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Call for Content
Call for Content
Are you doing something amazing in your classroom that you would like to share with others? Please submit ideas to jhamlet@ksde.org to be showcased next month.
KSDE IS HERE TO SUPPORT YOU!
KSDE IS HERE TO SUPPORT YOU!
If you have questions about curriculum, assessments, standards, etc., the KSDE math team is here to help and support you in any way possible. All you need to do is reach out. Please contact Jennifer Hamlet, KSDE Math Program Manager, at 785-296-6823 or email her at jhamlet@ksde.org.
New Virtual Office Hours (Third Wednesday of every month): Jennifer Hamlet, KSDE Math Program Manager, will host one-hour virtual office hours on zoom from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. for educators to ask questions, get support, or just chat about concerns/issues.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://ksde.zoom.us/j/82246007530
Passcode: 607090
SPRING INTERIM WINDOW OPENS SOON!
The spring interim window opens January 20th, 2025, and closes January 31st, 2025. BEFORE interim tests are automatically assigned, a district must submit a TASC record through KIDS. This creates or modifies a “roster” in Educator Portal (EP) connecting teachers to students. Once a task record has been uploaded for a student, it does not need to be uploaded again for that school year.
IXL UPDATES!
IXL UPDATES!
The Kansas State Department of Education announced it will continue its partnership with IXL Math for the 2025-2026 school year, with IXL Learning to provide schools with a free supplemental instructional program that can help Kansas students improve their math skills.
A bill passed by the Kansas Legislature in 2022 appropriated $4 million for a virtual math program. The state put out a request for proposal (RFP), and IXL Learning was awarded the two-year contract.
IXL Math is aligned to Kansas standards and is evidence-based. It offers personalized learning with a comprehensive K-12 curriculum, individualized guidance and real-time analytics. IXL’s curriculum is built on more than 9,000 skills that are scaffolded to help each student target their specific areas of need. Since IXL Math is custom-built for Kansas standards, teachers are able to know exactly what students should work on to meet key benchmarks.
IXL is excited to announce that our in-person IXL Live events will take place this February! (Sign-up links with more information are included below)
IXL Live for Educators will take place in Wichita (February 19th) and Overland Park (February 25th). At IXL Live for Educators, you will discover impactful strategies you can use with your class right away, explore resources for meeting your unique instructional goals, and be inspired by your community of educators.
IXL Live for Administrators will take place in Wichita (February 20th) and Overland Park (February 26th). IXL Live for Administrators is a workshop designed specifically for school and district leaders to provide you with new and creative ways to meet your schools' unique needs. This engaging half-day session is the most efficient way to see the breadth of what IXL offers and learn how to leverage IXL's robust platform to make a bigger positive impact on your district.
Join the IXL team on January 30th at 4pm for an exclusive webinar to explore Takeoff by IXL, a complete core math curriculum that redefines differentiation and engagement. Save your spot today!
The Kansas Sunflower State Sprint contest is returning for a second year! During this contest, classes across Kansas compete against each other to see who can answer the most questions. Stay tuned for more information about registration and contest rules in mid-January from the IXL team (kansas@ixl.com)!
For additional information, please reach out to KSDE at kansas@ixl.com
MONTHLY MATH MINUTES!
MONTHLY MATH MINUTES!
THERE WILL NOT BE A MONTHLY MATH MINUTES IN JANUARY!
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! Register below. You can click the register button at the time of the meeting as well, it does not have to be prior to be able to join.
Join us for a two-part professional learning series, "AI in Math Classrooms: Transforming Learning Through Technology" on February 11th and March 11th from 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. The link below will register you for both the February and March dates, so you only have to register once.
Monthly Math Minutes Registration Link
December Monthly Math Minutes: Update on the Kansas Math Pathways, CTE Pathways, and Q & A session.
Recording: Zoom Recording - The screen will be black for the first minute and then you will see the presentation slides.
PowerPoint: KSDE Math Pathways - Google Slides
Prioritization of Standards Guidance
The state has observed that the term 'priority standards' is being used frequently by school districts. How each district defines priority standards is EXTREMELY important. Are they emphasizing certain standards identified as having gaps based on data, or are they focusing on specific standards while omitting some mandated ones? There is a significant difference between these two concepts.
Below is a release from KSDE outlining our stance on priority standards.
Addressing the Prioritization of Standards Fact Sheet
EDITS TO THE KANSAS MATH STANDARDS GUIDANCE DOCUMENT
EDITS TO THE KANSAS MATH STANDARDS GUIDANCE DOCUMENT
Date updated Tab Cell (column / row) Edit(s)
11/14/24 3rd grade C/136 Should be green
11/14/24 3rd grade C/141 Should be orange
12/6/25 Tabs at the bottom I made them all consistent. Some said Grade 6 and others said 1st Grade
12/6/25 It should be Standards for Mathematical Practice, it was of before
12/8/25 3rd Grade A/107/108 Add 2.MD.7 as previous grade standard
12/8/25 Resources links I was having some ask me to split up the links because the first three looked so similar. All you have to do is highlight the three cells and paste them over.
12/9/25 6th grade F/29-30 7.SP.3 was repeated, I just cleared it. Do not delete the rows
1/13/25 All tabs F/1 The link to the Standards was not working after the website was updated, so I put in the correct link.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS!
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: Will there be a new Kansas Examiner's Manual?
A: Yes, but it will be called the Test Administrator's manual. It will be for only those individuals that are administering the assessment and will include the manipulatives sheet/flow chart. The release date will be by December 20th, 2024.
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.
KANSAS MATH PATHWAYS
KANSAS MATH PATHWAYS
Background of Kansas Math Pathways
Traditional postsecondary mathematics, including requiring college algebra for most majors, and requiring traditional prerequisite remediation that does not count toward a baccalaureate degree, impose unnecessary obstacles to degree completion for Kansas students.
