1. Kansas Leads the World in the Success of Each Student.
Dr. Randy Watson, Kansas Commissioner of Education

2. Kansas leads the world in the success of each student..
A NEW Vision for Kansas….
Kansas leads the world in the success of each student..
Based on the feedback received across the state, the board has adopted as its new vision for education “Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.”
We intend to challenge the status quo, move away from placing emphasis on a single test score and focus more on helping each student identify and achieve their career aspirations.
Teachers, administrators and support staff already are doing great work preparing Kansas’ students for success, and this new vision stands to unite our efforts across the state. You will hear us say we need to rethink how our schools are asked to operate. From a state perspective, we will look at every requirement to determine if and how we are supporting or impeding our schools’ abilities to address the needs of each child.

3. ESSA Application Update
Application is due to the USDOE in September
Public posting in July
Will incorporate all the requirements by law and be supportive of your work with KansansCan
Will not incorporate all of your KansansCan plan work
ESSA Advisory Council will review prior to sending to the USDOE
Give kudos to Sandy Guidry, Colleen’s team.

4. Kansans Can School Redesign Demonstration Schools
The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. – Walt Disney

5. Kansans Can School Redesign Demonstration Schools
Hire two new people at KSDE
One elementary, one secondary
Work with school districts to model the SBOE outcomes and definition of successful high school graduate
Create demonstration schools for other school districts to visit and learn
Talk about the process
Over 100 applicants for both positions. Difficult to even screen to the interview list.
Comprehensive screening and interview team – Brad was the lead, Wendy Fritz. Craig N, Colleen Riley, Scott Smith and Doug Moeckel from KASB
Thank them for the hours of service they gave to the work
KSDE is pleased to announce Tammy Mitchell has accepted the position of  Senior Specialist, Leader of Elementary School Redesign.  Tammy has been with KSDE since June 2013 and currently serves as an Assistant Director for Early Childhood on the Early Childhood, Special Education and Title Services Team.  Tammy holds a MS in Curriculum Leadership from Emporia State University and a BA in Elementary Education from Wichita State University.  Todd Weideman has accepted the position of Senior Specialist, Leader of Secondary School Redesign.  Todd is currently employed through Keystone and has been with Keystone since June 2009.  Todd holds a MS in Special Education and Administration from Indiana University and a BS in Education from Wichita State University. Their appointment will become effective July 1, 2017. 

6. Kansans Can School Redesign Demonstration Schools
Choose Seven School Districts
One Elementary and one Secondary
District projects named after original 7 NASA astronauts
Study and learn in
Mercury Phase and LAUNCH
Gemini Phase in
Apollo Phase in
Moon Landing in

7. Today’s students are the future workforce and future leaders of Kansas
Today’s students are the future workforce and future leaders of Kansas. Kansans Can achieve anything and, together, Kansans Can lead the world in the success of each student.