[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6503395,"mediaKeyId","5565214-4a545d2a42f9154ac8bfa03f90bb6ef1","parentId",5565214,"title","Wichita Public Schools shifts kindergarten instruction to ‘letter‑a‑day’ routine to boost early literacy","audioSeconds",98,"startMs",7341000,"endMs",7439000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565214-4a545d2a42f9154ac8bfa03f90bb6ef1&start=7341&end=7439","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565214-4a545d2a42f9154ac8bfa03f90bb6ef1/thumbnail_7341000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6503395/Kansas/Wichita-Public-Schools-shifts-kindergarten-instruction-to-letteraday-routine-to-boost-early-literacy","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6503395-a627c5871529bc17d0eb6a7bc82fc240/orig.mp4?Expires=1770924420&Signature=fjsJ3~2-nJWLPXfSBUqW-NNfDJ5qYeavf9jS~BgukPz0vXy6vbjnciGUWk-LgylH2V5eDeUI8B9ec2uduLmwZiZFdh3ej1n8kGLq3dVEDmUd7Kepf7Bi0lYBZ7AQh51Knv7GuC580ISyewJ3u-ouYspeuu4WkCQmlyx5hLEJ-TxTjhnNjzZu0vq6nndpLczTPWJ8A7I30JZggT2Jcqmz9th94u~JXRvcpqbFiT8wIx8ZqPAHTilGpT6T5wYfAilkocfz4HcXNtQSh61UxauBBm76SV~tGcOGrJRsJckGD0cRYFPMz~sHshjuNqtAcSkbH-Txq-DEbvTlfjnIBPDEuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board ","date","2025-08-12T23:18:18Z","article","Wichita Public Schools told the Kansas State Board of Education on Aug. 12 that a districtwide shift in kindergarten literacy instruction — from a traditional “letter of the week” approach to a structured “letter‑a‑day” cycle incorporated into a 60‑minute word‑recognition block — has produced measurable growth on literacy screeners.

The presenters from USD 259 described a multi‑year professional‑learning effort that changed kindergarten pacing, introduced an “Alphabet Knowledge Routine” (AKR) PowerPoint for teachers, and built district‑level coaching and teacher‑in‑service events focused on structured literacy and LETRS‑based methodologies.

Why it matters: Research and practice show that concentrated, repeated exposure to letter knowledge, phonemic awareness and handwriting helps early readers decode and retain reading skills. WPS leaders said their changes aim to accelerate early success so students do not fall behind by middle grades.

What Wichita presented
District instructional coach Gina Shute, elementary ELA curriculum specialist Laura Rowley and kindergarten teacher Sheila Marcellus summarized the shift. They said the district replaced a slower “one letter per week” model with six learning cycles that give students repeated exposure to letters, sounds, handwriting formation and application in spelling and decodable texts.

Wichita staff described components of the routine: a brief explicit phonemic‑awareness lesson; the AKR PowerPoint to teach letter name, letter sound and handwriting (uppercase and lowercase) in short, repeatable steps; a high‑frequency‑word routine that connects phonics to sight words; and immediate daily application by reading decodable text.

The district reported growth on common screeners between 2021 and spring 2024. For example, measures of automaticity on letter names and letter sounds improved from lower baseline percentages to higher spring outcomes; the district said work continues to lift scores further and to refine grade‑11 science and other areas (which KSDE will review separately).

Professional learning and coaching
Wichita leaders emphasized that the change required broad coaching and in‑district supports: an aligned teacher handbook, principal and coach observation checklists, district kindergarten learning nights, and use of district funds to pay teachers for training time. They recommended continued work on behavior supports and leadership pipelines to sustain gains.

Board members praised the district’s focus on evidence‑based practice and asked for state‑level supports on behavior strategies and for shared lessons learned for other districts.

