2025 Kansas MTSS & Alignment Symposium: Full Schedule

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7:00am CDT

Breakfast Thursday

Thursday September 11, 2025 7:00am - 8:00am CDT

Breakfast is available for everyone that is registered to attend. Please proceed to the Expo Hall and choose a Buffett line that is shortest. Remember that sessions start promptly at 8am.

Thursday September 11, 2025 7:00am - 8:00am CDT
Expo Hall

Breakfast

7:00am CDT

Internet for Upper Level- Connect to KSMTSS Enter Password: 2025MTSS

Thursday September 11, 2025 7:00am - 3:45pm CDT

TBA

Process for Logging into Pre-Paid Wi-Fi Account

From the device’s Wi-Fi settings, connect to "KSMTSS" 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:2025MTSS
• You will be redirected to the internet at this time.

Thursday September 11, 2025 7:00am - 3:45pm CDT
TBA

7:00am CDT

Internet Lower Level- Select Wireless Network: HYATT-Meeting Access Code: 2025MTSS

Thursday September 11, 2025 7:00am - 3:45pm CDT

TBA

Network: Hyatt_Meeting
Password: 2025MTSS
Valid Until: 9/11/2025 at 11:59 pm
*After clicking the network, it will pop-up a slash page requesting the access code where there you will enter in
2025MTSS

Thursday September 11, 2025 7:00am - 3:45pm CDT
TBA

8:00am CDT

Navigating Stakeholder Data - Charting Your Priorities for the Year using IMIS, FES & School Climate

Thursday September 11, 2025 8:00am - 9:10am CDT

Redbud B

Are you ready to set clear annual priorities to steer your building or district toward a more focused and coherent effort? Climb aboard as we look at three key stakeholder data sets to discover areas of turbulent waters and areas of smooth sailing. We will look at how staff feedback on the Inclusive MTSS Implementation Scale (IMIS), and family feedback on the Family Engagement Survey (FES), as well as student feedback on the Climate Types Report, can show you how to better target your efforts and build on your strengths. Explore this valuable feedback and data together, examine longitudinal effects, and confidently steer your building or district ship. Perfect for BLT and DLT members and administrators K–12.

Speakers

Christina Mann

State BSEL Trainer, Kansas MTSS and Alignment

Christina Mann, LSCSW, provides coaching and training to Kansas schools in the areas of multi-tier system of supports (MTSS), mental health, social emotional learning (SEL), school climate, trauma-responsive practices, and positive and restorative behavior supports for the Kansas... Read More →

Thursday September 11, 2025 8:00am - 9:10am CDT
Redbud B

Behavior Social Emotional Learning

8:00am CDT

START on Time! A Schoolwide Strategy for Safe Transitions and Reduced Tardies: Mobilize teams to improve hallway climate, supervision, and student engagement between classes.

Thursday September 11, 2025 8:00am - 9:10am CDT

Birch

START on Time! is more than a tardy reduction program—it’s a schoolwide system designed especially for middle and high schools to build staff ownership of hallway climate and student transitions. This session is designed for school teams or team representatives with access to leadership. Participants will leave with practical tools and a clear understanding of how to get started with their teams and leadership to build safer transitions, reduce lost learning time, and improve overall school climate.

Speakers

Jacob Edwards

Thursday September 11, 2025 8:00am - 9:10am CDT
Birch

Behavior Social Emotional Learning

8:00am CDT

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Telling the Story of our BSEL Journey

Thursday September 11, 2025 8:00am - 9:10am CDT

Ballroom ABC

Staff from Baldwin USD 348 will provide a panel discussion as they tell their realignment story regarding the K-12 implementation of a systemic approach to behavior and social-emotional interventions. Through this discussion, our team will share what went well, what didn't go well, and what we wish we knew prior to our journey.

Speakers

Ashlea Troth

Curriculum Director, USD 348

Nicole King

Brant Brittingham

Carlee Holloway

Becca Todd

Thursday September 11, 2025 8:00am - 9:10am CDT
Ballroom ABC

Behavior Social Emotional Learning, School Presentation

8:00am CDT

Fluency Across Grades: Enhancing Speed, Accuracy, and Motivation in Learning

Thursday September 11, 2025 8:00am - 9:10am CDT

Cypress A

Both accuracy and automaticity are vital in mastering mathematics through Algebra 2! This session will help teachers develop fluency across grade levels and content areas by refining instructional strategies that match instructional phase to evidence-based practice and go beyond traditional timed practice. We’ll explore innovative approaches, including tracking completion time for a set problem count instead of fixed-duration timing, to build student confidence and precision. An emphasis will be placed on goal-setting to enhance student motivation while targeting discrete skills for focused improvement. Attendees will leave with practical tools to implement more effective and engaging fluency-building techniques in their classrooms.

Speakers

Corey Peltier

Thursday September 11, 2025 8:00am - 9:10am CDT
Cypress A

Math

8:00am CDT

Math Session by Matthew Burns

Thursday September 11, 2025 8:00am - 9:10am CDT

Ballroom E

Thursday September 11, 2025 8:00am - 9:10am CDT
Ballroom E

Math

8:00am CDT

Counting is as Easy as 1, 2, 3... Or Is It?

Thursday September 11, 2025 8:00am - 9:10am CDT

Cypress B

Counting may seem simple, but for young children, it's a surprisingly complex and critical milestone in building number sense. In this interactive session, participants will step into the shoes of early learners through a playful counting simulation, then dive into the five foundational principles of counting. Using real classroom examples and student thinking, we’ll explore how to recognize different developmental phases, uncover common misconceptions, and identify rich opportunities to deepen children’s conceptual understanding. Walk away with practical strategies and routines to support every young counter in your classroom.

