ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
The end of April continues to be a busy time for the Kelly Administration, with more bill signings having recently taken place.
Wednesday saw Gov. Laura Kelly sign Senate Bill 438, which establishes the Kansas Blueprint for Literacy, a Literacy Advisory Committee, and directing the Kansas Board of Regents to appoint a Director of Literacy Education.
“The Kansas Blueprint for Literacy is an innovative piece of legislation that will transform how we prepare educators to teach reading and better equip our students with the literacy tools they need to succeed,” Gov. Kelly noted in a State of Kansas release. “This bill places Kansas at the forefront of nationwide efforts to reform reading instruction and expands on the progress we have been making to prioritize literacy throughout a child’s academic journey.”
The Kansas Blueprint for Literacy will redesign the teaching of reading to focus on evidence-based research including phonemic awareness, phonetics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. The bill prioritizes a comprehensive approach to retrain Kansas educators in the science of reading, structured literacy, and literacy screening and assessment tools, according to the State of Kansas release.
Other leaders also praised the legislation.
“For many years, the Kansas Legislature has recognized the solid science behind early literacy success for children. It requires early screening of children, solid teacher training in the science of reading, and classroom materials that support evidence-based practices,” Kansas State Senator and Senate Education Committee Chair Molly Baumgardner, District 37, noted in the State of Kansas release. “I’m proud that the Blueprint for Reading is a collaborative effort that establishes a clear pathway for our current and future educators to be appropriately trained to teach Kansas students to read. It also creates the essential framework for an innovative and inclusive approach to assure accountability between higher education institutions, education advocates, school districts and parents. Senate Bill 438 also recognizes literacy as a priority in continuing Kansas’ unprecedented economic growth and developing a workforce equipped to meet the needs of business and industry. Under the bill, the Kansas Board of Regents will receive $10 million in additional funds to implement the Blueprint. This funding would cover the costs of retraining teachers in reading instruction best practices and preparing them to receive a Science of Reading micro-credential.”
“The Kansas Blueprint for Literacy will prove to be one of the most important bills this Legislature and Gov. Kelly authorized in 2024. Our students’ ability to read is fundamental to their life’s success – in their academic career and in their life beyond school” Dr. Cindy Lane, Member, Kansas Board of Regents, noted in the State of Kansas release. “The Blueprint for Literacy is a clearly marked path with practical steps to which we will commit in postsecondary education to ensure our in-service teachers and pre-service teachers have the tools they need for success in the classroom. Senate Bill 438 also calls for the creation of six regional Centers for Excellence in Reading, which the Board of Regents and state universities will collaborate to operate. These centers will provide assessment and diagnosis of reading difficulties, train in-service and pre-service educators through the use of simulation labs, and support the professional learning of school-based instructional coaches.”
Additionally, Senate Bill 438 requires the Kansas Board of Regents to form the Literacy Advisory Committee and hire a Director of Literacy Education, the State of Kansas release noted, and the committee will include 15 voting and two non-voting members serving four-year terms. The committee will be charged with monitoring the progress of literacy training and designating best practices for teachers. The director will work to implement and administer the blueprint and ensure institutions make progress on these initiatives.
“As parents, we want the very best for our children and this bill ensures they get it,” Melanie Haas, Chair, Kansas State Board of Education, noted in the State of Kansas release. “By aligning the efforts of K-12 and higher education to train our educators in the science of reading, we intend to end the literacy divide for our students once and for all.”
Literacy continues to be a priority for the Kelly Adminstration, as Gov. Kelly had signed Senate Bill 195, which authorizes the Kansas Children’s Cabinet to establish a nonprofit corporation to receive donations, gifts, grants, and engage in fundraising activities for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, in March.
“Strengthening children’s literacy skills and ensuring parents can access these resources is crucial to early childhood development,” Gov. Kelly noted in the March 15 release from the State of Kansas. “We know that children’s earliest years shape their academic and social outcomes for the rest of their lives. I’m proud to sign this bill to expand the reach of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and equip more Kansas families with books. As of March 1, 2024, 74,720 Kansas children are enrolled in the program. Since last July, nearly 26,000 more children have been enrolled.”
“Reading is the single most effective way to open a world of opportunity for our children. Having three sons, all of whom are enrolled in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Program, I believe that all children in Kansas should have the same opportunity to join the Dolly Parton Imagination Library as my sons have,” Representative Troy Waymaster, House District 109, noted in the March 15 release from the State of Kansas. “I personally have seen the impact of this program, and this is a win for Kansas. I also thank Senator J.R. Claeys for his help and leadership in this endeavor in the State Senate regarding this matter. I’m confident that allowing the program to raise private funds will increase access to books and instill the joy of reading in many more young Kansans.”
