The Kansans Can vision for student success focuses on multiple areas that prepare students to be successful adults, including kindergarten readiness, fundamental academic skills, health and safety, civic education and community engagement, preparing for personalized postsecondary success and meeting economic needs.

KASB has posted a report on major developments this month, August 2022, in these areas, along with the Kansas Can outcomes and measures used for school district accreditation. Here are the highlights:

    – The Kansas Legislature has expanded a tax credit for businesses that purchase or provide childcare services to their employees' children or to provide services in assisting employees in locating childcare.

    – The State Board of Education approved $643,000 in federal aid to assist school districts in providing direct services to homeless children and youth.

    – A multi-faceted effort to reduce youth vaping will expand from 20 to 40 school districts.

    – The State Board was briefed on programs to improve school safety, including implementing $5 million in state matching funds for districts.

    – Educators from nearly 30 school districts participated in workshops on a new set of model financial literacy standards districts can use for local financial literacy courses at all grade levels.

    – The State Department of Education held two “kick-off” on-line briefings to review changes in the school system accreditation system, including a closer focus on the State Board’s Kansan Can outcomes.

    – Federal data for 2021 shows that each level of higher educational attainment results in higher average earnings and a lower unemployment rate.

The report also spotlights an early childhood resource hub in Douglas County, national finalists for Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching, best practice awards in school nutrition, summer community learning projects in Satanta, and Kansas’ sweep of national high school debate championships.