Speakers

Dr. Susan Looney

Looney Math Consulting

Sue Looney is the founder of Looney Math Consulting, a professional development agency devoted to supporting educators in the important work of inspiring learners to believe in themselves as powerful mathematicians. She is passionate about spreading the joy of mathematics to all learners... Read More →

Thursday September 11, 2025 8:00am - 9:10am CDT
Cypress B

PreK

8:00am CDT

Inclusive Tech: Using Multimedia to Support Diverse Learners in the Classroom

Thursday September 11, 2025 8:00am - 9:10am CDT

Ballroom D

Even ten years ago, the use of technology during instruction was an occasional indulgence, far from the daily consideration it is now. These days it can be difficult to imagine teaching when technology was not used in some way to plan or deliver (or both) instruction on a daily basis. In this session, Dr. Michael Kennedy from the University of Virginia presents and demonstrates use of various technologies for supporting students with disabilities and others who struggle within inclusive classrooms. The technologies will range from simple and free tools and options through emerging artificial intelligence solutions. Dr. Kennedy will focus on technology tools and options with evidence for supporting successful student learning in literacy and mathematics.

Speakers

Dr. Michael Kennedy

Associate Professor, University of Virginia

Michael J. Kennedy's main area of research is the design, implementation, and experimental testing of multimedia-based interventions to support pre- and in-service teachers' knowledge and implementation of evidence-based practices. He has designed and experimentally tested numerous... Read More →

Thursday September 11, 2025 8:00am - 9:10am CDT
Ballroom D

Reading

8:00am CDT

Scaffolding for Success: Instructional Moves That Support ESOL Students

Thursday September 11, 2025 8:00am - 9:10am CDT

Ballroom FGH

In this interactive session, participants will explore high-impact instructional practices designed to support English learners at all proficiency levels. Grounded in research and classroom application, the session will focus on scaffolding strategies that make content accessible while promoting language development, and fostering student engagement, comprehension and confidence. Our goal is that you will leave this session with ready-to-use strategies to enhance your ESOL instruction and elevate outcomes for multilingual learners.

Speakers

Amanda Rucker

State Reading Trainer, Kansas MTSS and Alignment

Rachel Ishman

State Reading Trainer, Kansas MTSS and Alignment

Thursday September 11, 2025 8:00am - 9:10am CDT
Ballroom FGH

Reading

8:00am CDT

Strengthening the Core with Effective Building-Wide Strategies at the Secondary Level

Thursday September 11, 2025 8:00am - 9:10am CDT

Trails

Join us for an engaging session designed to increase your knowledge about our process for building an effective secondary schools MTSS model from the ground up. In addition to sharing tips and tools, we will explore scheduling, intervention programs, and building-wide strategies that have a positive impact for all students.

Speakers

Erica Hicks

Pre-K Teacher, USD 385

I teach Pre-K and love learning new ways to engage them and play!

Jessica Wason

Reading Specialist, Andover Public Schools

Leslianne Craft

Principal, USD 385; ACMS

Allison Bailey

Sara Gideon

Thursday September 11, 2025 8:00am - 9:10am CDT
Trails

Reading, School Presentation

8:00am CDT

Assessments that Improve Learning

Thursday September 11, 2025 8:00am - 9:10am CDT

Redbud C

Using assessments to improve student learning involves more than simply administering “formative” assessments. It requires teachers to make well-designed classroom assessments an integral part of the instructional process. This presentation describes how teachers can develop clear learning targets, gather useful information on students’ performance, offer effective feedback to guide improvements in teaching and learning, and then accurately document students’ learning progress. Participants will learn how to use classroom assessments as effective learning tools, how to integrate performance assessments with more traditional assessment methods, how to align assessment procedures with important learning goals, and how these procedures will allow them to better meet the needs of diverse learners.

Guskey, T. R. (Ed.) (2025). The Teacher as Assessment Leader (2nd ed.).Solution Tree.
Guskey, T. R. (2023). Implementing Mastery Learning (3rd ed.). Corwin.
Guskey, T. R., & Jung, L. A. (2013). Answers to Essential Questions about Standards, Assessments, Grading, and Reporting. Corwin.
Guskey, T. R. (Ed.) (2009). The Principal as Assessment Leader. Solution Tree.
Guskey, T. R. (2026). Evaluating Professional Learning (2nd ed.). Corwin.
Guskey, T. R., Roy, P., & Von Frank, V. (2014). Reaching the Highest Standard in Professional Learning: Data. Corwin & Learning Forward.

Speakers

Thomas R. Guskey

Professor Emeritus, University of Kentucky

Thomas R. Guskey, PhD, is Professor Emeritus in the College of Education, University of Kentucky. A graduate of the University of Chicago’s renowned Measurement, Evaluation, and Statistical Analysis (MESA) program, he began his career in education as a middle school teacher, served... Read More →

Thursday September 11, 2025 8:00am - 9:10am CDT
Redbud C

Systems/Leadership

8:00am CDT

Results NOW I: The Importance of Priority (starting with Curriculum)

Thursday September 11, 2025 8:00am - 9:10am CDT

Redbud A

When we truly embrace the three most fundamental, evidence-based instructional priorities, students will make significant gains—typically within a single school year. In this session, we’ll look at the unsung power of effective curriculum, which any team of teachers can build within hours, and begin to employ immediately.

