Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) Program is sponsored by Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE). This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

Kansas State Department of Education | www. ksde. gov # Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) Grant Requirements Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.

2 |2025-2026 Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) Grant Requirements and Application Kansas State Department of Education | www. ksde. gov 3 |2025-2026 Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) Grant Requirements and Application > Kansas State Department of Education | www.

ksde. gov Funding Opportunity ............................................................................................................................. 4 Timeline for 2025-2026 Kansas Preschool Pilot Grant Application ........................................

6 Grant Overview ....................................................................................................................................... 7 Eligible Applicants ................................................................................................................................

7 Population to be Served .................................................................................................................... 7 At-Risk Criteria ......................................................................................................................................

8 1-800-CHILDREN ................................................................................................................................... 9 Outcomes and Data Collection ........................................................................................................ 9 Additional program requirements for Kansas Preschool Pilot grantees: ..........................

11 Budget Information ............................................................................................................................. 12 Funding Sources ................................................................................................................................. 12 Allowable Use of Funds ....................................................................................................................

12 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Administrative Costs .................. 13 Application Process .............................................................................................................................. 15 How to Apply .......................................................................................................................................

15 Applications for Renewal Grants ................................................................................................... 15 Applications for New Grants .......................................................................................................... 15 Review and Selection Criteria for New Grant Applications ...................................................

17 Technical Assistance ......................................................................................................................... 20 Application Questions ......................................................................................................................... 21 Type of Grant Application ................................................................................................................

21 Program Information ........................................................................................................................ 21 Budget Template ................................................................................................................................ 22 For Applicants Requesting Competitive Grant Funding .........................................................

22 Assurances .............................................................................................................................................. 24 4 |2025-2026 Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) Grant Requirements and Application Kansas State Department of Education | www. ksde.

gov The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) invites applications for 2025-2026 Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) grants to provide preschool services. Eligible applicants include Kansas unified school districts (USDs) and other entities partnering with Kansas school districts.

At least 50% of children served by Kansas Preschool Pilot grant funds must meet criteria to be at risk of entering kindergarten socially, emotionally, or academically unprepared for success. 2025-2026 Kansas Preschool Pilot grant applications are due at 5:00 p. m.

CST on Thursday, January 16, 2025. KSDE will host a Kansas Preschool Pilot grant webinar at 10:00 a. m.

on Tuesday, December 10 to discuss this funding opportunity . Preschool Pilot grants will be for a 1-year funding period from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Kansas Preschool Pilot grants will consist of funding from the Children’s Initiatives Fund (CIF) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

Grant funding is dependent upon the final state budget approved during the 2025 Legislative Session. The amount of Kansas Preschool Pilot grant funding remains limited. KSDE anticipates that the same amount of funding will be allocated in 2025-2026 as was allocated in 2024-2025 ($8,332,317).

Districts are encouraged to consider other larger, more sustainable options to invest in preschool, including state school finance formula funds, special education funds, and federal Head Start grants.

To focus time and energy on more sustainable options to invest in preschool, the following will be in place for 2025-2026: • 2024-2025 Kansas Preschool Pilot grantees will first have the opportunity to renew the 2024- 2025 amount of grant funding for 2025-2026. Kansas Preschool Pilot grant awards will not exceed the gap between a program’s revenue and expenses.

Applicants will use the 2025-2026 Preschool Revenue Calculator and Budget Template to estimate the amount of funding they will receive (state enrollment aid and accompanying weightings, special education funds, Head Start funds) and demonstrate how they plan to spend that funding.

o If the gap between forecasted revenue and expenditures remains larger or equal to the 2024-2025 grant award, the grantee will receive level Kansas Preschool Pilot grant funding for 2025-2026. If other sources of funding will reduce the gap between forecasted revenue and expenditures, the grantee will receive a 2025-2026 grant equal to the size of the gap between revenue and expenses.

• Any remaining funding will then be awarded on a competitive basis to applicants proposing initiatives to improve the quality and availability of preschool in their community. Applicants may apply for up to $50,000 in new Kansas Preschool Pilot funding.

