Kansas educators and families have long been united in their commitment to teaching literacy. The lingering effects of the pandemic on student reading achievement prompted the launch of a new statewide effort to coordinate resources and invest in the science of reading. 

The Kansas Board of Education, Kansas Board of Regents and Kansas Legislature have all taken steps to help rethink how reading is taught in Kansas to address stubborn declines in reading achievement by students across the state.  

Between 2019 and 2022, the average student in grades 3 through 8 experienced a decline of 1/3 of a grade level in reading. Current research shows improvements among Kansas students according to 2023 assessment scores, but English/language arts scores have yet to reach pre-pandemic levels. Research shows this is consistent across 30 other states, where students have recovered 22% of the reading achievement decline between 2022 and 2023. 

“Meaningful changes in education require incredible commitment and collaboration, as well as patience and persistence,” said Dr. Brian Jordan, KASB executive director. “Lasting change also requires leadership buy-in and investment starting at the top. State leaders have begun that work by understanding and promoting what could be defined as the science of reading.”  

Hear more about the evidence-based literacy practices in a podcast episode with KASB’s Mark Tallman and special guests Dr. Laurie Curtis from KSDE and Jeri Powers from USD 232.  

Structured Literacy 

In its newly adopted school district accreditation framework, the state board prioritized the adoption of Structured Literacy and improving the quality of instruction. Structured Literacy is an evidence-based approach to reading instruction that equips students with the tools they need to decode words accurately, read fluently and comprehend texts effectively. This approach has been proven to benefit all readers and is particularly essential to students with dyslexia or other reading difficulties. Click to learn more about the Kansas Education Framework for Literacy and review resources for early literacy and dyslexia.  

Literacy Blueprint 

In its 2024 session, the Kansas Legislature approved Senate Bill 438, referred to as the Literacy Blueprint, with broad support from Republicans and Democrats. Among its priorities, the new law will coordinate resources among Kansas colleges, universities and school districts to deliver support and training to in-service and pre-service early childhood and elementary teachers, special education teachers and paraeducators, reading specialists and early childhood and elementary administrators.  

“These coordinated efforts to help improve literacy education across our state have the full support of KASB and our board of directors,” Jordan said. “The work will challenge us all to rethink our approach and get uncomfortable now and then with the changes required. Most importantly, it’s exciting to imagine how this evidence-based effort for literacy education will create an ever-brighter future for Kansas kids.”