State Board approves process to review and update education regulations
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Summary
The Kansas State Board of Education voted unanimously Nov. 12 to adopt a new process for identifying and updating state regulations deemed burdensome or disconnected from student learning.
The Kansas State Board of Education voted unanimously on Nov. 12 to adopt a new process for reviewing and, where appropriate, amending state education regulations.
Board members approved a multi-step approach presented by KSDE staff that asks whether a rule (1) poses a significant administrative burden to districts, (2) is disconnected from student learning, or (3) strains district resources. Under the procedure, KSDE will present candidate regulations monthly, solicit board feedback on the general direction, have program staff draft specific language, and return to the board for final review and a formal vote before submitting changes for Department of Administration and Attorney General review and public hearing. "If a law has changed, we will look at how to respond," staff said during the presentation.
The motion was made by Board Member Dennis (recorded in the meeting transcript as the mover) and seconded; the board recorded a 10-0 vote in favor. Chair Kathy Hopkins noted the procedure is intended to let the board and agency work through regulations "article by article" and to allow districts and staff input during the drafting process.
Board members pressed staff on how items will be prioritized and whether suggested regulatory changes would come primarily from districts, internal review, or both. KSDE staff said the rollout will start with narrower regulations to allow the board and staff to develop the review cadence and that proposals will reflect both district feedback and internal agency analysis. The process also includes follow-up steps: after board approval, KSDE will send the edits to the Department of Administration, the Attorney General—s office, and then hold public comment and hearing before final adoption.
No immediate regulatory edits were adopted at the Nov. 12 meeting; staff said the first specific regulation will be presented to the board at a subsequent meeting under the approved process.
What happens next: KSDE will begin presenting candidate regulations for initial board direction at future meetings and will bring refined draft language back for a final vote before any state-level regulatory changes are filed for review.