Speakers

Dr. Mike Schmoker

Author, Speaker, Consultant

Dr. Mike Schmoker is a bestselling author, former administrator, and English teacher who received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Secondary School Principals or his publications and presentations.He has written several bestselling books and dozens... Read More →

Thursday September 11, 2025 8:00am - 9:10am CDT
Redbud A

Systems/Leadership

9:10am CDT

AM Break Thursday, September 11

Thursday September 11, 2025 9:10am - 9:30am CDT

TBA

Thursday September 11, 2025 9:10am - 9:30am CDT
TBA

9:30am CDT

Promoting Student Success

Thursday September 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:40am CDT

Redbud B

Self-regulation is the mental process that overrides obstacles that hinder planning, attention, learning, memory, and the coping skills required for students to achieve immediate goals and long-term success. Without the skill to self-regulate, students will succumb to the whim of every thought, distraction, emotion, and desire. The lack of self-regulation is the root of many behavioral and academic issues education faces today. The development of self-control enables students to transcend life’s obstacles and engage in new skills that promote educational success (Inzlicht, Bartholow, & Hirsh, 2015). Therefore, educators must know how to develop self-regulation to maximize student achievement. Learn the key steps identified by neuroscience to promote self-regulation. The steps identified in the research have been found to help students placed at risk by life’s circumstances to experience life success.

Speakers

Horacio Sanchez

President and CEO, Resiliency Inc.

Horacio Sanchez is a highly sought-after speaker and educational consultant, helping schools learn to apply neuroscience to improve educational outcomes. He presents on diverse topics such as overcoming the impact of poverty, enhancing school climate, engaging in brain-based instruction... Read More →

Thursday September 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:40am CDT
Redbud B

Behavior Social Emotional Learning

9:30am CDT

Why Do Babies Cry? Making Sense of Any Student Behavior in Any Setting: Demystifying behavior as a puzzle to be solved, not a threat to be eliminated.

Thursday September 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:40am CDT

Birch

Behavior is communication, but for many educators, making sense of why students do what they do can feel like guesswork. This session starts by demystifying function-based thinking with a simple, relatable scenario—why do babies cry? From there, participants will move beyond the analogy to apply practical tools for identifying the root causes of behavior in any setting. Whether your team is addressing bullying, absenteeism, or other chronic behavior challenges, you’ll leave with strategies to shift staff from frustration to function-based problem-solving, helping all students with clarity, compassion, and purpose.

Speakers

Jacob Edwards

Thursday September 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:40am CDT
Birch

Behavior Social Emotional Learning

9:30am CDT

Making Math Vocabulary Matter: Practical Strategies for Daily Integration

Thursday September 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:40am CDT

Ballroom E

Does teaching math vocabulary seem time consuming and challenging to incorporate consistently within math lessons, consequently it gets left out? Let us help you! We will share recommendations from the Institute of Education Sciences, the critical components needed to teach concise & precise mathematical language as well as easy to implement strategies. Leave this session with new insight and ideas on how to immediately embed essential math vocabulary into your daily objectives. Let’s approach teaching math vocabulary with the same purposeful focus we give to core math skills.

Speakers

Carrie Reece

State Math Trainer, Kansas MTSS and Alignment

Eileen Colling

Thursday September 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:40am CDT
Ballroom E

Math

9:30am CDT

Progress Monitoring: Effective Screening and Data-Driven Decision

Thursday September 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:40am CDT

Cypress A

Educators have many assessment tools at their disposal, but a comprehensive process for screening and progress monitoring students may need refinement in order to make timely, accurate, and meaningful instructional decisions. In this session, participants will walk away with a better understanding of how to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of math screener data in relation to state assessments; better understand the “gated screening approach” versus a one-time screener model; and determine optimal screening frequency and timing throughout the year. Lastly, attendees will learn how to establish a standardized progress monitoring environment to reduce measurement error, better compare mastery measurement of discrete skills with general outcome measurements, and learn best practices for graphing and interpreting data to make responsive instructional decisions.

Speakers

Corey Peltier

Thursday September 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:40am CDT
Cypress A

Math

9:30am CDT

Kansas MTSS Team Q & A

Thursday September 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:40am CDT

Ballroom D

Thursday September 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:40am CDT
Ballroom D

Other

9:30am CDT

Early Childhood Read-Aloud Routine for Building Math Knowledge

Thursday September 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:40am CDT

Ballroom ABC

Join us for an interactive session exploring the TEMPLE Read-Alouds Project — a research-based routine designed to support early childhood educators in fostering both literacy and numeracy skills.

Speakers

Lea Harding

State PreK Trainer, Kansas MTSS and Alignment

Stacey Mayberry

State PreK Trainer, Kansas MTSS and Alignment

Thursday September 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:40am CDT
Ballroom ABC

PreK

9:30am CDT

Shape, Space, and Seeing the World Mathematically

Thursday September 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:40am CDT

Cypress B

Geometry and patterns help young children recognize structure and meaning in the world around them. In this session, we’ll explore how early geometric thinking develops through playful interactions with shapes, movement, and space, grounded in the Van Hiele model of geometric understanding. We’ll also dive into the role of repeating patterns—how they support attention, prediction, and reasoning—and why they deserve a central place in early learning. Through activities like Same But Different, which helps children compare and contrast shapes and objects, we’ll see how geometry and patterns work together to build spatial awareness and critical thinking. Using real-world examples, story-based tasks, and everyday materials, participants will engage in activities that nurture children’s ability to see math in the structure, rhythm, and beauty of their environment.

