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Welcome the new Math Program Manager!
Welcome the new Math Program Manager!
Jillian Kildow
Jillian Kildow
Jillian has been in education for 14 years. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, and a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Jill will be working in Career, Standards, and Assessment Services (CSAS), providing mathematics support in the areas of standards, assessments, professional development, STEM, and educator support. She is here to help in any way she can. Please feel free to email her at jillian.kildow@KSDE.gov or call her at 785-296-6823.
Math Professional Development Needs Survey
Math Professional Development Needs Survey
The KSDE Math team wants to know what Professional Learning you want or need for the 2025-2026 school year! We are planning to continue our Monthly Math Minutes. Please fill out the following Google form https://forms.gle/7HW2Yfgzi7Lx89oy6 to help us deliver the best PD for this coming up school year.
New KSDE Instructional Resources Evaluation Rubric
New KSDE Instructional Resources Evaluation Rubric
The Instructional Resources Evaluation Rubric serves as a guide for districts and schools to assess their current instructional materials or evaluate new purchases for alignment with the Kansas Mathematics Standards. Before beginning the evaluation process, it is crucial for the evaluator or team to gather all necessary resources relevant to the programs being reviewed, as some criteria require access to specific courses to ensure accurate ratings. Each evaluator should also have a reference copy of the Kansas Mathematics Standards.
To ensure a smooth review process, developing a clear protocol is essential. This should include a thorough study of the Instructional Resources Evaluation Rubric by the evaluators, as well as an overview of the entire program prior to starting the evaluation, which can provide valuable context for the review.
New KSDE Observation Tools
New KSDE Observation Tools
Aligned to the components and language of the KSDE Visions for Quality Instruction, we are excited to share that we have posted observation tools on the KSDE School Improvement Resource Google Site under the Quality Instruction tab. This includes KSDE Observation Tools for ELA, mathematics, and science, with early literacy coming soon. The tools prioritize both teacher actions and student impact with teacher- and student-facing look-fors for quality instruction. The tools also include a one-pager of all indicators followed by note-taking pages. These are not designed to be used as an evaluation tool, but more of an observation/coaching tool.
As you are considering these resources, they reflect a Version #1. We anticipate updating and making small revisions based on feedback this fall. We encourage you to keep that in mind as you are making plans for instructional improvement using these tools. Also, while the tools are important, we also recognize the importance of professional learning on the tools and how to best leverage them later this summer into the next school year. More information about professional learning related to the tools will be shared later.
If you have questions, please contact Jennifer Hamlet at jennifer.hamlet@ksde.gov
IXL Updates
IXL Updates
Reminder that the state is paying for IXL Math again this year!
Monthly Town Halls
Join your IXL Kansas team for a standing monthly town hall meeting where you will learn about IXL’s newest releases, learn tips and tricks for a successful implementation, and even hear from some of your colleagues about their favorite ways to use IXL!
August 20th from 4-5 pm CT
September 17th from 4-5 pm CT
October 15th from 4-5 pm CT
Simplify benchmarking with the New LevelUp™ checklist
Get precise benchmarking data on PreK-12 math and ELA while maximizing instructional time! Introducing the IXL LevelUp™ Diagnostic: the only unified solution that enables students to move seamlessly from assessment back into personalized practice.
To make launching this powerful assessment even easier this fall, we’ve created a brand-new benchmarking checklist with simple steps for before, during, and after testing. View the checklist here.
Stay up to date with new releases
At IXL, we never stop adding new features and skills to our award-winning teaching and learning platform, so you can always trust we’re on pace with students’ evolving needs. Visit the IXL blog to make sure you are staying up to date with the latest and greatest on IXL!
Coming soon: IXL Live fall dates
Join us for IXL Live in Overland Park and Wichita this September for a day of hands-on learning, inspiration, and connection. Stay tuned, registration opens soon!
Assessment Update
Assessment Update
Mini tests are multiplying!
