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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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Accreditation and Design team is hosting the KESA monthly virtual update, 10:30-11:15 a.m., on Oct. 14.
KSDE Accreditation and Design staff have recently finalized two important resources for KESA and school improvement.
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.
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.
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:
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.
Training sessions are open to any Kansas educator interested in serving as a School Improvement Day facilitator for KESA
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.
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.
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.
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.
Training sessions are open to any educator wanting to serve as a school improvement day facilitator for KESA.
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.
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.
Each meeting will be held 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. There is a $25 registration fee.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The KSDE Accreditation and Design team will resume the KESA 2.0 monthly updates on the second Monday of each month beginning Aug.12.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dates have been set for Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) facilitator training.
Final reminder: The deadline to apply to be a KESA facilitator is 5 p.m., Friday, May 31.
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.
A virtual KESA 2.0 informational session has been scheduled for anyone who was unable to attend an in-person session this spring.
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.
Assignments for KSDE’s School Improvement Days are now available.
Assignments for KSDE’s School Improvement Days are now available. The School Improvement Days are full-day and in-person to maximize collaboration.
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.
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.
Adaptive Schools training will again be offered to schools in the 2024-2025 school year.
KSDE’s Accreditation and Design (AD) team is hosting their Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) Monthly Update from 9-9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, March 5.
KSDE’s Accreditation and Design (AD) team hosted its Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) Monthly Update on Tuesday, Feb. 13. If you were unable to join, click here to view the meeting recording.
Peer collaboration, when done well, is a critical component to continuous improvement. For the 2023-2024 school year, all systems have three options for a peer review (formerly OVT). During this Learning Year for KESA, as a transition, systems have three options for a peer review.
As KSDE prepares to roll out KESA 2.0 in the 2024-2025 school year, there are several projects the agency is undertaking this spring.
The Accreditation and Design (AD) team began meeting individually with systems in mid-January for what is called a “KESA Check-in." This is one of the new supports the team is implementing as part of KESA 2.0, which officially begins in the 2024-2025 school year.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Accreditation and Design team will be holding their Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) Monthly Update from 9:00-9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 13.
The Accreditation and Design (AD) team began meeting individually with systems in mid-January for what is called a “KESA Check-in". This is one of the new supports the team is implementing as part of KESA 2.0, which officially begins in the 2024-2025 school year.
The Accreditation and Design team has started facilitating meetings called KESA Check-ins with systems in the West, Central and Eastern regions of Kansas, as well as with special purpose schools and urban, suburban and private systems.
Jean Rush, current Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) employee, has been named the East Region KESA executive and began her new role on Monday, January 22. For the Central region KESA executive position, Mindy Bruce, former superintendent at Renwick USD 267 will temporarily fill that role until July 1, 2024, when a permanent executive is named.
KSDE’s Accreditation and Design team hosted its KESA Monthly Update on Tuesday, Jan. 9. If you were unable to join, click here to view the meeting recording.
The following spring 2024 ACT and WorkKeys updates are being offered for test coordinators by Lee Jones, ACT/WorkKeys assessment coordinator for the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE):
The Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Accreditation and Design will offer Kansas Educational Systems Accreditation (KESA) updates via Zoom from 9-9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 9.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Accreditation and Design (AD) team hosted a Kansas Educational Systems Accreditation (KESA) Monthly Update via Zoom from 9-9:45 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12.
Below are a few steps to help test coordinators prepare for WorkKeys and ACT testing in the spring.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Accreditation and Design will offer Kansas Educational Systems Accreditation (KESA) updates via Zoom from 9-9:45 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12.
As the state moves to a regional/cohort of support and accountability for Kansas Educational Systems Accreditation (KESA), the Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Accreditation and Design team recently reconfigured the regions/cohorts map, moving from four regions to three regions and creating two new cohorts of systems.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Accreditation and Design team recently shared the recording of the monthly Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) update, which took place Tuesday, Nov. 14, via Zoom.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) wants to remind Kansas school districts to post the latest ACT testing information to their website per KSA 72-5179.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Accreditation and Design team hosted a monthly Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) update on Tuesday, Nov. 14, via Zoom.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Accreditation and Design (AD) team will present an updated Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) model to the Kansas State Board of Education next week.
