Kansas

The Central Comprehensive Center (C3) works with the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) to improve educational outcomes for 518,712 K-12 students in 309 districts and 1,411 schools in the state. This state portal contains state highlights of project stories, selected state initiatives, state data sources, state coordinating council, and a list of Kansas projects.

Selected State Initiatives

Kansans Can School Redesign

"Kansas school districts were invited to apply to become one of seven districts selected for the redesign project. To be considered for the project, districts had to designate one elementary school and one secondary school to be redesigned around the five outcomes established by the Kansas State Board of Education, the five elements identified as defining a successful Kansas high school graduate, and what Kansans said they want their schools to look like in the future. Each district also had to have support of their local school board, their faculty and their local Kansas National Education Association or other professional organization."

2017 State Assessments

Kansas' goal is a balanced system of formative tools, and interim and summative assessments.

Equitable Access

Kansas believes all children deserve an equal opportunity to a quality education. Kansas children, regardless of race, income or disability, deserve access to a safe and healthy place to learn with rigorous expectations and excellent educators in every classroom.

Graduation

"As defined by the Kansas State Board of Education, a successful high school graduate has the Academic and Cognitive preparation; Technical and Employability skills; and Civic engagement to be successful in postsecondary education, in the attainment of an industry recognized certification, or in the workforce."

Individual Plans of Study

"To assist more students to complete a postsecondary credential and be competitive in the labor market, it's crucial to begin career exploration and planning earlier in students' educational experience. The Kansas State Board of Education has set an Individual Plan of Study (IPS) for every student, beginning in the middle grades, as one of their State Student Success Outcomes to help students plan for success after high school."

Kansas Vision for Education

The Kansas State Board of Education has set a new Vision for Kansas education where "Kansas leads the world in the success of each student." The Kansas Can vision calls for "a more student-focused system that provides support and resources for individual success." Some students decide to start an LLC in Kansas for their business practice.

Kindergarten Readiness

"School readiness occurs within a broad context that includes the community, educational environment, family, and the individual child. ...Early childhood experiences (birth–age 8) set the foundation for health, physical well-being, and the development of cognitive, communication, and social-emotional skills necessary for school success."

Postsecondary Success

Kansas defines Postsecondary as the "work-force, military, certification programs, and institutes of higher education." It is the measurement and tracking of these data regarding student participation and success that drives this Kansas State Board of Education outcome.

Social Emotional Character Development (SECD)

"SECD is teaching, practicing, modeling and encouraging essential personal life habits that are universally understood as making people good human beings and citizens."

State Data Sources

  • Population Characteristics
  • Student Demographics
  • ED Facts State Trends Profile
  • National Assessment of Educational Progress
  • English Language Acquisition – Title III Program Information
  • Kids Count Data
  • Early Childhood Data
  • More Kansas Resources in Ed on the Web

Our Projects

The Projects for Kansas will be updated soon.

State Coordinating Council

C3 works with KSDE on projects and services defined in cooperation with the C3 Kansas SCC. The Council works to identify Kansas's priorities and changing educational needs. KSDE leadership meets regularly with C3 staff members, partners, and collaborators to maintain the flow of communication and plan technical assistance services.

