KS's Implementation Report:
13 out of 18
Kansas's Implementation Report
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Supports For Teachers & Policy
Science of Reading (SOR) Training
Literacy/Reading Coaches
Educator Preparation Program (EPP) Alignment
Educator Preparation Program (EPP) Assessment
Funding for Literacy Efforts
Assessment & Parent Notification
Universal Reading Screener
Screener for Characteristics of Dyslexia
Parental Notification
Instruction & Intervention
District Adoption of High-Quality Instructional Materials
Eliminating Three-Cueing Instructional Materials
Individual Reading Plans
Regularly Monitor Student Progress
Evidence-Based Interventions
Summer Reading Camps
Parent Read-At-Home Plan
Retention & Intervention
Initial Determinant Retention at 3rd Grade Based on State Assessment
Multiple Options for Promotion
Good Cause Exemptions for Some Students
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Alabama
Example of Best practice
Notably, 757 out of 762 schools in the Cotton State have agreed to hire local reading specialists (building literacy coaches) and are awarded $85,000 to support such efforts. The literacy specialists provide support relating to literacy instruction, including focusing on providing training to new teachers and/or K–3 teachers who have the most “at-risk” or “struggling” students. Regional Literacy Specialists are assigned to districts to support local reading specialists. These specialists are designated for each
elementary school with any combination of a kindergarten, first grade, second grade, or third grade including virtual and charter schools.
Full implementation means...
Literacy coaches are trained in the science of reading and are assigned to each elementary school to provide job-embedded professional development and coaching to K–3 teachers.
Arizona
Example of Best practice
Arizona believes that families play a crucial role in helping support foundational early reading skills and have developed a family engagement center that can be utilized at home year-round. Here, families have access to free reading resources, can explore Arizona schools and receive updates about literacy across the states.
Full implementation means...
The state requires schools to provide read-at-home plans to parents as soon as a student is identified with a reading deficiency. Strategies shared with parents target students’ needs based on data and are aligned with the science of reading.
Florida
Example of Best practice
In Florida, no student may be assigned to a grade level based solely on age or other factors that constitute social promotion. If a student scores in the lowest performance level on the state assessment, the parent or guardian will be notified by the school that their child will not be promoted to grade 4 until they achieve the required reading level. Only a good cause exemption shall promote a student to grade 4. Retention is not a simple repeat of the third grade. Students receive intensive supports like 90 minutes of core reading instruction from a teacher trained in the science of reading, intensive interventions, progress monitoring and small group instruction.
Full implementation means...
The state requires that a student who is unable to demonstrate sufficient reading skills on the state test-based options provided – and does not meet a good cause exemption – be retained.
South Carolina
Example of Best practice
South Carolina offers at least three pathways for promotion to 4th grade, including demonstrating reading proficiency on the state 3rd grade summative reading assessment, successful completion of summer reading camp, demonstrating 3rd grade reading proficiency on a state board approved alternative assessment and demonstrating mastery of the state standards in reading through a reading portfolio. The Palmetto State requires a review of a student's reading portfolio and summer reading camp post-assessment results to determine eligibility for promotion to 4th grade. The final decision for promotion is determined by the district superintendent, with recommendations from the principal.
Full implementation means...
The state offers at least three pathways to promotion to fourth grade including achieving a predetermined level on the state reading assessment, passing an alternative assessment or retest, or successfully demonstrating sufficient 3rd grade reading skills through a portfolio of student work.
Mississippi
Example of Best practice
For Mississippi students who do not pass the assessment at or above the level for promotion, the school district can promote a student for meeting one of the following Good Cause Exemptions:
- Limited English Proficient student who has less than two (2) years of instruction in an English Language Learner program
- Student with a disability whose Individualized Education Program (IEP) indicates that participation in the statewide accountability assessment program is not appropriate, as authorized under state law
- Student with a disability who participate in the state annual accountability assessment and who has an IEP or Section 504 Plan that reflects that the individual student has received intensive remediation in reading for two (2) years but still demonstrates a deficiency or was previously retained in Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade
- Student who demonstrates an acceptable level of reading proficiency on an alternative standardized assessment approved by the State Board of Education
- Student who received intensive intervention in reading for two (2) or more years but still demonstrates a deficiency in reading and who was previously retained in Kindergarten, first, second or third grade for a total of two (2) years and has not met exceptional education criteria
Full implementation means...
The state allows specific good cause exemptions for promotion to fourth grade that recognize the special needs of some students with disabilities, English language learners, and students who were previously retained. Intensive interventions are required to continue in fourth grade for students promoted for good cause.
How can your state progress?
Kansas funds and offers science of reading training for Pre-K through 3rd grade teachers of public and private schools and higher education faculty who teach literacy courses. Opportunities exist within the Sunflower State to strengthen early literacy policy by providing science of reading training for early literacy leaders, supporting transfer of theory to practice with literacy coaches, providing at-home reading strategies for families and developing guidance around promotion/retention. Last updated: January 2026
In Your Neighborhood
See how the Early Literacy Fundamental Principles impact educators and students in other states.
A comprehensive state early literacy policy can ensure all students enter 4th grade with the foundational reading skills they need to learn, graduate and succeed.
Support the policy work needed to achieve student success in your state