The Reading League Kansas

Improving student literacy doesn't start in elementary school classrooms—it starts long before, in teacher preparation programs.

When Utah passed Senate Bill 127, initial licensure exam pass rates revealed that only 57% of teacher candidates passed the Foundations of Reading assessment.

Instead of seeing a roadblock, educational leaders saw an opportunity.

In a guest blog post, Lori Anderson shares how Utah and Western Governors University (WGU) transformed educator preparation by pairing the science of reading and the science of learning.

Key highlights from the transformation include:

🔹 Policy can be a catalyst: Utah's SB 127 created urgency, funding, and momentum for statewide reform.

🔹 Faculty-first investments: University faculty were LETRS trained before leading curriculum redesigns.

🔹 Syllabi aren’t enough: Programs must shift how candidates learn through active retrieval and modeled instruction.

🔹 Scaling success: WGU overhauled six core literacy courses, driving Foundations of Reading pass rates to 90% for elementary candidates and 98% for special education candidates.

Improving student literacy achievement begins with preparing educators who possess the knowledge, skills, and confidence to teach effectively.

🔗 Read the full blog to discover the roadmap for evidence-based EPP reform: https://bit.ly/4xj0tQT

"Every day, in every class, every student should be reading, writing, speaking, listening, and thinking." - Dr. Anita Archer

Please join us this TUESDAY evening!

📚 TRL-KS Summer Book Study Wrap-Up: Reading Isn't Optional

Join the Kansas Chapter as we:

* Reflect on key takeaways from the book
* Connect ideas to literacy instruction in our schools
* Discuss how to make reading accessible for every student
* Share questions and insights with fellow Kansas educators

✨ Everyone is welcome—you don't need to have attended every session (or any!) to join the conversation.

DATE: August 4, 2026
TIME: 7:00 p.m.

🔗 Register today!
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/the-reading-league-kansas-book-study-wrap-up

Come ready to reflect, connect, and leave with ideas you can put into practice. We hope to see you there!

Evidence-aligned literacy instruction can’t stop at third grade. It’s time to bridge the gap.

Join The Reading League this September for “Evidence in Action: Advancing Adolescent Literacy Through the Science of Reading.”

This four-part webinar series is for district and school leaders, instructional coaches, literacy specialists, and educators who are committed to improving literacy outcomes in grades 4-12.

Each one-hour session combines research-based insights with practical leadership actions, helping participants move from understanding the evidence to implementing meaningful change.

🔹 September 10: “Same Science, Different Application: The Science of Reading for Grades 4-12” with Kari Kurto

🔹 October 8: “Beyond Motivation: What’s Really Behind Adolescent Reading Gaps” with Ryan Buggy

🔹 November 12: “From Identification to Instruction: Making MTSS Work for Adolescent Readers” with Elisabeth Lamoureaux

🔹 December 10: “Leading Literacy: Building a Coherent 4-12 Plan” with Marisa Ramirez Stukey

Register once for the series and attend any of the four live sessions that fit your schedule.

Join live to engage with the presenters and participate in the Q&A, or watch the post-session recordings at your convenience!

🔗 Save your spot today: https://bit.ly/3Tw3mzh

Join The Reading League Kansas for our Adolescent Literacy Book Study Wrap-Up! This is an opportunity to connect with fellow Kansas educators, exchange ideas, and begin turning learning into action as we strengthen adolescent literacy across our state.

Register here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/the-reading-league-kansas-book-study-wrap-up

We're ready for Part 2 TONIGHT! Who's with us??? 6:00 CT

https://www.thereadingleague.org/events/summer-book-study/

TODAY'S THE DAY, KANSAS!!! See you at 6:00 CT!

Our next session of 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 is happening today, July 14, and there's still time to join us!

We're reading 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑰𝒔𝒏'𝒕 𝑶𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 alongside educators from across the country, learning from outstanding guest speakers, and engaging in meaningful conversations about strengthening literacy outcomes for all students.

Even if you haven't read the chapters, you're welcome to jump in!

🔗 Register here:
https://www.thereadingleague.org/events/summer-book-study/

𝐔𝐩𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬:
📖 Today's Session: July 14
📖 Part 2: July 21
📖 Part 3: July 28
📖 Part 4: Kansas August 4

📚 Join the Conversation This Summer! 📚

Educators across the country are coming together for The Reading League's 3rd Annual Summer Book Study as we explore what the science of reading tells us about supporting older students' literacy growth through Reading Isn't Optional.

🗓 National Summer Book Study
July 14, 21, & 28
⏰ 6:00–7:30 p.m. CT

Join educators from across the nation as we learn together, reflect on the research, and discuss practical applications for supporting adolescent readers.

🔗 Register here for July 14, 21, and 28th:
https://www.thereadingleague.org/events/summer-book-study/

Then, keep the conversation going with The Reading League Kansas!

🌻 Kansas Book Study Wrap-Up
🗓 Tuesday, August 4
⏰ 7:00–8:00 p.m. CT

Join fellow Kansas educators and literacy advocates for an open discussion of Reading Isn't Optional. This informal wrap-up session is an opportunity to reflect on key takeaways, share insights and questions, and explore how we can apply what we've learned in Kansas classrooms, schools, and communities.

🔗 Register here for August 4th:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/the-reading-league-kansas-book-study-wrap-up

We look forward to learning from one another and continuing the conversation. We hope you'll join us!

"Once you learn to read, you will forever be free." –Frederick Douglass

This timeless truth anchors our mission. True independence starts with literacy. Through evidence-aligned reading instruction, we are empowering educators to unlock the ultimate freedom for every child: the ability to read.

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐀𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐱 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐬

Strong language and literacy outcomes begin with high-quality instructional coaching.

Our new Coaching to Build Language and Literacy for PK-5 course explores the foundational components that drive the successful implementation of high-quality instructional coaching, with a focus on improving language and literacy outcomes.

Through this free, self-paced course, you'll examine:
✔ Research-based coaching practices
✔ Core coaching principles
✔ The role of coaches as a form of sustained, high-impact professional learning

Using real-world examples, reflection, and application, you'll build the knowledge and skills needed to support teacher growth, strengthen instruction, and positively impact student learning.

You'll also gain access to more than 25 implementation resources designed to help you put your learning into practice.

100% Free | Self-Paced | 4 Training Hours | 0.4 CEUs

Create your free Cox Campus account today and start the Coaching to Build Language & Literacy for PK-5 course: https://lms.coxcampus.org/pk5coaching