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KPA - Performance Assessment for upgrading a Kansas License

New information: effective June 2008, KSDE is implementing another "no-fault" period; the KPA will be scored and recorded but, in essence, applicants cannot fail it if they have made a reasonable attempt.

The passing score for KPA of 88/113 was required for KPAs submitted after June 2006 and before June 2008, when KSDE returns to a “no-fault” period. KSDE is considering possible changes in the KPA, and plans to move it to a pre-service requirement in the future. We will update this website as more details emerge. At this point, if your license says you need to do a KPA, KSDE will continue to hold you to this requirement. I recommend you ollow the Nike slogan, and "just do it"!

Since Sept. 1, 2004, all new teachers in Kansas have received an initial “license” instead of a “certificate” from KSDE. These words basically mean the same thing, but there are differences in the ways licenses are renewed and upgraded. We hope you will see the new performance assessment as a positive, outcomes-based process that will help you to develop as a professional teacher.

The first Kansas License is a 2-year Conditional License. (Starting late summer 2008, KSDE will begin to call this an “Initial” license, a better term.) While working full-time, teachers may have up to 2 Conditional licenses, or a total of 4 years, to complete the KPA. In order to upgrade to the 5-year Professional License, teachers must submit a KPA (Kansas Performance Assessment), which is a 25-page written document of a multiple week teaching unit with results. Details on the KPA are posted at http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=311, and we encourage you to read all of the information posted there.

If you held an initial Kansas certificate issued before Sept. 1, 2004, and have been teaching, you will not have to do the KPA. You will renew and upgrade under the “old” certification rules, using “accredited experience” to attain the Professional License.

If you will never teach in Kansas, you will never have to do the KPA. If you’re moving to another state right away and never returning to Kansas, we usually recommend you go ahead and get the Kansas license, which will help in processing the other state’s application. Please talk to Alisa if you have questions about your specific situation. It’s possible that you may want to delay applying for the Kansas license if you plan to continue in graduate school full-time or stop to raise a family immediately after finishing your program.

Timing is important, and we suggest that new teachers start by selecting a date for submission of the KPA (Feb. 1, June 1, or Oct. 1 yearly). They must also notify KSDE of their “intent to submit” the KPA at least two months in advance (by Dec. 1, April 1 or Aug. 1), using a form that is on the web site. (This provides notice so that KSDE can plan to have enough scorers available.) All three scorers that will judge each KPA are qualified professionals, trained by KSDE, and the scoring process takes about six weeks.

It usually takes about 8-10 weeks to complete the project and writing for the KPA. Considering that submission is only allowed three times per year, and the score must be available for upgrading the license, new teachers must plan ahead to allow time for processing and receipt of the new license. Although teachers may have up to four years (two, 2-year Conditional Licenses) to complete KPA, it is probably best to complete the work for the KPA early in the second year of teaching.

KPA must be completed at a state-accredited PK-12 school, but may be done in another state (such as Missouri). You must hold a valid initial state license (Conditional in Kansas) for the assignment. Teachers who are working in a provisionally licensed position (such as Adaptive special education) may do the KPA with special education students. Teachers working on a waiver are not eligible to do the KPA.

Pam Coleman at KSDE in Topeka, coordinates the KPA process and will be glad to answer your questions. Simple questions may be sent to her email at pcoleman@ksde.org; if you have more complex questions, call her at 785-291-3573. They have completed three test groups for the KPA recently, and continuously update the materials online. We suggest that you look carefully at the Scoring Rubrics, the Goals and Objectives, and the Glossary provided online. Organization is more important than writing skills, and use a clear heading for each item. If you are completing the KPA in Special Education, a group of at least 4-5 students will provide the best results but it is possible to pass the KPA with only 1 student. Again, contact Dr. Coleman if you have specific questions.

Possible timeline for a typical KU student who completes our program in Spring 2008 and starts teaching in Fall 2008:

Contact Alisa Branham if you have questions – abranham@ku.edu Updated May 2008