2026 Great Ideas in Education Conference

2026 Great Ideas in Education Conference

July 27-29, 2026
Hyatt Regency Hotel
400 W Waterman
Wichita, KS

The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) invites district and building leadership teams to the 2026 Great Ideas in Education Conference, a powerful three-day experience designed to strengthen coherence across Kansas’ school improvement efforts. Coherence—shared purpose, aligned action, and collective commitment—is essential for creating meaningful, lasting change for students. This year’s conference focuses on high-leverage, foundational practices that accelerate student learning, expand opportunity, and reduce barriers for every Kansas learner.

The 2026 conference is designed to equip leaders with the tools, resources, and inspiration needed to implement strong action plans and communicate those commitments system-wide. Attendees will benefit from:

1. Pre-Conference Summit Experiences in areas including Literacy, Safe and Secure Schools, At-Risk Policy and Funding, Mental Health, and more.
2. Collaboration Across Districts and Roles, offering opportunities to learn from peers with similar challenges and responsibilities.
3. Breakout Sessions centered on the four fundamentals—explored from both teaching and administrative perspectives.
4. Access to Practical Tools, Supports, and Resources that strengthen implementation.
5. Direct Engagement with Education Leaders and Content Experts who bring research-informed strategies and real-world applications.
6. Implementation for Results, with dedicated sessions focused on turning plans into measurable improvement.

Each member of your team will participate in sessions aligned with their role, ensuring that every perspective—academic, operational, and strategic—is represented in shaping your district’s next steps. This is coherence in action.