These applicants may include both applicants who do not currently receive Kansas Preschool Pilot grants and current Kansas Preschool Pilot grantees demonstrating a gap between preschool revenues and expenditures. Initiatives to improve the quality and availability of preschool may include: 5 |2025-2026 Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) Grant Requirements and Application > Kansas State Department of Education | www. ksde.

gov o Expenditures that will improve the percentage of preschool students with disabilities receiving the majority of special education and related services in the least restrictive environment (Indicator 6) o Partnerships that increase overall community preschool capacity, particularly capacity to provide full-day and/or full-year early childhood care and education.

o One-time expenditures that will enhance the quality of programs (professional development, instructional materials, supplies, etc.) o Other innovative practices described by the applicant to improve preschool services in Visit the KSDE Preschool Programming webpage to view the Kansas Preschool Pilot Grant Requirements and Application document, link to the 2025-2026 KPP Grant Application , and associated materials.

Contact Natalie McClane ( nmcclane@ksde. org ) and Amanda Petersen ( apetersen@ksde. org ) with Kansas Preschool Pilot questions.

6 |2025-2026 Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) Grant Requirements and Application Kansas State Department of Education | www. ksde. gov # Timeline for 2025-2026 Kansas Preschool Pilot Grant Application • Monday , November 18, 202 4: Kansas Preschool Pilot Grant Requirements and Application released.

• TBD in November/December 2024: Preschool Revenue Calculator and Budget Template will be updated with the Fall 2024 Consensus Estimate for the 2025-2026 BASE. • 10:00 a. m.

Tuesday, December 10 , 202 4: KSDE will host a 2025-2026 Kansas Preschool Pilot grant webinar. This Zoom meeting will include an overview of the grant requirements, applicant, and the Preschool Revenue Calculator and Budget Template. Click here to register for the December 10 Kansas Preschool Pilot grant webinar .

• Dec ember 23, 202 4 – Jan uary 1 , 202 5: KSDE staff unavailable to reply to questions. • 5:00 p. m.

CST Thursday , January 1 6, 202 4: Kansas Preschool Pilot grant applications due. Click here to access the 2025-2026 KPP Grant Application . • February 11 -12 , 202 4: Kansas State Board of Education considers Kansas Preschool Pilot grant awards.

• TBD – Grantees receive Grant Award Notices: KSDE will send Kansas Preschool Pilot Grant Award Notices once the Legislature has passed and the Governor has signed a budget appropriating Fiscal Year 2026 Kansas Preschool Pilot funding. Grant funding is dependent upon the final state budget approved during the 2025 Legislative Session.

• May 31, 2026 KPP End of Year Report (KPP Survey) will be open in the Early Childhood foundations for School Success authenticated application. • July 1, 202 5 – June 30, 202 6: Kansas Preschool Pilot Grant Year • Timelines for 2025 -2026 Payment Dates and KSDE reports, KIDS and MIS Collections will be posted to www. ksde.

org, School Finance, Online Budget Packet . These timelines will include deadlines for submitting quarterly requests for reimbursement for TANF funds, the deadlines for the Kansas Preschool Pilot- Children’s Initiatives Fund and Kansas Preschool Pilot - TANF Final Expenditure Reports. 7 |2025-2026 Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) Grant Requirements and Application Kansas State Department of Education | www.

ksde. gov Eligible applicants include Kansas unified school districts (USDs) and other entities partnering with Applications that propose allocating grant funds to an entity that is not a school district must provide a letter from the school district and from each proposed partner that will receive grant funding indicating commitment to fulfilling the goals of the project.

Proposals to expand preschool capacity must describe how expansion will build on, not duplicate or replace, existing community services for families of preschool-aged children. Current Kansas Preschool Pilot grantees seeking to renew 2024-2025 grant funding must report students served by the Kansas Preschool Pilot in the KIDS Collection System to be eligible for renewed funding.