Speakers

Dr. Susan Looney

Looney Math Consulting

Thursday September 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:40am CDT
Cypress B

PreK

9:30am CDT

Strive-for-Five Conversations: An Introduction

Thursday September 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:40am CDT

Trails

Classroom conversations are important for strengthening young children’s language comprehension, leading to later reading success. This session introduces the Strive-for-Five framework that can help early childhood teachers orchestrate conversations that are responsive to students and challenge their thinking. Focusing on the strands of Scarborough’s Rope, the session will illustrate how teachers can have back-and-forth conversations to grow children’s language comprehension by asking open-ended questions, modeling academic language, and providing differentiated scaffolds. (Target audience: preschool through grade 2)

Speakers

Sonia Cabell

Thursday September 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:40am CDT
Trails

PreK

9:30am CDT

Assessment and Instruction for Emergent Bilingual Students within Multi-Tier Systems of Support

Thursday September 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:40am CDT

Ballroom FGH

Rising enrollment of emergent bilingual (EB) students has sparked concerns about representation and access in special programs, including intervention programs within multi-tier systems of support. Building on research emerging from two national research centers focused on improving outcomes for EBs at-risk for reading difficulty, this session: (1) systematically reviews research on screening, progress monitoring, and special education identification with EBs to summarize what is known and where there are open questions; (2) synthesizes recommendations for instruction and intervention for EB students, particularly those with significant risk for reading difficulties; and (3) consider additional questions related to the reading and language needs of diverse EBs, including newcomers and EBs with interrupted formal educations.

Speakers

Dr. Jeremy Miciak

Researcher, Lecturer, University of Houston

Jeremy Miciak is a research associate professor for the Department of Psychology and an affiliated faculty member at the Texas Institute, Measurement, and Evaluation (TIMES). Dr. Miciak’s research focuses on the identification, presentation, and treatment of learning difficulties... Read More →

Thursday September 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:40am CDT
Ballroom FGH

Reading

9:30am CDT

Developing Consistency in Grading Practices

Thursday September 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:40am CDT

Redbud C

School leaders struggle with problems in their efforts to reform grading and reporting that could have been anticipated and avoided. This presentation describes three crucial prerequisites, supported by research evidence, that eliminate those problems and help bring honesty and integrity to the grading process. These steps provide the necessary foundation for implementing grading policies and practices that prioritize students’ best interests, facilitate communication between school and home, and make grades honest, accurate, meaningful, and equitable.

Guskey, T. R. (2024). Engaging Parents’ and Families in Grading Reforms. Corwin Press.
Guskey, T. R., Frey, N., & Fisher, D. (2024). Grading with Integrity. Corwin Press.
Guskey, T. R. (2020). Get Set, Go! Creating Successful Grading and Reporting Systems. Solution Tree.
Guskey, T. R., & Brookhart, S. M. (Eds.) (2019). What We Know About Grading: What Works,
What Doesn’t, and What’s Next? ASCD.
Guskey, T. R. (2015). On Your Mark: Challenging the Conventions of Grading and Reporting.
Solution Tree.

Speakers

Thomas R. Guskey

Professor Emeritus, University of Kentucky

Thursday September 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:40am CDT
Redbud C

Systems/Leadership

9:30am CDT

Results Now II: Effective Instruction—Guaranteed.

Thursday September 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:40am CDT

Redbud A

The case for certain game-changing elements of teaching are dismayingly under-emphasized in the current system. They can be implemented immediately and have a reliable impact on student outcomes from day one. We’ll look at the ironclad case for these elements and clarify them through a simple exercise and a one-page guide to their use.

Speakers

Dr. Mike Schmoker

Author, Speaker, Consultant

Thursday September 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:40am CDT
Redbud A

Systems/Leadership

10:40am CDT

AM Break Thursday, September 11

Thursday September 11, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CDT

TBA

Thursday September 11, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CDT
TBA

11:00am CDT

Q & A with Horacio Sanchez

Thursday September 11, 2025 11:00am - 11:30am CDT

Redbud B

This is an opportunity to ask your questions in an informal Q & A session.

Speakers

Horacio Sanchez

President and CEO, Resiliency Inc.

Thursday September 11, 2025 11:00am - 11:30am CDT
Redbud B

Behavior Social Emotional Learning

11:00am CDT

Q&A with Jacob Edwards

Thursday September 11, 2025 11:00am - 11:30am CDT

Birch

This is an opportunity to ask your questions in an informal Q & A session.

Speakers

Jacob Edwards

Thursday September 11, 2025 11:00am - 11:30am CDT
Birch

Behavior Social Emotional Learning

11:00am CDT

Q & A with Corey Peitier

Thursday September 11, 2025 11:00am - 11:30am CDT

Cypress A

This is an opportunity to ask your questions in an informal Q & A session.

Speakers

Corey Peltier

Thursday September 11, 2025 11:00am - 11:30am CDT
Cypress A

Math

11:00am CDT

Q & A with Matthew Burns

Thursday September 11, 2025 11:00am - 11:30am CDT

Ballroom E

This is an opportunity to ask your questions in an informal Q & A session.

Thursday September 11, 2025 11:00am - 11:30am CDT
Ballroom E

Math

11:00am CDT

Room Available for school teams to meet

Thursday September 11, 2025 11:00am - 11:30am CDT

Ballroom ABC

This room is available, during this time only, for school teams to meet and debrief/plan based on what they've learned so far at the symposium.

