News Releases

Our press releases provide timely, accurate information about key initiatives, policy updates, and important events in Kansas education. They serve as an official source for news and announcements from the Kansas State Department of Education, helping educators, families, and communities stay informed about developments that impact schools statewide.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oct. 1, 2026

Contact: Denise Kahler, director of KSDE communications and recognition programs, denise.kahler@ksde.gov, (785) 296-4876

TOPEKA — The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) has received a new federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education to expand registered apprenticeship pathways for special education teachers across Kansas. 

“Although the state's existing registered apprenticeship pathway currently includes some special education apprentices, this federal award recognizes the need to significantly expand capacity to meet the demand to fill the vacancies for fully licensed special education teachers in Kansas,” said Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Jake Steel. “This project will expand the Kansas Special Education Registered Apprenticeship Program to create a sustainable and accessible pathway for recruiting, preparing and retaining special education teachers.” 

The Kansas State Department of Education Special Education Teacher Registered Apprenticeship project is anticipated to provide $4,513,487 over five years, beginning Oct. 1, 2026, and continuing through Sept. 30, 2031. The first-year award is $846,831, with future-year funding anticipated subject to continued progress and federal funding requirements.  

According to KSDE data, Kansas had 361 documented special education-specific vacancies across 52 local education agencies (LEAs) as of the spring of 2026.  

Registered apprenticeships combine educator preparation with structured, mentored on-the-job learning, connecting preparation directly with Kansas schools and workforce needs.  

Expanding opportunity across Kansas 

Over the five-year project, KSDE plans to serve 291 special education teacher apprentices with little to no out-of-pocket costs for tuition, fees, books or licensure assessments. Apprentices will complete individualized plans of study, receive structured and mentored on-the-job learning, and work toward full Kansas special education licensure.  

The grant will support five major areas of work: 

• Build statewide capacity by aligning special education licensure and apprenticeship requirements and developing implementation guidance, partner onboarding processes, cost models and data systems. 

• Expand partnerships across Kansas, particularly in areas experiencing high special education teacher vacancies, while strengthening collaboration among districts, special education cooperatives/interlocals, educator preparation programs and workforce partners. 

• Support apprentice success by providing accessible pathways that connect coursework, mentoring, work-based learning and Kansas licensure. 

• Strengthen evaluation and continuous improvement through statewide data monitoring and regular evaluation of recruitment, completion, licensure and retention outcomes. 
• Create additional bachelor’s degree options for direct entry special education licensure. 

The grant project is designed to create an accessible, paid and competency-based pathway into special education teaching, while building a statewide system that Kansas can sustain and expand beyond the federal grant period. 

###