2024-2025 students served by the Kansas Preschool Pilot should be reported as 1=YES in KIDS field D59. KSDE will notify current Kansas Preschool Pilot grantees that have not reported Kansas Preschool Pilot participants in December 2024 to determine their plans for correcting data during the EOYA collection window in May and June 2025.

# Population to be Served The population to be served with Kansas Preschool Pilot grant funding includes children ages 3 to 5 and their families. This is defined as children who are 3 years old on or before August 31, 2025, up to kindergarten eligibility (5 years old on or before August 31, 2025). Children age-eligible for kindergarten may not be served with Kansas Preschool Pilot grant funds.

Applicants should prioritize services for children most at-risk of entering kindergarten socially, emotionally, or academically unprepared for success. At a minimum, 50% of students served using Kansas Preschool Pilot grant funds must meet one or more of the at-risk criteria listed below.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that to the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities are educated with children who are not disabled. Research shows that early childhood inclusion is beneficial to both children with and without disabilities . Districts should provide the most inclusive preschool classrooms possible.

Preschool students with disabilities may be served with Kansas Preschool Pilot grant funding. If a preschool student with a disability also meets an at-risk criterion, they may be included as an at-risk student when determining that 50% of students served by the Kansas Preschool Pilot meet an at-risk criterion.

If a preschool student with a disability does not also meet an at-risk criterion, they may be included as one of the students served by the Kansas Preschool Pilot who does not meet an at-risk criterion. Grantees must maintain a roster of students being served with Kansas Preschool Pilot grant funds. Grantees must report students served by the Kansas Preschool Pilot grant in the KIDS Collection System.

8 |2025-2026 Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) Grant Requirements and Application > Kansas State Department of Education | www. ksde. gov At a minimum, 50% of students served using Kansas Preschool Pilot grant funds must meet one or more of the below criteria.

Note that some children who qualify as at-risk for the purposes of the Kansas Preschool Pilot grant may not meet Preschool-Aged At-Risk at-risk criteria. 1. Poverty – Qualifies for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program on the 2025 September Count Day (family income is less than 185% of the Federal Poverty Level).

2. Single Parent families – Custodial parent is unmarried on the first day of school. 3.

Foster care or Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) referral. At any point between the time of enrollment and Count Day, the child is in the custody of the secretary for children and families. This may include foster care, custodial grandparents/kinship care, or other out-of-home placement.

For children referred by DCF, the reason for referral must describe the need for the child to attend the Pre-K program or receive the early childhood service and be documented and signed by the DCF agent. 4. Teen parents – At least one parent was a teenager (19 or younger) when the child was born.

5. Either parent is lacking a high school diploma or GED – At least one parent is lacking a high school diploma or GED on the first day of school. 6.

English Language Learner. The student must qualify for bilingual weighting and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) services must be provided, and forms must be in the child’s file. See the KSDE ESOL/Bilingual Education Program Guidance for process and criteria.

NOTE: ESOL services must be provided by qualified teachers. 7.

Lower than expected developmental progress in at least one of the following areas: cognitive development; physical development; communication/literacy; social emotional/behavior; adaptive behavior/self-help skills – Based on appropriate and valid assessment results, the developmental progress of the child has been determined by a trained professional to be lower than typically expected for his/her chronological age, yet above what would be considered eligible for special education services (based on the procedural manual and guidance materials of specific assessment instruments).

Scores that fall at or below the 40 th percentile indicate ‘at-risk’. 8. Child qualifying for migrant status – Copy of Certificate of Eligibility must be on file.

9. Children who experience chronic or episodic homelessness – Residence of homeless student while homeless must be completed in the KIDS Collection System as determined by local educational liaison. 10.

Children lacking health insurance – At the time of enrollment, the child has no health insurance coverage. 9 |2025-2026 Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) Grant Requirements and Application Kansas State Department of Education | www. ksde.

gov 1-800-CHILDREN is an easily accessible, reliable, and organized system of community resources that ensures Kansas families and communities are connected to the information, services, and supports they need, when they need them. The 1-800-CHILDREN Call Line and Resource Directory provides 24-hour, confidential, free information, support, and connection to local resources across the state.