Thursday September 11, 2025 11:00am - 11:30am CDT
Ballroom ABC

Other

11:00am CDT

Q & A with Sue Looney

Thursday September 11, 2025 11:00am - 11:30am CDT

Cypress B

This is an opportunity to ask your questions in an informal Q & A session.

Speakers

Dr. Susan Looney

Looney Math Consulting

Thursday September 11, 2025 11:00am - 11:30am CDT
Cypress B

PreK

11:00am CDT

Q &A with Sonia Cabell

Thursday September 11, 2025 11:00am - 11:30am CDT

Trails

This is an opportunity to ask your questions in an informal Q & A session.

Speakers

Sonia Cabell

Thursday September 11, 2025 11:00am - 11:30am CDT
Trails

PreK

11:00am CDT

Q & A with Jeremy Miciak

Thursday September 11, 2025 11:00am - 11:30am CDT

Ballroom FGH

This is an opportunity to ask your questions in an informal Q & A session.

Speakers

Dr. Jeremy Miciak

Researcher, Lecturer, University of Houston

Thursday September 11, 2025 11:00am - 11:30am CDT
Ballroom FGH

Reading

11:00am CDT

Q & A with Michael Kennedy

Thursday September 11, 2025 11:00am - 11:30am CDT

Ballroom D

This is an opportunity to ask your questions in an informal Q & A session.

Speakers

Dr. Michael Kennedy

Associate Professor, University of Virginia

Thursday September 11, 2025 11:00am - 11:30am CDT
Ballroom D

Reading

11:00am CDT

Q & A Mike Schmoker

Thursday September 11, 2025 11:00am - 11:30am CDT

Redbud A

This is an opportunity to ask your questions in an informal Q & A session.

Speakers

Dr. Mike Schmoker

Author, Speaker, Consultant

Thursday September 11, 2025 11:00am - 11:30am CDT
Redbud A

Systems/Leadership

11:00am CDT

Q &A with Thomas Guskey

Thursday September 11, 2025 11:00am - 11:30am CDT

Redbud C

This is an opportunity to ask your questions in an informal Q & A session.

Speakers

Thomas R. Guskey

Professor Emeritus, University of Kentucky

Thursday September 11, 2025 11:00am - 11:30am CDT
Redbud C

Systems/Leadership

11:30am CDT

Lunch Thursday

Thursday September 11, 2025 11:30am - 12:40pm CDT

Expo Hall

Lunch is available for Everyone that is registered to attend. Please Proceed to the Expo Hall and choose a Buffett Line that is the shortest.

Thursday September 11, 2025 11:30am - 12:40pm CDT
Expo Hall

Lunch

12:40pm CDT

Cultivate a SchoolWide Culture of Attendance in a Multi Tier System of Supports

Thursday September 11, 2025 12:40pm - 1:50pm CDT

Birch

Creating a positive, proactive approach to chronic absenteeism engages families as well as students, educators, and the community. School leaders can promote this approach in a MTSS and lead staff in consistently sending the message that attendance matters. Within each Tier, strategies can be implemented to strengthen attendance with varying communication models for families. This workshop will highlight these strategies to reinforce implementation in your school/district.

Speakers

Tammy Huff

Project Coordinator, Kansas Parent Information Resource Center

All things equity, diversity, family engagement, and pre-service education in KansasDr. Tamara Huff is a Project Coordinator of the Kansas Parent Information Resource Center (KPIRC) which promotes meaningful family engagement at all levels of education and provides information and... Read More →

Jane Groff

Ex. Director of Kansas Parent Information Resource Center, KSDE/TASN

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 →

Thursday September 11, 2025 12:40pm - 1:50pm CDT
Birch

Behavior Social Emotional Learning

12:40pm CDT

The Foundation of School Climate

Thursday September 11, 2025 12:40pm - 1:50pm CDT

Redbud B

School climate is shaped by the brain's subconscious processing of the world. The brain continuously engages in a subconscious empathy process that influences emotions, thoughts, and actions without our awareness. To positively affect school climate, we must understand the brain’s subconscious processes and adjust our behavior accordingly. This session will transform your perspective and empower educators to enhance student outcomes.

Speakers

Horacio Sanchez

President and CEO, Resiliency Inc.

Thursday September 11, 2025 12:40pm - 1:50pm CDT
Redbud B

Behavior Social Emotional Learning

12:40pm CDT

Math Session by Matthew Burns

Thursday September 11, 2025 12:40pm - 1:50pm CDT

Ballroom E

Thursday September 11, 2025 12:40pm - 1:50pm CDT
Ballroom E

Math

12:40pm CDT

The Dynamic Duo: How i-Ready and FastBridge Support Math Core and Interventions

Thursday September 11, 2025 12:40pm - 1:50pm CDT

Ballroom ABC

Curious how schools are combining assessment tools to make instruction more effective? Join the Eudora Elementary team to learn how they leverage both iReady and FastBridge to personalize learning, guide interventions, and empower teachers with real-time data. This session will offer a practical, behind-the-scenes look at how two systems can work better together and insights you can take back to your district. Perfect for schools using or considering the integration of these tools!

