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Education & Training
“Optimism for our next chapter […] begins at the heart of our communities — in our public schools. A place where all °ÄÃŲÊƱ children who strive can reach their potential and overcome any obstacle, no matter where they come from.”
Governor Laura Kelly, “2019 State of the State Address”
Jan 16, 2019
Education and training are important components in creating successful, productive communities. °ÄÃŲÊƱ provides support to life-long learners through training programs, resources, and educational opportunities for students of all ages.Ìý
Oversight and Regulation
The responsibility for ensuring the fitness of °ÄÃŲÊƱ educational standards, availability of resources, and funding lie primarily with a handful of entities:
- Ìý(K-12): KSDE administers the state’s governance of education, standards and assessments, special education services, child nutrition and wellness, title programs and services, career and technical education, and financial aid.
- : the nine-member °ÄÃŲÊƱ Board of Regents is the governing board of the state’s six universities and the statewide coordinating Board for the state’s 32 public higher education institutions (six state universities, one municipal university, nineteen community colleges, and six technical colleges). In addition, the Board administers the state’s student financial aid, adult education, high school equivalency, and career and technical education programs. Private proprietary schools and out-of-state institutionsÌýare authorized by the KBOR to operate in °ÄÃŲÊƱ.
- :ÌýThe mission of the State Board of Education is to prepare °ÄÃŲÊƱ students for lifelong success through rigorous, quality academic instruction, career training and character development according to each student’s gifts and talents. The “Kansans CAN Vision” is to lead the world in the success of each student.
- : State legislators are responsible for determining the statewide education budget and base aid per pupil.
- : Administers the LearningQuest 529 program
K-12 Education
According to the KSDE’s portal, over 500 thousand children are enrolled in K-12 education for the 2020-2021 school year. While the vast majority of students attend one of the , °ÄÃŲÊƱ law recognizes the following types of schools:Ìý
- Public Schools
- Charter Schools
- Virtual Schools
- Home Schools
- Non-public Schools
Public schools in °ÄÃŲÊƱ are open to all °ÄÃŲÊƱ students and are funded by state tax dollars. Both state and federal aid dollars are distributed to via the . All public schools in °ÄÃŲÊƱ are required to participate in the , which is overseen by the . °ÄÃŲÊƱ public schools offer the following benefits:Ìý
- Audited and approved annually by KSDE
- Governed by a local school district
- Instruction provided by °ÄÃŲÊƱ licensed and certified teachers
- Curriculum that meets or exceeds state academic standards
- Serves students in grades K-12 and adults
- Credits transfer to other public school districts
- Awards an accredited high school diploma
To enroll your child in public school, you should contact the administrative office of the Unified School District in which you reside.Ìý
Like public schools, Ìý²¹²Ô»å are operated free-of-charge and are open to all °ÄÃŲÊƱ students. Additionally, all charter schools and virtual schools are subject to the same of public schools and must maintain accreditation to maintain their charter.Ìý
Non-public, or “private” schools as they are commonly called, do not have to participate in the the state’s accreditation process, although some do. Accredited private schools meet many, if not all, of the same standards of public schools, however private schools do not receive tax dollars. Instead, private schools typically fund their operations through tuition, endowments, and donations. Private schools also have greater control over their admissions process and may not admit all students who apply.
Those private schools that do not participate in the accreditation process are referred to as “.” All are classified as NAPS. While NAPS do not participate in the state’s accreditation process, they are still .
Regardless of the type of education you choose for your child, parents or guardians of all school-age children are required to ensure their child receives an education. Whether your child is enrolled in public or private school, virtual learning environment or in-person, accredited or non-accredited institution, you are required to comply with the state’s .Ìý
K-12 Teaching
Instruction at accredited K-12 schools in °ÄÃŲÊƱ is provided by licensed personnel. Teachers in °ÄÃŲÊƱ are required to:Ìý
- Hold the proper degree from an accredited university
- Complete a in their subject(s) of specialization, as well as a teaching skills test
- to the KSDE
- Remit payment for any
Once licensed, teachers must maintain their licensure and accreditation by r. ÌýBoth teachers and licensure candidates can use the to check the status of their license.Ìý
Substitute teachers are subject to different requirements than fully credentialed professionals. In order to qualify as a substitute teacher, one must:
- Hold a degree and have completed a teacher preparation program
- Submit the to the KSDE
- Ìý
- Remit payment for any
If you do not hold a degree, but have earned at least 60 semester credit hours from an accredited college or university, you may apply online to be an
Higher Education
Higher education, including colleges, universities, technical institutions, and GED programs are governed by the . In addition, the Board administers the state’s , , , and . Private proprietary schools and out-of-state institutions are authorized by the °ÄÃŲÊƱ Board of Regents to operate in °ÄÃŲÊƱ, but are not subject to their governance.
There are currently and in °ÄÃŲÊƱ.
Additionally, there are Ìý²¹²Ô»å Ìýoperating within the state. The Board authorizes the operation of private/out-of-state institutions, but they otherwise do not fall under the Board’s governance.Ìý
State universities in °ÄÃŲÊƱ follow when admitting undergraduate students. The purpose of QA is to enhance success at the university level by ensuring students are prepared for the rigors of a university education. The KBOR Ìýthe QA standards for 2021 high school graduates.
Resources and Tools
Parents and guardians of children in special education programs are often required to quickly build their understanding of the services and supports that are available to their student learners. This can include:
Additional resources for °ÄÃŲÊƱ learners include:
Learning Quest 529
Adult Education
Special Education
Nutrition Programs
Learning Quest 529
The program is administered by .ÌýA is a tax-advantaged investment vehicle designed to support qualified education expenses. Congress created 529 Education Savings Plans in 1996 under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Adult Education
The office is part of the . TheseÌýprograms serve °ÄÃŲÊƱ adults age 16 and over who are in need of basic skills for the workforce, community participation and family life.
Ìý
°ÄÃŲÊƱ adult education programs also prepare adults for achieving industry recognized credentials and college certificates and degrees through providing access to and . Many people also utilize adult education programs to Ìý or to r.
Special Education
The primary goal of the team is to provide leadership and support for exceptional learners receiving special education services throughout °ÄÃŲÊƱ schools and communities. Parents and guardians can find Ìýsuch as the , , and information on .
Nutrition Programs
The provides supervisory oversight for numerous programs with the goal of enhancing their ability to provide quality child nutrition and wellness programs for all °ÄÃŲÊƱ children. These programs include the , the , and the .
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Topeka, KS 66603
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