We are excited to increase the awareness and utilization of available resources and supports across Kansas. Programs must establish and maintain an updated listing in the 1-800-CHILDREN Resource Directory . Kansas Preschool Pilot grantees must update their 1-800-CHILDREN listing at least annually.

This 1-800- CHILDREN Quick Reference Guide for Providers video outlines step-by-step instructions on how to update, add, or claim a program.

(Note that the 1-800-CHILDREN Resource Directory is not intended to replace the child care resource and referral services provided by Child Care Aware of Kansas, therefore licensed child care providers do not need to establish and maintain an updated listing for child care services in 1-800-CHILDREN and should continue to maintain updated information via Child Care Aware of Kansas.)

In addition to updating a program listing at least annually, Kansas organizations serving families can: • Share the electronic Family Outreach Card with families and caregivers in your community. 1-800-CHILDREN offers printed marketing/promotional materials such as magnets, palm cards, pens, etc. and hyperlinked logos for provider websites.

Contact Michelle Reichart, 1-800-CHILDREN Community Engagement and Marketing Coordinator, at mreichart@kcsl. org to • Review the 1-800-CHILDREN Resource Directory at 1800childrenks. org .

• Download the free 1-800-CHILDREN Resource Directory app by searching “1800childrenks” in the iOS or Android app store. • To request a presentation or demo of the updated resource directory and call line supports or to reach out with additional questions or talk about more opportunities with 1-800-CHILDREN, contact Michelle Reichart, 1-800-CHILDREN Community Engagement and Marketing Coordinator, at mreichart@kcsl. org .

# Outcomes and Data Collection Applicants will be responsible for providing services that support the implementation of evidence-based practices designed to improve outcomes for children and families. State statute ( K. S.

A. 38-2102 ) requires that moneys credited to the Children’s Initiatives Fund be directed towards programs and services that are data-driven and outcomes-based. Kansas Preschool Pilot grantees must use measures that foster a culture of continuous improvement by monitoring data, tracking progress toward goals, and learning what is and is not working.

• KIDS Collection System: Kansas Preschool Pilot grantees are required to obtain a Kansas Individual Data on Students Identification number (KIDS SSID) for each child participating in the 10 |2025-2026 Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) Grant Requirements and Application > Kansas State Department of Education | www. ksde.

gov Kansas Preschool Pilot and participate in all required KSDE Data Collections, including entry in the KIDS Collection System. Grantees will use the associated field in the KIDS collection system to report the students who participated in the Kansas Preschool Pilot. • Auditing : Kansas Preschool Pilot grantees are required to maintain classroom rosters for all children enrolled in the Kansas Preschool Pilot.

The KSDE Fiscal Auditing team will collect rosters for students enrolled in 2025-2026 as part of the regular audit during the 2025-2026 school year, along with the expenditures from the 2024-2025 school year. • Kansas Preschool Pilot grantees are required to use approved screening and assessment tools aligned with the Kansas Early Learning Standards.

• End -of -Year Performance Reporting : Kansas Preschool Pilot grantees are required to collect and enter aggregate outcomes data (KPP Survey) into the Early Childhood Foundations for School Success authenticated application at the end of the program year between May 1 and May 31, 2025. Program reporting will include: o Number of children served by the Kansas Preschool Pilot grant during the school year.

o Of staff being funded with Kansas Preschool Pilot grant dollars, how many received professional development during the school year? o For each of the areas of Literacy, Mathematics, and Social Emotional Development,  Which tools did you use to measure progress?  How many total children were assessed from entry to exit of the program?

 Based on the assessment data, how many children in your Kansas Preschool Pilot program showed improvement from entry to exit of the program? • End of Year Expenditure Reporting : Grantees will be asked to provide end-of-year expenditures. Program reporting will include: o Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) reimbursement request reports.

