Podcasts about ksde

The state provides funding to school districts for adult students earning a high school diploma through a virtual program. KSDE established a process for districts to submit adult virtual student credits for funding. We reviewed about 5,900 credits that 9 school districts submitted for funding across 2 years to determine if those credits complied with state statute. Nearly all (99%) the credits the districts submitted appeared to comply with the criteria set in state law, but there were a few exceptions. In total, districts submitted about 55 credits (out of nearly 5,900) that did not comply with statute.KSDE audits the credits that districts submit for adult virtual school funding each year. For half of the districts we reviewed, KSDE did not approve the number of adult virtual credits that were statutorily compliant. KSDE lacked adequate written policies and procedures to help auditors review adult virtual school credits consistently. The department does not consistently follow some of the written policies they do have. The department also lacks written policies for some important audit best practices such as policies to require supervisory review of audit work.The Central Plains school district raised concerns with the results of KSDE's audit of the adult virtual credits they submitted for the 2021-22 school year. We noted a couple problems with how Central Plains creates and monitors transcripts that contributed to some of the issues with the district's audit. Based on our review of Central Plains 2021-22 credits, we determined there were about 500 credits that appeared statutorily compliant that the department did not fund. The difference in our results and the department's is largely because we took different approaches. 

Join us for a compelling conversation with Trisha Backman as she explores some of the most urgent challenges in today's education system. Trisha shares her insights on the critical role of mental health in schools and how cultivating a culture of learning can empower both students and educators. We dive into her efforts to connect state agencies and uplift the voices of marginalized groups, such as students with special learning needs, justice-involved youth, foster care children, homeless students, and migrant families. Trisha also discusses the need to reduce exclusionary practices in schools and presents practical strategies for creating more inclusive environments. Plus, hear about the "Crisis Prevention Toolkit," a project aimed at equipping educators with the tools they need to support students in times of crisis. This episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable advice for anyone committed to fostering a more inclusive and supportive educational environment. About Trisha Backman: Trish Backman is a 27-year special educator who recently joined KSDE as the School Mental Health Coordinator. She has bachelor's degrees in psychology, special education and a masters in curriculum and instruction as well as building-level administration. She started in education with students grades 7-12 who were identified with behavior disorders and emotional disabilities. She worked in public education for 17 years and has 8 years of experience in correctional education setting with violent aggressors and severe mental health concentrations. Currently, in her role at KSDE, Trish works with significant disproportionality, school discipline, emergency safety interventions, suicide and addiction supports, and grant funding to provide stronger connections within the school and community.She also serves on the Governor's Behavior Health Advisory Committe, Zero Suicide Prevetion Coalition, The Kansas Prevention Coalition Advisory team, and the Kansas Interagency Behavioral Health Policy Advisory Team.  Her passion is to help each child see who they are and develop the individual strengths they have. She believes each student can learn and grow. She brings energy and determination to helping systems work together for the best possible outcomes for Kansas kids. Follow Trish Backman Facebook: Trish Backman Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trish-backman-a0882372/ Email:  tbackman@ksde.org or back2backteach@gmail.com Additional Resources: Suicide Prevention, Intervention, Reintegration and Postvention (A toolkit for Kansas schools) (PDF) Training Video (YouTube) / 

In 2021-22, the state provided $406.3 million in dedicated funding for school districts to deliver additional services to students at-risk of academic failure. State law requires that district spend money from their at-risk fund only on programs approved by the State Board of Education. Kansas Department of Education (KSDE) officials told us the State Board has delegated the task of approving at-risk programs to the department. None of the KSDE-approved programs we reviewed met the statutory criteria necessary to be included on the list. Further, most of the approved programs we reviewed had little to no evidence of effectiveness. Additionally, many KSDE-approved programs did not appear to meet the purpose of at-risk programs, which is to provide above and beyond opportunities to at-risk students. The problems we identified with KSDE's approved at-risk list are the result of several factors.  This includes things such as, KSDE's process for approving at-risk programs does not include some statutorily required criteria, the department does not follow it's own process, and the board does not provide any oversight to the department. This audit showed the same problems as in our 2019 at-risk audit, and none of our recommendations have been adequately implemented.Most of the $176 million in at-risk expenditures we reviewed for 20 districts was spent on salaries and benefits. About 30% of the $5.2 million in expenditures we reviewed did not adhere to statutory spending rules. Further, it is unclear how much of the districts' at-risk spending targets at-risk students or provides them an "above and beyond" opportunity. Problems with the at-risk spending guidance KSDE provided to school districts may contribute to some of the unallowable spending we found. Over the last 6 years, students eligible for free lunch have consistently performed worse on state assessments than students who are not eligible for free lunches. All 3 cohort groups we evaluated performed worse over time, but this trend was more pronounced for students eligible for free lunch.  Additionally, the graduation rates and ACT scores of students eligible for free lunch were also lower than other students.

