TOPEKA — Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson and Deputy Commissioner Dr. Brad Neuenswander are conducting 50 community conversations throughout the state on their Kansans Can Success Tour, which kicks off July 26 in Salina.
The Kansans Can Success Tour is a follow-up to the Kansas Children. Kansas’ Future. community conversations tour that took place beginning in late winter and early spring of 2015. The purpose of the Kansas Children. Kansas’ Future. tour was to bring together parents, educators, local school board members, higher education representatives, legislators and members of the business community to discuss the future they wanted for Kansas children and the role they wanted Kansas education to play in supporting that envisioned future.
The vision for education in Kansas – Kansas leads the world in the success of each student – was created from what Kansans said during the Kansas Children. Kansas’ Future. tour. The Kansas State Board of Education’s outcomes for measuring progress toward achieving that vision were also derived from information gathered during the tour. Outcomes include social-emotional growth, kindergarten readiness, Individual Plan of Study, graduation, postsecondary success and civic engagement.
The 2021 tour kicks off with a community meeting from 9 to 10:30 a.m. July 26 at Lakewood Middle School, 1135 Lakewood Circle, in Salina. The tour then is scheduled for Concordia USD 333, from 1-2:30 p.m. in Concordia Elementary School, 1500 E. Ninth Street. The first day is scheduled to conclude in Beloit from 6 to 7:30 p.m. July 26 at Commons Area, 1711 N. Walnut.
Other area tour stops include the following.
Aug. 31: 11:30 a.m. -1 p.m., McPherson USD 418, McPherson Community Building, 122 E. Marlin
Sept. 9: 1-2:30 p.m., Marion USD 408, Performing Arts Center, 127 S. Lincoln Street
Everyone, including educators, parents, legislators, members of the business community and members of the media, are invited to attend these events.
Watson and Neuenswander will share success stories, as well as challenges, discuss the Kansans Can School Redesign Project, answer questions and gather information during the tours.