment in 2024 and the focus on the science of reading, the Kansas State Department of Education’s Career Standards and Assessment Services team worked with national technical advisors to provide guidance for the appropriate accommodations needed for the ELA assessment. Beginning this year, students in grades 3-5 will not have the text-to-speech (TTS) accommodation available for ELA questions and responses.  

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Posted: Nov 14, 2024
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The November virtual KESA monthly update has been rescheduled for 10:30-11:15 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 18, due to Veterans Day on Nov. 11. These meetings will return to the second Monday of each month following the holiday.

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Posted: Nov 7, 2024
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With the enhanced English Language Arts (ELA) assessment in 2024 and the focus on the science of reading, the Kansas State Department of Education’s Career Standards and Assessment Services team worked with national technical advisors to provide guidance for the appropriate accommodations needed for the ELA assessment.

Beginning this year, students in grades 3-5 will not have the text-to-speech (TTS) accommodation available for ELA questions and responses.  

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Posted: Nov 7, 2024
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The November virtual KESA monthly update has been rescheduled for 10:30-11:15 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 18, due to Veterans Day on Nov. 11. These meetings will return to the second Monday of each month following the holiday. Join the meeting here and subscribe to the KESA listserv at accreditation@ksde.org to receive email reminders and more. 

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Posted: Oct 31, 2024
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KSDE will host virtual office hours on Wednesday, Nov. 6, for systems that have participated in their School Improvement Day and are currently developing their KESA action plan. Systems can review the KESA application, locate resources, discuss the action plan components and guidelines, and address specific questions they may have. 

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Posted: Oct 31, 2024
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The November virtual KESA monthly update has been rescheduled for 10:30-11:15 a.m. on Nov. 18, due to Veterans Day falling on Nov. 11. These meetings will return to the second Monday of each month following the holiday. Join the meeting here and subscribe to the KESA listserv at accreditation@ksde.org to receive email reminders and more. 

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Posted: Oct 31, 2024
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The Kansas State Department of Education’s Accreditation and Design team has received several requests for directions on how to access the KESA 2.0 authenticated application.  

The following are the three levels of access from which to choose:  

  • Approve – For superintendents only. 
  • Update – For anyone the superintendent gives access to for data entry and editing. 
  • DLT – For all other district leadership team (DLT) members; primarily view access only.  
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Posted: Oct 23, 2024
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The Kansas State Department of Education’s Accreditation and Design team has received several inquiries requesting directions on how to access the KESA 2.0 authenticated application.  

The following are the three levels of access from which to choose:  

  • Approve – For superintendents only. 
  • Update – For anyone the superintendent gives access to for data entry and editing. 
  • DLT – For all other district leadership team (DLT) members; primarily view access only.  
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Posted: Oct 23, 2024
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Virtual office hours will soon be offered to support systems that have participated in their School Improvement Day and are developing their KESA action plan.  

Click here to access the office hours on Zoom, 3-4 p.m., on Wednesday, Nov. 6. 

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Posted: Oct 23, 2024
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The next curriculum leaders meeting will be Nov. 15 at the Bishop Professional Development Center, 3601 S.W. 31st Street, in Topeka.   

The Kansas Instructional Leaders Association networking will begin at 9 a.m. The KSDE portion of the meeting will be 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Click here to register.  

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Posted: Oct 17, 2024
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Districts/systems: Do not forget to register for your KESA School Improvement Day. Use this School Improvement Day Fact Sheet to find the schedule for registration and more.  

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Posted: Oct 10, 2024
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The Accreditation and Design team is hosting the KESA monthly virtual update, 10:30-11:15 a.m., on Oct. 14.    

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Posted: Oct 3, 2024
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KSDE Accreditation and Design staff have recently finalized two important resources for KESA and school improvement.

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Posted: Sep 26, 2024
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KSDE Accreditation and Design staff have recently finalized two important resources as it pertains to KESA and school improvement: 

Action Plan Guide: The major outcome for each system this year is to submit an action plan that is clear, aligned with the school improvement model, and data-driven. This resource will help systems develop such an action plan. 

