In honor of Juneteenth, the Kansas State Department of Education will be closed Friday, June 19, 2026.

We’re Hiring! The Kansas State Department of Education is seeking a Marketing Specialist This position is responsible for developing and executing marketing strategies that promote programs, initiatives and key messages, and more. Apply now: buff.ly/VLEHIi0

We’re Hiring! The Kansas State Department of Education is seeking a Marketing Specialist This position is responsible for developing and executing marketing strategies that promote programs, initiatives and key messages, and more. Apply now: buff.ly/EME2goj

What are SUN Meals? SUN Meals provides free meals and snacks for kids ages 1–18 during the summer at schools, parks, libraries, and other community locations. Find a meal site near you: buff.ly/5mGCTkF

The Kansas State Board of Education will meet today, June 9 and Wednesday, June 10, beginning at 10 a.m. View the agenda and meeting materials here: buff.ly/e1jSrdG

Special Meeting Notice The Kansas State Board of Education will conduct a special meeting, with the focus being on the issue of device use in schools today, Monday, June 8, 2026, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. View board meeting resources here: buff.ly/e1jSrdG

SUN Meals helps keep kids fueled for summer fun Free meals are available for children ages 1–18 at participating locations statewide. Find a SUN Meal site near you: buff.ly/RLEquwc

Start the school year aligned. The Great Ideas in Education Conference helps your team walk in on day one with a plan. Register now: buff.ly/QmEbEc8

ICYMI: A new episode of the Insight Podcast is out now! 🎙️ In this episode, Dr. Watson asks Dr. Steel about his early days growing up and attending Garden City USD 457 schools and more. Listen now: Spotify: buff.ly/HeDxLE4 YouTube: buff.ly/Ny0r0qi Apple: buff.ly/FcwFFsV

Reminder: Special Meeting Notice The Kansas State Board of Education will conduct a special meeting, with the focus being on the issue of device use in schools on Monday, June 8, 2026, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. View board meeting resources here: buff.ly/e1jSrdG

Summer is here and so are free meals for kids! SUN Meals offers free meals for children ages 1–18 throughout the summer. Find a summer meal site near you: buff.ly/jNSFVVu

Special Meeting Notice The Kansas State Board of Education will conduct a special meeting, with the focus being on the issue of device use in schools on Monday, June 8, 2026, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. View board meeting resources here: buff.ly/e1jSrdG

Three days. One goal: stronger alignment across your district. ✅️ Collaboration with like districts ✅️ Role-aligned learning ✅️ Strategies to accelerate student success Register for the annual conference now: buff.ly/KORzBEA

Looking for summer food options for kids? SUN Meals makes it easy with free meals at neighborhood locations for children ages 1–18. Find a meal site near you: buff.ly/Pj2KCh0

The Kansas State Department of Education will be closed on Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day.

Summer is here and so are free meals for kids! ☀️ SUN Meals offers free meals for children ages 1–18 throughout the summer. Find a summer meal site near you: buff.ly/Pj2KCh0

A new episode of the Insight Podcast is out now! 🎙️ In this episode, Dr. Watson asks Dr. Steel about his early days growing up and attending Garden City USD 457 schools and more. Listen now: Spotify: buff.ly/HeDxLE4 YouTube: buff.ly/Ny0r0qi Apple: buff.ly/FcwFFsV

Register your team and save! Teams of four receive discounted pricing for the 2026 Great Ideas in Education Conference. Register here: buff.ly/KORzBEA

A new episode of the KSDE Insight Podcast comes out tomorrow! The newest episode is about “A New Chapter for Kansas Education: A conversation with Dr. Jake Steel.” In the meantime, catch up on previous episodes: Spotify: buff.ly/nGS7zpe Apple: buff.ly/kzctwx6 YouTube: buff.ly/XYT5usn

Adam Topliff of Wamego USD 320 and Taylor Bussinger of Olathe USD 233 consider whether homework is most effective when it reflects students’ own ideas. Could reflection play a bigger role in how students engage with learning outside the classroom? Listen now on Spotify:

The Kansas State Board of Education will meet today, May 12, beginning at 10 a.m. View the agenda and meeting materials here: buff.ly/Y7xIlQg

Adam Topliff of Wamego USD 320 highlights how homework is a complex issue that can sometimes lead to student frustration. He emphasizes the importance of being alongside students during their learning, supporting them as they develop critical thinking skills. Listen on Spotify:

Does assigning more homework lead to better results, or does the quality of the task matter more? Taylor Bussinger, social studies teacher in Olathe USD 233, says it often depends on the subject when determining how much homework is truly needed. Learn more on Spotify:

For the final day of #TeacherAppreciationWeek, 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year, Rachel Marlow, thanks educators who show up every day for their students and go above and beyond. Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to all Kansas educators! buff.ly/QsRQE0S

“Most eighth graders do homework just to get it done. They don’t actually care about learning the content,” a student shared with teacher Taylor Bussinger of Olathe USD 233. It raises an important question: how can homework support meaningful learning? Listen now on Spotify:

For #TeacherAppreciationWeek, 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year regional finalist Troy St. Clair thanks an educator who helped him think outside the box at Scott Dual Language Magnet Elementary School, Topeka USD 501.

