The Special Education and Related Services Funding Task Force convened on September 4, 2025, to discuss critical issues surrounding education funding and the implementation of new training programs aimed at improving student outcomes in Kansas. A significant focus of the meeting was the ongoing training for teachers in the LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) program, which aims to enhance reading instruction.

Members expressed concerns about the effectiveness of data collection and reporting within the education system. One participant highlighted that while there is an abundance of data being collected, it often fails to reach the appropriate audiences or inform necessary adjustments in teaching strategies. This sentiment was echoed by others who noted that the current data landscape can feel overwhelming and disconnected from actionable insights.

Dr. Harwood provided an update on the LETRS training, emphasizing that the program is still in its early stages. He noted that while some districts have begun to see improvements in student performance, it is too soon to draw definitive conclusions about the program's overall impact on learning disabilities or state assessment scores. The training phase lasts two years, followed by an implementation phase, which complicates immediate evaluations of success.

Several task force members shared their experiences with early adoption of LETRS, noting positive changes in student performance linked to trained teachers. However, they acknowledged the challenges in measuring these outcomes at a statewide level due to varying implementation timelines across districts.

Senator Hill raised concerns about the potential pitfalls of collecting excessive data without clear analysis, advocating for a more focused approach to understanding the impact of educational interventions. He stressed the importance of using statistical analysis to derive meaningful insights from the data collected.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the need for ongoing dialogue about how to effectively measure success in education and the importance of utilizing data to inform decision-making. Task force members agreed to explore ways to better analyze the data from districts that have fully implemented LETRS training, aiming to identify trends that could guide future educational strategies.