Board reviews Blueprint for Literacy courses and statewide centers to boost K‑12 reading

Dr. Cindy Lane, director of the Blueprint for Literacy, presented a systemwide plan and asked the board to give a first read to two major literacy efforts: a ~180‑hour foundations course for preK–8 educators and a network of statewide centers of excellence to support teachers and families.

Lane told the Kansas Board of Regents that "a third of our fourth graders are not reading at or above grade level," and said the course content is aligned to the International Dyslexia Association Knowledge and Practice Standards. The proposed foundations course will include module‑by‑module performance assessments and personalized classroom coaching from literacy experts; successful completion can carry six graduate credits and the Blueprint program will pay the tuition for Kansas educators. Lane said the course content was being finalized and submitted to a third‑party evaluator with classroom availability anticipated in March.

The board also reviewed the advisory committee's plan for regional centers intended to provide equitable access to high‑quality services across the state. The advisory committee proposed identifying catchment areas and designated seven centers (one large Fort Hays catchment plus centers at the six other Regent institutions and Washburn) so that services can be delivered both from central hubs and locally in communities. Lane said the plan aims to begin limited services in fiscal year 2026 with phased expansion thereafter.

Board members asked about timelines and statewide access. Lane emphasized that Kansas educators will have priority access initially and that institutions could later license the course to out‑of‑state participants at full tuition. She also noted statutory deadlines from Senate Bill 438 and said the advisory committee will present a finalized implementation recommendation to the board in December. No vote was taken on the first reads; Lane requested feedback ahead of the December action item.