2025 Kansas MTSS & Alignment Symposium

2025 Kansas MTSS & Alignment Symposium

8:00am CDT

Are They Compliant or Engaged? - Moving Beyond Compliance to True Student Engagement

Wednesday September 10, 2025 8:00am - 9:10am CDT

In this interactive session, district and building leaders, instructional coaches, and teachers will explore the critical difference between student compliance and authentic engagement. Are students simply following directions, or are they truly invested in their learning experiences? Together, we’ll examine how to recognize the signs of true engagement and move beyond surface-level participation. Participants will engage in collaborative activities, reflective discussions, and practical planning to identify strategies that foster deeper learning and ownership. Whether you are leading classrooms, coaching educators, or shaping school and district practices, you’ll leave with clear, actionable ideas to strengthen engagement at every level.

Speakers

Amy DeLaRosa

State System Alignment Trainer, Kansas MTSS and Alignment

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

Systems/Leadership

8:00am CDT

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

Wednesday September 10, 2025 8:00am - 9:10am CDT

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 →

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

Systems/Leadership

9:30am CDT

Results Now II: Effective Instruction—Guaranteed.

Wednesday September 10, 2025 9:30am - 10:40am CDT

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

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 →

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

Systems/Leadership

9:30am CDT

Team Up & Tune In: Supercharge Your Collaborative Work with the Inquiry Cycle

Wednesday September 10, 2025 9:30am - 10:40am CDT

Ready to take your team time from "meh" to meaningful? In this hands-on session, we’ll roll up our sleeves and dive into the Inquiry Cycle—a powerful, practical tool that helps collaborative teams ask the right questions, take smart action, and actually move the needle on student learning.

Whether you’re in a PLC, a coaching role, or leading a grade-level crew, this session will leave you with concrete tools, fresh ideas, and a simple cycle that brings clarity, purpose, and energy to your team’s work.

Speakers

Alyssa Crowther

Systems Alignment Specialist, Kansas MTSS and Alignment

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

Systems/Leadership

11:00am CDT

Assessments that Improve Learning

Wednesday September 10, 2025 11:00am - 12:10pm CDT

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 →

Wednesday September 10, 2025 11:00am - 12:10pm CDT
Redbud C

Systems/Leadership

11:00am CDT

Leadership Moves That Matter- Elevating Your PLC Teams

Wednesday September 10, 2025 11:00am - 12:10pm CDT

In this interactive session designed for building leaders with active PLC processes, participants will explore how to strengthen Professional Learning Community (PLC) implementation by actively assessing, analyzing, and supporting collaborative teams. Effective PLCs require two key leadership strategies: shared leadership and loose-tight decision-making — knowing when to allow flexibility and when to hold firm to non-negotiables. Leaders will learn how to evaluate the health of their teams, recognize common pitfalls, and apply high-leverage leadership moves that foster collective responsibility, a focus on results, and continuous improvement. Through reflection tools and collaborative practice, participants will leave with practical strategies to enhance PLC implementation and student outcomes in their buildings.

Speakers

Amy DeLaRosa

State System Alignment Trainer, Kansas MTSS and Alignment

Wednesday September 10, 2025 11:00am - 12:10pm CDT
Ballroom ABC

Systems/Leadership

11:00am CDT

Results NOW III: Demystifying K-12 Literacy

Wednesday September 10, 2025 11:00am - 12:10pm CDT

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

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 →

Wednesday September 10, 2025 11:00am - 12:10pm CDT
Redbud A

Systems/Leadership

1:30pm CDT

Developing Consistency in Grading Practices

Wednesday September 10, 2025 1:30pm - 2:40pm CDT

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

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 →

Wednesday September 10, 2025 1:30pm - 2:40pm CDT
Redbud C

Systems/Leadership

1:30pm CDT

From Silos to Systems: Strengthening Fidelity and Coherence in MTSS Implementation

Wednesday September 10, 2025 1:30pm - 2:40pm CDT

This session invites participants to examine the importance of fidelity and coherence in effective implementation. Attendees will learn how to create consistent, high-quality practices across all tiers of instruction, ensuring that systems are aligned to meet the needs of all students. With an emphasis on leadership roles, this session will provide tools for assessing fidelity, identifying gaps, and developing action plans to strengthen both the fidelity and coherence of educational practices. Leaders will leave with action steps to enhance their implementation of MTSS and drive sustained improvement in student outcomes.

