This month's episode of the KSDE Insight Podcast introduces Dr. Jake Steel as the next Kansas education commissioner. Host Dr. Randy Watson asked Steel about his early days growing up and attending Garden City USD 457 schools, his higher education path that led him to the classroom as a math teacher, the work he’s done around KSDE’s alignment initiatives and what’s inspiring him to keep Kansas education moving forward.

Homework has long been a fixture of the American education system, but its value remains contested more than a century after the debate began. According to educators and researchers, homework is neither inherently beneficial nor harmful—its impact depends largely on its purpose, design, and the age of the student.Today, schools find themselves caught between competing priorities: maintaining high academic expectations while also protecting student well-being.Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson speaks with two secondary Kansas educators who have much to say about how much homework is good for students.Joining Commissioner Watson are:Taylor Bussinger, social studies teacher at Prairie Trail Middle School, Olathe USD 233Adam Topliff, social studies teacher at Wamego High School, Wamego USD 320

Graduation is an important milestone, but true success after high school requires more than earning a diploma. In this episode of the KSDE Insight Podcast, we explore what it really means for students to be ready for life after graduation.Kansas parents often ask an important question: Is my child prepared for what comes next? Whether a student plans to attend college, pursue technical training, enlist in the military, or enter the workforce, readiness involves more than academic preparation alone.This conversation looks at three essential areas that shape student success: academic readiness, financial readiness, and emotional readiness. Kansas education leaders and experts discuss the knowledge, skills, and habits students need to navigate life after high school with confidence.Parents will hear practical insights about how schools are helping students prepare for postsecondary opportunities, what indicators of readiness families should look for, and how parents can support their students during the transition from high school to adulthood. Through thoughtful discussion and real-world perspective, this episode helps families better understand how Kansas schools are preparing students not just to graduate, but to succeed in whatever path they choose next.Guests:Chuck Knapp, president/CEO of JAG-KDr. Jessica Dain, superintendent of Piper USD 203Dr. Blake Flanders, president/CEO of Kansas Board of Regents

On this episode of the KSDE Insight Podcast, KansasEducation Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson talks with education leaders about how Career and Technical Education (CTE) helps students prepare for life after high school.Parents will learn what CTE is and how Kansas uses a statewide framework of career clusters and pathways that schools can choose from to build local programs. Districts decide which pathways to offer based on their communityneeds, available resources, and student interests, helping connect learning in the classroom to real-world opportunities.The conversation highlights how CTE supports students during high school, improves postsecondary outcomes, and strengthens Kansas communities through partnerships with local industries. Guests also address common misconceptions about CTE, explain how today’s programs differ from vocational education of the past, and share how students can get involved through coursework and career-focused student organizations.This episode gives parents a clearer picture of how CTE can help students discover their strengths, explore future careers, and graduate ready for college, training, or the workforce.Guests:Natalie Clark, assistant director of Career, Standards and Assessment Services (CSAS), Kansas State Department of EducationDr. Lindsay King, director of college and career readiness, Maize USD 266Connect with us on:The KSDE websiteFacebookX (Twitter)

School funding can feel complicated and disconnected from the classroom, but it plays a major role in the opportunities students experience every day.In this episode of the KSDE Insight Podcast, we break down how school funding works in Kansas, where the money comes from, and how funding decisions affect class sizes, programs, and student supports. We also discuss why Kansas’current school funding formula is set to sunset in 2027, what work is already underway with the Legislature, and why it is important for families to understand these conversations now.Joining the conversation are Dr. Frank Harwood, Kansas State Department of Education deputy commissioner of fiscal and administrative services; and Dr. Cory Gibson,superintendent of De Soto USD 232. Together, they offer clear, parent-focused insights into school funding, transparency, and how families can stay informed and engaged.

This month on the KSDE Insight Podcast, we’re talking about something that affects every child’s future: civic readiness. Across the country, there’s growing momentum to give students richer opportunities to engage with real issues, collaborate with others, and contribute to their communities — and high-quality civic learning is helping make those meaningful experiences a reality.In this episode, we explain why civics is more than learning how government works. It teaches skills that help children thrive in school and in life like listening, communicating respectfully, understanding different viewpoints, and working together to solve problems. These are the same skills that support academic success, career readiness, and healthy relationships. Parents will hear practical examples of what high-quality civic learning looks like in classrooms today, including hands-on projects, service opportunities and student voice activities. Tune in to learn how Kansas schools are working to help students become confident, responsible members of their communities, and how families play a powerful role in that journey.This month's guests include the following:North Lyon County USD 251Bob Blair, superintendentDave Watkins, Northern Heights HS principalShawn Wilson, Northern Heights social studies teacherColby USD 315Katina Brenn, superintendentJessica Kistler, 4th grade teacher John Cox, 11th and 12th grade history teacher Heather Stapp, director of teaching and learning

