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Hays Embraces Good to Great

Posted Date: 04/26/2024

Hays USD 489 has the largest enrollment in northwest Kansas with around 3,100 students. It is also getting some of the highest student success results in the state when considering its size and . . .

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Individualized Attention Boosts Assessment Scores and Graduation Rates in Great Bend

Posted Date: 04/26/2024

Great Bend USD 428 is a central Kansas district of 2,900 students. I visited as part of my tour of schools that perform above expectations based on family income and student disability rates.  Great . . .

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Kansas Teaching Requirements and How Districts Can Help Develop Teachers

Posted Date: 04/26/2024

Teacher vacancies reported in Kansas public schools reached 1,810 positions this past fall and school leaders frequently say one of their greatest challenges is finding highly qualified . . .

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Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Applications Due June 1

Posted Date: 04/26/2024

The Kansas State Department of Education is taking applications through June 1 for districts seeking to participate in the new Registered Teacher Apprenticeship program in Fall 2024. The program . . .

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The Number of School-Age Children is Declining, and Will Likely Continue to Fall

Posted Date: 04/26/2024

Kansas public school enrollment declined slightly this year. There were about 5,200 fewer students according to data compiled by the Kansas State Department of Education. Other states have also . . .

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Focus on Social and Emotional Needs, Family Engagement Drives Higher Outcomes in Geary County

Posted Date: 04/26/2024

Geary County USD 475 in Junction City is the state’s eighth largest district with almost 7,500 students. I visited in October as part of my tour of successful districts. Due to its proximity to Fort . . .

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Labette County Says Postsecondary Focus, High Expectations Support Higher Student Outcomes

Posted Date: 04/26/2024

Labette County USD 506 is located in Altamont, in the southeast corner of the state. I visited as part of my tour of districts that do significantly better than expected based on their percentage of . . .

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Kansas State Board of Education February 2024 Meeting Summary

Posted Date: 04/26/2024

At their February meeting the Kansas State Board of Education took its strongest stance yet on directing how reading is taught in Kansas. They also approved a narrower list of programs and practices . . .

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Special Education Local Burden is Even Bigger for Kansas Districts

Posted Date: 04/26/2024

According to a presentation in the Senate Education Committee on Feb. 29, the total statewide shortfall in special education funding is $423,209,878.  Dr. Frank Harwood, Kansas Department of . . .

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Being Brian: Strategies for Teacher Retention and Recruitment

Posted Date: 04/26/2024

Teacher retention and recruitment are more than just buzzwords; they're critical challenges faced by school districts across the nation. As education leaders, it's our responsibility to ensure that . . .

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Special Education Shortfall is Shortchanging Kansas Districts and Kids

Posted Date: 04/26/2024

During the 2022-2023 school year, Kansas districts spent a total of $382M to cover significant shortfalls in special education funding.   Over the past few days, KASB’s team evaluated extensive . . .

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KASB Announces the 2024 Leadership for Tomorrow Class

Posted Date: 04/26/2024

The Kansas Association of School Boards is pleased to announce its Leadership for Tomorrow Class of 2024.   Leadership for Tomorrow gives board members, superintendents and administrators time to . . .

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High Goals, Improved Instruction and Social and Emotional Support Boost Academics in Baxter Springs

Posted Date: 04/26/2024

Baxter Springs USD 508 is located in southeast Kansas on the Oklahoma border. The district serves about 860 students with nearly 80 percent of those being high needs. Baxter Springs has . . .

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Strong Focus on Individual Plans of Study Boosts Postsecondary Success in Frontenac

Posted Date: 04/26/2024

Frontenac USD 249 in southeast Kansas serves about 1,000 students. The number of students with high needs is 55.8 percent, about 10 percentage points below the state average. In the years 2016-2020, . . .

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Haysville and Salina Reduce Chronic Absenteeism Using Parent Outreach and Support

Posted Date: 04/26/2024

Chronic absenteeism is linked to lower academic performance, and students who already lag in outcomes miss school at higher rates. Absenteeism increased during the COVID pandemic, both in Kansas and . . .

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