KSDE Insight Podcast

As summer break approaches, how can Kansas families and educators help students hold on to the academic gains they've made throughout the year?

In this episode of the KSDE Insight Podcast, we explore practical strategies to prevent the “summer slide” — the learning loss that can happen when studentsare out of the classroom for extended periods.

Join Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson, Kansas educators and literacy experts (listed below) as they talk about engaging, accessible ways to keep kids reading, thinking, and learning all summer long. From library partnerships to simple at-home activities, discover tools and tips that make summer learning fun and meaningful.

Guests include:

• Dyane Smokorowski, coordinator of digital literacy, Wichita USD 259
• Dr. Brent Wolf, principal, Derby Hills Elementary School, Derby USD 260
• Jeri Powers, reading specialist/teacher leader consultant, Kansas State Department of Education

Topics include:

• What the summer slide is and who it impacts most.
• Ideas for families to promote learning without worksheets.
• How Kansas schools and communities are stepping up.
• Free and low-cost resources available statewide.

Resources mentioned:

In today’s K-12 classrooms, technology is more accessiblethan ever—bringing new opportunities for engagement, collaboration, and personalized learning.

But with increased screen time, digital distractions, and the challenges of managing devices, educators and families are asking: Is technology truly enhancing education, or is it making it harder for students to focus?

In this episode of the KSDE Insight Podcast, we explore the benefits and challenges of classroom technology, from 1:1 device initiatives to cell phones and digital learning tools. Join us as we hear from a local board member, parent, student and community health expert on how schools can strike the right balance between leveraging tech for learning and maintaining student focus.

Welcome to the KSDE Insight Podcast, where we explore the people, policies, and progress shaping education in Kansas.

In this episode, From Slate to Screen: The Journey of Public Education, we take a step back in time to better understand how we got here.

Education in Kansas has come a long way — from one-room schoolhouses with slate boards to the dynamic, technology-driven classrooms of today. But to truly grasp the current landscape of Kansas public education, we must examine the policies, reforms, and pivotal moments that have shaped it. How have legislative shifts, and societal changes influenced our schools? And what lessons can we take from history as we navigate the future of education?

Join us as we uncover the journey of Kansas education, exploring the challenges, triumphs, and transformative policies that have paved the way for today’s students and educators.

This month's guests are Dr. Deb Mercer, dean of Kansas State University's College of Education, and Mark Tallman, associate executive director of educational advocacy for Kansas Association of School Boards.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Welcome to episode 11 of the KSDE Insight Podcast. This month we explore Individual Plans of Study (IPS) with our guest Dr. Robyn Kelso, education program consultant at the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE). Find out what an individual plans study is, what it is not and how IPS can benefit students and teachers.

Also in this episode, we check in with Cheryl Johnson the director of Child Nutrition and Wellness at KSDE to learn more about changes to free meals, how families that are eligible for free or reduced-price meals must apply to receive free meals and that all other students must pay full price for their meals as they did pre-pandemic.

We also meet Dr. Ben Proctor, deputy commissioner of the Division of Learning Services at KSDE. Hear about Dr. Proctor's past education experience and his desire to support school districts and staff around the state.

Links mentioned in this episode:

In this episode, our host Kansas Commissioner of Education, Dr. Randy Watson, is joined by Dr. Kelly Spurgeon, sr. ed. research analyst on the Career, Standards and Assessment Services Team at KSDE to talk about the Kansas State Board of Education outcome – Postsecondary Success.

Listen in on this informative chat as Dr. Watson and Dr. Spurgeon dig into the need to measure Postsecondary Success and the factors around how we calculate it.

In this episode our host Kansas Commissioner of Education, Dr. Randy Watson, is joined by Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE), Interim Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Scott Smith to talk about the Kansas State Board of Education outcome – Academically Prepared for Postsecondary.

Listen in on this rich discussion as Dr. Watson and Dr. Smith explore the importance of measuring how prepared students in Kansas are for postsecondary success.

