News Releases

There are three specific requirements related to the state’s dyslexia initiatives that are connected to KESA compliance. Two of those requirements have to do with professional learning of teachers and one is related to universal screening for reading risk.  

One type of professional learning is specific to new educators and is referred to as the KSDE Initial Dyslexia Training Modules.  New teachers hired for the first time in Kansas, or teachers new to teaching in Kansas that are licensed and/ or endorsed elementary; early childhood unified; high incidence special education K-12; ELA 5-12; reading specialist; school psychologists, are required to receive these Initial Dyslexia Training Modules provided by KSDE. This training is required for those educators who already have the Kansas Seal of Literacy. This training is to be facilitated by an individual with literacy expertise using the facilitator guide and materials provided by the KSDE. These modules have recently gone through revision due to legislative changes. It is recommended to have this training early in the academic year, but training must be completed by March 1. Each system should maintain records of all required educators who receive this training for verification upon request of KSDE. Those modules can be located at the link above or found on the KSDE website under Required Training: KSDE Initial Dyslexia Training Modules. 

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: These modules were fully updated in 2024, and Module 1 has been recently revised to reflect the legislative changes due to Kansas HB 2485 (2026). Systems may wish to use portions of these modules, especially Module 1, for general updates for all faculty/staff.

The second type of required professional learning is called the Annual Dyslexia/ Structured Literacy Training. By recommendation of the Legislative Task Force on Dyslexia and requirement of the Kansas State Board of Education all systems are required to conduct annual professional development on structured literacy and/or dyslexia for those educators who are licensed and/ or endorsed elementary (PK-6); early childhood unified; high incidence special education K-12; ELA 5-12; reading specialist; school psychologists and includes those with a temporary non-renewable license. Teachers who are new to teaching and receive the initial dyslexia modules are still required to receive this annual training. 

While this professional learning is required annually, each school system is allowed to determine the time and duration of the training and can differentiate it by license area. The intent of this training is to ensure that all educators are staying current on new research related to the science of reading. The training should be hands-on, with evidence-based practices, on the nature of dyslexia and/ or developmental language disorder, procedures to identify students who are struggling in reading, intervention strategies and procedures, tiered intervention practices, or progress monitoring. The training can be held during consecutive PLC meetings and does not require a dedicated professional development day. The training must be completed by March 1.  The school system maintains records of the training provided and those who participated for verification upon request of KSDE. Both types of training will be verified via a survey that will be sent to superintendents and due March 1.  

Due to legislation passed last spring, reporting for dyslexia screening has changed. Details of those changes can be found on the KSDE website. See 2026-2027 KSDE Literacy Screening Protocol. Screening reporting will occur through KEDS, starting this fall, and schools can use the KSDE approved screeners they have used in the past.  Please note that all Kansas accredited schools will be moving to a single statewide universal screener for the 2027-2028 academic year and KSDE will provide more information on this in the future.

Contact Laurie Curtis, laurie.curtis@ksde.gov, with questions.  

Media inquires, contact:

Communications
(785) 296-4876