Speakers quoted in this article are drawn from statements recorded during the board meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kansas State Board of Education Meeting | August 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Wichita Public Schools presented changes to its kindergarten literacy program — replacing 'letter of the week' with a cyclical 'letter‑a‑day' routine, a structured 60‑minute word‑recognition block and expanded professional learning for kindergarten teachers — and reported gains on screener data over recent years.","taxTitle","Department of Education, State Agencies, Organizations, Executive, Kansas","taxId",24281,"location","Kansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6503400,"Board approves McKinney‑Vento grants to 13 districts to support homeless students; funding action moved up to this meeting",626,14557000,15183000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565214-4a545d2a42f9154ac8bfa03f90bb6ef1&start=14557&end=15183","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565214-4a545d2a42f9154ac8bfa03f90bb6ef1/thumbnail_14557000.jpg","/articles/6503400/Kansas/Board-approves-McKinneyVento-grants-to-13-districts-to-support-homeless-students-funding-action-moved-up-to-this-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6503400-3e8fe0c6d7dbbab24c575d2a4a7f6f2e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770924420&Signature=m4YEqsGh1fabBK6Y4a84Uf0AERo4W0Ac8yERJkd6hRMVFJR8VeTZ6gJTa-BEWFd0cXhGTBY1NUQ4o2xGJDYFDupIdBq7vx9PMYW8zR3yXYnJ7vZuBwq2Wucm2gGIewcRE~teideNrWByZ6B11BZ12uIYdXTUzUCq~2f3Z4dwuTuPjVH5RCoLUKGdqdRocGyZwRHdpP2VyGu41JqaJNHQdxgQ3ty0BMXHphl~h5bckKqQWmfQxkXHboiMn2cYBrhTxuzE~cmkxHHTh7MZ1kc46jn-ylw1WgknLHm8HQnk4-T8eT4yxLe-ZqptDw6lryTvErxaF4dJFxDl88vmvK5oKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kansas State Board of Education voted in favor of recommended McKinney‑Vento education grants for the 2025–26 school year during its Aug. 12 meeting, after the board suspended the rules to allow action at the current session.

The department reported that in the 2023–24 school year Kansas districts identified 8,799 students as McKinney‑Vento eligible. KSDE provided a prioritized list of districts for targeted funding; the recommended 13 districts account for roughly 5,142 of the state’s identified students (about 58 percent of the statewide count for 2023–24). The board approved the recommendations after members voted to suspend the usual timing and to take action during the Aug. 12 meeting.

Why it matters: McKinney‑Vento funds are federal dollars intended to support immediate educational needs of children and youth who lack fixed, regular and adequate housing. Awarded funds typically pay for transportation, school supplies, tutoring, outreach, and staffing to identify and support eligible students and ensure uninterrupted access to school.

KSDE presentation and board action
Maureen Tabasco, KSDE McKinney‑Vento state coordinator, reviewed the state’s 2023–24 counts and the distribution plan. Tabasco told the board that the most common housing situation reported in 2023–24 was “doubled up” (students staying with friends or relatives), followed by students in emergency shelters and hotel/motel placements.

Board members voted 8–0 to approve the recommended awards; the board record shows two members were present but did not register a vote. Board member Betty moved to suspend the rules so the vote could be taken at the August meeting; that motion passed, and the board then moved to approve the funding recommendations.

Implementation and next steps
KSDE will issue grant notices and begin executing grant awards to the approved districts. The department said the awards will be used to support immediate student needs — transportation to school of origin, school supplies, nutrition supports and staffing — and to augment district McKinney‑Vento liaison capacity.

