Members of the Kansas State Board of Education at their January meeting in Topeka received an update on the structured literacy requirements certain educators will have to meet beginning in 2028 to renew their teaching licenses. 

Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson told board members that more than 12,000 educators, mainly at the elementary level, have completed or are in the process of completing structured literacy training in Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling® (LETRS®), a state-approved program. Other approved training programs include Keys to Literacy and AIMS Pathways to Proficient Reading. 

Beginning July 1, 2028, Kansas veteran educators serving in the positions listed below will be required to demonstrate knowledge of the science of reading to renew their professional license: 

• Elementary reading/English Language Arts teacher 

• Elementary history, government and social studies teacher 

• Elementary special education teacher 

• Elementary school psychologist 

• Elementary reading specialist 

• Elementary administrator   

Watson told board members beginning with the 2025-26 school year, districts will be required to submit a report for the educators who have completed approved training along with their Licensed Personnel Report (LPR). He also said the Kansas Board of Regents staff are continuing to work on a structured literacy training program for veteran educators that must be vetted through a third-party and the KSDE literacy team before the training can be approved by the State Board. 

Click here for the most up-to-date science of reading/structured literacy licensure requirements.  

In other business, board members elected Cathy Hopkins, of Hays, representing board district 5, as chair. Danny Zeck, of Leavenworth, representing board district 1, was elected vice chair. All board members were sworn in for the 2025 and 2026 calendar years by Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Marla Luckert. The Shawnee Heights High School choir performed the national anthem. 

Watson also acknowledged the passing of former State Board member Janet Waugh on Saturday, Jan. 11. She was the longest serving member of the State Board. After serving on the Turner USD 202 board of education for 16 years, Waugh was elected to the State Board in 1999 and retired in 2023. She was 83. Click here for more on her dedication to serving the children of Kansas and her advocacy of public education. 

Also during their January meeting, board members:  

• Received an item for the removal of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, from the minimum graduation requirements that will go into effect for the Kansas high school graduating Class of 2028. A public hearing and vote are scheduled for the board’s February meeting on the removal of the FAFSA from the graduation requirements. 
• Voted to fully approve the bond election applications that exceed 14% of a district’s valuation for Augusta USD 402, Goddard USD 265, Galena USD 499, Gardner Edgerton USD 231.  Board members gave tentative approval to Hutchinson USD 308’s application that allows the district to hold their bond election when more of the State Board’s financial authority is available, on or after July 1, 2025, unless other districts’ bond issues fail. They also approved the bond election capital improvement state aid applications for Augusta USD 402, Goddard USD 265, Galena USD 499, Gardner Edgerton USD 231, Hutchinson USD 308 and Uniontown USD 235. Board members also approved a supplement to the bond election application they approved in September from Haysville USD 261 that revises the ballot question to be submitted to the qualified electors of the district.    
• Heard a presentation from Matt Copeland, associate director of the Assessment and Achievement Institute at the University of Kansas. He described the state assessments that are offered annually, the processes used to develop those assessments and how the assessments are reviewed by Kansas educators and tested by students before they become final. 
• Heard an overview of school mental health services and the role of school counselors. This presentation included how KSDE partners with other state agencies to serve students such as the Kansas Department of Corrections, the Kansas Department for Children and Families, and the Kansas Department on Aging and Disability Services.  
• Received an update on the federal programs that KSDE administers including special education, education research grants, Title I, II, III and IV programs, Pre-K pilot, child nutrition programs, homeless students, and career and technical education.  
• Heard presentations from the presidents of the Kansas Career and Technical Student Organizations as part of their Citizenship Day activities on Jan. 15, in Topeka.  

The board will meet Feb. 11-12, in the first floor board room of the Landon State Office Building, 900 S.W. Jackson, in Topeka.