These will be submitted quarterly for school district grantees under the LEA Forms web application. The report is called Kansas Preschool Pilot-TANF quarterly report. Non-district grantees will submit their request quarterly to Kansas Department of Education via email.

o A Kansas Preschool Pilot-CIF Final Expenditures Form listing all expenses by cost category will be due in May. o A Kansas Preschool Pilot-TANF Final Expenditures Form listing all expenses by cost category will be due in July. Timelines for 2025-2026 Payment Dates and KSDE reports, KIDS and MIS Collections will be posted to www.

ksde. org, School Finance, Online Budget Packet . These timelines will include deadlines for submitting quarterly requests for reimbursement for TANF funds, the deadlines for the Kansas Preschool Pilot- Children’s Initiatives Fund and Kansas Preschool Pilot - TANF Final Expenditure Reports, 11 |2025-2026 Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) Grant Requirements and Application Kansas State Department of Education | www.

ksde. gov and the deadline for End-of- Year Performance Reporting (KPP Survey) using the Foundations for School Success authenticated application. # Additional program requirements for Kansas Preschool Pilot grantees: • Provide developmentally appropriate opportunities for meaningful family engagement and partnership (e.g., family night, parent education, parent volunteer opportunities).

• Provide the most inclusive classrooms possible. Children receiving Early Childhood Special Education Services, who are Dual Language Learners and English Learners, who are from migrant worker families, and whose families are experiencing homelessness should be included in classrooms supported by Kansas Preschool Pilot funding.

• Implement a research-based preschool curriculum that includes literacy, math, and social-emotional components that align to the Kansas Early Learning Standards. • Provide a minimum of 465 instructional hours for each child (as defined by the KSDE School Term Audit Guide on the Fiscal Auditing webpage ) during the school year. • Hold staff credentials as required by their setting.

• Provide at least one meal or snack per classroom session to all children attending the program. 12 |2025-2026 Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) Grant Requirements and Application Kansas State Department of Education | www. ksde.

gov The Kansas Preschool Pilot grant consists of funding from the Children’s Initiatives Fund (CIF) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Most grants will consist of funding from both sources. Kansas Preschool Pilot grants will span a 1-year funding period from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.

Grant funding is dependent upon the final state budget approved during the 2025 Legislative Session. CIF Funds: Grantees will receive CIF grant funds in four quarterly payments throughout the 2025-2026 school year. Districts should deposit Kansas Preschool Pilot Children’s Initiatives Fund quarterly grant payments (“KPP Pre-K CIF”) into the Code 35-Gifts and Grants Fund, 3000 STATE SOURCES-3231 Pre-K Pilot Grant (CIF).

TANF Funds: School district grantees will use the KSDE Web Application “LEA Forms” to submit quarterly reimbursement requests for Kansas Preschool Pilot TANF grant payments. Grantees who are not school districts will email KSDE to submit quarterly reimbursement requests for Kansas Preschool Pilot TANF grant payments.

Districts should deposit Kansas Preschool Pilot Temporary Assistance for Needy Families reimbursement grant payments (“KPP Pre-K TANF”) into the Code 35-Gifts and Grants Fund, 4000 FEDERAL SOURCES-4585 Pre-K Pilot Grant (TANF). See the KSDE Accounting Handbook available on the KSDE School Finance Guidelines and Manuals webpage for additional detail regarding each of these allowable uses of funds.

The following are allowable uses of funds: 1000 - 200 Employee Benefits 1000 - 300 Purchased Professional & Tech. Serv.

1000 - 400 Purchased Property Services 1000 - 500 Other Purchased Services 1000 - 600 Supplies & Materials 2100 - Student Support Services 2200 - Instructional Staff Support Services 2400 - Support Services - School Administration 2700 - Student Transportation Services 3000 Operation of Non-Instructional Services 3100 - Food Service Operations Indirect costs (cannot exceed 8% of total grant costs) 13 |2025-2026 Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) Grant Requirements and Application Kansas State Department of Education | www.

ksde. gov Direct costs are those that can be identified specifically with a particular cost objective. These costs may be charged directly to grants, contracts, or to other programs against which costs are finally assigned.

