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Minutes for SB532 - Committee on Education
Short Title
Establishing a blueprint for literacy to create a literacy advisory committee, appoint a director of literacy education, require the state board of regents and the state board of education to collaborate on a literacy micro-credential and professional development, authorize the state board of regents to recommend diagnostic and formative literacy assessments, authorize university presidents and deans of education oversight over postsecondary literacy courses and require a plan to establish centers of excellence in reading.
Minutes Content for Thu, Mar 7, 2024
Chair Baumgardner opened the meeting by asking the Revisor if she thought a short overview was necessary considering the informational joint committee meeting on this bill that was held two days earlier on March 4. The Revisor agreed it was not necessary. (Attachment 1)
Dr. Brent Yeager, Superintendent, Olathe Public Schools USD 233, spoke in support of this bill as it would establish a blueprint for building more robust pre-service and in service programs in Kansas. The district applauds the collaborative effort undertaken to acknowledge the foundational role of literacy for students and equally important, recognizing that quality of instruction is critical to student achievement outcomes and, equally important, recognizing that quality of instruction is critical to student achievement outcomes. Olathe's Board of Education has long prioritized literacy at all levels. Long-term investments in early learning have been made to help narrow the gap for those students entering kindergarten without basic literacy skills. Listed are three points as to why Olathe's Board supports this proposal. They include:
- Literacy is the foundation of all learning and that literacy education extends beyond a single classroom setting. Rather it is something that should be incorporated across all subject areas.
- Greater collaboration between the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) and the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) in the area of teacher preparation.
- This district has invested significant resources for in-service and professional development and in securing substitute teachers to help teachers be more successful in their work with the students.
Areas for consideration moving forward:
- Need an executive director to work with the literacy advisory committee, have a history of working with K-12 education, awareness of literacy programs and importance to student success, and able to develop the relationships necessary between KSDE, KBOR and the Legislature to advance the policy goals articulated in this bill.
- Thoughtful consideration when determining locations and regional needs for the literacy centers. Should have easy access for families and staff to help maximize utilization and collaboration.
- Have some type of basic needs assessment to determine how many teachers need training to ensure the centers are not overwhelmed as there is an urgency to get teachers trained. The demands for professional in-service, especially while our partners in higher education contemplate changes to pre-service training, means continuation to onboard teachers that may need additional support.
- Since this district has invested resources in Science of Reading and LETRS training within the district and hiring trainers to support LETRS, it is hoped tat the executive director and committee will work with us to determine how this fits into any plan moving forward.
- Any assessment that will be used should be designed within the expertise and knowledge of those working and providing direct oversight of PreK-12.
Olathe Public Schools remain committed to working with you to support Kansas students. (Attachment 2)
Dr. Cynthia Lane, Member, Kansas Board of Regents, believes SB532 will prove to be one of the most important bills this Legislature will consider in 2024. Reading scores have dropped at all grade levels since 2018. Across the nation, Governors are recognizing literacy as the number one workforce and economic imperative. The KBOR strategic plan "Building a Future" is focused on helping families, supporting businesses, and advancing economic prosperity.
The new Director of Literacy Education would Chair the Literacy Advisory Committee, which will composed of fifteen members. They will monitor progress and designate best practices for literacy training for pre-service and in-service teachers, make recommendations regarding literacy and submit a plan to KBOR on the establishment for six Centers of Excellence in Reading. The Literacy Advisory Committee will establish six regional Centers of Excellence in Reading. The additional centers will provide further literacy support for Kansas through:
- working directly with students through evaluation and diagnosis, strategy and coursework recommendations.
- working directly with teachers by recommending strategies for development and delivery of training and education.
- Working directly with building administration and school boards.
- conducting research on literacy education
- Managing simulation labs, which will allow for applied learning to occur for explicit structured literacy teaching environment
Suggested Bill Amendment:
- Implementation of the bill will require extensive work that will carry associated costs for the Board Office; therefore we do suggest amending the bill to add language that enactment of the bill will be subject to appropriation.
- The bill focuses on a goal for reading improvement and increased literacy attainment so a broader look at reading assessments to elementary students beyond the fourth grade seems important
- Section 4 on page 5 of the bill refers to actions to be taken by our universities. We suggest on line 26 , page 5, to delete "by each school district" and insert teacher preparation programs.