Resources mentioned in the episode:

In this episode our host Kansas Commissioner of Education, Dr. Randy Watson, is joined by Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) staff members Dr. David Fernkopf, assistant director, Curricular Standards, Virtual Schools and Dr. Robyn Kelso, education program consultant - Graduation from Career, Standards and Assessment Services (CSAS) to talk about graduation in Kansas.

Listen as they discuss work being done by the Graduation Requirements Task Force and hear explanations of the proposed changes.

You can provide input on proposed recommendations to change the current graduation requirements to reflect what a graduate needs in the 21st century. Feedback from all Kansans is welcome.

Welcome to episode 7 of the Kansas State Department of Education Insight podcast.

In this episode, our host Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson sits down with KSDE’s Shanna Bigler, mental health education program consultant, for a conversation about social emotional growth.

We also get an introduction to the 2022 Kansas Teacher of the Year Susanne Stevenson. Hear Susanne describe her goals for the coming year as Kansas Teacher of the Year.

Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

In this episode, Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson wraps up 2021 and looks ahead to 2022.

On this month's episode of the KSDE Insight Podcast we talk about Civic Engagement. In 2015 the Kansas State Board of Education listened to Kansans and identified Civic Engagement as a top outcome for student success. That outcome was reinforced by feedback from Kansans again in 2021. Listen in as our host Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson talks with KSDE’s Nathan McAlister, Humanities Program Manger about what Civic Engagement looks like in Kansas. They discuss social studies assessments along with the emotional presentations given to the Kansas State Board of Education from students and military veterans supporting the Honor Flight program that many Kansas schools participate in.

In the first half of the episode, Dr. Watson shares news and information from the State Board of Education including the recent Kansans Can Star Recognition award presentations and the significance of recognizing the successful work of Kansas educators.

Join our host Kansas Commissioner of Education, Dr. Randy Watson, as we examine a key Kansas State Board of Education outcome, kindergarten readiness. Dr. Watson is joined by KSDE’s Amanda Petersen, director of Early Childhood to talk about the importance of preparing the youngest Kansans for success.

Listen as they discuss the ways we partner with parents to understand a child's needs so they will thrive in the kindergarten classroom. Hear examples of two different early childhood programs presented to the Kansas State Board of Education during their October meeting.

Grab a digital copy of the Kindergarten in Kansas booklet now available in 6 languages.

Download a copy today in:

Welcome to episode 3 of the Kansas State Department of Education Insight podcast.

In this episode, our host Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson reports on the conclusion of the Success Tour along with news and highlights from the September meeting of the Kansas State Board of Education.

Each year the Kansas State Board of Education meets with the Kansas Board of Regents. Hear Dr. Watson talk about the annual meeting and find out what shared goals were discussed between the two boards.

In the second half of the episode, we introduce listeners to the Graduation Requirements Task Force. This diverse group is led by Kansas State Board of Education member Jim McNiece and is co-chaired by Jarred Fuhrman, principal of Basehor Linwood High School. Watson and Fuhrman  to dig into the work of the task force to date and discuss the timeline to deliver their suggestions to the State Board of Education for consideration.

Welcome to episode 2 of the Kansas State Department of Education Insight podcast.

This month our host Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson welcomes students and educators back to school. Dr. Watson shares news and highlights from the August Kansas State Board of Education meeting. 

Did you hear that school breakfast and lunch are free this year? We hear from Cheryl Johnson, director of Child Nutrition & Wellness on that important part of a students day.

Welcome to the first episode of the Kansas State Department of Education Insight Podcast.

In this episode your host Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson highlights educational programs and activities throughout the month of July in Kansas. Dr. Watson will talk about embarking on the Kansans Can Success Tour beginning in July. Learn about the origins of the Kansas vision for education and why it's so important to revisit Kansas schools in 2021 to gather input from Kansans.