2026 KSDE SETS Administrators Conference: Full Schedule

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7:00am CDT

Breakfast

Thursday June 25, 2026 7:00am - 8:00am CDT

Grand Eagle Ballrooms

Grab breakfast from the buffet, and proceed to find a seat in the Eagle Ballrooms for the general session.

Thursday June 25, 2026 7:00am - 8:00am CDT
Grand Eagle Ballrooms

Breakfast

7:00am CDT

Internet Lower Level- Select Wireless Network: HYATT_Meeting Access Code: Leader2026

Thursday June 25, 2026 7:00am - 5:00pm CDT

TBA

Follow the instructions below to access the internet when you are in the Eagle Ballrooms, Trails, or Lower Gallery.

Network: Hyatt_Meeting
Access Code: Leader2026
Valid Until: 6/25/2026 at 11:59 pm
*After clicking the network, it will pop-up a slash page requesting the access code, where you will enter in the access code: Leader2026

Thursday June 25, 2026 7:00am - 5:00pm CDT
TBA

Internet- Eagle Ballrooms

7:00am CDT

Internet for Upper Level- Connect to Century2-secure Enter Password: Century2

Thursday June 25, 2026 7:00am - 5:00pm CDT

TBA

Process for Logging into Pre-Paid Wi-Fi Account -Internet for Redbud, Cypress, Birch, Maple

From the device’s Wi-Fi settings, connect to "Century2-secure" Wireless
• Most devices will automatically display different internet options (this may take a
few minutes)(If internet options do not display automatically, open a web browser
and refresh the page)
• To enter user password, select Log In with Account
• Enter password:Century2
• You will be redirected to the internet at this time.

Thursday June 25, 2026 7:00am - 5:00pm CDT
TBA

Internet- Redbud

8:00am CDT

General Session: The Positive Impact of MTSS in Special Education

Thursday June 25, 2026 8:00am - 8:45am CDT

Grand Eagle Ballrooms

Across Kansas, leaders are navigating growing student needs, limited resources, and funding pressures that challenge traditional approaches to special education delivery. If the goal is improved outcomes for students, leaders may need to rethink where—and how—they invest scarce capacity.

This session examines the leadership shift toward strengthening prereferral intervention systems and leveraging special education staff as collaborative partners within the broader educational system. Participants will discuss how system design, staff development, and resource decisions can either reinforce fragmentation or build stronger, more integrated supports for students. Attendees will leave with an overview of how Kansas has evolved from GEI to MTSS, the resulting changes in legislation over the years, and how these can positively impact resource challenges in special education.

Speakers

Amy Haussler

Director, Holton Special Education Cooperative

The Positive Impact of MTSS in Special Education Amy Haussler pdf

Thursday June 25, 2026 8:00am - 8:45am CDT
Grand Eagle Ballrooms

General Session

8:45am CDT

General Session: KSDE Structured Literacy Updates

Thursday June 25, 2026 8:45am - 9:00am CDT

Grand Eagle Ballrooms

This session will provide district leaders with an overview of Kansas' structured literacy initiatives, upcoming legislative requirements, and resources available to support successful implementation and improved literacy outcomes for students.

Speakers

Laurie Curtis

Assistant Director: Literacy, Kansas Department of Education

KSDE Structured Literacy Update pdf

Thursday June 25, 2026 8:45am - 9:00am CDT
Grand Eagle Ballrooms

General Session

9:15am CDT

C1. Improving Specially Designed Literacy Instruction at the Secondary Level

Thursday June 25, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT

Redbud AB

This session will share a systemic approach to improving specially designed literacy instruction for secondary students with reading goals on their IEP’s. We will highlight the collaboration between KSDE and the East Central Kansas Cooperative in Education in the implementation of a pilot project that builds secondary special education staff capacity in the science of reading, structured literacy, and in using assessment data to guide instruction and individualize reading goals. This pilot is a work in progress, and we will share the successes and challenges of this ongoing work, along with how we are navigating implementation.