We are still in process of adding more and more mini tests in the Educator Portal. Reminder that these new mini tests will be by standard, not the cluster level. Keep checking in to see the continuous progress. If you haven't checked these out, please do so ASAP! They are a great resource to help with formative assessments of the standards. In general, educators do the following:
1. Build tests using Mini-Tests with items that mirror summative assessment items.
2. Copy tests created by staff within their own building/district.
3. Assign Mini-Tests to students and start or stop test delivery to Student Portal.
4. Monitor, Pause, Resume, Reactivate, and End Test Session.
5. Administer Mini-Tests aligned to state curriculum standards.
6. See immediate results from students’ tests.
KSDE & Service Center PD Opportunities
KSDE & Service Center PD Opportunities
Location Date Registration
Greenbush (Girard) 9/22/25 Link to Register
Greenbush (Lawrence) 9/15/25 Link to Register
Location Date Registration
ESSDACK 09/09/25 Link to Register
Orion 10/01/25 Link to Register
Greenbush (Girard) 10/16/25 Link to Register
Greenbush (Lawrence) 10/20/25 Link to Register
Southwest Plains 10/20/25 Link to Register
Smoky Hill 11/4/25 Link to Register
Location Date Registration
ESSDACK 10/27/25 Link to Register
Orion 10/7/25 Link to Register
Greenbush (Girard) 1/7/25 Link to Register
Greenbush (Lawrence) 12/1/25 Link to Register
Southwest Plains 10/27/25 Link to Register
Smoky Hill 10/23/25 Link to Register
Monthly Math Minutes
Monthly Math Minutes
Please join us for our monthly professional development from the KSDE math team. Every month we will have mathematics updates from the state, professional development opportunities, and a topic of the month. We would love to have any teachers, curriculum leaders, and administration join us! Our next meeting date will be September 9th from 4:00 - 5:30 pm. Link to Register
New School Improvement Resource Site
New School Improvement Resource Site
Check out the new School Improvement Resource Site!
Look for the big blue button on the KSDE homepage!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Do districts need to send in any IXL reports?
A: No, the survey you filled out earlier in the semester is the only data we need at this time.
Q: Does KSDE have a list of suggested math curriculum for districts?
A: At this time, KSDE cannot recommend any specific curriculum. KSDE did do a survey of math curriculum that is being used by districts across Kansas.
Q: Can 8th grade Algebra I count for High School credit?
A: This is local decision that the school board of education for each district will need to determine.
Q: Where are the resources for the KAP mini tests, interims, and summative assessments located?
A: Resources | Kansas Assessment Program (ksassessments.org)
Q: Are the Kansas Math Standards changing for the 2024-2025 school year? If not, when will they be reviewed next?
A: The Kansas Math Standards will not be changing for the 24-25 school year. KSDE has not set a timeframe when the math standards will be updated next.
Q: When will the Standards Alignment Toolkit for math be done?
A: We will not have the entire toolkit completed until later this year, but the new Math Guidance Document will be released at the KSDE conference, October 23rd - 25th.
Q: Is IXL free for the 2025-2026 school year?
A: Yes, IXL will be free again for the 25-26 school year. The future years will be determined on a year-to-year basis.
Q: Are the interim questions rejects from the summative assessment?
A: No, the items on the interims are new and designed specifically for the interim blueprint.
Q: Is the mini test window open all year long?
A: Yes, the mini tests do not have a certain window that they can be accessed. They are free for you to use whenever and however you fill fit for your students.
Q: Can individual whiteboards be used on the Summative Assessment?
A: Yes, as long as the students are spread out and they cannot see each other boards.
THE NEW KANSAS MATH STANDARDS GUIDANCE DOCUMENT
THE NEW KANSAS MATH STANDARDS GUIDANCE DOCUMENT
The new KSDE Kansas Math Standards Guidance Document is finished and a great tool to help with standards alignment. We are so excited for districts to have and utilize this document. Below, you will find a link to the document and an instructional video that talks about its components, creation, interim blueprints, and much more! This is a read only document, so you will need to make a copy to be able to edit and make it your own. If you are not aware of how to make a copy, it is in the video! 😊
Free Resource for Teachers, Parents and Students
Free Resource for Teachers, Parents and Students
Lexile & Quantile Hub is a free resource that is provided for all Kansas educators, parents, and students. Join us for the next Monthly Math Minutes on October 8th for a more in-depth look.
Lexile & Quantile contains targeted, free resources appropriately matched to students by Quantile measure and math content. Free premium membership to all Kansas educators.
Math Content with Quantile Measures.
More than 600 textbooks and software programs with over 80,000 lessons have been calibrated to the Quantile scale.
Over 3,100 online and downloadable resources have been calibrated to the Quantile scale.
Title: Educator Access to the Lexile and Quantile Hub
Description: This video provides an overview of how educators register to access tools and resources in the Lexile and Quantile Hub. KSDE has a partnership with MetaMetrics that allows all educators Premium access to the Lexile and Quantile Hub at no additional cost.
