Foundations of the Science of Reading: Understanding and Applying Structured Literacy Principles I and II (6 credit hours) provides educators with a deep understanding of the Science of Reading and equips them with the knowledge and skills necessary 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 is supported through personalized 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.   

What Can Educators Expect: 

• Synchronous Instruction from an university literacy expert 
• Literacy Coaching (group and/or individual) 
• Opportunity to use what you’re already doing in your classroom to demonstrate application of Structured Literacy Principles 
• Tuition covered by The Kansas Blueprint for Literacy 
• $500 Stipend* 
• Earn KSDE Seal of Literacy* (for additional information from KSDE, please click here) 
• Earn six credit hours for completion of the work* 

*subject to successful completion of coursework and an 85% or higher on the course summative assessment and key performance assessments for each module

Who is This Professional Development For? 

This training is for PreK - 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 it. Educators that have successfully completed, or are enrolled in, LETRS, AIMS Pathways, or Keys to Literacy should not enroll in this professional development opportunity.

Scholarship Eligibility

Kansas practicing and licensed PreK - 6 Elementary, Special Education, ESOL, and Early Childhood Educators are eligible for a $1,800 scholarship to pay for tuition for the Foundations I & II courses. Educators who successfully complete both Foundations courses by achieving a 85% or higher on Key Performance and Summative Assessments, are eligible for a $500 stipend.

Educators that are currently enrolled or have already completed LETRS training are not eligible for the scholarship or stipend at this time. 

Scholarship and Stipend Disbursement

Educators who are believe they are eligible for the scholarship and stipend are encouraged to contact the university or college offering the course for enrollment information. Contact information or enrollment links for each institution can be found below. 

Scholarship money will be paid by the Kansas Board of Regents directly to the institution, upon verification of the educator's eligibility. In addition, the stipend will be paid directly to the educator by the institution, after successful completion of both Foundations I and II. 

Once an educator has successfully completed Foundations I and II, the institution will notify the Kansas State Department of Education's licensure office to issue the seal of literacy. 

The following universities will be enrolling candidates in this professional development for Summer 2025.

The following universities will be enrolling candidates in this professional development for Fall 2025.

The following universities will be enrolling candidates in this professional development for Summer 2026.

Download a flyer with more information on the Foundations courses here: Foundations Course Flyer

Each year, colleges and universities in system update their Systemwide General Education Master Course lists (MCLs). Archived versions of prior years' MCLs are available below.

• AY 2025 Archived Systemwide General Education Master Course List

Building a Future is helping Kansas families by focusing on three key areas.

The Kansas Board of Regents is implementing a number of promising practices to advance these strategic objectives.

Key Initiatives

• Advocate for increased need-based student financial aid
• Limit tuition and fee increases
• Require student success playbooks with recommendations including:
  • Centralized professional advising
  • Targeted student financial aid
  • Improved interventions for at-risk students based on enhanced data collections
  • Better technology supports
• Adopt systemwide general education core
• Increase systemwide transfer
  • Implemented systemwide transfer associate degrees in a number of key areas including education, healthcare, computer science, business and social work
  • Continued work on systemwide transfer courses to open the door for more opportunities in fields such as engineering

Results

Increased Affordability		State funded student financial aid nearly quadrupled
		Tuition and fee increases are less than half of CPI growth over the last five years
		Student loan debt of graduates who are Pell recipients has decreased 16 percent
Enhanced Access		The system is providing college courses to 15.5 percent more high school students than five years ago
		The number of Pell-eligible students in the system grew 4.9 percent last year
Improved Student  Success		On-time graduation rates have increased 10.2 percentage points at state universities during the last five years
		Retention rates have increased 3.1 percentage points
		Starting wages for graduates from Kansas colleges and universities are up 22 percent since 2020