Members of the Kansas State Board of Education will receive the Kansas State Department of Education’s 2023-24 annual report from Education Commissioner Randy Watson during their October meeting, Oct. 8-9, in Topeka.  

Dr. Watson will highlight Kansas education accomplishments, including the spring 2024 state assessments. He also will update board members on progress made on the Kansans Can outcomes of kindergarten readiness, social-emotional growth, civic engagement, individual plans of study (IPS), academically prepared for postsecondary, graduation and postsecondary success. 

During its October meeting, the board also will receive the Fall Teacher Vacancy Report presented by Shane Carter, director of KSDE teacher licensure. Additionally, Carter will present a recommendation from the Professional Standards Board for a literacy test and passing score requirements for licensure. If approved by the state board, this test will be used to measure identified groups of Kansas educators’ knowledge of the science of reading and structured literacy as a requirement for licensure renewal.  

Elementary school educators who currently teach in the general content areas of language arts, history, government and social studies will be required to complete either the test or state board-approved training by July 1, 2028. The literacy licensure requirement also is mandatory for special education teachers, school psychologists and elementary school administrators who provide services to elementary school students.  

Amanda Petersen, director of early childhood for the Kansas State Department of Education, will update board members on the kindergarten readiness snapshot, created from the results of the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ)®. This tool allows school districts to assess children’s developmental milestones to help families transition their children into kindergarten. Educators from Stockton USD 271 and Salina USD 305 will share how they use the ASQ to help their kindergarteners be socially, emotionally and academically prepared for success. 

Other October board meeting agenda items include the following: 

• Representatives from the four Kansas elementary schools designated as 2024 National Blue Ribbon schools will be recognized by board members.  
• Dorothy Dorman, driver for First Student bus company that serves Wichita USD 259, will be recognized as the first-place winner of the minibus division of the 2024 School Bus Driver International Safety Competition in Austin, Texas in June. 
• Staff from the KSDE Child Nutrition and Wellness team will present a Farm to School report that highlights the “Harvest of the Month” STEM curriculum. Representatives from at least one Kansas school that incorporated local agricultural products into their school meal programs have been invited to speak to the board. 
• Nancy Zenger-Beneda, executive director of the Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom (KFAC), will present information about current initiatives aimed at educating Kansas students about the importance of agriculture. 
• Mark Tallman of the Kansas Association of School Boards will give a presentation on how high performing school districts exceed expectations on state board outcomes.  
• Alan Conroy, executive director of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS), will discuss the state employee pension program as it relates to teachers. 

 
Click here for the full agenda and meeting materials.