Science of Reading Licensure Requirements

LETRS.

1. The Kansas State Department of Education will continue to cover the cost of districts to complete this training through July 1, 2026, or until the funds are expended. Training will be provided through service centers and the training of Local Certified Facilitators (LCFs) to provide training in districts.
2. Educators who do not complete the course within the license period will not receive additional state funds to cover the cost of LETRS. 
   1. Educators who fail to complete the course during the license period purchased by the state may purchase an extension with Lexia.
   2. Extensions currently cost $99.00 per year. Educators or districts will be required to pay extension costs out of pocket and can do so by emailing LLETRSorders@lexialearning.com.
3. Educators who fail to meet minimum scores for LETRS training may NOT request a retake. They may opt to pay for and take a state approved exam or pay for and complete another state approved course to meet the Science of Reading Licensure Requirements and earn the Seal of Literacy. 

Keys to Literacy.

1. Kansas State Department of Education will not provide funds to cover the cost of this training.
2. Educators will pay the cost out of pocket unless a district provides another funding option.

AIM Pathways.

1. Kansas State Department of Education will not provide funds to cover the cost of this training.
2. Educators will pay the cost out of pocket unless a district provides another funding option.

Foundations of the Science of Reading Course. 

1. This training is provided by The Kansas Board or Regents (KBOR). Please click here to go to KBOR's Foundations of The Science of Reading Course page. 
2. Successful completion of coursework and an 85% or higher on the course summative assessment is required to meet the Seal of Literacy requirements with this course. 

Structured Literacy Intervention Specialist - Alphabetic Phonics (Cox) – Introduction.

1. The training is provided by the Phillips Fundamental Learning Center (PFLC).
2. Educators will pay the cost out of pocket unless a district provides another funding option.
3. To verify completion, completers must provide a certificate of completion that specifies that “all course work and observations” have been completed.
4. Participants who have taken the course between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2024, must contact the PFLC registrar for confirmation they meet requirements for the Seal of Literacy.

Graduate Credits available through Friends University, Fort Hays State University or Kansas State University.

R.E.A.D. Redefined.

1. To access trainings proved by R.E.A.D. Redefined, click here readredefined.com/districttraining  to go to R.E.A.D. Redefined’s website. 
2. Educators will pay the cost out of pocket unless a district provides another funding option.
3. Approved Training provided by R.E.A.D. Redefined are:
   1.  Literacy Redefined.
   2.  R.E.A.D. Redefined.
4. To verify completion of Literacy Redefined, the completed Literacy Redefined checklist must be submitted.
5. To verify completion of R.E.A.D. Redefined, the completed R.E.A.D. Redefined checklist must be submitted.
6. Graduate Credits available through Newman University.

Upon approval by the State Board of Education an exam(s) to measure knowledge of the science of reading will be established.

Passing scores will be approved by the State Board of Education.

Exam providers.

• ETS.
• Pearson.
• Center for Effective Reading Instruction

ETS.

Elementary Education: Teaching Reading (7002)

1. Passing score (143).
2. Test cost - $85.

Test score submission.

1. If test is physically taken in the State of Kansas, Teacher Licensure will receive test results automatically.
2. If test is taken outside of Kansas, enter in (7270) as a recipient code. Teacher Licensure will receive the score report.
3. Test score verification-
   1. Teacher Licensure will query ETS’ test database periodically to identify test completers and add the Seal of Literacy as appropriate.
   2. Educators may submit an added endorsement by testing application to have the Seal of Literacy added to a license.
      1. The added endorsement application is a work around that allows the educator to inform Teacher Licensure a test score is available in the ETS system.
      2. An endorsement will not be added to the license. The Seal of Literacy will be added to the license.

ETS.

Reading Specialist (5302)

1. Passing score (165)
2. Test cost - $156
3. Test score submission.
   1. If test is physically taken in the State of Kansas, Teacher Licensure will receive test results automatically.
   2. If test is taken outside of Kansas, enter in (7270) as a recipient code. Teacher Licensure will receive the score report.
4. Test score verification-
   1. Teacher Licensure will query ETS’ test database periodically to identify test completers and add the Seal of Literacy as appropriate.
   2. An endorsement will not be added to the license if you only take the Reading Specialist exam. The Seal of Literacy will be added to the license.
5. If you have completed a Reading Specialist program, then you must submit an initial school specialist application to be licensed as a Reading Specialist.

Pearson.

Foundations of Reading exam (890)

• Passing score (240).
• Test cost- $139.

Center for Effective Reading Instruction.

Knowledge and Practice Examination for Effective Reading Instruction (KPEERI)

• Passing score (500).
• Test cost - $165
  • $15 processing fee.
  • $150 test fee.

LETRS.

