Provisional At-Risk Program Application

KSDE will provide school districts with an application process to submit programs and practices that are not currently on the approved evidence-based practices list but meet the statutory definition for a provisional at-risk educational program.

The application includes district evidence that the program or practice is producing or is likely to produce measurable success and which “above and beyond” category the provisional at-risk program meets.

Additionally, KSDE staff recommends the Kansas State Board of Education to consider requiring peer-reviewed evidence for any at-risk or provisional at-risk program to be put on the evidence-based list.

KSDE will provide an application to providers of evidence-based programs and practices to submit peer-reviewed evidence for consideration to be added to the evidence-based list. Applications will be considered if the program or practice meets the statutory requirements of an evidence-based practice, including peer reviewed evidence, making it eligible for the utilization of at-risk funds for a school district.

The updated list of Approved At-Risk Programs and the application for Provisional Approval will both be released soon. Once released, they will be made available to everyone with instructions for moving forward.

Graduation Requirements

Update on STEM requirement:

• There is a requirement for one unit of a STEM elective for each student.  Examples include Computer Science, Advanced Math, Advanced Science, Robotics, Advanced Technology, and Agriculture.
• Local school systems will determine what constitutes an advanced course in the areas of science, technology, engineering, math, or other similar studies (non-entry level courses).

Financial Literacy Update:

• Qualified teachers with any standard license at the level with district verified Financial Literacy training can teach this course. Examples of training are college credits related to financial literacy, targeted financial literacy professional development or a certification in the field.

Postsecondary Assets:

• Students must acquire a minimum of two postsecondary assets prior to  graduation.
• Districts will need to track student cumulative postsecondary assets.
• You may require students to acquire more than two postsecondary assets from the list.
• KSDE will notify you of adjustments to the list based on feedback we have received.

Resources:

• Graduation Home Page
• Frequently Asked Questions Page (updated 1.31.24)
• Presentation to the State Board (2023)

For questions contact Dr. Robyn Kelso, Career, Standards and Assessment Services (CSAS) coordinator, at rkelso@ksde.org; or Dr. David Fernkopf, CSAS assistant director, at dfernkopf@ksde.org.

Applications for School Improvement Days Facilitators open

Beginning in the 2024-25 school year, the new accreditation model, KESA 2.0, will involve school systems meeting together once per year for School Improvement Days.  As part of this process, KSDE is recruiting teams of facilitators to lead these sessions. The facilitators will be in teams of three and will lead school leadership teams through data conversations, reflective questions and action planning. We are recruiting interested educators for these roles over the next few months and will conduct training sessions later this spring.  Some of the characteristics we are looking for in our facilitators include: 

• Skilled in large group facilitated discussion.
• Systems-thinker and passionate about school improvement and instruction.
• Flexibility for 2 or 3 days per year.
• Willingness to learn and teach the KS School Improvement Model.
• Understand the importance of building relationships and trust.

If you are interested in being a facilitator or want to learn more about this role, we ask that you complete the survey at this link. Please let us know if you have any questions.