Title: Classroom Applications using Quantile Teacher Assistant
Description: This video provides a demonstration of how to utilize Quantile measures and the Quantile Teacher Assistant tool to support classroom instruction.
The Kansas Math Project Training
The Kansas Math Project Training
Registration for these trainings will be available at https://ksdetasn.org/mtss/kmp-information.
If you would like to do the trainings via Moodle, please click the following link: Trainings via Moodle Once there, click on “Create account,” create your free Moodle account and begin with KMP Foundational Module A. You will sequentially go through KMP Foundational Modules A-E, taking each module’s quiz and ending with the cumulative quiz.
The Kansas Technical Assistance System Network (TASN) has partnered with Newman University to offer college credit for educators who receive certificate(s) of completion from the Kansas Math Project training.
The opportunity to earn college credits applies to past KMP participants as well as future KMP participants.
Fill out the Newman University application here, https://apply.newmanu.edu/register/workshops, to receive credit(s) for one or more of the following sessions:
Foundation modules = 1 credit hour
Pre-K – Grade 2 modules = 2 credit hours
Grades 3-5 modules = 2 credit hours
Secondary modules = 2 credit hours
Contact Todd Wiedemann, kmp@kansasmtss.org, or Cindy Spriggs, spriggsc@newmanu.edu, with questions.
Additional Opportunities from Outside KSDE
Additional Opportunities from Outside KSDE
Imagine Learning wants to extend an invitation to our upcoming event "Beyond the Textbook: Reimagining Math & Science with Kansas Curriculum Leaders". This is a collaborative and hands-on STEM focused day, in which we will talk about research-based pedagogy and statewide recommendations for math and science curriculum selection. We will host this event across the state, so please register and / or forward this invitation to any member of your team who'd like to attend!
If you have any questions about the event, please contact Lindsay Stutzman at Lindsay.Stutzman@imaginelearning.com or (816)694-1312
Grow Your PLN
Grow Your PLN
Math Education Organization
Math Education Organization
Kansas Association of Teachers of Mathematics (KATM)
Kansas Association of Teachers of Mathematics (KATM)
KATM is an affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics whose mission is to foster engaged community to advance effective practices in teaching and learning mathematics throughout Kansas.
KATM is an affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics whose mission is to foster engaged community to advance effective practices in teaching and learning mathematics throughout Kansas.
Update Your Account Information
We want to stay connected with you! Please take a moment to log in to your account at KATM.org and update your contact information. Ensuring your details are current helps us provide you with the latest resources, event updates, and member benefits.
Simply log in, review your information, and make any necessary changes. It only takes a few minutes! www.katm.org
Thank you for being a valued member of KATM.
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
NCTM advocates for high-quality mathematics teaching and learning for each and every student.
NCTM advocates for high-quality mathematics teaching and learning for each and every student.
Its Strategic Framework includes Teaching and Learning, Access, Equity and Empowerment, Building Member Value, and Advocacy.
Its Strategic Framework includes Teaching and Learning, Access, Equity and Empowerment, Building Member Value, and Advocacy.
NCSM Leadership in Education
NCSM Leadership in Education
NCSM is the premiere mathematics education leadership organization. Our bold leadership in the mathematics education community develops vision, ensures support, and guarantees that all students engage in equitable, high-quality mathematical experiences that lead to powerful, flexible uses of mathematical understanding to affect their lives and to improve the world.
NCSM is the premiere mathematics education leadership organization. Our bold leadership in the mathematics education community develops vision, ensures support, and guarantees that all students engage in equitable, high-quality mathematical experiences that lead to powerful, flexible uses of mathematical understanding to affect their lives and to improve the world.
Twitter
Twitter
KSDE Teacher Leader
KSDE Teacher Leader
They are amazing tools for personalized professional learning and great communities to network with other educators and leaders. Check out @KSDETCHRLEADERS and @KATMWebmaster on twitter and Kansas Association of Teachers of Mathematics on Facebook. #KSMath
Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics
Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics
Want to network with other math educators and leaders about Building Thinking Classrooms? Follow Dr. Peter Liljedahl, the author of BTC in mathematics, and you'll find tons of math educators and leaders to collaborate with.
Another great BTC resource is the BTC Facebook page where teachers share tips, ideas, success stories, and ways to address some challenges and struggles.
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