Please see the information below for a quick overview of what ACT and WorkKeys test coordinators need to do in the following weeks to prepare for the Spring 2024 WorkKeys and ACT tests:
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) Accreditation and Design (AD) team has scheduled the following meetings for November:
As the first cycle of the Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) wraps up, the Kansas State Department of Education’s Accreditation and Design (AD) team wants to share this summary:
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Accreditation and Design (AD) team hosted the first Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) meeting of the 2023-2024 school year on Tuesday, Oct. 10.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Accreditation and Design (AD) team will host the first Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) meeting of the 2023-2024 school year from 9-9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 10.
*This article appeared last week with a misprint about what group met. It should have stated that it was the Accreditation Advisory Council that had its first quarterly meeting.
The Accreditation Advisory Council (AAC) held its first quarterly meeting of the 2023-2024 school year during which members learned about Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) priorities and provided feedback on the four fundamentals of school improvement and Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) expectations set for districts.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Accreditation and Design (AD) team is in the process of scheduling in-person Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) check-ins.
Below are important updates on WorkKeys, PreACT 8/9 and ACT:
District leadership teams wanting to enroll in the Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Adaptive Schools Training need to do so by Friday, Sept. 22.
District leadership teams wanting to learn how to foster innovation while maintaining and supporting foundational practices that have proven to be impactful are encouraged to sign up for the Kansas State Department of Education’s four-day Adaptive Schools Training.
During the Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) Kick Off event on Aug. 10, the Kansas State Department of Education’s Accreditation and Design team outlined three expectations that exist for every system during the 2023-2024 school year.
Below is some valuable information from ACT regarding the state paid PreACT 8/9:
Author and presenter Dr. Carol Brooks Simoneau will lead the Kansas State Department of Education’s four-day Adaptive Schools Training during the 2023-2024 school year.
Strong instructional leadership is crucial to system change and continuous improvement. Leading a system through change and adaptive challenges requires intentionality and professional learning.
Information provided during a Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) kickoff meeting last week is now available online.
Members of the Kansas State Department of Education’s Accreditation and Design team hosted two Zoom meetings Thurs., August 10, to share with systems what will be expected during the 2023-2024 KESA Learning Year.
The Accreditation and Design (AD) team will share a presentation on technical changes to the Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) model for the 2023-2024 school year during a KESA kickoff meeting Thursday, Aug. 10.
The Accreditation Review Council (ARC) plays a critical role in advancing the Kansas vision for education by assuring education systems are implementing effective continuous improvement processes that lead to improved student results.
The Accreditation and Design (AD) team will share a presentation on technical changes to the Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) model for the 2023-2024 school year during a KESA kickoff meeting in August.
The Accreditation Advisory Council (AAC) is a critical partner with the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE). The AAC provides input and feedback to KSDE on accreditation documents, procedures and processes.
The Accreditation and Design (AD) team is scheduled to present to the State Board of Education from 1:30-2:15 p.m. Tuesday, July 11.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Accreditation and Design (AD) team shared these updates and reminders:
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Accreditation and Design (AD) team will be publishing its calendar of events for the 2023-2024 school year in the coming weeks.
The Summer Assessment Review for English language arts (ELA), math and science will take place in person from July 17-21 in Salina and Lawrence.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Accreditation and Design (AD) team will host the final monthly update of the school year from 9-9:45 a.m. Tuesday, May 9.
This year, 179 systems are going before the Accreditation Review Council (ARC) and the Kansas State Board of Education to receive an accreditation.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Accreditation and Design (AD) team hosted its monthly update on the Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) April 11 via Zoom.
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Governing Board is currently in the process of reviewing and updating the NAEP Science Assessment Framework, which was last updated in 2005.
At the end of the 2022-2023 school year, the Accreditation and Review Council (ARC) will say goodbye to six of its members who have completed the maximum length of service, which is two, three-year terms. Thus, new applicants are being sought to fill the open seats.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Accreditation and Design (AD) team will have its next monthly update on the Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, April 11, on Zoom (register here).
This year, the Kansas State Department of Education’s Accreditation and Design (AD) team has been hosting updates from 9-9:45 a.m. on the second Tuesday of every month.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Accreditation and Design (AD) team is bringing Adaptive Schools Training to Kansas during the next three school years.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Accreditation and Redesign team is excited to roll out a School and District Culture Survey.
The Educator Data Collection System (EDCS) is now closed for the 2022-2023 Licensed Personnel Report (LPR) and Spring Vacancy Report submissions.