Speakers quoted in this article are drawn from statements recorded during the board meeting.","The Kansas State Board of Education approved recommendations to fund McKinney‑Vento (homeless children and youth) grants for 2025–26, directing awards to 13 districts serving a majority of identified students; the board suspended rules to vote at the Aug. 12 meeting and approved the allocations 8–0 (two present, not voting).",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6503405,"Parents, educators urge Kansas board to limit classroom screen time and rethink device reliance; call for clearer assessment benchmarks",226,2249000,2475000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565214-4a545d2a42f9154ac8bfa03f90bb6ef1&start=2249&end=2475","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565214-4a545d2a42f9154ac8bfa03f90bb6ef1/thumbnail_2249000.jpg","/articles/6503405/Kansas/Parents-educators-urge-Kansas-board-to-limit-classroom-screen-time-and-rethink-device-reliance-call-for-clearer-assessment-benchmarks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6503405-f8b00ab74527ec85669e1d59d12dd72f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770924420&Signature=Ax2nJZW9Nkxxm3iaunWVmBGlRYo2yW-GUbcbUkrTvOCOmDHSt7bCXac0uORWoINITvMplTcS~mH3QQnCmn1dOq9k2Jqh8NHyrXVBZJa7sRSiRcGD~UuKDfyDqrrym-uPestMhwhfgDYJGVAJGJnxP~V1OcXemQlPcyyd0OaxzwdC7q31GmXa8XSDZGAEyl~ps2RHU0cBr5paNul4xd1MZ43rz9ZDDSnHeJ6aRU9rZTqQ9bOyGl~e0vT9elWHeNfalayU8YSyTJAysATZtn7lLUZ9haImyxokmkhQP1zM8LD7IaHngdGK9NbW~Xv2LgeBaoT73dSB5AjXwq~EEtOKBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several parents and education advocates used the citizens’ open forum at the Aug. 12 Kansas State Board of Education meeting to press the board for guidance limiting school screen time, encourage a return to “pen and paper” instruction in classrooms, and to raise concerns about assessment cut scores.

Kim Whitman, a parent, asked the board to adopt a resolution modeled on Burke County Schools (N.C.) urging districts to “prioritize investments in physical learning materials,” limiting screen use for note taking, reading comprehension and assessments and reserving digital tools for tasks with demonstrable instructional advantage. Whitman told the board she believes heavy device use has contributed to lower scores and increased anxiety among students.

Other speakers pressed related points. Judith Didi said Kansas assessment cut scores have been set at high, “aspirational” levels that do not reflect post‑secondary outcomes for many students; she asked the board to consider revising cut scores so results better predict college and career success. Emily Brownlee, an educator and nonprofit volunteer, read published research summarizing physical and social effects she attributed to excessive screen time and urged parents and school leaders to consider non‑digital options.

Board and staff response
Commissioner Randy Watson told the board that KSDE would compile district‑level data on district‑issued devices, how much is spent and how devices are used, and bring that information to the board in October. He also proposed monthly board briefings on artificial intelligence concerns and guidance for districts, noting technology and its business models are changing quickly.

KSDE staff cited research the agency is gathering and told the board they will present comparable data so the board has an evidence base rather than anecdote alone. The commissioner emphasized the board’s role is to provide research and guidance rather than mandate local practice, and he noted local districts have primary authority over classroom policies.

Why it matters: Public pressure on screen time, privacy and device use is widespread across districts. Parents’ requests for statewide guidance put the board and KSDE in a position to recommend evidence‑based options — for instance, district‑issued device policies, instructional uses for devices, or limits on non‑instructional personal phone use — but any guidance must also respect local control.

Speakers quoted in this article are drawn from statements recorded during the citizens’ open forum.","At the State Board of Education meeting, multiple public commentators urged limits on in‑class personal device use, wider use of paper‑based instruction, and raised concerns about Kansas assessment cut scores. Board members and staff said KSDE will provide district‑level data and research to inform guidance.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6503408,"Board approves revised state assessment scale and cut scores; concordance to be provided in October",2049,7537000,9586000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565214-4a545d2a42f9154ac8bfa03f90bb6ef1&start=7537&end=9586","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565214-4a545d2a42f9154ac8bfa03f90bb6ef1/thumbnail_7537000.jpg","/articles/6503408/Kansas/Board-approves-revised-state-assessment-scale-and-cut-scores-concordance-to-be-provided-in-October","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6503408-a79525f7fea52e56c4e216caa427c8c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770924420&Signature=fbdnMQuWhhAvS61dp2L5x29QUc6EHt4fAWnS91Et2DUKyhYXmFRElbQEkQ6kGZuRri5msuCQepx7krIpkuKkfBix3fVmhOl~DgRKfbSJet1NCYxGoMAiD-KVI1InMKFqE-rVAykxxq0t5anLi7C3pzUPXLUubJIKxWQR2RxsBFXH1UJmEoZSe-PPZbSXn9UzlxuClgns6hWRY3wgDiHDAZQiJw1MrSmhimudHBdjxRBRVTqGEG0dfrXn9UPVk4msgWNr6efAf3ynsoMG95XPMY0lqZF6sC7Nz4yZY2Mpr~n5hClS40b4zqU~YG2y1XTL3HjrbBrxhqS2kU6UZhqOwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kansas State Board of Education on Aug. 12 approved revised scale scores and cut points for the state’s updated assessments in English language arts, mathematics and science following a standard‑setting process this summer.

