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The Kansas State Department of Education’s teacher licensure staff field many questions from educators about whether they must fulfill science of reading requirements to renew their teaching license.
Shane Carter, director of KSDE teacher licensure, provides answers to the most frequently asked questions:
Q: What are the approved literacy training programs and exams approved by the Kansas State Board of Education to obtain a Seal of Literacy?
A: People think the Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling® (LETRS®) training program is the only option but it is not. In addition to LETRS®, the State Board has approved the following training programs:
The exams that can be taken instead of training to assess an educator’s knowledge of the science of reading are the following:
Go to the science of reading requirements for cut scores and costs of the exams.
Q: Who has to complete one of the science of reading training programs or pass an exam?
A: Anyone actively serving in one of the following positions who holds a professional license will need to meet one of the science of reading licensure requirements to obtain a Seal of Literacy:
Q: When do I have to complete a training program or pass an exam?
A: An educator must complete a training program or pass an exam starting July 1, 2028, as part of their five-year cycle of renewing their professional teaching license. For example, if an educator renews their license on June 30, 2028, they have until June 30, 2033, to meet the requirement and renew their professional license.
Q: Can my district require me to take the science of reading training or pass an exam before July 1, 2028?
A: Yes, a district can require an educator to participate in the training or take the test. That is a local employment decision.
Q: Do I have to do the training or pass an exam if I teach art, physical education, health education, music, a world language or another subject not listed on the required list or if I’m retired and returned to the classroom?
A: No, only specified educator groups are required to complete the training or pass an exam to be eligible to renew a professional license. Educators teaching art physical education, health, education, a world language, are not required to complete state-approved training nor pass a state-approved exam to be eligible to renew a professional license. Though training is not required by the State Board for non-specified teacher groups, districts may require the educators to complete literacy training to align with the district’s school improvement action plan and the professional development goals embedded within the action plan.
Q: Will I lose an endorsement if I have an endorsement in one of the above positions, but am not serving in one of those positions?
A: The short answer is “no.” However, if or when someone returns to employment in one of the six required positions outlined above, they will need to complete a state-approved science of reading training or pass a state-approved test. No endorsements will be removed from a license if one fails to complete the requirement.
Q: Where can I go to get the most updated information about the science of reading requirements?
A: The best place to go is to science of reading requirements on KSDE’s teacher licensure webpage that is updated on a regular basis.
The Kansas State Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. (more information...)
To accommodate people with disabilities, on request, auxiliary aides and services will be provided and reasonable modifications to policies and programs will be made. To request accommodations or for more information please contact the Office of General Counsel at gc@ksde.gov or by 785-296-3201.