What does “school improvement” really mean, and how does it help your child? In this episode of the KSDE Insight podcast, we explore how Kansas schools are working together to strengthen learning for every student.Hear how teachers are using the science of reading, aligning lessons to clear standards, and making smarter use of assessment data. It’s all part of Kansas’ effort to create stronger schools and brighter futures.We’ll also share simple ways families can get involved by learning about their school’s improvement goals and supporting learning at home.Guests include: Jean Rush, east region KESA executive, KSDE Accreditation & Design.Dr. Rebecca Kramer, superintendent, South Brown County USD 430.David Rebant, math teacher, Horton High School, South Brown County USD 430.To learn more about school improvement, click here: KSDE School Improvement Resource

On this episode of the KSDE Insight Podcast, we break down what state assessments really mean for Kansas students and families.Learn why these tests matter, how they’re used to support teaching and learning, and what the new cut scores mean for interpreting results. Our goal is to give parents clear, practical information so they can better understand their child’s progress and how schools are working to prepare every student for future success.Guests: Dr. Renee Nugent, KSDE Deputy Commissioner of Learning Services.Dr. Dan Gruman, director of assessment and research, Shawnee Mission USD 512Sources:https://ksassessments.org/https://forstudentsuccess.org/parent-support-for-assessments-grows-when-k-12-leaders-show-how-data-helps-schools-and-students/https://www.the74million.org/article/parents-need-to-know-about-student-progress-most-state-data-comes-out-too-late/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimcowen/2021/05/11/state-assessments-offer-parents-much-needed-information-to-help-their-child-succeed/https://www.nwea.org/blog/2025/10-ways-for-teachers-parents-to-communicate-better-about-assessments/https://www.pta.org/home/About-National-Parent-Teacher-Association/PTA-Newsroom/news-list/news-detail-page/2021/02/22/national-survey-finds-majority-of-parents-support-end-of-year-state-assessments-with-modifications-and-resourceshttps://www.niu.edu/citl/resources/guides/instructional-guide/formative-and-summative-assessment.shtml

Every parent wants their child to be a confident reader. But what really helps children learn to read? In this episode of the KSDE Insight Podcast, Commissioner Randy Watson talks with literacy experts about the Science of Reading, the research that explains how the brain learns to read and why it matters for your child. We’ll explore the simple skills that build strong readers, like phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension, and share how Kansas schools are using proven methods to give every child the best start. Parents also will hear easy, everyday ways to support reading at home, from book time and word games to music and conversation. If you’ve ever wondered how to help your child become a lifelong reader, this episode offers clear answers, practical tips, and hope for every Kansas family.Guests:Dr. Laurie Curtis, early literacy/dyslexia program manager on the Career, Science and Assessment Services (CSAS) team.Jennifer Hansen, teacher leader consultant on the CSAS team and an ELA specialist at Geary County USD 475.Sources:https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/letrs-program-teacher-traininghttps://www.lexialearning.com/blog/the-science-of-reading-vs-balanced-literacyhttps://www.shankerinstitute.org/blog/science-reading-laws-lets-begin-factshttps://online.wilson.edu/resources/what-is-early-literacy/https://excelinedinaction.org/2025/01/07/the-science-of-reading-15-states-strengthen-early-literacy-policy-in-2024/

In this episode of the KSDE Insight Podcast, we talk directly to parents about the importance of academic rigor - and why challenging coursework is essential to helping students grow, adapt, and succeed in an ever-changing world.Rigor isn’t about overwhelming students with homework; it’s about teaching them to think critically, solve problems, and persevere through difficulty. Because the truth is: students will rise — or fall — to meet the expectations we set. When parents and schools work together to raise the bar, we prepare every student not just for graduation, but for life.Guests:Ben Proctor, superintendent, Hesston USD 460Blake Vargas, superintendent, Caney Valley USD 436Resources:Explaining Rigor to Students | EdutopiaSelf-fulfilling prophecies in the classroom: Teacher expectations, teacher feedback and student achievement - ScienceDirectTeacher Expectations Play a Big Role in the Classroom. Here's How (Opinion)Introduction | The Opportunity MythMicrosoft Word - TCR R2 Thompsonetal 2016.docxEducation Equity and the Necessity of Having High Expectations | Edutopia