The board voted 7–3 to adopt a 400–700 reporting scale with fixed cut scores at 510 (basic/proficient boundary) and 540 (proficient/advanced boundary) on the state scale, after a multi‑day standard setting that included roughly 150 educators, a technical advisory committee and KSDE staff. The board also required a concordance table to be developed and presented no later than the October board meeting to help compare prior years’ results with the new scale.

Why it matters: The vote establishes how student performance will be reported on the redesigned Kansas assessment program, and it affects how districts and families interpret results when the 2025 assessments are released. The board and department said the changes aim to better align reporting to the state standards and to provide clearer definitions of what “proficient” means.

Background and process
Kansas general counsel Scott Gordon reviewed the statutory background for curriculum standards and assessment, noting a 2019 competitive process that selected the University of Kansas to develop the new Kansas Assessment Program (CAP). Beth Fultz, KSDE’s director of career, standards and assessment services, summarized the summer standard‑setting process and the technical reviews designed to ensure the process followed nationally recognized protocols.

Fultz said the new reporting scale (400–700) was chosen to avoid confusion with the old scale and to provide a consistent scale across grades and subjects. She told the board that each summative test is roughly 40 items and that the narrower item set affects how cut points map to proficiency bands.

Standard‑setting panel and recommendations
Fultz said nearly 150 educators participated in the June standard‑setting activities. The technical advisory committee and an outside psychometrician reviewed the work and recommended the cut scores the educators endorsed. KSDE staff noted that the grade‑11 science test will require additional work: its performance characteristics did not provide a reliable spread for the panel to set appropriate cut points, so grade‑11 science will be revisited.

Board questions and debate
Board members asked how the new scale compares to the prior tests and what the immediate effects might be on reported proficiency rates. Several members voiced concern that changing assessments can interrupt trend comparisons. KSDE said it will prepare a concordance table to enable trend comparisons between the legacy assessments and the new assessments once the board sets cut scores — the concordance was added to the motion and committed to be available by October.

The board’s vote and implementation
Board member Betty moved to approve the scale and cut scores with the concordance requirement; the motion was seconded by Jim (last name not specified in transcript). The roll call resulted in seven votes in favor and three opposed; the motion passed.

KSDE’s next steps include publishing the new scale in department materials, producing the requested concordance table, and continuing work on any assessments (such as grade‑11 science) that require additional validation. KSDE staff said district leaders will receive guidance and materials — including practice and interim items — to help interpret and communicate results to families and educators.

Speakers quoted in this article are drawn from statements recorded during the board meeting.","After a standard‑setting process involving nearly 150 educators, the Kansas State Board of Education approved a new assessment scale and cut scores for the revised 2025 statewide assessments, 7–3. The board asked staff to provide a concordance between prior scores and the new scale by October.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6503415,"Kansas State Board of Education adopts two‑year goals focusing on school improvement, leadership and regulatory review",1491,2981000,4472000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5565214-4a545d2a42f9154ac8bfa03f90bb6ef1&start=2981&end=4472","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5565214-4a545d2a42f9154ac8bfa03f90bb6ef1/thumbnail_2981000.jpg","/articles/6503415/Kansas/Kansas-State-Board-of-Education-adopts-twoyear-goals-focusing-on-school-improvement-leadership-and-regulatory-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6503415-d76e887214f101c2761a87109274f25b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770924420&Signature=Yv3kohccB53hviH~pU73p10JYrRQOqhy5J~c~UMozwV4-4rgExC-z9IScDUVJAJ~3UGvelRZT5FGZ87vEkrjmHGhK2HyUSiXsxn9iZ4lveJD9Mi4doYfYxgKvP1YjApyQxBkESju2dnqnry5nBeqtT6E3e8gloPokWSf7RqX5PPLI2x6iLiE8ZXG4o9Jnkos6AYGar6KWL6akJKXIile-RO9JSig-eE5eVYXEtejhd~8C1tLXeA~WBCx8s5480u~XumResdeJ2~KhXpk4ksa~CVn~wDDMpwNdKlg3~5NV5~7SGQkesMstqNTeWAEy3h1XgWq0Cz-3jDtN4cZg~lmaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kansas State Board of Education voted 8–2 on Aug. 12 to adopt a compact set of board goals that will guide the agency and the board’s agenda through December 2026.

