Subcommittee recommends $5 million to continue Kansas Blueprint for Literacy training

The Higher Education Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee voted to recommend $5,000,000 for the Blueprint for Literacy program for fiscal 2027, approving the recommendation by voice vote after members debated higher requests from the governor and the Board of Regents.

Kelly Oliver of the Board of Regents told the committee the program trains in‑service teachers in structured literacy and partners with both public and private universities. "Currently, there's about 18,000 teachers that need retraining with structured literacy," Oliver said, and she added the program "plans to train about 2,000 teachers each year." Oliver said the Regents requested $5.5 million for FY27 to continue the training beyond reappropriated funds.

The committee discussed several funding scenarios: the governor proposed $8.6 million, the Regents requested $5.5 million and the committee motioned for $5.0 million. Members pressed staff and Regents on metrics and scope. Oliver said courses are typically two 8‑week modules (about 16 weeks total) that yield six graduate credits, that the training is for Kansas teachers only, and that program reporting will include assessment data with K‑12 partners.

Lawmakers asked for detail on how the $5.0–$5.5 million would be spent. Committee materials and members indicated the request covers course costs so teachers do not pay, stipends for completion, limited paraeducator training, modest administrative expenses, and faculty development; Committee member estimates cited roughly $1,800 per teacher in course costs, plus stipend and paraeducator components. Members also noted the broader goal from Senate Bill 438 to expand training systemwide by 2030 and benchmark targets discussed at the hearing (for example, roughly 11,740 trained by 2026 as an interim target).

After the discussion, Speaker 3 moved to fund $5,000,000 for the program in FY27; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Committee members who supported the motion emphasized the committee was restoring funds to continue training this coming year; several members said they preferred higher funding (some referenced the Regents’ $5.5M request or the governor’s $8.6M proposal) and urged continued monitoring and reporting.

The committee also noted the bill that established the program requires reporting; members said the reporting requirement should remain in the enacted language so the Legislature can track implementation. The subcommittee concluded its work and adjourned.

What happens next: the subcommittee recommendation will be incorporated into the committee’s budget report for consideration as the Ways and Means process continues and as the Legislature considers final appropriations.