To better track and support alternative schools in the state, the Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Career, Standards and Assessment Services (CSAS) team is working to verify how many alternative schools will be in operation during the 2023-2024 school year.
As part of the Kansans Can School Redesign Project, all redesign schools were asked to administer a School Culture Survey annually.
This year, 179 systems are going before the Accreditation Review Council (ARC) and the Kansas State Board of Education to receive an accreditation rating.
It is time for virtual schools to begin preparations for the 2023-2024 school year.
The Accreditation Advisory Council had its first meeting of the 2023 calendar year from 9 a.m. to noon via Zoom.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Civic Advocacy Network application is now open for school-level submissions at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe9IgQ0phYzSvkTuca3dM_8DdR-AtW0ptmOoERvDuuU5dt15A/viewform?usp=sf_link.
As systems begin scheduling their on-site visits for accreditation, the Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Accreditation and Design (AD) team wanted to send out a reminder regarding the Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) reporting expectations for this year.
In August of 2022, the Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Accreditation and Design (AD) team hosted a beginning-of-the-year kickoff for all systems.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s Accreditation and Design (AD) team hosted its monthly Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) update, which took place via Zoom on Tuesday, Jan. 10.
The Kansans Can Star Recognition Program is now in its fourth year of recognizing school districts for the great work taking place to help the state achieve its vision of leading the world in the success of each student.
The timeline for submitting Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) documents is as follows:
The Preschool-Aged At-Risk Approval Form for the 2023-2024 school year is now available on KSDE’s Preschool Programming Webpage, along with the 2023-2024 Preschool-Aged At-Risk Program Requirements and Assurances.
The Educator Data Collection System (EDCS) is now accepting submissions of the Licensed Personnel Report (LPR), which includes the Spring Vacancy Report (SVR).
Here is a review of the reporting adjustments made to Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) for the 2022-2023 school year:
The second Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) Monthly Update took place Dec. 13, and resources from that meeting are now available on the KESA Training webpage.
The second Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) Monthly Update will take place Dec. 13.
The Accreditation Advisory Council (AAC) met Nov. 7.
During the spring 2022 semester, the Kansas State Department of Education’s Accreditation and Design (AD) team held focus groups to gather input and insight from the field regarding Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA).
On Tuesday, Nov. 8, the Kansas State Department of Education’s Accreditation and Design team had their monthly update.
Emergency Safety Intervention (ESI) and Discipline Data Collection are both open in the Kansas Integrated Accountability System (KIAS) so administrators can enter incidents as they occur.
The Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) Teacher Licensure team would like to thank Kansas schools for participating in the recent educator vacancy data collection.
The Accreditation and Design team kicked off OVT new member training this past week.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) maintains that every system needs to have at least three Outside Visitation Team (OVT) members, which includes the chair. KSDE also understands that OVT spots can be difficult to fill, but anticipates that the reducation in required reporting this school year will increase individuals’ willingness to serve in these roles.
Thank you to all of the system leaders who participated in the first-ever Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) beginning-of-the-year kickoff in August.
The Component Baseline Analysis (CBA) is a perception survey that was created by the KSDE Accreditation and Design team in partnership with Kansas MTSS and educational service centers.
Systems/school districts entering year five of the Kansas Education Systems (KESA) process should report the date their year five on-site visit is scheduled.
Training for Outside Visitation Team (OVT) members will be offered from 9-11 a.m. Sept. 6 and from 1-3 p.m. Sept. 8. New OVT members can choose to attend the training that works best for them.
The Accreditation and Design team at KSDE wants to highlight your back-to-school photographs during the Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) beginning of the year kick-off events on Aug. 23 and Aug. 25.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) continues to update district test coordinators for WorkKeys.
School systems entering their fifth year of Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) need to email accreditation@ksde.org as soon as possible to let the Accreditation and Design team know the date of their OVT visit for this school year.
Throughout the summer, the Accreditation and Design team at the Kansas State Department of Education invited a random sample of 50, year five Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) systems for one-on-one meetings to review their KESA goals and to support systems in feeling ready to complete their final year of the KESA cycle.
In this edition | Feature Story | Assessments and Accountability | Reporting and Operations Standards and Instruction | Student Health and Nutrition | Upcoming Events, Trainings and Recognition
Questions about this page contact:
Denise Kahler (785) 296-4876 dkahler@ksde.org
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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.