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As the new school year gets underway for Kansas schools, the Kansas State Department of Education is reminding districts of updates to at-risk funding, including an updated list of evidence-based programs and practices, and an at-risk accountability plan pilot.
Background
The Kansas At-Risk Pupil Assistance program was created in 1992 to provide school districts with funding specifically for students identified as at-risk.
A student is defined as at-risk if they meet one or more of the following criteria:
Although the amount of funding is based on the number of students eligible for free meals as part of the National School Lunch Program, the intended purpose of the funding is to provide additional opportunities to help students meet certain criteria to be successful in school.
Approved programs and services
At-risk funding is restricted to approved evidence-based programs and services that are above and beyond that of a regular education for students identified as at-risk. Districts may apply for provisional approval for programs and services that are likely to produce measurable success.
At its Feb. 2024 meeting, the Kansas State Board of Education approved an updated evidence-based programs and practices list that includes 72 programs and 78 practices.
These have peer-reviewed evidence to support at-risk students and may be used to provide students with additional educational opportunities, interventions and services above and beyond regular education services.
For a list of approved evidence-based programs and practices, click here. Districts using programs that are no longer approved can submit a provisional application using local data to show program effectiveness for at-risk students. The provisional application is located here.
Reporting
Districts must keep annual records on the list of its students receiving at-risk services and the information used to identify students as at-risk and the specific selection criteria.
As required by state law, districts must report annually on the following information:
At-risk accountability plan pilot
Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, district reporting requirements will change to comply with the 2024 amendments to state law. Districts will be required to complete an at-risk accountability plan, which will include rationale for at-risk expenditures and improvement plans for specific cohorts of students.
A two-year pilot program with select districts will begin this fall. KSDE Deputy Commissioners Dr. Ben Proctor and Dr. Frank Harwood will discuss this in detail, along with the approved list of programs and practices, at next month’s Kansas State Board of Education meeting, scheduled for Sept. 10-11.
Questions about at-risk programs can be submitted to stateatrisk@ksde.org.
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.