Speakers

Heather Hundley

Director, Eudora

Seth Heide

Katie Peuser

Emily Shrimplin

Thursday September 11, 2025 12:40pm - 1:50pm CDT
Ballroom ABC

Math, School Presentation

12:40pm CDT

The Kansas Math Project: Empowering Teachers | Facilitating Growth

Thursday September 11, 2025 12:40pm - 1:50pm CDT

Redbud C

Launched in 2024 through a joint collaboration with KSDE, Kansas MTSS & Alignment, Dr. Sarah Powell, and Dr. Bradley Witzel, the Kansas Math Project (KMP) has reached 1100+ participants from across Kansas. The project aims to deepen teachers’ understanding of math content and expand their knowledge of evidence-based teaching strategies via both in-person and asynchronously through the Moodle learning platform. Attend this session to receive an overview of the project, receive information about how to get started, learn how districts have scaled the work, and get answers to your questions!

Speakers

Kari Heide

State Math Trainer, Kansas MTSS and Alignment

Andrea Heck

Thursday September 11, 2025 12:40pm - 1:50pm CDT
Redbud C

Math

12:40pm CDT

Building Oral Language and Content Knowledge through Strive-for-Five Conversations

Thursday September 11, 2025 12:40pm - 1:50pm CDT

Trails

Content-rich literacy programs are gaining in popularity, and research shows that they can powerfully support students' language comprehension. Integrated content and literacy instruction offers teachers an opportunity to engage students in strategic back-and-forth conversations in a meaningful context that can simultaneously improve vocabulary, verbal reasoning, and content knowledge. This session highlights how teachers in the early grades can make small but important shifts in their practice using the Strive-for-Five conversational framework. The presenter will share examples of responsive conversations during content-rich literacy instruction that model vocabulary, build on what students say, and push students toward more abstract thinking.

Speakers

Sonia Cabell

Thursday September 11, 2025 12:40pm - 1:50pm CDT
Trails

PreK

12:40pm CDT

Building Strong Foundations: Developing Number Sense in Preschool

Thursday September 11, 2025 12:40pm - 1:50pm CDT

Cypress B

Early number sense is a key predictor of later math success. In this interactive session, participants will explore developmentally appropriate strategies to nurture number sense in preschoolers through play-based learning, hands-on activities, and meaningful routines.

Speakers

Lea Harding

State PreK Trainer, Kansas MTSS and Alignment

Stacey Mayberry

State PreK Trainer, Kansas MTSS and Alignment

Thursday September 11, 2025 12:40pm - 1:50pm CDT
Cypress B

PreK

12:40pm CDT

Kansas MTSS and KSDE Reading Updates

Thursday September 11, 2025 12:40pm - 1:50pm CDT

Cypress A

This interactive session will provide you with the latest research and updates in literacy instruction. Dr. Laurie Curtis from KSDE Early Literacy/Dyslexia Program, will highlight new initiatives, policy changes, and resources aimed at supporting evidence-based reading practices in schools. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and make connections to their current literacy practices.

Speakers

Denise Brown

State Reading Trainer, Kansas MTSS and Alignment

Denise has been part of the Kansas MTSS state team for many years. A former general and special education teacher, working with elementary, secondary and college students, her passion is to place the practical application of what we know about literacy into the more than capable... Read More →

Rachel Ishman

State Reading Trainer, Kansas MTSS and Alignment

Dr. Laurie Curtis

Thursday September 11, 2025 12:40pm - 1:50pm CDT
Cypress A

Reading

12:40pm CDT

Ordering from the Menu of Vocabulary Practices: What Are Your Students Hungry For?

Thursday September 11, 2025 12:40pm - 1:50pm CDT

Ballroom D

When it comes to teaching vocabulary in content areas (including mathematics) there are many options for how to help students learn new and often complex terms and concepts. Using the analogy of ordering drinks, appetizers, main course, dessert, and coffee/more drinks at a restaurant, Michael Kennedy from U.Va will discuss a range of evidence-based practices for successfully teaching vocabulary to students with disabilities, multilingual learners, and all students. At the restaurant you order what you’re hungry for, and depending on if it is a special occasion, you might order something special. Teaching vocabulary works the same way. Sometimes we are hungry for a full multiple course meal, which would be when using a combination of practices to introduce and reinforce a key term or concept the student needs for the entire year and beyond. Other times, you don’t need multiple courses, go right to the main course and that’s enough. Attendees will leave with access to free links and resources.

Speakers

Dr. Michael Kennedy

Associate Professor, University of Virginia

Thursday September 11, 2025 12:40pm - 1:50pm CDT
Ballroom D

Reading

12:40pm CDT

The Identification and Treatment of Dyslexia: Separating Evidence-Based Practices from Myths and Misconceptions (Session 1 of 2)

Thursday September 11, 2025 12:40pm - 1:50pm CDT

Ballroom FGH

This two-part presentation addresses the nature of dyslexia and best practices for identification and treatment within the context of multi-tier systems of support (MTSS). It begins with a review of definitions of dyslexia, highlighting key commonalities and differences, and focusing on implicit classification hypotheses. The presentation then reviews empirical evidence for proposed definitional attributes, focusing on key sources of controversy, including the role of IQ and instructional response, as well as issues of etiology and immutability. The session includes specific recommendations for assessment and identification developed at the Texas Center for Learning Disabilities and documented in an influential practice guide.

The second session focuses on instructional practices to address the reading, language, and behavior needs of students with dyslexia. The session highlights evidence-based practices for all students with dyslexia, then outlines strategies to intensify intervention based on individual student data. The session concludes by addressing several myths and misconceptions around dyslexia.