Typical direct costs chargeable to a grant include but are not limited to: Compensation of employees for the time devoted and identified specifically to the performance of those programs; Costs of materials acquired, consumed, or expended specifically for the purpose of those programs; Travel expenses incurred specifically to carry out the program; etc. Indirect costs (cannot exceed 8% of total grant costs) are those that are not readily identifiable with the activities of the grant but are incurred for the joint benefit of those activities and other activities or programs of the organization.

A cost may not be allocated to a federal program as an indirect cost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose. In accordance with OMB Circular A-87, indirect costs are: Incurred for a common or joint purpose benefiting more than one cost objective; and not readily assignable to the cost objectives specifically benefited without effort disproportionate to the results achieved.

Examples include salaries and expenses for procurement, payroll, personnel functions, maintenance and operations, data processing, accounting, auditing, budgeting, communications (telephone, postage), etc. # Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Administrative Costs Children’s Initiatives Fund (CIF) funding may be used to reimburse administrative costs as outlined in the “Allowable Uses of Funds” section above.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding may not be used to reimburse administrative costs as defined here: (b) The term “administrative costs” means costs necessary for the proper administration of the TANF program or separate State programs. 1. It excludes direct costs of providing program services.

i. It excludes costs of providing diversion benefits and services, providing program information to clients, screening and assessment, development of employability plans, work activities, post-employment services, work supports, and case management. It excludes costs for contracts devoted entirely to such activities.

ii. It excludes the salaries and benefits costs for staff providing program services and the direct administrative costs associated with providing the services, such as the costs for supplies, equipment, travel, postage, utilities, rental of office space and maintenance of office space. 2.

It includes costs for general administration and coordination of these programs, including contract costs and all indirect (or overhead) costs. Examples include: i. Salaries and benefits of staff performing administrative and coordination functions; ii.

Activities related to eligibility determinations; iii. Preparation of program plans, budgets, and schedules; 14 |2025-2026 Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) Grant Requirements and Application > Kansas State Department of Education | www. ksde.

gov iv. Monitoring of programs and projects; v. Fraud and abuse units; vi.

Procurement activities; viii. Services related to accounting, litigation, audits, management of property, payroll, and personnel; ix. Costs for the goods and services required for administration of the program such x.

as the costs for supplies, equipment, travel, postage, utilities, and rental of office space and maintenance of office space, provided that such costs are not excluded as a direct administrative cost for providing program services under paragraph (b)(1) of this section; xi.

Travel costs incurred for official business and not excluded as a direct administrative cost for providing program services under paragraph (b)(1) of this section; xii. Management information systems not related to the tracking and monitoring of TANF requirements (e.g., for a personnel and payroll system for State staff); and (xii) Preparing reports and other documents.

15 |2025-2026 Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) Grant Requirements and Application Kansas State Department of Education | www. ksde. gov Applications and all required documentation must be submitted online via Qualtrics using the 2025- 2026 KPP Grant application link no later than 5:00 p.

m. CST on Thursday, January 16, 2025. KSDE is committed to ensuring a fair and equitable process for awarding grants.

Kansas Preschool Pilot recommendations will be provided to the Kansas State Board of Education for final approval. KSDE reserves the right to work with grantees to modify proposals if needed. Current grantees must continue to meet all Kansas Preschool Pilot requirements to receive funding in the 2025-2026 school year.

# Applications for Renewal Grants 2024-2025 Kansas Preschool Pilot grantees will first have the opportunity to renew the 2024-2025 amount of grant funding for 2025-2026. Grantees will not automatically receive the same amount of funding awarded to them in the previous school year. Kansas Preschool Pilot grant awards will not exceed the gap between a program’s revenue and expenses.

Grantees will complete the brief renewal application in the Qualtrics Survey. The 2025-2026 KPP Grant application will require updates on the following items. • Updated contact information • Proposed changes to services • 2024-2025 KIDS data reporting • 2024-2025 Indicator 6: Preschool Environments data (SPEDPro Final Indicator 6 Report available Dec.