1. The licensure team will coordinate with LETRS providers to include Lexia, TASN, Service Centers and District Local Certified Facilitators to verify educators completed training and achieved 80% or higher on the required post-tests to meet Seal of Literacy eligibility.
2. The licensure team will utilize verified completion data to add Seals of Literacy to licenses upon completion of training. This will be the primary method to add the Seal of Literacy, and the Seal of Literacy will be added as soon as possible after training completion.
   1. The licensure team will not wait until July 1, 2028, to add Seals of Literacy to licenses.
   2. As soon as the licensure system is updated to add the Seal of Literacy, the licensure team will move forward with adding Seals of Literacy to licenses.
3. Individuals who are not part of a specific district cohort may provide a copy of their LETRS transcript as verification to meet Seal of Literacy requirements.
   1. The transcript must be added to the educator’s Professional Development transcript.
   2. The educator will select to renew her/his license based on professional development points.
   3. The educator will select the appropriate school district to upload transcript to her/his license application.
   4. The district will upload the professional development transcript to include the LETRS transcript to the educator’s application.
   5. Teacher Licensure will verify the educator qualifies for the Seal of Literacy upon receipt of the completed application.
      1. If qualified for the Seal of Literacy, the licensure team will process the professional license renewal and add the Seal of Literacy to the license.
4. If educator does not qualify for the Seal of Literacy, and the educator was required to complete the training or pass an exam, her/his professional license will not be renewed.
   1. A standard substitute license will be issued.
   2. Upon completion of state-approved training or passing a state-approved exam, the educator will re-apply to reinstate her/his professional license.

AIM Pathways.

1. The licensure team will coordinate with AIM Pathways verify district cohorts who completed training and achieved 80% or higher on the required post-tests to meet Seal of Literacy eligibility.
2. Individuals who are not part of a specific district cohort may provide a copy of their Pathways to Proficient Reading to include Secondary or Leadership transcript as verification to meet Seal of Literacy requirements.
   1. The transcript must be added to the educator’s Professional Development transcript.
   2. The educator will select to renew her/his license based on professional development points.
   3. The educator will select the appropriate school district to upload transcript to her/his license application.
   4. The district will upload the professional development transcript to include the Pathways to Proficient reading transcript to the educator’s application.
   5. Teacher Licensure will verify the educator qualifies for the Seal of Literacy upon receipt of the completed application.
      1. If qualified for the Seal of Literacy, the licensure team will process the professional license renewal and add the Seal of Literacy to the license.
3. If educator does not qualify for the Seal of Literacy, and the educator was required to complete the training or pass an exam, her/his professional license will not be renewed.
   1. A standard substitute license will be issued.
   2. Upon completion of state-approved training or passing a state-approved exam, the educator will re-apply to reinstate her/his professional license.

Keys to Literacy.

1. The licensure team will coordinate with Keys to Beginning Reading to verify district cohorts who completed training and received the Certificate of Completion to meet Seal of Literacy eligibility.
2. Individuals who are not part of a specific district cohort may provide a copy of their Keys to Beginning Reading transcript or Certificate of Completion as verification to meet Seal of Literacy requirements.
   1. The transcript must be added to the educator’s Professional Development transcript.
   2. The educator will select to renew her/his license based on professional development points.
   3. The educator will select the appropriate school district to upload transcript to her/his license application.
   4. The district will upload the professional development transcript to include the Pathways to Proficient reading transcript to the educator’s application.
   5. Teacher Licensure will verify the educator qualifies for the Seal of Literacy upon receipt of the completed application.
      1. If qualified for the Seal of Literacy, the licensure team will process the professional license renewal and add the Seal of Literacy to the license.
3. If educator does not qualify for the Seal of Literacy, and the educator was required to complete the training or pass an exam, her/his professional license will not be renewed.
   1. A standard substitute license will be issued.
   2. Upon completion of state-approved training or passing a state-approved exam, the educator will re-apply to reinstate her/his professional license.

No.

 Only specified educator groups are required to complete the training or pass an exam to be eligible to renew a professional license.

 Though training is not required by the State Board of Education for teachers in middle school or secondary buildings, districts may require educators to complete training to align with the district’s school improvement action plan and the professional development goals embedded within the action plan.

Any educator can complete state approved science of reading training or pass the state approved exam to add the Seal of Literacy to a license.

 Veteran educators who serve in the positions listed below must complete either the state-approved training or pass the state-approved exam to be eligible to renew a professional license beginning July 1, 2028:

1. Elementary Reading/English Language Arts teacher.
2. Elementary History Government and Social Studies teacher.
3. Elementary Special Education teacher.
4. Elementary School Psychologist.
5. Elementary Reading Specialist.
6. Elementary Administrator.

Exam providers.

• ETS.
• Pearson.
• Center for Effective Reading Instruction

Yes.

 The KSDE Dyslexia Modules will still be required for all new teachers and those new to teaching in Kansas who hold licenses for:

1. Elementary education
2. Early childhood unified
3. High incidence special education and teaching in grades K-12
4. ELA grades 5-12
5. Reading specialists
6. School psychologists

 The training provides information specific to Kansas, such as the KSDE School Improvement Model, KESA 2.0 and includes state dyslexia initiatives.

The State Board of Education approved updated Educator Preparation Program Elementary Pre-K-6 content standards in February 2024 and a new elementary content exam for program completers in May 2024.

