Cover image of show KSDE Insight Podcast

KSDE Insight Podcast

Podcast by Kansas State Department of Education

English

Technology & science

Limited Offer

2 months for 19 kr.

Then 99 kr. / monthCancel anytime.

  • 20 hours of audiobooks / month
  • Podcasts only on Podimo
  • All free podcasts
Get Started

About KSDE Insight Podcast

Join Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson as he takes a deep dive into the world of Kansas public education on the KSDE Insight Podcast. Featuring engaging conversations with a diverse range of guests, this podcast explores the latest national and state issues impacting Kansas schools. Whether you're an educator, policymaker, parent, or community member, the KSDE Insight Podcast delivers thought-provoking discussions on the challenges, opportunities, and innovations shaping the future of education in Kansas. Tune in and stay informed!

All episodes

26 episodes

episode The Homework Debate: Helpful or Outdated? artwork

The Homework Debate: Helpful or Outdated?

Homework has long been a fixture of the American education system, but its value remains contested more than a century after the debate began. According to educators and researchers, homework is neither inherently beneficial nor harmful—its impact depends largely on its purpose, design, and the age of the student. Today, schools find themselves caught between competing priorities: maintaining high academic expectations while also protecting student well-being. Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson speaks with two secondary Kansas educators who have much to say about how much homework is good for students. Joining Commissioner Watson are: * Taylor Bussinger, social studies teacher at Prairie Trail Middle School, Olathe USD 233 * Adam Topliff, social studies teacher at Wamego High School, Wamego USD 320

16 Apr 2026 - 54 min
episode Beyond the Diploma – What Parents Should Know About Readiness for Life After High School artwork

Beyond the Diploma – What Parents Should Know About Readiness for Life After High School

Graduation is an important milestone, but true success after high school requires more than earning a diploma. In this episode of the KSDE Insight Podcast, we explore what it really means for students to be ready for life after graduation. Kansas parents often ask an important question: Is my child prepared for what comes next? Whether a student plans to attend college, pursue technical training, enlist in the military, or enter the workforce, readiness involves more than academic preparation alone. This conversation looks at three essential areas that shape student success: academic readiness, financial readiness, and emotional readiness. Kansas education leaders and experts discuss the knowledge, skills, and habits students need to navigate life after high school with confidence. Parents will hear practical insights about how schools are helping students prepare for postsecondary opportunities, what indicators of readiness families should look for, and how parents can support their students during the transition from high school to adulthood.   Through thoughtful discussion and real-world perspective, this episode helps families better understand how Kansas schools are preparing students not just to graduate, but to succeed in whatever path they choose next. Guests: * Chuck Knapp, president/CEO of JAG-K * Dr. Jessica Dain, superintendent of Piper USD 203 * Dr. Blake Flanders, president/CEO of Kansas Board of Regents

12 Mar 2026 - 56 min
episode Career and Technical Education: What It Really Looks Like Today artwork

Career and Technical Education: What It Really Looks Like Today

On this episode of the KSDE Insight Podcast, KansasEducation Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson talks with education leaders about how Career and Technical Education (CTE) helps students prepare for life after high school. Parents will learn what CTE is and how Kansas uses a statewide framework of career clusters and pathways that schools can choose from to build local programs. Districts decide which pathways to offer based on their communityneeds, available resources, and student interests, helping connect learning in the classroom to real-world opportunities. The conversation highlights how CTE supports students during high school, improves postsecondary outcomes, and strengthens Kansas communities through partnerships with local industries. Guests also address common misconceptions about CTE, explain how today’s programs differ from vocational education of the past, and share how students can get involved through coursework and career-focused student organizations. This episode gives parents a clearer picture of how CTE can help students discover their strengths, explore future careers, and graduate ready for college, training, or the workforce. Guests: * Natalie Clark, assistant director of Career, Standards and Assessment Services (CSAS), Kansas State Department of Education * Dr. Lindsay King, director of college and career readiness, Maize USD 266 Connect with us on: * The KSDE website [www.ksde.gov] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/kansasdoe] * X (Twitter) [https://x.com/ksdehq]

12 Feb 2026 - 50 min
episode How Kansas Funds Schools and Why It Matters for Families artwork

How Kansas Funds Schools and Why It Matters for Families

School funding can feel complicated and disconnected from the classroom, but it plays a major role in the opportunities students experience every day. In this episode of the KSDE Insight Podcast, we break down how school funding works in Kansas, where the money comes from, and how funding decisions affect class sizes, programs, and student supports. We also discuss why Kansas’current school funding formula is set to sunset in 2027, what work is already underway with the Legislature, and why it is important for families to understand these conversations now. Joining the conversation are Dr. Frank Harwood, Kansas State Department of Education deputy commissioner of fiscal and administrative services; and Dr. Cory Gibson,superintendent of De Soto USD 232. Together, they offer clear, parent-focused insights into school funding, transparency, and how families can stay informed and engaged.

16 Jan 2026 - 1 h 4 min
En fantastisk app med et enormt stort udvalg af spændende podcasts. Podimo formår virkelig at lave godt indhold, der takler de lidt mere svære emner. At der så også er lydbøger oveni til en billig pris, gør at det er blevet min favorit app.
En fantastisk app med et enormt stort udvalg af spændende podcasts. Podimo formår virkelig at lave godt indhold, der takler de lidt mere svære emner. At der så også er lydbøger oveni til en billig pris, gør at det er blevet min favorit app.
Rigtig god tjeneste med gode eksklusive podcasts og derudover et kæmpe udvalg af podcasts og lydbøger. Kan varmt anbefales, om ikke andet så udelukkende pga Dårligdommerne, Klovn podcast, Hakkedrengene og Han duo 😁 👍
Podimo er blevet uundværlig! Til lange bilture, hverdagen, rengøringen og i det hele taget, når man trænger til lidt adspredelse.

Choose your subscription

Most popular

Limited Offer

Premium

20 hours of audiobooks

  • Podcasts only on Podimo

  • No ads in Podimo shows

  • Cancel anytime

2 months for 19 kr.
Then 99 kr. / month

Get Started

Premium Plus

Unlimited audiobooks

  • Podcasts only on Podimo

  • No ads in Podimo shows

  • Cancel anytime

Start 7 days free trial
Then 129 kr. / month

Start for free

Only on Podimo

Popular audiobooks

Get Started

2 months for 19 kr. Then 99 kr. / month. Cancel anytime.