English Language Arts
October Newsletter
Embedded Files
October - A time for reflection
October - A time for reflection
It’s hard to believe we’re already wrapping up the first quarter! This time of year always gives us a chance to step back and see just how much progress our students have made. With assessments and data in hand, we can celebrate the growth we’re seeing and also pinpoint where extra support might be needed. It’s exciting to watch students build momentum, and the insights we gather now will help shape even stronger learning experiences in the months ahead. As we look forward to the next quarter, we have the opportunity to set new goals, refine our instruction, and keep building on the great work that’s already been done. Together, we can make sure students continue to grow in confidence, skills, and a continued love for learning. And, as always, please know that I am here as a resource and partner in this work. There are several professional development opportunities through our service centers across the state, or KSDE can come to you and your school!
Reach out for anything you may need: mary.lonker@ksde.gov
HELP SPREAD THE NEWS! Make sure you and your colleagues are signed up to receive the ELA newsletter with updated information, professional development opportunities, and guidance documents each month.
Click the link HERE to join our KSDE ELA Listserve.
And did you know? We can come to you and your school! KSDE offers free professional learning to support educators across all school systems in Kansas. This professional learning provides valuable resources, in-person and virtual training, and development opportunities to enhance teaching practices and improve student outcomes.
Click the link HERE to request professional development offered by the KSDE Program Managers.
Dyslexia Awareness Month
The Kansas Dyslexia Handbook is a powerful resource for your classroom and school. It is also mentioned in the requirements for the Every Child Can Read Act.
And, I would like to give our Early Literacy/Dyslexia team at KSDE a HUGE SHOUT OUT! Last Friday, at the KS/MO IDA conference, the presenters from the University of Central Arkansas praised the KSDE Screening flowcharts that are found In the handbook. We are so proud of our Early Literacy/Dyslexia team for their great work supporting our teachers, students, and families.
Take a look at that handbook...those flowcharts...and share with others- as it IS Dyslexia Awareness Month!
Tune in to the montly KSDE Insight Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
KSDE Insight Podcast
KSDE Insight Podcast
Our very own Dr. Laurie Curtis, KSDE Early Literacy/Dyslexia Program Manager, and Jennifer Hansen, KSDE TLC and ELA Specialist from Geary County, joined Dr. Randy Watson in his monthly podcast. This episode explores the simple skills that build strong readers, like phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension, and share how Kansas schools are using proven methods to give every child the best start.
Take a few minutes and give this great podcast a listen!
FAQ for KAP and Balanced Assessments
FAQ for KAP and Balanced Assessments
I have had several educators email with questions regarding the use of the KAP Interims and Mini Tests. Please see some of the highlighted questions below regarding the use of these great formative assessment tools you can use to guide classroom instruction. In addition, please note below the professional development opportunities taking place at our service centers helping schools and teachers navigate the KAP data.
Attached HERE is a sharable document of the following questions.
Please click on the image above to access the KAP webpage.
Q. What is the value or importance of giving both interim assessments?
A. The interim data can help schools monitor student progress through the standards and evaluate how well students are navigating complex text! Interim one (October window) is written with slight to moderate text complexity whereas Interim two (January window) elevates to moderate and complex text. In addition, both Interims ask questions that closely align with the summative assessment and can allow teachers and schools to make valuable decisions based on the data they see.
Q. Isn't the Interim used more for students to familiarize themselves with the tools and questions in Kite?
A. No. As a reminder, Kite practice tests are available to be used to help students familarize themselves with Kite student portal and to navigate the tools and question types. If needed, this should be used PRIOR to administering the Interim assessment.
Q. What is the interim testing window?
A. Fall: October 6–31, 2025
A. Spring: January 12 – February 6, 2026
Q. How can I use the Interim reports to help drive instruction?
A. There are several interactive reports available for schools and teachers to use that will give valuable insight into student performance. This information can help teachers determine the next level of instruction for their individual classrooms. Valuable reports for schools can include:
A Standards based report (p 22)
An individual student report or Family Report (p 23)
Interim question report for student performance on each question (p 24)
Item performance report or an indivuidal student report by item (p 26)
Q. What are Performance Level Descriptors? How do I find these?
A. Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs) are available for each test. PLDs define the knowledge, skills, and processes that students likely demonstrate at different levels of proficiency within the reporting categories (1, 2, 3, 4). These PLDs appear on Individual Student Reports and describe student performance on the assessment. They can be found on the KAP Website under the Resources Tab and by subject.
