Comparing Kansas - Kansas Still Ranked 9th in Student Outcomes - Methods and Summary

Oct 15, 2026

Analysis titled “Comparing Kansas” evaluates Kansas’ student outcomes against other states using a weighted framework of three outcome domains: Postsecondary, Graduation, and Assessments. Kansas is reported as ranking 9th in the nation, matching the previous year’s ranking. The document explains the measurement indicators and their assigned weights, and defines comparison groups including Aspiration, Peer States (Adjacent, Student Peers, Adult Peers, Population Distribution Peers, Overall Peers) with 2019 updates.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

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Pages12

Reading Time30 min

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Comparing Kansas

Kansas ranking and scope

Methods and summary

Student outcome measures and weights

Comparison groups: aspiration and peer states

Comparing Kansas 2019: Kansas Still Ranked 9th in Student Outcomes Figure 1: State Rankings Methods and Summary For many years, KASB has provided information on Kansas’ rankings compared to other states on a variety of student outcome measures. We call this analysis“Comparing Kansas.” This year Kansas ranks 9th in the nation in terms of student outcomes. This is the same ranking Kansas earned in last year’s analysis. The following table shows the educational outcome measures used, why they are used, and how much weight each is given in the overall calculation. Each typeof outcome (Postsecondary, Graduation, and Assessments) accounts for 1/3 of the overall ranking, then each type is further divided by the number of measures. | Indicators | Why it Matters | Weight | | --- | --- | --- | | Postsecondary ‐ percent of the 18‐24‐year‐old population with: (Source: U.S. Census Bureau) | | 33.33% | | 1. High school completion or higher | Kansans Can Outcomes:
High school graduation; Postsecondary Participation Rose Capacities:
Academic or vocational skills to enable public school students to compete favorably with their counterparts in surrounding states, in academics or in the job market. | 11. 11% | | 2. Some college or higher | | 11. 11% | | 3. Four‐year degree or higher | | 11. 11% | | Graduation ‐ Adjusted cohort graduation rate for: (Source: National Center for Education Statistics) | | 33.33% | | 4. All students | Kansans Can Outcomes: High school graduation. | 8.33% | | 5. Economically disadvantaged students | | 8.33% | | 6. Students with limited English proficiency | | 8.33% | | 7. Students with disabilities | | 8.33% | | Assessments | | 33.33% | | 8. National Assessment of Educational Progress 4th and 8th grade reading and math average percent of students scoring at the following benchmark levels: (Source: NAEP) | | 11. 11% | | a. Basic or higher for all students | Rose Capacities:
Oral and written communication skills enable students to function in a complex and
rapidly changing civilization;
Training or preparation for advanced training in either academic or vocational fields to enable each child to choose and pursue life work intelligently. | 1.85% | | b. Basic or higher for low income | | 1.85% | | c. Basic or higher for not low income | | 1.85% | | d. Proficient or higher for all students. | | 1.85% | | e. Proficient or higher for low income | | 1.85% | | f. Proficient or higher for not low income | | 1.85% | | 9. ACT and SAT Tests, both adjusted for the participation of students based on percent of graduates who took the test in each state: (Sources: ACT, Inc.; College Board) | | 22. 22% | | a. Percent of students meeting all 4 ACT Benchmarks. | Rose Capacities:
Training or preparation for advanced training in either academic or vocational fields to enable each child to choose and pursue life work intelligently. | 11.11% | | b. Percent of students meeting both SAT Benchmarks. | | 11.11% | Comparing Kansas also takes a variety of demographic characteristics and determines which states are most like Kansas. The following are the comparison groups used in the analysis: • Aspiration States: States that outperform Kansas when the ranks of all 15 indicators are weighted and averaged. These states have the best overall student outcomes in the nation. If Kansas aspires to improve its performance, these states provide examples of better overall results. The states identified as aspiration states in 2019 are the same as for 2018: Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, and Vermont. • Peer States: States most like Kansas. The 50 states vary widely in terms of students served, adult population characteristics and other factors influencing student performance and cost. This report identifies the following groups of peer states. o Adjacent States: States directly adjacent to Kansas: Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.

FAQs

What is the overall finding for Kansas in 2019?

Kansas ranks 9th in the nation for student outcomes in the 2019 analysis.

Which outcome categories are included in the ranking calculation?

The ranking combines Postsecondary, Graduation, and Assessments, each accounting for one-third of the overall score.

How are comparison states grouped in the analysis?

States are grouped into Aspiration States and Peer States, with Peer States further divided into Adjacent States, Student Peers, Adult Peers, Population Distribution Peers, and Overall Peers.

Oct 15, 2026

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