 The standards align with state-approved training and passing the Elementary Content Exam 7001 series requires new educators demonstrate knowledge of the science of reading. Program completers who pass the Elementary Content Exam 7001 series will receive the Seal of Literacy and will not be required to complete additional training to renew a professional license.

 However, a district may require new program completers to complete additional training to align with the district’s school improvement action plan and the professional development goals embedded within the action plan.

No.

 Only specified educator groups are required to complete the training or pass an exam to be eligible to renew a professional license.

 Though training is not required by the State Board of Education 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.

• Districts must track staff enrollment and completion of training.
• Districts will be required to submit a Science of Reading training report within the Educator Data Collection System beginning July 1, 2025.
• Teacher Licensure will track staff assignments through submission of the Licensed Personnel Report to identify educators who are required to complete the training.
• The licensure team will coordinate with training providers to verify educators completed training.
• Individuals may submit training certificates of completion or official score reports verifying a passing score on a state-approved exam with their professional license renewals. The Seal of Literacy will be added to all Kansas State Board of Education licenses for which proof of completing state-approved training or passing a state-approved exam is provided.

LETRS for Elementary Educators.

1. Any educator may complete the LETRS for Elementary Educators and qualify for the Seal of Literacy.
   1. Must complete the most current version of the training. 
2. The training is required for the following assignments:
   1. Elementary K-6 Reading, English Language Arts, and or History Government Social Studies teachers.
   2. Elementary School Psychologists.
   3. Elementary Reading Specialists.
   4. Elementary K-6 special education teachers.
3. The LETRS for Elementary Educators training is an option for the following educators.
   1. Elementary Administrators.
   2. Early Childhood PreK teachers.
   3. Any educator who wishes to qualify for a Seal of Literacy.
   4. Educators must score 80% or above on Volume I and Volume 2 Post-Tests in order to meet training requirements.
      1. Each volume consists of four units.
      2. Educators may score less than 80% on individual session and unit exams, but both Volume I and 2 Post-Test scores must be 80% or better.

LETRS for Administrators.

1. Is an option for elementary administrators to complete in lieu of the LETRS for Elementary Educators.
   1. Must complete the most current version of the training.
2. Any administrator at any level may complete the training to qualify for the Seal of Literacy.
3. Educators serving in positions outside of the administration, will not qualify for the Seal of Literacy if this training is completed.
4. Educators must score 80% or better on the Post-test to meet training requirements.

LETRS for Early Childhood Educators.

1. Is an option for PreK educators to complete in lieu of the LETRS for Elementary Educators.
   1. Must complete the most current version of the training.
2. Educators serving in grades above PreK will not qualify for the Seal of Literacy if this training is completed.
3. Educators must score 80% or better on the Post-test to meet training requirements.

AIM Pathways.

1. Pathways to Proficient Reading is available for all educators regardless of assignment to complete and qualify for the Seal of Literacy.
   1. The Kansas State Department of Education will not pay for educators nor districts to complete this training.
   2. Educators must score 80% or better on the Pathways to Proficient Reading Post-Course Knowledge Inventory.
2. Pathways to Proficient Reading Secondary is an optional training available for Middle and High School educators.
   1. The training is optional for Middle and High School educators, but if they wish to earn a Seal of Literacy, this training is an option.
   2. Elementary educators who complete this training will not qualify for the Seal of Literacy. Elementary educators must complete the Pathways to Proficient Reading to earn the Seal of Literacy.
   3. Educators must score 80% or better on the Pathways to Proficient Reading Secondary Post-Course Knowledge Inventory to qualify for the Seal of Literacy.
3. Pathways to Literacy Leadership.
   1. The training is an option for all administrators.
   2. Only educators serving in administrator positions upon completion of training qualify for the Seal of Literacy.
   3. Any educator not assigned to an administrator position who completes this training will not qualify for the Seal of Literacy.
   4. Educators must score 80% or better on the Pathways to Literacy Post-Course Knowledge Inventory to qualify for the Seal of Literacy.

Keys to Literacy.

1. Keys to Beginning Reading is available for all educators regardless of assignment to complete and qualify for the Seal of Literacy.
2. The Kansas State Department of Education will not pay for educators nor districts to complete this training.
3. Educators must receive a Certificate of Completion to qualify for a Seal of Literacy.

The training would not be required to qualify for your first Kansas License. However, you will be required to submit proof of completing Kansas state-approved training or receiving a passing score on Kansas state-approved exam to renew a license.
The Kansas State Department of Education will accept LETRS 3rd edition, AIMS Pathway, or Keys to Literacy training completed out-of-state for incoming educators if the professional learning is equivalent in content and rigor to Kansas’ requirement.

Equivalent exams will be accepted to include:

1. ETS’ Elementary Content Exam 7001 series.
2. ETS’ Teaching Reading K-12 exam (5206).
3. ETS’ Teaching Reading: Elementary exam (5205).
4. Pearsons Foundation of Reading (190).
5. the Knowledge and Practice Examination for Effective Reading Instruction (KPEERI)