Beginning in the 2029-2030 school year, every Kansas school district must ensure each of its elementary schools is served by a licensed reading specialist (hired directly or shared through a cooperative agreement) so that every elementary building has access to expert support in identifying and addressing student reading difficulties.
What is a Reading Specialist?
Reading specialists are instructional professionals who work primarily with pre-K–12 students who struggle with reading and writing, and who are equipped to help teachers strengthen classroom literacy instruction (ILA, 2021). In schools, that means providing direct instruction, coordinating interventions, supporting families/caregivers, and leading the use of screening data to plan instruction.
Scope of Practice
- Literacy leadership of a building literacy programming
- Administers assessments and assists in analyzing data
- Provides professional learning for team conversations
- Develops and monitors student progress on student reading plans in consultation with classroom teachers
- Problem-solves with teachers on intervention needs, communicate with families/caregivers, and contributes reading expertise to school improvement
Scholarship
Scholarships in the amount of $1,400 per semester for 5 semesters with a maximum cumulative award of $7,000 per educator are available at Newman University, Washburn University, and Wichita State University.
Scholarship eligibility:
- Hold a current Kansas teaching license with an endorsement in elementary education (K-6) or special education
- Be actively employed as a teacher in a Kansas elementary school building
Please note: Meeting these criteria establishes eligibility for the scholarship. Universities set their own admission standards for reading specialist degree programs, and applicants must apply and be admitted separately. Scholarship eligibility does not guarantee admission.
For more information about Reading Specialist Scholarships, please contact one of the individuals listed below at the participating universities.
- Newman University Jane Hayes
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Washburn University Dr. Carolyn Carlson
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Wichita State University Dr. Kim Moody
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