This comprehensive approach to literacy education through partnerships in literacy training on the science of reading, the creation of literacy screening and assessment tools, and further evaluation and research will improve reading outcomes in Kansas. (Attachment 3)
Dr. Debbie K. Mercer, Interim Provost, Dean of the College of Education, Kansas State University, said the science of reading involves a collective body reading and issues related to reading and writing with over five decades of interdisciplinary research. Structured Literacy is an approach to reaching reading and writing that is informed by the science of reading including phonology, sound-symbol association, syllable instruction, morphology, syntax and semantics.
The regional Centers of Excellence would support struggling readers and their families by providing diagnostic and support the professional development of both pre- and in-service teachers. Collaborative efforts could help strengthen teacher preparation programs in Kansas. It was emphasized that the emerging science of reading research is derived from basic science, but the best means for teaching the key pillars is still evolving. (Attachment 4)
Mike O'Neal, Kansas Policy Institute (KPI), stated the individual student comes first, not the institution as a whole. KPI is encouraged by the recognition that this literacy blueprint is intended to focus on the individual needs of every student, no matter their circumstance, challenges, goals, aspirations and unique pathways to teaming.
KPI is concerned that the timelines in the bill are not aggressive enough and that a standard that finds acceptable 4th grade reading at level 2 is unacceptable. The 85% goal for 4th grade reading should be closer to 95% and the state assessment scores for 4th grade are not in alignment with 3rd and 5th grade. They each are at 68% where 4th grade is 81% which unrealistic. (Attachment 5)
Jim Karleskint, United School Administrators, said this bill is very specific in it's initiatives, objectives and desired outcomes. The biggest key to success of the blueprint for literacy is the training of current teachers in the classroom and the teachers that will be entering the of education. The bill provides a very aggressive timeline for implementation of the various goals in the legislation. (Attachment 6)
Timothy R. Graham, Direct of Government Relations & Legislative Affairs, Kansas National Education Association, reported that Kansas NEA is focused on student outcomes and success. Literacy is a key component of the educational journey of the student. This bill, though not perfect, has several components that can be supported. KNEA appreciates the legislature intent is that no educator should be required to cover the cost for training beyond their pre-service education. This bill looks to be a starting point for real collaboration that includes a wide range of stakeholders and attempts to address some of the major issues that have been debated repeatedly without resolution. (Attachment 7)
Leah Fliter, Assistant Executive Director for Advocacy, Kansas Association of School Boards, supports KBOR's role in ensuring pre-service teachers graduating from Kansas post-secondary teacher preparation programs are in fact being prepared by these programs to implement the Kansas blueprint for literacy in their future classrooms. We appreciate the breadth of experience called for in the proposed membership of the literacy advisory committee
KASB has concerns about the design and implementation of a K-12 comprehensive reading assessment system and it is unclear whether the new assessment system seemingly called for is truly needed. The timeline for implementation in the 2025-26 school year is quite aggressive and likely not realistic for such a project. The bill's requirements for training and support of in-service teachers are laudable, but must be supported by the appropriation of new funds to pay for these directives. (Attachment 8)
Ann Mah, Liaison, Kansas State Board of Education, believes the Kansas Blueprint for Literacy is a good continuation of KSBE's Kansas Education Framework for Literacy. The Board has made using structured literacy based on the science of reading a priority in K-12 teaching and in teacher preparation programs. Additional initiatives include the creation of a Literacy Advisory Council and the Kansas Dyslexia Handbook. Teacher preparation expectations and program standards have been updated for K-6 teaching licenses, English Language Arts endorsements. (Attachment 9)
Discussion followed.
Proponent written only testimony was submitted by:
Torree Pederson, President/CEO, Aligned (Attachment 10)
Dr. Frank Harwood, Deputy Commissioner of Fiscal and Administrative Services, Kansas State Department of Education (Attachment 11)
Neutral:
Matt Lindsey, President, Kansas Independent College Association (KICA), explained there are several components of this bill KICA sup ory, or precedent by which KICA would need to ask KBOR for approval. A major concern is the language in several sections could lead to a blurring of roles if not clarified. The language could be seen as granting curriculum oversight over non-profit colleges' teacher education programs which could be setting a new and concerning precedent. The independent colleges fear KBOR will eventually have oversight of the independent colleges. (Attachment 12)
The Chair closed the hearing on SB532.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:30 PM.
The next meeting will be held Monday, March 11, 2024 at 1:30PM in Room 144-S.