Data Review Guide: This resource will help a system analyze its data at a deep level using existing databases. This guide will be referenced during your School Improvement Day and can drive the discussion among your District Leadership Team on data before, during, and after the School Improvement Day. 

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Posted: Sep 26, 2024
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During the 2024-25 school year, schools and districts can leverage a new, advanced assessment for K-8 math. The IXL LevelUp® math benchmark assessment is scientifically advanced, can be administered in no more than an hour (typically less), has enhanced reporting, and is available in Spanish. It can also be used in real-time mode to refine students’ scores and recommendations in between benchmark windows.

Click here for more information about the two diagnostic assessments that will be offered beginning this fall. 

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Posted: Sep 19, 2024
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During the 2024-25 school year, schools and districts can leverage a new, advanced assessment for K-8 math. The IXL LevelUp® math benchmark assessment is scientifically advanced, can be administered in no more than an hour (typically less), has enhanced reporting, and is available in Spanish. It can also be used in real-time mode to refine students’ scores and recommendations in between benchmark windows.

Click here for more information about the two diagnostic assessments that will be offered beginning this fall. 

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Posted: Sep 12, 2024
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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. 16 - Smoky Hill - Salina  
  • Sept. 20 - Greenbush North – Lawrence  
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Posted: Sep 5, 2024
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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.  

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Posted: Sep 5, 2024
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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  
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Posted: Aug 29, 2024
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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.  

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Posted: Aug 29, 2024
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Training sessions are open to any Kansas educator interested in serving as a School Improvement Day facilitator for KESA

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Posted: Aug 29, 2024
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If you were unable to join KSDE’s Accreditation and Design on Aug. 12 for the first KESA monthly update, here are the slides and a recording of the meeting.  

The next monthly update is scheduled for 10:30-11:15 a.m. on Sept. 9. Slides and recordings of these monthly updates are available on this webpage after every meeting.  

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Posted: Aug 29, 2024
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Make plans to attend the in-person KESA 2.0 information sessions this fall for updates on the latest developments and valuable insights on the new accreditation process.  

KSDE’s Dr. Ben Proctor and Dr. Jay Scott host these events to ensure districts and systems are prepared for the 2024-25 school year. Attendees will be able to ask questions, share feedback and network with fellow educators.  

Registration is not required for these sessions. However, the Greenbush locations will conduct registration for the districts in their service areas.   

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Posted: Aug 22, 2024
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Do you have questions about the new school improvement model? Click here to access information about the model itself, the school improvement facilitator guide, definitions of the Four Fundamentals and what a school improvement day looks like.  

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Posted: Aug 22, 2024
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All curriculum leaders are invited to attend the quarterly meetings scheduled for the 2024-25 school year. These sessions will be recorded and posted for viewing following their conclusion.   

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Posted: Aug 22, 2024
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Training sessions are open to any educator wanting to serve as a school improvement day facilitator for KESA.

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Posted: Aug 22, 2024
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If you missed out on Accreditation and Design’s KESA monthly update on Aug.12, here is a recording of the meeting as well as the slides Dr. Jay Scott presented.  

The next KESA monthly update will be 10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m., Sept. 9. Click here for the link to join. If you’d like reminders about these monthly updates, email accreditation@ksde.org to join KESA’s listserv and receive reminders. 

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Posted: Aug 22, 2024
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Make plans to attend the in-person KESA 2.0 information sessions this fall for updates on the latest developments and valuable insights on the new accreditation process.  

These events are hosted by Dr. Ben Proctor and Dr. Jay Scott, of KSDE’s Division of Learning Services, to ensure districts and systems are prepared for the 2024-25 school year. Attendees will be able to ask questions, share feedback and network with fellow educators.  

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Posted: Aug 15, 2024
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All curriculum leaders are invited to attend the quarterly meetings scheduled for the 2024-25 school year. These sessions will be recorded and posted for viewing following their conclusion.   

Each meeting will be held 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. There is a $25 registration fee.

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Posted: Aug 15, 2024
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Each year, a school system’s district leadership team (DLT) will participate in a one-day collaboration on continuous school improvement with a small number of like-system district leadership teams.

