Districts are assigned to School Improvement Day Cohorts and this model shows how districts are collaborating above and beyond the KESA requirements. The curriculum leaders from east region districts meet monthly to support each other. This session is designed in the spirit of collaboration to explore models and support for school improvement. This session is relevant to all sizes (from 1A to 6A) of districts and to all roles/responsibilities.
The second version of the Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) model began with the 2024-2025 school year. KESA’s aim is to improve student outcomes by focusing on a few high-leverage fundamentals through a highly collaborative process. If you are new to Kansas, new to your position or simply interested in learning more about the school system+L36+J35:L35+H31:L35
These meetings will focus on connecting systems by Fundamental to collaborate on implementation of their current KESA Action Plan. “Like-position” groups will be formed for informal discussions. Additionally, your Region or Cohort Executive will share key points for the upcoming school year. Bring your entire team to collaborate with others in your KESA Region/Cohort!
These meetings will focus on connecting systems by Fundamental to collaborate on implementation of their current KESA Action Plan. “Like-position” groups will be formed for informal discussions. Additionally, your Region or Cohort Executive will share key points for the upcoming school year. Bring your entire team to collaborate with others in your KESA Region/Cohort!
These meetings will focus on connecting systems by Fundamental to collaborate on implementation of their current KESA Action Plan. “Like-position” groups will be formed for informal discussions. Additionally, your Region or Cohort Executive will share key points for the upcoming school year. Bring your entire team to collaborate with others in your KESA Region/Cohort!
These meetings will focus on connecting systems by Fundamental to collaborate on implementation of their current KESA Action Plan. “Like-position” groups will be formed for informal discussions. Additionally, your Region or Cohort Executive will share key points for the upcoming school year. Bring your entire team to collaborate with others in your KESA Region/Cohort!
Amber is a former elementary teacher, special education administrator, and educational consultant with a Specialist in Reading, Master's in Curriculum & Instruction with an Emphasis in English as a Second Language, as well as Gifted Education, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership... Read More →
Tuesday July 28, 2026 1:20pm - 2:15pm CDT Cypress A
How can district and school leaders move beyond walkthroughs as a compliance activity and use them as a powerful driver of instructional improvement? This session explores how one district has intentionally designed district-wide walkthroughs focused on high-impact instructional strategies to strengthen coherence across KESA, MTSS, PLCs, and school improvement efforts. Participants will learn how targeted observation tools, shared look-fors, and collaborative reflection structures help “connect the dots” between classroom practice, professional learning, and system priorities. Using a comprehensive, district-wide data collection platform, leaders are able to capture consistent walkthrough evidence, analyze trends across schools, and use real-time data to inform coaching, professional learning, and instructional decision-making. Through this process districts can reduce initiative fatigue, clarify expectations, and focus collective efforts on what matters most: sustained instructional improvement and student growth. This session offers practical processes, leadership moves, and communication strategies for turning walkthroughs into a sustainable system for continuous improvement.
In collaboration with KSDE, the Kansans Can Competency Framework has expanded access to free professional learning and curricular resources for K–12. In this session, leadership teams will explore options to prepare educators to embed intra- and interpersonal strategies that enhance content instruction. Participants will access a newly developed self-study professional learning process with on-demand coaching. Discussion and planning time will be provided, and numerous implementation examples, including student academic outcomes at various school levels, will be shared.