Speakers

Dr. Jeremy Miciak

Researcher, Lecturer, University of Houston

Thursday September 11, 2025 12:40pm - 1:50pm CDT
Ballroom FGH

Reading

12:40pm CDT

Closing the Loop: Making the Self-Correcting Feedback Loop Work for You

Thursday September 11, 2025 12:40pm - 1:50pm CDT

Redbud A

Tired of spinning your wheels with data? In this session, learn how the Self-Correcting Feedback Loop powers real-time improvement within the Kansas MTSS and Alignment Framework. We’ll break down the roles of district, building, and team-level leaders—and show how each contributes to a responsive, data-driven system.

See real-world examples from Kansas districts, explore ready-to-use visuals, and walk away with tools to turn reflection into action. Whether you’re just getting started or refining your process, this session will help your teams close the loop and drive lasting change.

Speakers

Alyssa Crowther

Systems Alignment Specialist, Kansas MTSS and Alignment

April Lutz

Systems Alignment Specialist, Kansas MTSS and Alignment

Thursday September 11, 2025 12:40pm - 1:50pm CDT
Redbud A

Systems/Leadership

1:50pm CDT

PM Break Thursday, September 11

Thursday September 11, 2025 1:50pm - 2:10pm CDT

TBA

Thursday September 11, 2025 1:50pm - 2:10pm CDT
TBA

2:10pm CDT

Designing the Perfect Intervention

Thursday September 11, 2025 2:10pm - 3:20pm CDT

Redbud B

Understanding the brain's internal reward system is crucial in designing effective interventions. This system, which significantly influences our development and habits, can also lead to addiction and maladaptive behaviors when it malfunctions. When teachers introduce new practices or aim to instill consistent new behaviors in students, activating this system becomes paramount. Discover the steps for effectively activating the brain’s reward system to design the perfect intervention.

Speakers

Horacio Sanchez

President and CEO, Resiliency Inc.

Thursday September 11, 2025 2:10pm - 3:20pm CDT
Redbud B

Behavior Social Emotional Learning

2:10pm CDT

No More Silos: Leading a System to Unify Staff Through Positive and Proactive Behavior Supports

Thursday September 11, 2025 2:10pm - 3:20pm CDT

Birch

Unifying staff around a schoolwide system of behavior supports is easier said than done—especially when schools are balancing competing initiatives like academics, behavior, SEL, and more. This session is designed for leaders who want to move beyond isolated efforts and build schoolwide consistency that works across all settings and all levels of support. Participants will explore practical leadership strategies to align staff, reduce fragmentation, and lead with a positive and proactive approach that strengthens behavior supports at both the classroom and schoolwide levels. Whether your team is fully implemented, just getting started, or stuck somewhere in between, you’ll leave with strategies you can apply tomorrow to build momentum and unify your staff.

Speakers

Jacob Edwards

Thursday September 11, 2025 2:10pm - 3:20pm CDT
Birch

Behavior Social Emotional Learning

2:10pm CDT

DIY High School Math Curriculum

Thursday September 11, 2025 2:10pm - 3:20pm CDT

Ballroom ABC

Learn how we left textbooks behind and restructured our math classes. We’ll walk you through how we used integrated math, spiraled content, standards-based grading, and responsive teaching to build a system for all learners. Leave with practical ideas to create your own flexible, student-centered curriculum.

Speakers

Kevin Suther

Superintendent, USD 473 Chapman

James Bell

Amy Gruen

Thursday September 11, 2025 2:10pm - 3:20pm CDT
Ballroom ABC

Math, School Presentation

2:10pm CDT

Explicit Instruction in Math: Engaging Students Through Opportunities to Respond

Thursday September 11, 2025 2:10pm - 3:20pm CDT

Cypress A

You’ve heard that Explicit Instruction (EI) is outdated, boring, ineffective, and mainly reserved for students who are behind; decades of empirical evidence prove otherwise. This session will explore how to leverage the essential elements of EI to create a more engaging, structured, and systematic instructional approach. One key focus will be embedding Opportunities to Respond (OTRs) to increase student interaction, motivation, and learning outcomes while providing timely formative assessments to better understand each student’s learning progress. We will also make connections to common myths that undermine effective math teaching and examine how misconceptions about EI may limit its potential impact.

Speakers

Corey Peltier

Thursday September 11, 2025 2:10pm - 3:20pm CDT
Cypress A

Math

2:10pm CDT

Math Session by Matthew Burns

Thursday September 11, 2025 2:10pm - 3:20pm CDT

Ballroom E

Thursday September 11, 2025 2:10pm - 3:20pm CDT
Ballroom E

Math

2:10pm CDT

Mathematize Your Classroom: Powerful Routines for Playful Thinking

Thursday September 11, 2025 2:10pm - 3:20pm CDT

Cypress B

What does it mean to mathematize a preschool classroom? It means helping children see math everywhere—through talk, play, observation, and joyful exploration. In this session, we’ll explore powerful routines that spark mathematical thinking, problem-solving, and conversation, including Same But Different, Goldilocks Math, and Fancy Counts. You’ll see how 4-year-olds can engage with complex problems, reason through solutions, and express their thinking. We’ll also look at other classroom structures that invite curiosity, comparison, and meaningful dialogue. Participants will leave with flexible routines and practical tips for embedding problem-solving and mathematical exploration into the daily rhythm of preschool life—so that every child can experience math as a natural and joyful part of their world.

