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.
FAQ for KAP and Balanced Assessments
FAQ for KAP and Balanced Assessments
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 at a slightly less text complexity whereas interim 2 (January window) is written at a moderate and complex text level which aligns with summative assessemnt. In addition, both interim questions closely align with the summative assessment and can allow teachers and schools to make valuable decisions based on the data they see.
Q. What is the interim testing window?
A. Fall: October 6–31, 2025
A. Spring: January 12 – February 6, 2026
Please click on the image above to access the KAP webpage.
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. 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!
Spotlight on Literature:
Spotlight on Literature:
Diverse Book Guides
Each month we will share out new, diverse book guides developed by fellow educators to use and share in your elementary classrooms. Each guide will have a brief summary, target vocabulary, and age appropriate questions to adapt and use as needed within elementary classrooms.
We Belong.pdfTenacious Fifteen Adventures Alongside Disabled Athletes.pdfJulian is a Mermaid.pdfNew Professional Development Opportunities
Supporting Quality Instruction Through Materials
Supporting Quality Instruction Through Materials
KSDE, in partnership with TNTP, invites you to join the professional learning series where we will focus on key practices from the science of reading and apply them withing district-selected material to strengthen literacy instruction. Sessions are designed for instructional leaders (including coaches, curriculum leaders, and lead teachers) who support teachers with effectively using instructional materials and bridging the gap between structured literacy knowledge and classroom practice.
Sessions will take place via Zoom on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 4:00-5:15 pm.
Registration for Session 1 will close after October 1. We look forward to learning with you!
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
Looking for guideance with vocabulary, morphology and syntax? In this professional development we’ll dive into one of the most impactful strands of Scarborough’s Rope: vocabulary and morphology.
Dates, Location and Registration:
November 4, 2025 Greenbush Lawrence Register HERE
November 6, 2025 Greenbush Girard Register HERE
Wanting to incorporate writing better throughout your day? You'll leave this professional development day withevidence-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
Find out why complex text is vital in raising the rigor for our students, and - most importantly - learn evidence-based strategies for building the skills students need to comprehend rigorous texts with confidence.
Dates, Location and Registration:
October 14, 2025 Southwest Plains Register HERE November 5, 2025 Orion Register HERE
October 22, 2025 ESSDACK Register HERE November 19, 2025 Greenbush Lawrence Register HERE
October 22, 2025 Smoky Hill Register HERE November 21, 2025 Greenbush Girard Register HERE
The ELA Assessment 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.
Dates, Location and Registration:
November 5, 2025 Smoky Hill Register HERE November 17, 2025 Orion Register HERE
November 6, 2025 Southwest Plains Register HERE December 4, 2025 Greenbush Lawrence Register HERE
November 11, 2025 ESSDACK Register HERE December 11, 2025 Greenbush Girard Register HERE
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.
Dates, Location and Registration:
December 3, 2025 Orion Register HERE December 8, 2025 ESSDACK Register HERE
December 4, 2025 Smoky Hill Register HERE December 10, 2025 Greenbush Lawrence Register HERE
December 4, 2025 Southwest Plains Register HERE January 15, 2026 Greenbush Girard Register HERE
Learrn and practice ELA Standards Alignment—one of the KESA four fundamentals— and discuss level of exposure for each grade level to reduce redundancy and confusion. Discuss how to tackle standards in your classroom and ensure your lessons are taught with at an appropriate depth of knowledge level.
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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