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Posted: Aug 15, 2024
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The KESA facilitator training sessions are in-person training sessions that are held at regional service centers. You only need to attend one training session. Registration - which is required - will close one week prior for each site.

Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe9wxTQm6z5zZA1qBF_vRiNoXCbMfYOLusVOPL9x5BQT89Whw/viewform?usp=sf_link   

 

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Posted: Aug 15, 2024
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The KSDE Accreditation and Design team has resumed the KESA virtual monthly updates for the 2024-25 school year. These virtual updates are 10:30-11:15 a.m. on the second Monday of each month.   

The next monthly update will be Monday, Sept. 9. Click here for the Zoom link. No passcode is required.   

 

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Posted: Aug 15, 2024
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School districts and systems are invited to attend in-person KESA 2.0 information sessions this fall for updates on the latest developments and valuable insights on the new accreditation process.  

These events are hosted by Dr. Ben Proctor and Dr. Jay Scott, of KSDE’s Division of Learning Services, to ensure districts and systems are prepared for the 2024-25 school year. Attendees will be able to ask questions, share feedback and network with fellow educators.  

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Posted: Aug 8, 2024
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All curriculum leaders are invited to attend the quarterly meetings scheduled for the 2024-25 school year. These sessions will be recorded and posted for viewing following their conclusion.   

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Posted: Aug 8, 2024
Comments: 0

Each year, a school system’s District Leadership Team (DLT) will participate in a one-day collaboration on continuous school improvement with a small number of like-system district leadership teams.  

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Posted: Aug 8, 2024
Comments: 0

The KESA facilitator trainings are in-person sessions at regional service centers. You only need to attend one session. Registration - which is required - will close one week prior for each site.

Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe9wxTQm6z5zZA1qBF_vRiNoXCbMfYOLusVOPL9x5BQT89Whw/viewform?usp=sf_link   

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Posted: Aug 8, 2024
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The KSDE Accreditation and Design team is resuming the KESA virtual monthly updates for the 2024-25 school year beginning Aug. 12. These virtual updates will take place 10:30 am to 11:15 a.m. on the second Monday of each month.   

The first monthly update will be next Monday, Aug. 12, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Click here for the Zoom link. No passcode is required.    

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Posted: Aug 8, 2024
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School districts and systems are invited to attend in-person KESA 2.0 information sessions this fall for updates on the latest developments and valuable insights on the new accreditation process.  

These events are hosted by Dr. Ben Proctor and Dr. Jay Scott, of KSDE’s Division of Learning Services, to ensure districts and systems are prepared for the 2024-25 school year. Attendees will be able to ask questions, share feedback and network with fellow educators.  

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Posted: Aug 1, 2024
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Each year, a school system’s District Leadership Team (DLT) will participate in a one-day collaboration on continuous school improvement with a small number of like-system district leadership teams.

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Posted: Aug 1, 2024
Comments: 0

Each year, a school system’s District Leadership Team (DLT) will participate in a one-day collaboration on continuous school improvement with a small number of like-system district leadership teams.

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Posted: Aug 1, 2024
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KESA facilitator trainings are scheduled for dates in August and September. These are in-person training sessions and will be held at regional service centers. You only need to attend one training session. Registration - which is required - will close one week prior for each site.

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Posted: Aug 1, 2024
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The KSDE Accreditation and Design team is resuming the KESA virtual monthly updates for the 2024-25 school year beginning Aug. 12. These virtual updates will take place 10:30 am to 11:15 a.m. on the second Monday of each month.  

These meetings are recorded and posted along with other materials on the Accreditation and Design (KESA) webpage which is currently under construction. Click here for the Zoom link. No passcode is required.  

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Posted: Aug 1, 2024
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School districts and systems are invited to attend in-person KESA 2.0 information sessions this fall for updates on the latest developments and valuable insights on the new accreditation process. 

These events are hosted by Dr. Ben Proctor and Dr. Jay Scott, of KSDE’s Division of Learning Services, to ensure districts and systems are prepared for the 2024-25 school year. Attendees will be able to ask questions, share feedback and network with fellow educators. 

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Posted: Jul 25, 2024
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School districts and systems are invited to attend KESA 2.0 information sessions this fall for updates on the latest developments and valuable insights on the new accreditation process. 