Speakers

Dr. Susan Looney

Looney Math Consulting

Thursday September 11, 2025 2:10pm - 3:20pm CDT
Cypress B

PreK

2:10pm CDT

Writing Into Literacy: Supporting Early Writing in Preschool and Kindergarten

Thursday September 11, 2025 2:10pm - 3:20pm CDT

Trails

Encouraging young children to write can help them to unlock the code of reading. Writing can serve as a springboard for growing children’s knowledge of print and sound. Early writing becomes more sophisticated over time, from scribbles to letter-like forms to writing with letters and words. This session will focus why early writing is important, how it develops, and how teachers can support young children’s written efforts to help them grow in their literacy skills in preschool and kindergarten classrooms.

Speakers

Sonia Cabell

Thursday September 11, 2025 2:10pm - 3:20pm CDT
Trails

PreK

2:10pm CDT

The Identification and Treatment of Dyslexia: Separating Evidence-Based Practices from Myths and Misconceptions (Session 2 of 2)

Thursday September 11, 2025 2:10pm - 3:20pm CDT

Ballroom FGH

This two-part presentation addresses the nature of dyslexia and best practices for identification and treatment within the context of multi-tier systems of support (MTSS). It begins with a review of definitions of dyslexia, highlighting key commonalities and differences, and focusing on implicit classification hypotheses. The presentation then reviews empirical evidence for proposed definitional attributes, focusing on key sources of controversy, including the role of IQ and instructional response, as well as issues of etiology and immutability. The session includes specific recommendations for assessment and identification developed at the Texas Center for Learning Disabilities and documented in an influential practice guide.

The second session focuses on instructional practices to address the reading, language, and behavior needs of students with dyslexia. The session highlights evidence-based practices for all students with dyslexia, then outlines strategies to intensify intervention based on individual student data. The session concludes by addressing several myths and misconceptions around dyslexia.

Speakers

Dr. Jeremy Miciak

Researcher, Lecturer, University of Houston

Thursday September 11, 2025 2:10pm - 3:20pm CDT
Ballroom FGH

Reading

2:10pm CDT

Using Lessons from Cognitive Load Theory to Inform Vocabulary Instruction (and Everything We Do as Teachers and Learners)

Thursday September 11, 2025 2:10pm - 3:20pm CDT

Ballroom D

Cognitive load theory is based on the idea that all humans are limited in their cognitive functionality at any given time and can easily be overwhelmed by too much or complex information. When overwhelmed, new learning is unlikely, and performance is hindered. In this session, Michael Kennedy from U.Va will introduce the main components of cognitive load theory, and specifically discuss how the design and delivery of vocabulary and other instruction can scaffold cognitive maximalization for both teachers and students. He will use the analogy of what happens when one’s bank account tied to our debit cards is maxed out and the horrible feeling that comes when one hears “your card is declined.” That horrible feeling is how students with disabilities, multilingual learners, and others who struggle feel constantly and multiple times per day when learning complex content being taught in ways that overwhelm their limited capacity. Students with disabilities not only often have cognitive imperfections that result in slower processing, but also they lack needed strategies and skills for success. Therefore, everything is “more expensive” for these students when learning, and teachers can learn key strategies for “lowering the costs” of learning. As a bonus, teachers can also experience an empty bank account, which results in hindered performance. Dr. Kennedy will present strategies for teachers to keep their cognitive “accounts” in positive territory despite multiple charges needing to be paid.

Speakers

Dr. Michael Kennedy

Associate Professor, University of Virginia

Thursday September 11, 2025 2:10pm - 3:20pm CDT
Ballroom D

Reading

2:10pm CDT

Effective Professional Learning

Thursday September 11, 2025 2:10pm - 3:20pm CDT

Redbud C

Professional learning leaders today must show what they do makes a difference. Stakeholders at all levels want to know if investments in professional learning truly result in improvement in the practices of educators and, ultimately, in the performance of students. This presentation explores factors that contribute to the effectiveness of professional learning and outlines the vital levels of professional learning evaluation. The use and appropriate application of these levels are described, along with procedures for establishing reliable indicators of success during professional learning planning. Participants will learn how to apply research findings to design and implement more effective professional learning activities, how to gather quantitative and qualitative evidence on effects, and how to present that evidence in meaningful ways.

Guskey, T. R. (2026). Evaluating Professional Learning (2nd ed.). Corwin.
Guskey, T. R., Roy, P., & Von Frank, V. (2014). Reaching the Highest Standard in Professional Learning: Data. Corwin & Learning Forward.

Speakers

Thomas R. Guskey

Professor Emeritus, University of Kentucky

Thursday September 11, 2025 2:10pm - 3:20pm CDT
Redbud C

Systems/Leadership

2:10pm CDT

Results NOW III: Demystifying K-12 Literacy

Thursday September 11, 2025 2:10pm - 3:20pm CDT

Redbud A

We’ll be looking at the enormous, untapped opportunity to radically simplify—and improve--literacy instruction across the curriculum. We’ll start with a fresh look at the “literacy block.” Then we’ll learn to employ simple, proven protocols that guarantee growth in literacy and academic achievement at every grade level and in every subject area.

Speakers

Dr. Mike Schmoker

Author, Speaker, Consultant

Thursday September 11, 2025 2:10pm - 3:20pm CDT
Redbud A

Systems/Leadership

3:20pm CDT

Symposium Adjourns

Thursday September 11, 2025 3:20pm - 3:20pm CDT

TBA

Thursday September 11, 2025 3:20pm - 3:20pm CDT
TBA