A person who is a Kansas resident for tuition and fee purposes is eligible for in-state tuition at state universities. Please read and consider the following FAQs to determine if you might qualify for in-state tuition.
- Who should take the Foundations course?
- What is the cost to take the Foundations course?
- How do I earn the stipend?
- How are funds dispersed for the scholarship and stipend?
- How much time is required?
- What content is included in Foundations?
- Where can I take these courses?
- Are elementary Reading Specialists considered eligible for the KBOR-funded cohort?
- Do principals working PreK-6th grade school settings qualify for participation?
- Would an instructional coach based out of ESSDACK who works in several schools qualify?
- Does a Transition Coordinator based at Campus High School who holds both K-12 Special Education and Reading Specialist licenses qualify?
- If a 6th grade teacher works in a middle school setting, does that meet the PreK-6th grade requirement, or would their school setting affect eligibility?
- Would a long-term substitute who holds an active teaching license and is currently placed in a classroom as a substitute be considered eligible?
- Do virtual school administrators or educators qualify for the scholarship and stipend?
- For educators who have completed both volumes of LETRS training but either did not pass the post-test or did not take an exam at all, would they still qualify for the KBOR-funded cohort?
1. Who should take the Foundations course?
This training is for PK-6 educators looking to deepen their understanding and application of Structured Literacy. Educators who do not yet have the Seal of Literacy on their license can use this pathway as a qualifying option to earn the seal. Educators who are enrolled in LETRS are encouraged to complete LETRS.
2. What is the cost to take the Foundations course?
The Kansas Board of Regents through the Blueprint for Literacy is providing a scholarship for tuition Kansas licensed and practicing PreK, elementary classroom teachers, special education teachers, reading specialists, ESOL teachers, PreK-6 grade librarians, PreK – 6 foreign language instructors and PreK-6 English Language Arts or Social Studies teachers. The tuition is for 6 hours of graduate credit from a Kansas public or participating independent college.
Educators who successfully complete each course with an 85% or higher on the Key Performance and Summative assessment, qualify for a $500 stipend.
4. How are funds dispersed for the scholarship and stipend?
Please visit our page on the Foundations Course here, for more details on how funds will be dispersed.
Educators should expect to spend 2-3 hours of work outside the classroom, in addition to time spent attending class in person or virtually.
6. What content is included in Foundations?
This course will provide educators with a deep understanding of the Science of Reading and advances educator skills to apply the principles of structured literacy in the classroom. Emphasizing evidence-based practices, the course highlights strategies for supporting students with dyslexia, English language learners (ELLs), and students with exceptionalities. Knowledge and application are supported through literacy coaching throughout the course. The course is aligned with Standards 5, 6, and 7 of the Kansas Elementary Education (PK-6) Educator Preparation Program Standards and the International Dyslexia Association’s Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading.
7. Where can I take these courses?
Principals/Administrators may take Foundations, but are not eligible for the scholarship or stipend. Administrators are expected to complete all aspects of the course, including the application assessments.
8. Are elementary Reading Specialists considered eligible for the KBOR-funded cohort?
Reading Specialists are eligible for the scholarship and stipend. However, a licensed Reading Specialist should already have the knowledge and skill to apply Structured Literacy. Taking the Reading Specialist licensure exam may be a more appropriate option.
9. Do principals working PreK-6th grade school settings qualify for participation?
Principals/ Administrators may take Foundations but are not eligible for the scholarship or stipend. Administrators are expected to complete all aspects of the course, including the application assessments.
10. Would an instructional coach based out of ESSDACK who works in several schools qualify?
It depends on factors such as the specific duties, frequency in schools and licensed areas. Please contact our team to discuss further.
11. Does a Transition Coordinator based at Campus High School who holds both K-12 Special Education and Reading Specialist licenses qualify?
No. The individual is licensed but is not practicing in a qualified position. If the individual is a licensed Reading Specialist, the licensure exam for Reading Specialists should be considered to obtain the Seal of Literacy.
12. If a 6th grade teacher works in a middle school setting, does that meet the PreK-6th grade requirement, or would their school setting affect eligibility?
Educators working with 6th grade students are eligible.
13. Would a long-term substitute who holds an active teaching license and is currently placed in a classroom as a substitute be considered eligible?
A licensed teacher in a long-term substitute teaching assignment in a PreK-6 environment is eligible.
14. Do virtual school administrators or educators qualify for the scholarship and stipend?
Principals/ Administrators may take Foundations but are not eligible for the scholarship or stipend. Administrators are expected to complete all aspects of the course, including the application assessments.
15. For educators who have completed both volumes of LETRS training but either did not pass the post-test or did not take an exam at all, would they still qualify for the KBOR-funded cohort?
Yes, educators who have completed (need to verify) LETRS training but did not pass the summative assessment at 80% are eligible for the scholarship and stipend.
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For all other questions regarding the Foundations Course, eligibility, or tuition, please email Dr. Cynthia Lane at