Level 1: A student at Level 1 shows a limited ability to understand and use the skills and knowledge needed for postsecondary success.
Level 2: A student at Level 2 shows a basic ability to understand and use the skills and knowledge needed for postsecondary success.
Level 3: A student at Level 3 shows an effective ability to understand and use the skills and knowledge needed for postsecondary success.
Level 4: A student at Level 4 shows an excellent ability to understand and use the skills and knowledge needed for postsecondary success.
Q. Do the different levels of performance align with a grade scale?
A. No. Please do not associate the PLD's with a grade, a percentage, or an average of any kind.
Q. How are mini tests different than the practice tests?
A. The mini tests are specifically aligned to the standards and to be used throughout the school year to measure students’ understanding of concepts and use of particular skills taught.
Q. Is there an easier way to use the mini tests?
A. Yes! You can use the mini tests as bell work, or quick formative assessments after any unit or lesson. You can use the mini tests as whole class instruction for a formative evaluation. You can pull up a mini-test and share on your smartboard. Mini tests are designed to be short and quick to monitor student progress through the standards. However, mini tests are still considered secure items and should not be printed as a test or leave your classroom.
Q. How often should I use the mini tests?
A. Any time you want to verify your students are progressing or mastering a standard. There are several mini tests available by grade level and are organized by each individual ELA Standard! You can customize your mini tests to align with your individual instruction!
New Professional Development Opportunities
Please Note: Books are no longer provided by KSDE. However, you can order yours through Amazon or your favorite book purchasing site.
Don't Miss Out - Join Us Online!
Don't Miss Out - Join Us Online!
The ELA team will be partnering with Dr. Laurie Curtis and the Early Literacy team to offer a text-based learning opportunity with Tim Shanahan's new book: Leveled Reading, Leveled Lives...
When: 2nd Semester through Zoom! Every Monday for 7 weeks
Starting Monday, January 26 and until March 9th
From 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Who: Everyone!
Teachers, coaches, administrators, or anyone who works with students of all ages
Why: To help students learn how to navigate and tackle complex text.
Earn PDC points to submit to your district
How: Click on the registration link! Registration is open until Friday, January 9th
Once registration is closed, you will recieve a confirmation email, a zoom link, and an outline for each date.
Where: ESSDACK Service Center
When: October 17, 2025 | January 13, 2026
College Credit Available!
In addition, you will receive your free copy of Rachel's book: Making Time for Social Studies: A Four-Step Process for Unit Planning in the Elementary Classroom..
ELA and Social Studies
ELA and Social Studies
Working Smarter Together
Working Smarter Together
We know how hard it can be to effectively integrate social studies into the K-5 classroom, so we're super excited to offer a PLC just for elementary teachers!
Facilitated by Glenn Wiebe, ESSDACK curriculum consultant, and Rachel Swearengin, 5th grade teacher and 2023 Gilder Lehrman Kansas History Teacher of the Year, our PLC is designed for elementary teachers and will meet two times a year from 9:00 - 3:00. These PLCs focus on the KSDE Four Fundamentals—structured literacy, standards-alignment, balanced assessment, and a particular focus on high-quality instruction—using your adopted curriculum, and aligned to the Kansas HGSS standards.
Through collaboration with K-5 peers, educators will design engaging, student-centered learning experiences. Participants will walk away with tools to create inquiry-based, standards-aligned instruction, ask complex questions, and use data-driven supports to meet the needs of every learner—don't miss this opportunity to elevate educational practices and inspire students.
SIGN UP TODAY!
SIGN UP TODAY!
KSDE and the Service Centers across the State of Kansas are launching new professional development opportunities for reading and writing. Make sure you get signed up for one or all sessions and take the information back to your schools and classrooms! There are over 5 different sessions and several opportunities to sign up!