Speakers

Sara Hoepner

Director of Special Services, East Central Kansas Cooperative in Kansas

Jeri Powers

Teacher Leader Consultant Dyslexia/Early Literacy Team, KSDE

Jeri Powers is a Teacher Leader Consultant with the Kansas Department of Education's Dyslexia/Early Literacy Team. For over 30 years, she has been dedicated to supporting students facing literacy challenges, working as a classroom teacher, Reading Specialist, and District Literacy... Read More →

Improving Specially Designed Literacy Instruction at the Secondary Level pdf

Thursday June 25, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Redbud AB

Breakout Block C, Evidence Based Practices- For all programs

Subject Early Childhood, Special Education, Title Services

9:15am CDT

C2. Indicator 8 & ESEA Family Involvement- New Measure, New Process, Better Feedback

Thursday June 25, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT

Redbud C

Beginning this upcoming school, the Family Engagement Survey–2 (FES–2) on districttools.org will be used to collect the SPP APR Indicator 8 data as well as the ESEA parent and family engagement requirements. Bring your computer to this session to access the website and view available data from prior years. We will discuss the process for administering the survey, how to review results for your district/LEA, and expectations for participation. Join us to learn how districts have used the FES–2 results to improve their family engagement practices.

Speakers

Amy Gaumer Erickson

Kansans Can Competency Framework

Dr. Amy Gaumer Erickson is an associate research professor at the University of Kansas, USA and co-author of The Skills That Matter: Teaching Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Competencies in Any Classroom and Teaching Self-Regulation: Seventy-Five Instructional Activities to Fost... Read More →

Jane Groff

Executive Director, Kansas Parent Information Resource Center

Dr. Jane Groff has served as the Director of the Kansas Parent Information Resource Center (KPIRC) for seventeen years. While supervising all KPIRC priorities, Dr. Groff provides professional development and technical assistance on family engagement in education to Kansas districts... Read More →

Josie McClendon

Education Program Consultant, Kansas State Department of Education

Indicator 8 Leadership Conf. 2026 pdf

FES 2 Flyer 2026 pdf

Thursday June 25, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Redbud C

Breakout Block C

Subject Early Childhood, Special Education, Title Services

9:15am CDT

C3. Indicator 12-Strengthening Partnerships Through MOUs

Thursday June 25, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT

Birch

This session highlights the critical role of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) in building and sustaining effective partnerships in early childhood and community-based programs. Participants will explore how MOUs can clarify roles, responsibilities, and expectations among partners, while promoting accountability and trust. The session will cover key components of strong MOUs, strategies for developing and maintaining collaborative relationships, and practical approaches for aligning services across agencies.

Speakers

Chelie Nelson

Project Director, Northern Arizona University

Angel Spann

Early Childhood Special Education(619 Coordinator), Kansas State Department of Education

I support preschool programs with Early Childhood Indicators 6 (Preschool Environment) ,7 (Preschool Outcomes), and 12 (Preschool Transitions). Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about Early Childhood Indicators.

SETS Summer Leadership 202 Indicator 12 pdf

Thursday June 25, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Birch

Breakout Block C, Early Childhood

Subject Special Education, Early Childhood

9:15am CDT

C4. Maintenance of Effort (MOE) & Excess Cost

Thursday June 25, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT

Cypress A

This session will provide an overview of Maintenance of Effort (MOE) and Excess Cost reports. We will walk through each report and highlight key areas – budgets, exceptions, consequences of failure. Common errors and best practices will also be discussed. This session is helpful for both seasoned and new staff.

Speakers

Helen Swanson

Kansas State Department of Education

MOE and Excess Cost KSDE SETS Summer Conference pdf

MOE Calculation xlsx

Thursday June 25, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Cypress A

Breakout Block C, Special Education

Subject Special Education

9:15am CDT

C5. Getting to Better Outcomes for Students with Disabilities

Thursday June 25, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am CDT

Cypress B

This session will dive into current graduation, drop-out, transition, employment and post-secondary participation rates for Kansas students with disabilities. After our review a panel of special education administrators will share the practices and procedures in their organizations that promote success for their students with disabilities.

Speakers