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Posted: Jul 18, 2024
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The dates and locations for the 2024 KESA 2.0 facilitator trainings are set. These sessions are in-person at the regional service centers. Attendance at one training session is sufficient. Registration will close one week prior to each of the sessions.

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Posted: Jul 18, 2024
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School districts and systems are invited to attend KESA 2.0 information sessions this fall for updates on the latest developments and valuable insights on the new accreditation process. 

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Posted: Jul 18, 2024
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The KSDE Accreditation and Design team will resume the KESA 2.0 monthly updates on the second Monday of each month beginning Aug.12.  

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Posted: Jul 11, 2024
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The KSDE Accreditation and Design team announces the KESA monthly updates will begin on the second Monday of each month beginning in August. These meetings will be from 10:30 -11:15 a.m. and will be recorded and posted along with other material on the KSDE Accreditation and Design webpage currently under construction.

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Posted: Jul 11, 2024
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Anyone interested in serving as a facilitator one or two times per year for KESA 2.0 school improvement days, please fill out this form:  https://ksde.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eakt1Fs8ToGG8tw  

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Posted: Jul 11, 2024
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School districts and systems are invited to attend KESA 2.0 information sessions this fall for updates on the latest developments and valuable insights on the new accreditation process. 

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Posted: Jul 3, 2024
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The KSDE Accreditation and Design team is excited to announce the upcoming fall KESA 2.0 district and system information sessions.  

Hosted by Dr. Ben Proctor and Dr. Jay Scott, of KSDE’s Division of Learning Services, these sessions are designed to provide districts and systems with updates on the latest developments and valuable insights on the KESA 2.0 process, ensuring districts and systems are well-prepared for the 2024-25 school year. These meetings will provide an opportunity to ask questions, share feedback and network with fellow educators. 

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Posted: Jun 27, 2024
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The following are the dates for Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) facilitator training. These are in-person training sessions and will be held at regional service centers. You only need to attend one training session. Registration is required.

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Posted: Jun 27, 2024
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The KSDE Accreditation and Design team is excited to announce the upcoming fall KESA 2.0 information sessions for districts.  

Hosted by Dr. Ben Proctor and Dr. Jay Scott, of KSDE’s Division of Learning Services, these sessions are designed to provide updates on the latest developments and valuable insights on the KESA 2.0 process, ensuring districts are well-prepared for the 2024-25 school year. These meetings will provide an excellent opportunity to ask questions, share feedback, and network with fellow educators. 

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Posted: Jun 13, 2024
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Dates have been set for Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) facilitator training. These are in-person training sessions and will be held at regional service centers across the state.

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Posted: Jun 5, 2024
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Dates have been set for Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) facilitator training.

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Posted: May 30, 2024
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Final reminder: The deadline to apply to be a KESA facilitator is 5 p.m., Friday, May 31.

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Posted: May 23, 2024
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Thank you to all who have signed up to be facilitators for the Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA). All who have applied will play a role. 

We have reopened the application until 5 p.m., Friday, May 31, to allow anyone else interested to be a part of the process.

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Posted: May 16, 2024
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A virtual KESA 2.0 informational session has been scheduled for anyone who was unable to attend an in-person session this spring.

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Posted: May 9, 2024
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Assignments for KSDE’s School Improvement Days are now available. These days are full-day and in-person to maximize collaboration and will be facilitated by those who have volunteered and been selected and trained in the School Improvement Model. 

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Posted: May 2, 2024
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Assignments for KSDE’s School Improvement Days are now available.

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Posted: Apr 25, 2024
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Assignments for KSDE’s School Improvement Days are now available. The School Improvement Days are full-day and in-person to maximize collaboration. 

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Posted: Apr 18, 2024
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Assignments for KSDE’s School Improvement Days are now available. The School Improvement Days are full-day and in-person to maximize collaboration. These days will be facilitated by those who have volunteered and been selected and trained in the School Improvement Model to guide the conversations.  

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Posted: Apr 18, 2024
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A goal of KSDE’s Accreditation and Design team is to make accreditation synonymous with school improvement, resulting in teachers being able to see their role clearly in the work of accreditation. 

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