The goals — centered on quality school improvement (KESA/KISA processes and structured literacy), development of quality leadership pipelines (principals, superintendents and teacher leaders) and a targeted review of policy, regulation and statutory drivers that add burdens to districts — were presented by Commissioner Randy Watson and approved after public and board discussion.

Why it matters: Board goals shape what the department and local districts will prioritize during the school year and set the lens for staff reports, board agendas and accountability work. Adopting a small set of shared priorities is intended to concentrate state and local efforts on proven levers for improving student outcomes, board members said.

Commissioner Randy Watson said the goals are meant as a “starting place” rather than an exclusive agenda. “If you adopt these today, this would be our focus, not an exclusive focus,” Watson told the board as he summarized months of small‑group and full‑board discussions that led to the draft goals. He described the aims as a way to reduce duplicative reporting for districts and to accelerate work on literacy and school leadership through targeted supports and professional learning.

Board members broadly praised the narrower focus after months of drafting. Several members said they wanted the board to ensure measurable targets and a reporting cadence so the board can track progress; the commissioner said staff will return with draft measures and timelines for board review if the goals were approved.

The formal motion to approve the goals was made during the afternoon session and carried on a recorded tally of 8 yes, 2 no. Board materials note the board will ask staff to provide quarterly updates tied to the goals in the commissioner’s monthly report and in Friday briefing notes for the board.

What the board approved
- Quality school improvement: sustain and support the KISA/KESA improvement cycle, emphasize structured literacy and mathematics instruction aligned to state standards, and reduce unnecessary reporting where possible so districts can focus on instruction.
- Quality leadership development: accelerate principal, superintendent and teacher‑leader pipelines and professional learning to address turnover and vacancies in leadership across the state.
- Policy/regulatory review and alignment: examine statutes, regulations and state requirements that pull time from instruction, and propose adjustments or consolidation that reduce burden without reducing oversight.

Board reaction and next steps
Board members emphasized measurable progress and asked for specifics on how the goals will be tracked. Several asked the agency to propose a short list of measures and timelines and to return with a draft dashboard or reporting format. Watson said he will present recommended measures and a cadence of reporting at an upcoming meeting and that staff will also solicit educator and district input on what should be removed or combined to reduce burdens.

The board’s vote and next steps will be reflected in monthly commissioner reports and in the agency’s regular engagement with districts. The board will revisit implementation details and measures as the goals are operationalized.

Speakers quoted in this article are drawn from statements recorded during the board meeting.","The Kansas State Board of Education voted 8–2 on Aug. 12 to adopt a set of board goals to guide the agency through December 2026, prioritizing quality school improvement, leadership development and a review of policy/regulatory burdens on districts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Wichita Public Schools shifts kindergarten instruction to ‘letter‑a‑day’ routine to boost early literacy

Board approves McKinney‑Vento grants to 13 districts to support homeless students; funding action moved up to this meeting

Parents, educators urge Kansas board to limit classroom screen time and rethink device reliance; call for clearer assessment benchmarks

Board approves revised state assessment scale and cut scores; concordance to be provided in October

Kansas State Board of Education adopts two‑year goals focusing on school improvement, leadership and regulatory review