Cut scores are changing for 2025 state assessments

The Kansas State Board of Education is redefining how we measure student success. 

The new state assessment cut scores were discussed at a Board of Education workshop on October 3, 2025. The state of Kansas is fixing the system because the cut scores didn’t tell the whole story about what students know and are able to do, and many who were labeled “not proficient” were excelling.

The state standards will remain the same - they were not lowered or altered. The assessment cut scores in Kansas were misaligned with other measures such as the ACT, graduation rate, Advanced Placement courses, etc. The new cut scores will truly reflect student outcomes.

Below are some key points from the Kansas State Department of Education about the 2025 cut scores:

• Kansas is fixing a system that hasn’t matched what we know about student success. 
• Many students labeled “not proficient” are actually doing great things. 
• Kansas test scores haven’t matched up with national standards—and that’s confusing. 
• Real Kansas teachers helped make this change. 
• Bottom line: This is about making tests more useful for you and your child. 

Click here to download the KSDE document about assessment cut scores.