Welcome to Tallman Talks, hosted by Mark Tallman!This week, Mark is joined by Dr. Laurie Curtis, the Early Literacy/Dyslexia Program Manager at KSDE, and Jeri Powers, the USD 232 District Literacy Specialist, as they explore the captivating realm of developing reading skills in children. Gain insights into the importance of early childhood learning and how Kansas is working to improve reading skills in its students through evidence-based reading practices, professional development, and much more. Tune in now!Links: Mark's BlogKSDE Dyslexia Webpage

This audit evaluated whether 3 agencies and the Board of Education had implemented 7 previous audit recommendations. The Kansas Department of Education (KSDE) fully implemented 1 of 3 recommendations from our 2019 audit evaluating at-risk student counts, weights and expenditures. KSDE partially implemented the other recommendation, and the Board of Education did not implement the third recommendation. The Kansas Department of Agriculture partially implemented all 3 recommendations from our 2020 audit evaluating the agency's price verification inspection process. We could not evaluate whether the Kansas Department of Commerce implemented a recommendation from our 2020 Angel Investor Tax Credit Program audit. 

The Tax Credit for Low Income Student Scholarship program helps eligible students to attend private schools of their choice. Kansas law requires that 90% of contributions be disbursed as scholarships within 36 months. During the period from 2015-2021, scholarship granting organizations disbursed just over $9 million in scholarships of the $15.5 million in contributions they received. All but 2 scholarship granting organizations met the 90% distribution requirement during that time. Both organizations mentioned that a lack of eligible students caused them to fall short of the requirement. KSDE monitors scholarship granting organizations' compliance with state law at a high level, but their processes lack information to track the 90% distribution requirement. 

In this episode Tammy Mitchell, Redesign Specialist for the Kansas State Department of Education, shares the steps that were taken to develop the guiding document for schools in the fall. It is NOT the plan itself. That will be released next week.Tammy Mitchell- @KSDERedesignThe plan will be released on the KSDE website: https://www.ksde.org/Want to respond to this episode? Leave a voice message: https://www.speakpipe.com/kansasmoonshotFor more information check out my website: https://mrstockrocks.comFollow on Twitter: @teachlikeaninja or @mrstockrocksInstagram: @teachlikeaninja or @mrstockrocksAuthor of... Awesome Sauce: Create Videos to Inspire Students, Engage Parents and Save You Time

Mark Tallman sits down with Dr. Doug Moeckel to discuss recently released K-12 Finance numbers and what that means to the operations of schools.

Scott Rothschild and Mark Tallman of KASB Advocacy & Communications visit about Mark's latest 3-part series Blog on Post Secondary Success and what it means for K-12 Education in Kansas. http://tallmankasb.blogspot.com/

Hosts Jaime and Glen would like to introduce the newest member of the ESSDACK team, Carmen Zeisler. Carmen brings a unique perspective to ESSDACK with her over twenty years of experience in education both in the US and abroad. We get to chat with her where that one or two places might have been where she taught outside the US and what she is looking forward to at ESSDACK. Teaching Related Experience: Teacher Advisor Council at KSDE, Spirit of Discovery & Imagination National Board, Presidential Award for Excellence Nominee, Leader of Character Counts & written over $8,000 in educational grants Grade/Subject she has taught: 4th/5th-grade Teacher at Roosevelt, 3rd-grade Teacher at Eisenhower, Kindergarten Teacher at American School of Brasilia, Brazil – 9th-grade Teacher at American Institute of Monterrey-Mexico Personal Interests: Traveling the World, Reading books, Helping plan IF Gathering in McPherson County, and having a good cup of coffee. How can you connect

We have talked about school redesign before on the show with Jay Scott and Tammy Mitchell from KSDE as well as the staff from Meadowlark Elementary from Liberal Ks. but what do students think? On this show, we get a students perspective of school redesign and what she hopes it brings to schools.

Scott Rothschild sits down with with Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson and Kansas Board of Regents CEO Dr. Blake Flanders to discuss current issues and topics in education in the State of Kansas.

***Special Extended Episode*** On this episode @CalamityJaimeH and @ObiWan_Glenobi welcome Tammy Michell, Elementary School Redesign Specialist and Jay Scott, Secondary School Redesign Specialist from the Kansas Department of Education to talk school redesign in Kansas. We ask them questions about the Mercury 7 schools, their experience in education, is redesign just another "fad" and more. Join us!

Jake and Carson are joined by Chayne Dessaso, filling in for Joseph, and he shares an opportunity for USD 453 to donate to a Hurricane Harvey relief effort (0:00 - 9:30); followed by a lengthy interview with Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Mike Roth, covering a number of issues including strategic planning, KSDE school redesign, school funding, and consideration of a potential bond issue (9:30 - 54:00).

(This post originally appeared on Glenn’s History Tech website on January 24, 2013.  The new state social studies standards were[...] The post Don Gifford, KSDE, And Passionate Teachers (History Tech #3) appeared first on Remarkable Chatter.