Kansas Blueprint for Literacy

READ Act May Shift Federal Literacy Funding - Language Magazine Senators Jim Banks (R-IN), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Tim Scott (R-SC) recently introduced the bipartisan Reading Excellence and Achievement for Development (READ) Act to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Commi...

Yesterday, we had the opportunity to share updates on the Kansas Blueprint for Literacy with higher education leaders from across the state.

The ongoing work taking place across Kansas educator preparation programs is inspiring! Higher education leaders continue to demonstrate a strong commitment to collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement as they work to strengthen literacy outcomes for future educators and the students they will serve.

This Memorial Day, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice helped protect the freedoms and opportunities we cherish every day.

As we work to strengthen literacy across Kansas, we are reminded that education, opportunity, and civic participation are part of the legacy they fought to preserve. Today, we remember with gratitude and recommit ourselves to building a stronger future for the next generation.

The Literacy Advisory Committee, established through Kansas HB 2485, plays an important role in helping to guide the implementation of the Kansas Blueprint for Literacy. The committee brings together educators, higher education faculty, building and district leaders, legislators, and community partners to ensure Kansas students have access to evidence-based literacy instruction.

This week, the committee heard encouraging updates from teachers who recently completed the Foundations of the Science of Reading course through Washburn University. Educators shared impressive student literacy growth and reflected on the impact of stronger instructional practices in their classrooms.

The science of reading has momentum.

But whether these efforts succeed depends on what teachers actually know—and how policy shows up in classrooms.

Our new report takes a closer look: https://fordhaminstitute.org/national/research/teachers-desk-science-reading-progress-report

🎧 And we break it down on the podcast:
https://fordhaminstitute.org/national/resources/science-reading-reality-check-not-there-yet-episode-1015-education-gadfly-show

We were honored to attend the signing of the Blueprint for Literacy! The Kansas Blueprint for Literacy is a statewide effort to strengthen literacy outcomes through early identification and support for students, research-based educator preparation and professional learning, reading specialists in elementary schools, and stronger family partnership through student literacy plans. Together, these efforts aim to ensure every child in Kansas has access to effective literacy instruction.

We are grateful to the educators, higher education faculty, families, policymakers, and community partners across Kansas who spent time advocating, educating, and collaborating to make this moment possible.

By prioritizing literacy as both an educational and economic initiative, Kansas recognizes the critical role literacy plays in the future of our state. Children who become proficient in literacy grow into confident learners, skilled workers, and engaged citizens who strengthen their communities and our economy.

Kansas ranks 35th in Fourth Grade Reading Proficiency—one of the many submeasures of health tracked by America's Health Rankings.

Are you working to help instill a love of reading in Kansas kids?

Share in the comments below!

Dr. Ambyr Rios presented Kimberly Dahl, literacy coach and instructional support leader with the Olathe Instructional Resource Team, with the Literacy Legacy Award.

This inaugural award honors exceptional literacy educators who make a meaningful impact on student learning — while also celebrating mentorship, influence, and the lasting, generational impact they make in the field of education. 📚✨ Olathe Public Schools