Weekly Update

March 3, 2023

What is the "Science of Reading"?

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine made national news this week when he announced that he wants all school districts in his state to adopt a science-based reading curriculum. According to the Institute for MultiSensory Education, the Science of Reading is a comprehensive body of research evolved from research, experimental methods and statistical analyses that "provides us with the information we need to gain a deeper understanding of how we learn to read, what skills are involved, how they work together, and which parts of the brain are responsible for reading development."

Basically, it's bringing all the evidence together to figure out what works in literacy instruction to improve phonological awareness, phonics and word recognition, fluency, vocabulary and oral language comprehension and text comprehension. Some use the umbrella term "Structured Literacy," which is a term created by the International Dyslexia Association in 2016 to help unify the many researched approaches to reading.

Ohio law allows districts to teach reading in any method they want. DeWine wants to require all schools use a phonics-based "Science of Reading" based approach by the fall of 2024 and he is asking the legislature for $124 million to retain teachers and switch out textbooks.

Most states now require districts to "follow the science."

In 2022, Missouri and Kansas passed laws addressing an evidence-based approach to literacy development.

The Missouri General Assembly approved SB 681, which created the "Evidence-based Reading Instruction Program Fund" to allow the State Board of Education to create a comprehensive system for reading instruction and an Office of Literacy. This law went into effect last summer.

The Kansas State Legislature passed HB 2567, which created the "Every Child Can Read Act" and requires every school district to implement a literacy program based on the science of reading. This law goes into effect on July 1, 2023.

Paul Katnik, the assistant commissioner at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), provided an update on the state's new literacy initiative at the January meeting of the State Board of Education.

Missouri uses the LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) training materials for K-5 educators. According to a report from Education Week, "LETRS instructs teachers in what literacy skills need to be taught, why, and how to plan to teach them. And it delves into the research base behind these recommendations." As of December 9, 2022, approximately 5,200 Missouri educators have been or currently are being trained in LETRS.

We haven't seen any widely reported results on the effectiveness of this model just yet; however, according to a report from the Show-Me Institute, the KIPP Victory Academy in St. Louis began emphasizing phonics before lawmakers passed SB 681 and KIPP students demonstrated the highest English language arts growth scores in the state between 2018 and 2021.

Aligned is hopeful that the early results will hold and plan to monitor the implementation of these policies in both states.

And for a super deep dive, check out Science of Reading: The Podcast.

FILE PHOTO: Cindy O'Laughlin speaks during 2019 session. CREDIT: Jason Rosenbaum, St. Louis Public Radio

Missouri Update

O'Laughlin emerges as a no-nonsense leader

March 1st marked the end of legislative bill filing. There are now 2,248 bills and resolutions filed from both chambers to be considered, or not, for the 2023 legislative session. The House filed 1478 bills and resolutions and the Senate filed 770 bills and resolutions. As of this report these only 32 have passed the original chamber and been sent to the opposite chamber for consideration.

This week, the House once again operated in a workmanship manner, passing priority bills which include putting the St. Louis police department under state control, placing limits on foreign ownership of Missouri land, and an omnibus bill relating to orders of protection and personal privacy.

The Senate experienced an unusual debate this week as Senator Mike Moon defied Floor Leader Cindy O’Laughlin’s directive to lay a bill dealing with transgender children over on to the informal calendar. O’Laughlin took the floor in a point of personal privilege telling fellow senators that leaders must be allowed to lead.

She then made a motion to abruptly adjourn the day’s proceedings which was supported by a bi-partisan majority. The following day, Moon was publicly chastised by President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden.

House Activity this Week

The House Elementary & Secondary Education Committee conducted activity on several bills this week which include:

Hard of Hearing Students - HB106, sponsored by Rep. Jerome Barnes (D-Kansas City), creates a program for schools to identify and respond to hard of hearing or deaf students;
Don't Say Gay - HB634, sponsored by Rep. Anne Kelley (R-Lamar), which creates a prohibition on school personnel discussing or including instruction on sexuality, gender, or sexual orientation;
Personal Finance Curriculum - The Committee voted out HB809, sponsored by Rep. Michael O'Donnell (R-St. Louis Co), which directs DESE to update curriculum standards for the 1/2 credit high school graduation requirement course on personal finance.

Senate Activity this Week

The Senate Education and Workforce Development Committee convened Tuesday morning to discuss SB 17, sponsored by Senator Lauren Arthur (D- Kansas City). This bill increases the annually recalculated amount in funding from the school funding formula from five to ten percent and proposes using census data as an alternative metric to calculate poverty weight.

Read our issue brief that explains how this bill benefits students.

Aligned, Missouri School Board Association, Missouri State Teachers Association, Cooperating School Districts of Greater Kansas City, and North Kansas City School District provided supporting testimony. No opposing testimony was provided to the committee.

