Board reviews literacy blueprint; centers of excellence to be stood up with initial funding

Doctor Lane presented the Blueprint for Literacy (second read), describing the Centers of Excellence as workforce-oriented hubs to train educators in the latest structured-literacy science and to provide family outreach.

Lane said the advisory committee revised staff qualifications for center employees and that universities will submit aligned proposals and detailed budgets. "The centers are part of the universities, Regent Rolfe," Lane said, explaining that center staff will be reported to a Director of Literacy and that the Director — working with the advisory committee — will affirm staff qualifications.

Lane summarized the budget model and the limits of initial funding: of the $10,000,000 blueprint appropriation, about $8,700,000 is slated for center allocations in FY26 to stand up the network, but the advisory committee estimates fuller implementation would require nearly $12,000,000 in FY26 and approximately $12,500,000 in FY27. He framed the initiative as a start that will require additional resources to meet all planned activities.

Board members pressed for measurable credentialing and for faculty supports beyond the centers. Lane said the plan will require universities to identify how they will meet expectations and that staff will return with more detail and a four-year budget. He emphasized the urgency: "a third of our children cannot read well," and argued that structural investments in teacher practice and coaching are needed to change that outcome.

The discussion closed with board members and staff agreeing to continued oversight and follow-up reporting as universities submit implementation plans and budgets.