FAQ

For most students, this means fewer assessments overall. KCKPS has already been using quarterly benchmark assessments for the past few years. Under the pilot, the quarterly state assessments will take the place of those district benchmarks in ELA and math, while also replacing the traditional spring KAP assessment. As a result, students will take two fewer assessments over the course of the year. 

Because these are state assessments, students may notice some differences from previous district benchmark assessments, including standardized testing procedures and classroom environments.

This assessment pilot has been approved by the U.S. Department of Education and the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE). KSDE and the participating districts (including KCKPS) believe that this form of assessment has several benefits:

1. More timely information: Teachers receive information about student learning throughout the year, while there is still time to respond instructionally.
2. More useful information for teachers: Teachers can see the questions students answered, giving them more context for identifying strengths and areas where students may need additional support.
3. More time for learning: Because assessment is spread throughout the year, less time needs to be devoted to reviewing for one large state assessment in the spring.

Because this is a pilot, not all Kansas school districts are participating yet. KCKPS is part of the first cohort of districts (including Olathe, Geary County, Dodge City, Great Bend, and Humboldt) to use this assessment. Additional districts may choose to be added to the pilot over the next 4 years.

No. Because the curriculum for virtual learning is determined by Greenbush Academy, those students will continue to take the traditional KAP assessment.

At this time quarterly assessments have not been developed for science and social studies, so students will continue to take the KAP for Science and participate in the History, Government, and Social Studies (HGSS) classroom-based assessment.

Students in grades 3–10 will participate. Starting in 2027-28, most students who complete the applicable state assessment in 9th grade will not take it again in 10th grade. A 10th-grade student who is repeating the associated course, such as English 1 or Algebra 1, would take the assessment again.​​​​​​​

Each assessment will be completed within one class period.

The assessment windows for 2026-27 are:

• Quarter 1: October 19 – October 29
• Quarter 2: December 3 – December 17
• Quarter 3: March 1 – March 11
• Quarter 4: May 3 – May 13

Your child’s school will communicate the date that they plan to take the assessment within that window.

Similar to KAP, buildings will provide families with a final score report at the end of the year. Additional communications are in development.

No. TYCD assessments will not affect students' grades.

Students with IEPs and 504 plans will receive appropriate accommodations. Please reach out to your student’s special education coordinator for more information. Students who take the Dynamic Learning Maps or WIDA Alternate Assessment will continue to do so and will not take the quarterly state assessment.

Look out for communications from your school building prior to the start of each window. Students do not need to study or prepare differently for these assessments. The best preparation is regular attendance and participation in classroom instruction. 

On assessment days, you can help by making sure your child:

• gets a good night's sleep
• arrives at school on time
• eats breakfast or takes advantage of breakfast offered at school; and
• understands that the goal is simply to do their best and show what they have learned so far.