Budget Update

The Senate Appropriations finished hearing from the various departments regarding their budget requests this week in anticipation of the House beginning the mark-up process for the FY2024 budget next week. The House Budget Committee convened Wednesday afternoon to discuss HBs 17, 18, and 19, sponsored by Representative Cody Smith (R-Carthage).

These are the three capital improvement bills for the FY2024 budget and include Reappropriations, Capital Improvements-Maintenance and Repair and Capital Improvements-Construction Renovation. The reappropriations total for HB 17 is $448,216,110 and includes general revenue, bond revenue, federal funding and various fee sourced funding. The maintenance and repair total for HB 18 is $501,228,184 and includes general revenue, federal funding, and various fee sourced funding. The construction renovation total for HB 19 is $505,177,891 and includes general revenue and various fee sourced funding. The hearing was relatively short and few questions were asked.

However, the biggest concern from the committee members was regarding a proposal in HB 19 which would include the purchasing and remodeling of the MoDOT building. Committee members expressed concern the building may be too old to salvage and a completely new facility may need to be built. Chairman Cody Smith informed the committee a hearing will be held next week to allow budget committee members to ask questions of the various departments.

Tidbits

A new nonprofit called the Missouri Vision Project seeks to match mentors with medical students from underrepresented communities
The University of Missouri System set a record of $432 million in research projects in 2022
Congressman Sam Graves is working across party lines to help rural hospitals and medical centers avoid closure
Mapping how bad allergies are by state
First passengers out of new KCI fly Missouri One-themed Southwest flight to Chicago-Midway
The UM System and MO Office of Broadband are seeking public comment on how to boost access to high speed internet across the state

Upcoming Hearings / Action

School Finance Reform - Wednesday the Senate Committee on Education and Workforce Development will hear SB 17 sponsored by Sen. Lauren Arthur (D-Clay County) which modifies terms used in the elementary and secondary school funding formula for weighting for low-income population.
Lead Poisoning - Tuesday the House Children & Families Committee will hear HB 906, sponsored by Rep. Kent Haden (R-Audrain Co), which requires all children below the age of 6 to be tested for lead exposure.

Read our full legislative report for the week of February 27th.

Status Report - Aligned Priorities

Aligned supports most legislation that fits within our six core principles. Below is a status update on our top priorities.

Progress on the child care tax credit bills!

Early Childhood

HB 833 (Shields) - Changes provisions governing early childhood education programs. (2-23-23) Referred to House Committee on Children and Families NO CHANGE

HB 933 (Pollitt) - Changes provisions governing early childhood education programs. (2-23-23) Referred to House Committee on Children and Families NO CHANGE

HB 870 (Shields) - Authorizes the "Child Care Contribution Tax Credit Act", the "Employer-Provided Child Care Assistance Tax Credit Act", and the "Child Care providers Tax Credit", related to tax credits for child care. Scheduled for executive session on 3-8-23

SB 184 (Arthur) - Authorizes a sales tax exemption for the purchase of diapers, as defined in the act. (3-2-23) Child care tax credit language from SB 509 offered as committee substitute in Senate - Governmental Accountability.

SB 495 (Eslinger) - Same as HB 833 - Introduced and Read First Time (1-17-23) NO CHANGE

SB 509 (Arthur) - Same as HB 870 - Introduced and Read First Time (1-17-23) NO CHANGE

Teacher Recruitment and Retention

HB 190 (Lewis) - Allows school districts to create differentiated teacher salary schedules. Public Hearing Completed (2-1-23) NO CHANGE

HB 497 (Lewis) - Modifies the Urban Flights and Rural Needs Scholarship Program. (2-22-23) Public Hearing Completed NO CHANGE

School Finance Reform

SB 17 (Arthur) - Modifies terms used in the elementary and secondary school funding formula. (2-28-23) Public Hearing Completed

Kansas Update

Full steam ahead for education committees

It was a short week as lawmakers rolled into the week after turnaround. Despite the short week, lawmakers were busy hearing and moving bills, particularly in education. Lawmakers only have four weeks to finish all business for the year. First adjournment is scheduled for April 6, followed by a three-week spring break before Veto Session begins on April 26.

Kansas revenues beat estimates for the 30th time in the past 31 months. The Kansas Department of Revenue reported that the revenues surpassed the original $514 million estimate by $17.5 million. Fiscal Year 2023 is 3% above the estimated $5.96 billion and 9% over receipts the same time as last year. Governor Laura Kelly commented, "Revenues are a clear sign that our efforts to make Kansas a place where businesses and families want to call home is paying off."

All of this news arrived on the heels of Site Selection magazine's recognition of Kansas for the Governor's Cup for the state with the highest level of private business investment per capita. The magazine bases this award on state properties with at least $1 million in capital investment and new job creation of at least 20 and 20,000 square feet of new construction. Governor Kelly stated, "As governor, I have been determined to make Kansas a place where businesses want to invest, where there is an abundance of good-paying jobs, and where young people feel they can build their futures. This award proves our efforts have paid off. The record-setting investment we've attracted will fuel prosperity in every corner of our state for generations to come."