Speakers

Josh Lee

Systems Alignment Specialist, Kansas MTSS and Alignment

Wednesday September 10, 2025 1:30pm - 2:40pm CDT
Redbud A

Systems/Leadership

1:30pm CDT

From Theory to Action: Driving Meaningful Change Through Collaborative Inquiry

Wednesday September 10, 2025 1:30pm - 2:40pm CDT

Too often, professional learning communities and teacher teams engage in surface-level data discussions that don't lead to meaningful instructional shifts. Collaborative inquiry transforms these conversations into a powerful, research-based process that drives authentic change and empowers teacher teams.

Join us as we showcase how our district has successfully embedded collaborative inquiry cycles to move from theory to action by creating systems that support teacher reflection, problem-solving, and continuous improvement. We will share how we've structured these cycles, the impact on teacher practice and student outcomes, and the lessons we've learned along the way.

In this session you will:
Explore the research behind collaborative inquiry and why it is a high-impact professional learning practice.
See real-world examples of how structured inquiry cycles have led to improved instruction and student learning.
Learn strategies to build collaborative, data-driven teams that engage in meaningful problem-solving.

Whether you are an administrator, instructional coach, or teacher leader, this session will equip you with actionable steps to make collaborative inquiry part of your professional learning culture.

Speakers

Casey Peine

Director, Clearwater Unified School District

Sarah Westbury

Coordinator, Clearwater Intermediate-Middle School

Lex Rhoadarmer

Wednesday September 10, 2025 1:30pm - 2:40pm CDT
Ballroom ABC

Systems/Leadership, School Presentation

3:00pm CDT

Effective Professional Learning

Wednesday September 10, 2025 3:00pm - 4:10pm CDT

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

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 →

Wednesday September 10, 2025 3:00pm - 4:10pm CDT
Redbud C

Systems/Leadership

3:00pm CDT

From Vision to Impact: Syracuse’s Journey of Systemic Improvement Through Partnership

Wednesday September 10, 2025 3:00pm - 4:10pm CDT

In this presentation, the Syracuse District Leadership Team will share how a strong partnership, grounded in a supportive school board and a clearly targeted vision and goals, has driven meaningful system improvement. We will highlight the strategic alignment of professional development and resource allocation to support student learning and educator growth. Through stories, data, and lessons learned, we will illustrate how intentional leadership and collaboration have shaped our journey—and what we’re most proud of as we continue to build a stronger, more equitable system.

Speakers

Paul Larkin

Superintendent, Syracuse USD 494

Liz Plunkett

Principal, Syracuse Elementary School

Josh Houston

Wednesday September 10, 2025 3:00pm - 4:10pm CDT
Ballroom ABC

Systems/Leadership, School Presentation

3:00pm CDT

It’s Time for a Tune-Up: Fine-Tuning MTSS for Sustainable Success!

Wednesday September 10, 2025 3:00pm - 4:10pm CDT

Just like a reliable engine needs regular maintenance to perform at its best, so too does your MTSS framework. In this session, we’ll pop the hood on our district’s Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and walk you through the steps we took to give our system a full-service tune-up. With guidance and support from TASN, we were able to pinpoint where our system was breaking down, identify areas that needed adjusting, and recognize what was already running smoothly. Whether you're coasting on past momentum or sputtering into the next school year, this session will help you reignite your MTSS engine with fresh tools, renewed focus, and a roadmap for sustainable student success.

Speakers

Tia Massey

Academic Support Coordinator, Valley Center USD262

Katie Orr

K-12 Academic Affairs Coach, USD 262

Brianna Deas

Executive Director of Academic Affairs, USD 262

Wednesday September 10, 2025 3:00pm - 4:10pm CDT
Redbud A

Systems/Leadership, School Presentation

8:00am CDT

Assessments that Improve Learning

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

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

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

9:30am CDT

Developing Consistency in Grading Practices

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

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

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 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

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

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 9:30am - 10:40am CDT
Redbud A

Systems/Leadership

11:00am CDT

Q & A Mike Schmoker

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

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

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 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

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

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 11:00am - 11:30am CDT
Redbud C

Systems/Leadership

12:40pm CDT

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

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

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

2:10pm CDT

Effective Professional Learning

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

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

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 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

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

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 2:10pm - 3:20pm CDT
Redbud A

Systems/Leadership