  • Dr. Randy Watson, Kansas State Department of Education, Commissioner
  • Ms Tiffany Blevins, Kansas State Department of Education, Assistant Director of Early Childhood, Special Education, Title Services
  • Mr. Doug Boline, Kansas State Department of Education, Early Childhood, Special Education, and Title Services, Assistant Director
  • Mr. Dale Dennis, Kansas State Department of Education, Deputy Commissioner
  • Ms Wendy Fritz, Kansas State Department of Education, Director of Human Resources
  • Ms Beth Fultz, Kansas State Department of Education, Assistant Director of Career, Standards, and Assessment
  • Ms Sandy Guidry, Kansas State Department of Education, Early Childhood, Special Education, and Title Assistant Director
  • Mrs. Kerry Haag, Kansas State Department of Education, Early Childhood, Special Education, and Title Assistant Director
  • Ms Susan Helbert, Kansas State Department of Education, Teacher Licensure and Accreditation Assistant Director
  • Ms Cheryl Johnson, Kansas State Department of Education, Director
  • Mr. Branden Johnson, Kansas State Department of Education, Assistant Director of Career, Standards, and Assessment Services
  • Ms Laura Jurgensen, Kansas State Department of Education, Assistant Director of Early Childhood, Special Education, Title Services
  • Ms Denise Kahler, Kansas State Department of Education, Director of Communication and Recognition Programs
  • Ms Tamra Mitchell, Kansas State Department of Education, Elementary School Redesign Specialist
  • Ms Laurel Murdie, Kansas State Department of Education, Director
  • Mr. Craig Neuenswander, Kansas State Department of Education, Director
  • Mr. Brad Neuenswander, Kansas State Department of Education, Deputy Commissioner
  • Mrs. Jessica Noble, Kansas State Department of Education, Teacher Licensure and Accreditation Assistant Director
  • Ms Jeannette Nobo, Kansas State Department of Education, Assistant Director of Teacher Licensure and Accreditation
  • Mr. Regina Peszat, Kansas State Department of Education, World Language Education Consultant
  • Ms Colleen Riley, Kansas State Department of Education, Early Childhood, Special Education, and Title Director
  • Mr. Jay Scott, Kansas State Department of Education, Secondary School Redesign Specialist
  • Ms Stephanie Smith, Kansas State Department of Education, Director
  • Dr. Scott Smith, Kansas State Department of Education, Career, Standards, and Assessment Director
  • Mr. Stacy Smith, Kansas State Department of Education, Assistant Director of Career, Standards, and Assessment Services
  • Mr. Tate Toedman, Kansas State Department of Education, Assistant Director of Early Childhood, Special Education, Title Services
  • Mr. Lane Wiley, Kansas State Department of Education, Director of Information Technology

News in Focus

Kansans Can School Redesign (C3 Projects Update 2019) June 17, 2019

The Central Comprehensive Center (C3) at the University of Oklahoma Outreach is providing support and resources to the Kansas State Department of Education’s (KSDE) statewide professional learning initiative, Kansans Can School Redesign, to help make this vision a reality.

Work-Based Learning in Colorado, Kansas, and Oklahoma October 25, 2018

C3 and SC3 support Oklahoma, Colorado, and Kansas teams in the State Work-Based Learning Initiative!

Kansas Governor’s Education Council Meeting June 27, 2018

The Central Comprehensive Center Kansas Technical Assistance Liaison supports the Kansas State Department of Education in developing industry specific learning goals at the Governor’s Education Council meeting on June 26, 2018.

The Kansans CAN Vision through Strategic Performance Management May 24, 2018

“Kansas leads the world in the success of each student,” is the vision for education set by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) in its Kansans CAN initiative. To achieve this vision, KSDE Commissioner Randy Watson called on the Central Comprehensive Center (C3) at the University of Oklahoma to help develop a strategic plan of action.

Formative Assessment Bi-regional Advisory Board Leadership Summit March 27, 2018

The Central and South Central Comprehensive Centers (C3/SC3) at the University of Oklahoma (OU) and the Center on Standards and Assessment Implementation (CSAI) held the Formative Assessment Bi-regional Advisory Board (FAB-RAB) Leadership Summit on March 12-13, 2018.

C3 Projects Update (Dec. 2017) December 19, 2017

C3's recent work is highlighted on Strategic Performance Management in Kansas and English Language Development in Missouri.

C3 Project Update (May 2015) May 29, 2015

Kansas Project Update:  C3 and the American Productivity and Quality Center (APQC) collaborated with the KSDE Teacher License and Accreditation team in the Division of Learning Services (DLS) to improve that process.

Kansas Handwriting Curricular Standards December 10, 2014

Watch the video and read about Kansas Handwriting Curricular Standards development!

C3 Project Update (December 2014) December 03, 2014

Kansas Teacher Licensure Process Improvement

Kansas Highlighted Project - Handwriting Curricular Standards July 28, 2014
Kansas Highlighted Project - Teacher Licensure Process Improvement July 28, 2014
Kansas Education Commissioner DeBacker Announces Resignation May 12, 2014

The Kansas State Board of Education accepted the resignation of Education Commissioner Diane DeBacker, whose last day is May 14, 2014.

SEA Teams Work-based Learning Workshop 00, 0000

C3 supported KSDE during the SEA Teams Work-based Learning Workshop held on April 26-28, 2017.

Videos