Kansas requests waiver to unify state and federal school accountability systems

The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) has formally requested a federal waiver to combine state and federal school accountability systems into a single framework. The aim is to simplify the process for districts and schools by reducing administrative burdens and improving clarity around student achievement goals.

Currently, Kansas schools must navigate two separate accountability systems: the Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) framework and the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) identification process. Both frameworks are designed to enhance student outcomes, but KSDE officials say managing both can be confusing for educators and divert resources from teaching.

The move follows a July 29, 2025 letter from the U.S. Department of Education encouraging states to propose waivers that better align federal programs with state priorities and maximize the impact of federal funds.

If approved, the waiver would postpone new identifications for Comprehensive Support and Improvement, Targeted Support and Improvement, and Additional Targeted Support and Improvement schools until at least the 2028-29 school year. Schools already identified under ESSA would remain so until no later than the 2027-28 school year, continuing to receive federal 1003(a) school improvement funding during this period.

KSDE Deputy Commissioner Dr. Renee Nugent said, “This is about coherence and stability. By aligning our state and federal systems, we are removing barriers and ensuring every Kansas school is working from the same set of goals. This unified approach allows educators to focus on what truly matters, supporting students and accelerating academic achievement.”

During the waiver period, currently identified schools will continue receiving support through professional development, technical assistance, participation in the Kansas Learning Network, as well as eligibility for federal improvement funds. Schools meeting exit criteria may leave identification status but are encouraged by KSDE to stay voluntarily in order to retain support services.

Schools that would have otherwise been newly identified will be invited into a pilot program that aligns their existing KESA action plans with the unified system rather than adding another layer of designation during this transition phase.

KSDE asserts that unifying accountability processes will reduce complexity by creating one set of goals and plans for all schools. The agency also expects improved alignment between systems—allowing them to support rather than duplicate each other—and continued access to resources during this changeover period. More details about the proposal can be found on KSDE’s website at https://www.ksde.gov/Agency/Division-of-Learning-Services/Special-Education-and-Title-Services/Announcements-Special-Education-and-Title-Services.

The U.S. Department of Education has up to 120 days from submission to review Kansas’s request before issuing a decision. If denied, KSDE states it will comply with all existing ESSA requirements while pursuing its goal of establishing a single accountability model for Kansas schools.