Kansas

HB2602 and SB16

HB2602 established a dyslexia taskforce. SB16 requires the Kansas State Board of Education to identify and approve evidence-based programs provided by state-based national nonprofit organizations that: Focus on students who are eligible to receive at-risk program services or who face other identifiable barriers to success; Provide evidence-based instruction and support services to such students; and Evaluate outcomes data for such students, including, but not limited to, school attendance, academic progress, graduation rates, pursuit of postsecondary education, or other career advancement. The bill also defines “evidence-based instruction” to mean an education delivery system based on peer-reviewed research that consistently produces better student outcomes over a five-year period than would otherwise be achieved by the same students who are receiving at-risk program services. The bill also includes several provisions concerning school finance audits, appropriations, and tax levies.

In 2019, Kansas Department of Education recommended the adoption of IDA’s definition of dyslexia. Legislation and state documents prior to the dyslexia taskforce may reference alternative definitions.

Kansas does not have dyslexia screening legislation.

Kansas does not require dyslexia intervention. However, the taskforce in HB2602 was charged with identifying assessments that could be used in an MTSS framework. The same law defines evidence-based. Further, the state education agency recommends multisensory and explicit instruction.