Be prepared to counter misinformation about recent KSA scoring changes - Know the Facts
- Stand Up Blue Valley
- Aug 17
- 2 min read
The Kansas State Board of Education voted recently to make changes in the way Kansas State Assessment scores are labeled. This was last done 10 years ago and was due to be updated. After hearing input from a panel of assessment specialists as well as community feedback, the Board voted to accept the new cut scores which were set by educators through a detailed process earlier this summer.
You may have seen misinformation from anti-public education groups KPI and AFP and anti-public ed legislators, arguing that Kansas public school students aren’t performing well. Students scoring at Level 2 were characterized as “failing.” Now, 10 years of data on how the KSA scores actually correspond to student success (high school graduation and post-secondary readiness) have shown that many students who scored at Level 2 go on to college and/or post-high school success. Students scoring in the top of Level 2 have ACT scores indicating college readiness. Data showed what educators already knew: the cut scores needed revision.
What are Kansas State Assessments?
Students in Kansas public schools grades 3–8 and 10 are tested each spring on English language arts, math and science. Private schools which choose to have state accreditation also administer the KSA.
How is the KSA scored?
Number of questions correct is converted to a score with a corresponding performance descriptor describing a student’s level of proficiency on the tested material.
Level 1: Limited
Level 2: Basic
Level 3: Proficient
Level 4: Advanced
What those words mean: https://ksreportcard.ksde.gov/assessment_results.aspx?org_no=D0229&rptType=2
The question before the KSDE: Where will the cutoff be placed between scoring categories; in particular between Basic and Proficient?
When cut scores were set in 2015, no data were available - they were both aspirational and based on best estimates. Now 10 years of data has shown the scores underestimated the number of students who do achieve post-secondary success.
How are test results used?
USDE requires states to administer assessment testing; federal funding for struggling students is based on results.
KSDE reports scores for every public school district and individual school in Kansas, along with other data: https://datacentral.ksde.gov/
Individual students scoring at Levels 1 and 2 may be identified for additional support. Individual results tracked over years may help identify a student’s progress or decline.
How are scoring levels NOT used:
The KSA is not meant to be used as a test of mastery of the grade level the student is about to complete. It is not that comprehensive - only 40 questions. Students do not “pass” or “fail” based on results.
The KSA is not a competition. Each student’s performance is graded against the test and theoretically all students could score Advanced.
How did Blue Valley-area members of the State Board of Education vote? In the 7-3 vote, Melanie Haas voted YES (following the recommendation of the panel of experts who analyzed the data) and Michelle Dombrosky voted NO.
Read a post from Game On for Kansas Schools advocating for new scores: https://www.facebook.com/gameonforksschools/posts/pfbid03HyaL9bypZZRm2nqcc4wps3QZ8ns3ZJTtna87xsegoTP6f8LB8uespXYa66mnysbl
A deep dive from Game On:
KSDE:
https://www.ksde.gov/Home/Quick-Links/News-Room/Weekly-News/Feature-Story/ArtMID/6201/ArticleID/4450
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