Kansas public school districts will enter a new accreditation system this school year (2024-25), following action by the Kansas State Board of Education. The new system is a revision of the original Kansas Education System Accreditation (KESA) process that began in 2017-18. KESA 2.0 is determined in three areas: compliance, school improvement and outcomes. 

Read the KESA 2.0 web story here: kasb.org/48409_2?articleID=11103

Tune in for a Special Edition of Tallman Talks!

Mark sat down with Stan Reiss to discuss his 40+ years of service on his local school board. Hear about Stan's journey from teacher to long-standing board member in Kismet-Plains USD 483. Thank you for your service, Stan!

You can also read about Stan's journey here.

Mark is joined by two members from the Lawrence school board and their Director of Technology to discuss an innovative approach to saving millions in the district and working to close the digital divide for Lawrence students. 

Because of this project, the district will save around 3 million dollars in the next 5-6 years.

Tune in now to learn more!

Join Mark Tallman, Dr. Bret Church, and Dr. Jessica Dain as they discuss the Kansas Teacher Retention Initiative. KTRI offers insights into the reasons for the state's teacher shortage and possible pointers for helping retain and recruit future teachers. 

Listen now!

In this episode, Mark is joined by administrative staff from the Haysville and Salina school districts to discuss chronic absenteeism and how they have been working to reduce the rate.

During the COVID pandemic, chronic absenteeism was reaching all-time highs; now that we are on the other side, districts must work diligently to bring students back into the classroom. Listen as these districts share their methods and insights on how they have successfully reduced chronic absenteeism rates and continue to do so.

Read Mark's article here: Haysville and Salina Reduce Chronic Absenteeism Using Parent Outreach and Support

Unlock the secrets behind Derby USD 260's educational success! Dive into our latest podcast as we dissect their robust needs assessment process, linking it to strategic planning and accreditation. Explore how data-driven decisions, strong teacher support, and student engagement led to impressive improvements in state test scores.

Tune in now for a closer look at Derby's innovative approach to student and district improvement!

Access some of Derby's Resources that they use for Building Needs Assessments here.

In this episode, Mark sits down with Todd Roberts, Director of the Kansas Future Teachers Academy, to discuss how KFTA can be a tool for teacher recruitment.

KFTA is a five-day program designed for high school students interested in teaching as a profession.

KFTA will be hosting two sessions this year:
June 3-7
&
July 15-19

Click here to apply for the KFTA.

Want to read an interview with Todd? Click here.

Welcome back to another episode of Tallman Talks!

Mark Tallman and Scott Rothschild discuss Mark's recent travels throughout the state to highlight exceptional Kansas districts. Most recently, he has visited much of the North Central Kansas region, including Pike Valley, Washington County, and Concordia, among many others.

Tune in now to hear Mark's stories from the field.

Also, click here to read about Mark's travels. 

As a new school year begins and legislative sessions approach, we delve into the nuances of education finance in Kansas. From the percentage of the state budget allocated to public education to the evolving definitions of K-12 funding, tax policies, and the impact of special education funding, we cover it all. 

Listen now!

In this episode, join Mark Tallman and Scott Rothschild as they discuss and decipher contrasting national education rankings, and explore the real story behind academic outcomes and funding. Dive into the evolving student landscape and the pandemic's impact on education. Tune in for valuable insights into Kansas public schools.

Listen now!