1), and plans for improvement if the district is not meeting state targets in 2024-2025. o Applicants will use the 2025-2026 Preschool Revenue Calculator and Budget Template to estimate the amount of funding they will receive (state enrollment aid and accompanying weightings, special education funds, Head Start funds) and demonstrate how they plan to spend that funding.

If the gap between forecasted revenue and expenditures remains larger or equal to the 2024-2025 grant award, the grantee will receive level Kansas Preschool Pilot grant funding for 2025-2026. If other sources of funding will reduce the gap between forecasted revenue and expenditures, the grantee will receive a 2025-2026 grant equal to the size of the gap between revenue and expenses.

# Applications for New Grants Any funding remaining following review of applications for renewal grants will then be awarded on a competitive basis to applicants proposing initiatives to improve the quality and availability of preschool in their community.

Applicants may select one or more of the following strategies: 16 |2025-2026 Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) Grant Requirements and Application > Kansas State Department of Education | www. ksde.

gov • Expenditures that will improve the percentage of preschool students with disabilities receiving the majority of special education and related services in the least restrictive environment (Indicator 6) • Partnerships that increase overall community preschool capacity, particularly capacity to provide full-day and/or full-year early childhood care and education.

This may include start-up expenditures associated with preparing to expand, such as the cost of an early childhood principal/director/coordinator leading planning.

• One-time expenditures that will enhance the quality of programs (professional development, instructional materials, supplies, etc.) • Other innovative practices described by the applicant to improve preschool services in their community Applicants may apply for up to $50,000 in new Kansas Preschool Pilot funding.

Applicants for new funding may include both applicants who do not currently receive Kansas Preschool Pilot grants and current Kansas Preschool Pilot grantees demonstrating a gap between preschool revenues and expenditures. Example: A Kansas Preschool Pilot grantee currently receives a $40,000 grant. In 2025-2026 the gap between the grantee’s forecasted revenue and expenditures is $120,000.

The grantee may apply for $90,000 of 2025-2026 grant funding ($40,000 renewal grant funds plus $50,000 new grant funds). 17 |2025-2026 Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) Grant Requirements and Application Kansas State Department of Education | www. ksde.

gov # Review and Selection Criteria for New Grant Applications Applicants will use the 2025-2026 Preschool Revenue Calculator and Budget Template to estimate the amount of funding they will receive (state enrollment aid and accompanying weightings, special education funds, Head Start funds) and demonstrate how they plan to spend that funding.

Kansas Preschool Pilot grant awards will not exceed the gap between a program’s revenue and expenses. Applicants may select one or more of the following strategies to improve the quality and availability of preschool in their community. Applicants are not required to select all of the following strategies.

In reviewing grant proposals, KSDE will prioritize: Option 1: Indicator 6 Insufficient Sufficient Optimal Indicator 6: Early Childhood Least Restrictive Environment • Projected 2024-2025 Indicator 6 data (available in the SPEDPro authenticated application) • A clear identification of the barriers that currently prevent the district from ensuring all early childhood services and classrooms represent the natural proportions of students in the district/system • A description of how proposed grant funding will improve the percentage of preschool students with disabilities receiving the majority of special education and related services in the least restrictive environment The applicant does not provide each of the required pieces of information.

It is unclear how proposed grant funding will improve the percentage of preschool children with disabilities in the district receiving the majority of special education and related services in the least restrictive environment. The applicant provides each of the required pieces of information.

The applicant provides a plan to describe how, as a result of grant funding, it will be able to improve the percentage of preschool children with disabilities in the district receiving the majority of special education and related services in the least restrictive environment. The plan could benefit from additional detail describing the impact that will be made with proposed grant funding.

The applicant provides each of the required pieces of information. The applicant provides a clear, detailed plan to describe how, as a result of grant funding, it will be able to improve the percentage of preschool children with disabilities in the district receiving the majority of special education and related services in the least restrictive environment.

It is obvious that grant funding will result in sustainable improvements in this community. 18 |2025-2026 Kansas Preschool Pilot (KPP) Grant Requirements