KSDE tells House Education committee how state is implementing financial literacy, computer science and civics programs

Gabrielle Hall, legislative coordinator for the Kansas Department of Education, told the House Committee on Education in an informational hearing that the agency has begun implementing recent legislation and grant programs in three areas: financial literacy, computer science and civics.

The most immediate change is a new financial literacy graduation requirement that Hall said ‘‘does start in the current school year, so 24, 25, with our class of 2028,’’ and that the requirement is implemented as a half‑credit high‑school course. Hall said districts were encouraged to offer financial literacy earlier than required and that standards were developed ‘‘in collaboration with the National Council For Economic Education and Jumpstart.’’

Why it matters: Committee members said they want clear, district‑level guidance so local schools implement comparable coursework. Representative Steve Hubert, 90th District, asked whether the State Board of Education has issued standards and how districts will be held to them. Hall replied the department issues guidance and offered to provide documentation to the committee.

On computer science, Hall summarized implementation of the Promoting Advancement in Computer Knowledge (PACT) Act, signed in 2022. She said 310 Kansas secondary schools, technical learning centers and career academies offered at least one course meeting the PACT requirements in 2023–24, operated by 243 public school districts. Hall told the committee that ‘‘of the 310 teachers teaching a computer science course, 218 were trained by high quality professional development providers under the PAC Act grants awarded in the prior fiscal year.’’ She added that three grant‑funded providers—Kansas State University, Wichita State University Tech, and the Educational Services and Staff Development Association of Central Kansas (SDSAC)—provided training to 108 teachers in 2023–24 and that those trainings reached an estimated 9,450 students.

Committee members asked for further breakdowns, including grant amounts and a district‑level list of where courses and trained teachers are available. Representative Sherry Brantley asked specifically for grant amounts for each provider; Hall said she did not have the award breakdown in the room but would follow up.

Hall also described KSDE civic engagement work, saying the department partners with the Kansas Volunteer Commission on a Civic Advocacy Network and with organizations such as the Kansas Press Association, the Kansas Leadership Center, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and local chambers on civics competitions and programs. She noted the Kansas Civics Bee (for grades 6–8) and Kansas Civics Games (grades 9–12), mock‑trial partnerships, and materials developed with the Kansas League of Municipalities to provide community‑based civics learning experiences. Representative Mark Schreiber and Representative Linda Featherston both praised local participation in those programs.

What the committee directed or requested: Committee members asked KSDE to provide written guidance and documentation. Hall agreed to provide (1) documentation on the financial literacy guidance (including the half‑credit requirement) and (2) follow‑up details about PACT‑funded grants (award amounts, provider breakdowns) and teacher‑training data. The chair instructed Hall to email requested materials to the committee assistant, Michelle, so they could be posted to committee files and the S drive.

No formal action or vote was taken; the presentation was informational and committee members requested additional materials and follow‑up meetings.

Ending: The committee scheduled further literacy and related briefings later in the week, and members were told to expect follow‑up documents from KSDE. Gabrielle Hall said she would stand for questions and provide the requested materials to the committee assistant for distribution.