Education bills moving

SB 83 – heard in Senate Education Committee & approved for passage with amendments; referred to House K12 Education Budget Committee; hearing this week; continuation of hearing on March 6 – this bill would provide additional student eligibility under the tax credit for low income students scholarship program and increasing the amount of the tax credit for contributions made pursuant to such program.

Floor Amendments approved would increase eligibility to students from families at 400 percent of the poverty level, foster students, student with parents killed in military, and students of emergency workers. Other amendments would make the tax credit to those contributing to private school scholarships 75 percent (up from 70%), and the maximum contribution could be $100,000 (previously $500,000).
House K12 Education Chairwoman, Kristi Williams has indicated this bill will be stripped and loaded with other language next week.

SB 66 – heard in House Education and passed out of the full House this week; referred to Senate Education; Hearing on Monday, March 6 – this bill would enact the interstate teacher mobility compact to recognize equivalent teacher licenses across member states.

HB 2238 – heard in House Education Committee and passed out of the full House; Referred to Senate Committee on Education; Hearing on Monday, March 6– This bill creates the fairness in women's sports act to require that female student athletic teams only include members who are biologically female.

HB 2236 – heard in House Education committee and passed as amended out of the full house; Referred to Senate Committee on Education; Hearing on Thursday, March 9– this bill would establish parents' right to direct the education, upbringing and moral or religious training of their children including the right to object to harmful and inappropriate educational materials.

HB 2261 – Heard in the House committee on K-12 Education Budget & passed out; Referred & Withdrawn from Committee on Appropriations; Rereferred to Committee on K-12 Education Budget– The bill will authorize boards of education of school districts to compensate board members for the duties and obligations of board members.

HB 2048 – Heard in the Committee on K-12 Education Budget & passed out; Referred & Withdrawn from Committee on Appropriations; Rereferred to Committee on K-12 Education Budget - This bill would provide additional student eligibility under the tax credit for low income students scholarship program and increasing the amount of the tax credit for contributions made pursuant to such program.

HB 2271– Heard in the House committee on K-12 Education Budget & passed out ; Referred & Withdrawn from Committee on Appropriations; Rereferred to Committee on K-12 Education Budget – The bill will authorize any nonresident student whose parent or guardian is employed by a school district to enroll in and attend such school district.

HB 2080 – Public hearing heard in House Education & passed out of full house; Referred to Senate Committee on Education; Hearing on Tuesday, March 7 – The bill will authorize students enrolled in a virtual school to take virtual state assessments.

HB 2138 - heard in House Education Committee & passed by full House as amended; Referred to Senate Committee on Education; Hearing on Wednesday, March 8 – This bill would create the career technical education credential and transition incentive for employment success act to provide additional state aid to certain school districts for students who obtain career technical education credentials.

HB 2218 – Heard in House K-12 Education Committee & recommended for full House consideration as amended; Referred & Withdrawn from Committee on Appropriations; Re-referred to Committee on K-12 Education Budget– This bill would establish the Sunflower education equity act to provide education savings accounts for qualified students in Kansas.

Our take: This bill will utilize state base aid ($5,000 per student) and give it to parents in the form of an education savings account (ESA) to spend on tuition at nonpublic schools and several other education expenses.

The fiscal note on the bill is approximately $150 million per year fully implemented. Committee Chair Kristey Williams, R-Augusta amended the bill to include a phased in implementation as follows:

2023-24 - limited to 2,000 students from families earning three times the federal poverty limit.
2024-25 - limited to 4,000 students from families earning four times the poverty limit.
2025-26 - limited to 8,000 students from any family.
2026-27 - no limits to number of students or income level.

HB 2139 – heard in House Education Committee; Referred & Withdrawn from Committee on Appropriations; Rereferred to Committee on Judiciary– This bill would create the crime of abuse of a sports official and providing criminal penalties therefor.

HB 2030 – Heard in the Committee on K-12 Education Budget; Referred & Withdrawn from Committee on Appropriations; Rereferred to Committee on K-12 Education Budget - this bill would authorize nonpublic school students to participate in activities regulated by the Kansas state high school activities association and allowing nonpublic school students who enroll part time in a public school to participate in nonpublic school activities.

HB 2040 – Heard & advanced in House Education Committee; Referred & Withdrawn from Committee on Appropriations; Rereferred to Committee on K-12 Education Budget – This bill would revise the Kansas school equity and enhancement act to provide per-student education funding based on student enrollment in the current school year.

See all other education bills heard this week.

Tickets still available for C3KC conference

Don't forget to sign up for this year’s C3KC conference on March 23^rd at Union Station! Former Aligned early childhood policy chief, Erin Brower, will join Linda Rallo, as a panelist for the Early Care and Education – New Thinking for Age-Old Dilemmas session.

Visit jlkc.org/C3KC to purchase tickets.

Have a great weekend.