Click on the LINK to access ALL the possible PD for ELA and Structured Literacy
Words Words Words: Vocabulary, Morphology, and Syntax: (grades 3-12) In this full-day session, we’ll dive into one of the most impactful strands of Scarborough’s Rope: vocabulary and morphology. As students move into middle and high school, the complexity of the texts they read and the ideas they express in writing increase dramatically. Vocabulary knowledge becomes critical.
Dates, Location and Registration:
November 4, 2025 Greenbush Lawrence Register HERE
November 6, 2025 Greenbush Girard Register HERE
The KSDE Writing Tenets: (grades 3-12) This session will introduce the KSDE Writing Tenets—designed to guide educators in delivering purposeful, high-quality writing instruction that meets the needs of all Kansas learners. Discover how these tenets can help students write with clarity, intention, and audience awareness. You’ll leave with evidence-based strategies and practical tools you can use right away in your classroom.
Dates, Location and Registration:
October 13, 2025 Greenbush Girard Register HERE
October 21, 2025 Orion Register HERE
Text Complexity 2.0: (grades 3-12) This session explores what text complexity is, why complex text is vital to assist in raising the rigor for our students, and - most importantly - evidence-based strategies for building the skills students need to comprehend rigorous texts with confidence. Participants will learn how to scaffold instruction without oversimplifying content, support productive struggle, and guide students through close reading and text-dependent questioning.
Dates, Location and Registration:
October 14, 2025 Southwest Plains Register HERE
October 22, 2025 ESSDACK Register HERE
October 22, 2025 Smoky Hill Register HERE
November 5, 2025 Orion Register HERE
November 19, 2025 Greenbush Lawrence Register HERE
November 21, 2025 Greenbush Girard Register HERE
Making Data Work: Using KAP Assessment Results to Strengthen ELA Instruction: (grades 3-12) The scores are in—now what? In this interactive session, we’ll move beyond the numbers and into action. Participants will explore how to unpack score reports, review the new grade-level Performance Level Descriptors (PLD’s), connect results to specific grade-level standards, and identify targeted areas for growth. We’ll also dive into how to strategically use interim assessments and mini-tests throughout the year to monitor progress, check for understanding, and respond to student needs in real time.
Dates, Location and Registration:
November 5, 2025 Smoky Hill Register HERE
November 6, 2025 Southwest Plains Register HERE
November 11, 2025 ESSDACK Register HERE
November 17, 2025 Orion Register HERE
December 4, 2025 Greenbush Lawrence Register HERE
December 11, 2025 Greenbush Girard Register HERE
Oh No! The G Word: Strong Strategies For Teaching Grammar and Syntax: (grades 3-6) In this session, participants will unpack the ongoing debate around grammar instruction and discover a practical, research-informed approach to teaching grammar and syntax that works across grade levels. Regardless of your own grammar instruction style or comfort level, you’ll leave with ready-to-use strategies, engaging routines, and a clearer sense of how to teach grammar in a way that resonates with both teachers and students.
Dates, Location and Registration:
December 3, 2025 Orion Register HERE
December 4, 2025 Smoky Hill Register HERE
December 4, 2025 Southwest Plains Register HERE
December 8, 2025 ESSDACK Register HERE
December 10, 2025 Greenbush Lawrence Register HERE
January 15, 2026 Greenbush Girard Register HERE
ELA Standards Alignment: (grades 3-12) Be prepared for robust conversations about the components for the ELA standards for each grade level, with respect to attending to the difference above and below one’s specified grade level. Learning and practicing standards alignment—another of the four fundamentals—ensures that teachers and students are being exposed to what is needed at their grade level and may reduce redundancy and confusion.
Dates, Location and Registration:
December 10, 2025 Smoky Hill Register HERE
The KATE Conference
The KATE Conference
Empowering Voices, Inspiring Change: Navigating Change in Turbulent Time The annual KATE, Kansas Association of Teachers of English, Conference brings together educators, researchers, and literacy leaders from PreK-12 and higher education. This year's Keynote speakers feature Emily Kirkpatrick, the CEO and Executive Director of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), and Colby Sharp, co-founder of Nerdy Book Club, and co-author of Game Changer! Book Access for All Kids with Donalyn Miller.
Registration is open until October 17, 2025.
October 24th & 25th
Wichita, Kansas
Click HERE for the direct link to KATE's Fall Annual Conference
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