State board approves $483,144 subgrant package to seed year‑through assessment pilot while KSDE seeks federal award

TOPEKA — The Kansas State Board of Education approved a request on June 9 for KSDE to use available federal assessment funds to subgrant participating school districts up to $483,144 to seed a year‑through (through‑year) assessment pilot while the department awaits a possible U.S. Department of Education award.

KSDE staff said the pilot — previously authorized by a waiver the board approved in April — will test a model that integrates assessment more closely with instruction and provides ongoing evidence for teachers and families. Because the federal demonstration award decision is not expected until October, KSDE said it needs seed money this summer so districts can prepare item banks, establish higher‑security test administration systems and adapt platforms in time for pilot start‑up in the fall.

KSDE proposed per‑district subgrant amounts based on the number of tested students in grades 3–8 and high school at roughly $14 per tested student. The board approved the subgrant package so KSDE can begin procurement and build pilot capacity; KSDE said if it receives the federal award the department will augment and expand the pilot, and if it does not receive funds it will return to the board for next steps.

What’s next: KSDE will finalize subgrant paperwork with participating districts and proceed with procurement and platform set‑up this summer. The statewide federal award decision is scheduled for later this year.

Sources: KSDE briefing materials and board motions at the June 9 meeting.