According to KBOR’s Developmental Education Data Report, too few students are completing a traditional prerequisite developmental course and a general education math course within a two-year period. Further, according to a 2015 Report published by the Mathematical Association of America, A Common Vision for Undergraduate Mathematical Sciences Programs in 2025, “mathematics courses are the most significant barrier to degree completion in both STEM and non-STEM fields.”
The Kansas Board of Regents seeks to implement proven practices that remove these obstacles and advance access, affordability, success, and completion (all components of the Board’s strategic plan, Building a Future), by working with the Charles A. Dana Center at the University of Texas at Austin on Mathematics Pathways.
Kansas is now one of the 22 states participating in the Launch Years Initiative, which supports the scaling of mathematics pathways from high school through postsecondary education and into the workplace, aligned to students’ goals and aspirations. The Dana Center provides resources and support and holds an annual convening at which participating states can share ideas, best practices, and experiences related to the initiative.
The gateway and developmental course placement guidance, corequisite support section framework, shall take effect during the Fall 2026 semester and continually apply thereafter. See below for the timeline and the three pathways' graphics with what programs would fall under each pathway.
click here to see additional information - Math Pathways
THE NEW KANSAS MATH STANDARDS GUIDANCE DOCUMENT IS FINISHED!
THE NEW KANSAS MATH STANDARDS GUIDANCE DOCUMENT IS FINISHED!
The new KSDE Kansas Math Standards Guidance Document is finished! 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! 😊
KSDE Kansas Math Standards Guidance Document
Thank you for your patience awaiting the release of this document and I hope it will be an effective tool for your teachers and districts. I do want to send a shout out and big thank you to my KSDE Math team for all their hard work. This document took hours of work to put together and a lot of brain power.
Jolene Goodheart Peterson
Amber Boyington
Todd Flory
Lara Staker
Cherryl Delacruz
Diane Kimsey
Andrea Graham
Luke Henke
Julie Keithline
Shelly DeWeese
Erin Cole
And all the others that had feedback along the way!
KSDE + Service Centers = Incredible Partnership
KSDE + Service Centers = Incredible Partnership
The KSDE Math team and the service centers across the state are joining forces to offer Professional Learning opportunities centered on the Four Fundamentals. We’re thrilled about this collaboration and are committed to providing math educators with top-notch support and resources. See below for our first Professional Learning Day!
Location Date Registration
Greenbush (Lawrence) 12/09/24 Link to Register
02/24/25 Link to Register
Greenbush (Girard) 01/20/25 Link to Register
03/03/25 Link to Register
Smoky Hill (Salina) 12/12/24 Link to Register
(Hays) 01/21/25 Link to Register
Southwest Plains 12/16/24 Link to Register
02/21/25 Link to Register
ESSDACK 01/13/25 Link to Register
02/25/25 Link to Register
Orion 01/28/25 Link to Register
02/10/25 Link to Register
Location Date Registration
Greenbush (Lawrence) 04/21/25 Link to Register
Greenbush (Girard) 05/02/25 Link to Register
Smoky Hill (Salina) 03/06/24 Link to Register
Southwest Plains 04/01/25 Link to Register
ESSDACK 03/31/25 Link to Register
Orion 03/10/25 Link to Register
The Kansas Math Project
The Kansas Math Project
What is the Kansas Math Project?
What is the Kansas Math Project?
We believe that every math teacher in Kansas should have a strong understanding of evidence-based teaching strategies, and that all teachers of math should have an equally strong understanding of math content. The Kansas Math Project, put forth in joint collaboration with the Kansas Department of Education, has been developed to precisely attend to each of these beliefs through a systematic framework of modules geared for teachers and administrators. Modules will be delivered both in-person and asynchronously to develop the math practitioner's aptitude to use the language of mathematics, integrate modeling and practice, and incorporate mathematics concepts and procedures that build students' fluency within the four operations, and their ability to set-up and solve text-based problems. In addition, the project will expand each teacher's scope of content knowledge along the progression of standards from PreK to Algebra 2.
Trainings
For the 2024-2025 school year, the following trainings are scheduled:
Feb. 24-25, 2025, at the Hilton Garden Inn, Hays (attendance required both days).
February 26-27, 2025, at the Sunflower Foundation, Topeka (attendance required both days).
April 28-29, 2025, at the Hilton Garden Inn, Hays (attendance required both days).
April 30 & May 1, 2025, at the Sunflower Foundation, Topeka (attendance required both days).
Registration for these trainings will be available at https://ksdetasn.org/mtss/kmp-information once all logistical information is confirmed.
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.
Standards/Assessments
Standards/Assessments
New Interim Interactive Performance Reports
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.
Understanding Quantile Measures
Understanding Quantile Measures
The Quantile® Framework for Mathematics gives you a powerful tool to personalize math learning for students by linking assessments to instruction.
It’s based on a scientifically validated developmental scale that measures both the math skill level of your students and the difficulty of math skills and concepts they encounter.
A student Quantile measure helps you better understand which skills and concepts your students are ready to learn so you can better personalize math instruction.
Math concepts and skills also have Quantile measures, so it’s easy to figure out which math concepts students are ready to learn next.
A growing number of math programs and state assessments report Quantile measures. In addition, many textbooks and instructional materials are linked to the Quantile scale. When you’re able to match students with math resources that support their knowledge and build it further, you’re also supporting their path to college and career readiness.
See full article: Understanding Quantile® Measures - Quantile (quantiles.com)
Additional Opportunities from Outside KSDE
Additional Opportunities from Outside KSDE
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.
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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