Happy #TeacherAppreciationWeek! 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year regional finalist Tranda Strnad said she had incredible educators in her life who inspired her to go into the teaching profession.

For #TeacherAppreciationWeek, 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year regional finalist Tracie Betz thanked her colleagues at Quinter Elementary School for always being by her side.

Adam Topliff, a social studies teacher in Wamego USD 320, questions the role of memorization in homework and instead points to the value of deeper thinking. Tune in now on: Spotify: buff.ly/236MnMv YouTube: buff.ly/dG2rWvf Apple: buff.ly/lTGGBoe

Lauren Sage, 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year regional finalist, gave a shoutout to her colleagues at F.L. Schlagle High School, Kansas City USD 500. Happy #TeacherAppreciationWeek! buff.ly/9jthg9i

Learning shows up when students ask questions, challenge ideas, and explore different perspectives and not just repeat facts. In the homework debate, the question becomes: does homework support that kind of thinking, or get in the way? Listen now: buff.ly/236MnMv YouTube: buff.ly/dG2rWvf

This #TeacherAppreciationWeek, 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year regional finalist Susan Rogers, gave a shoutout to her Kansas LEADS team and the amazing things they do in their classrooms. Thank you to all Kansas teachers for all that you do for our Kansas students! buff.ly/XzFXpPe

For #TeacherAppreciationWeek, Jason Peters, 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year regional finalist, said there were many educators along the way who encouraged him to go into the teaching profession.

Julie Smith, 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year regional finalist, said she wanted to become an educator, thanks to those who taught her when she was growing up. Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4-8. Thank you, teachers, for your dedication!

Today we celebrate School Lunch Heroes! These dedicated professionals do more than serve meals; they fuel learning, support student health and create welcoming spaces where kids feel cared for and ready to succeed. Thank you for the difference you make in schools!

Don’t miss early bird savings! Bring your team to the 2026 Great Ideas in Education Conference and start the year aligned and ready to lead. Register now: buff.ly/FVTUvqU

On National School Bus Driver Appreciation Day, we honor the drivers who make sure our Kansas children arrive safely to school and home each day. Read more about how Andrew Steenbock began his career as a driver for Auburn-Washburn USD 437: buff.ly/AOSSPNo

ICYMI: A new episode of the Insight Podcast is out now!🎙️ In this episode of the KSDE Insight Podcast, “The Homework Debate: Helpful or Outdated?”, we explore the role of homework, and what the research says. Listen now on: Spotify: buff.ly/236MnMv YouTube: buff.ly/dG2rWvf Apple: buff.ly/lTGGBoe

Reading isn’t guessing. Build your child’s confidence by encouraging them to sound out words step by step. What big word did your reader tackle this week? #ReadAcrossAmericaWeek

Reading every day makes a difference. Just a few minutes spent reading together encourages your child to keep reading on their own. What’s one word your reader mastered recently?

Comprehension is the goal of reading. After reading, start a conversation and ask questions to check understanding and deepen learning.

We have liftoff. The new KSDE website is now live. A stronger, more streamlined way to find the information you need. Visit www.ksde.gov

Mission objective: Make it easier to find what you need. This launch is a big step forward, and we’re committed to making it even better. KSDE’s new website goes live April 20

The NASA Artemis Program didn’t happen overnight. Building a better website doesn’t either. We’ve made important improvements, and we’ll keep building on them. April 20

A new episode of the Insight Podcast is out now!🎙️ In this episode of the KSDE Insight Podcast, “The Homework Debate: Helpful or Outdated?”, we explore the role of homework, and what the research says. Listen now on: Spotify: buff.ly/236MnMv YouTube: buff.ly/fNZSLQ2 Apple: buff.ly/lTGGBoe

The Kansas State Board of Education has announced Dr. Jake Steel as the next Kansas education commissioner. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Steel on this exciting new role and leadership opportunity for Kansas education. Congratulations, Dr. Steel! www.ksde.gov/Home/Quick-L...

A new episode of the KSDE Insight Podcast comes out tomorrow! The newest episode is about “The Homework Debate: Helpful or Outdated?” In the meantime, catch up on previous episodes: Spotify: buff.ly/JmzXil0 Apple: buff.ly/GpuJh5V YouTube: buff.ly/8VZAzuK

We’re not sending anyone to the moon… but we are preparing for launch. Like the NASA Artemis Program, this is just the beginning. New KSDE website launches April 20. Built to be better today and even stronger over time.

The Kansas State Board of Education will meet today, Apr. 14, beginning at 10 a.m. View the agenda and meeting materials here: buff.ly/vO3jkoU

“Kids that will go into college with 15 hours or more have a better chance of not just getting to college but getting through college.” - Jessica Dain, superintendent of Piper USD 203 Tune in now on: Spotify: buff.ly/UtFmM3g YouTube: buff.ly/k1FWZi1 Apple: buff.ly/uctssus