Reading crisis is real no matter the measure

Following our recent newsletter, some in the education community have raised concerns about our use of NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) data, suggesting that it overstates the number of students struggling with reading. NAEP has its limitations—it's a national benchmark based on a sample of students, not a state test, and its proficiency standards differ from states' own assessments. 

However, regardless of which metric you use, the data consistently shows that too many students are not proficient at reading, and progress remains slow.

Kansas categorizes student proficiency into four levels, with Levels 1 and 2 defined as not proficient in English language arts. The state's ESSA plan (p. 14) reinforces this distinction, emphasizing that proficiency requires more than a basic understanding—it signifies readiness for postsecondary success. 

The state's 2024 ELA assessment results indicate that too many students are not proficient readers: 

• Only 33.6% of students scored at Levels 3 and 4 (proficient). 
• 32.8% of students scored at Level 1, meaning they demonstrated limited ability in English language arts. 
• While there has been some improvement, with Levels 3 and 4 rising slightly over the past three years, the pace of progress remains far too slow to reach the state's goal of 75% proficiency by 2032. 

Missouri's 2023-24 ELA assessment results highlight similar concerns about early literacy. Like Kansas, the data shows that too many students are not reading proficiently by third and fourth grade, a critical time for literacy development. 

• Only 33% of 3rd graders and 35% of 4th graders scored at the Proficient or Advanced levels. 
• 29% of students in both grades scored Below Basic, indicating significant struggles with reading skills. 
• Most students (66% in 3rd grade, 66% in 4th grade) scored at Basic or Below Basic, meaning they have not demonstrated full proficiency in reading. 

Both states have taken meaningful steps in recent years to improve literacy. Policymakers have invested in evidence-based reading instruction, emphasizing the science of reading and providing resources for teacher training and early interventions with SB 438 and SB 681. These are critical steps in the right direction and reflect a broader national effort to address longstanding literacy challenges. 

However, if Kansas and Missouri—and the country as a whole—are serious about improving reading outcomes, investment alone isn't enough. Schools, families, and communities must align to ensure every child gets the support they need to become a strong reader. That means continued focus on high-quality instruction, targeted interventions, and a commitment to measuring progress honestly without dismissing inconvenient data. 

Aligned's Take: The debate over which test tells the most accurate story misses the bigger point: No matter how you measure it, far too many students are not meeting reading benchmarks, and the pace of improvement is too slow. The focus shouldn't be on debating test metrics—it should be on ensuring every student has the literacy skills they need to succeed. The data makes one thing clear: we cannot afford to wait. 

Missouri Update

Committee debates bill to ban Three-Cueing Reading Instruction

The House Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education heard HB 941 (Lewis) this week. This bill prohibits school districts from using a three-cueing system to teach students to read. It defines a "three-cueing system" as any model of teaching students to read based on meaning, structure and syntax, and visual cues, also known as "MSV". Some members of the committee voiced concerns about the implications of banning this method and its integration with evidence-based reading practices.

What is the Three-Cueing Method?

The Three-Cueing Systems Model has long been a common literacy instructional method, but research has shown that it is a flawed practice that does more harm than good. This approach, often called "MSV," teaches students to rely on three reading cues: meaning, structure and syntax, and visual cues. In simple terms, when students encounter an unfamiliar word, teachers encourage them to make a contextual guess instead of teaching them to sound out the word or use phonics.

This model's problem is that it shifts the focus away from decoding words and understanding phonetics. Instead, students must learn to use pictures, context, or their guesses to fill in gaps when they don't know a word. Reading experts have found that this method discourages students from developing fundamental reading skills like phonemic awareness.

The best solution is a phonics-based approach. Research has shown that phonics is a far more effective method for teaching children how to read. In contrast to the guesswork the Three-Cueing Systems Model encourages, phonics helps students systematically decode words, making them more confident and independent readers.

Missouri should focus on a comprehensive early literacy policy to ensure all students receive the best possible reading instruction. 

Aligned Priority Bills Report for Missouri

Very slow week for our bills. The only movement is highlighted below.

Early Childhood Education and Childcare

Community Child Care Exchange Program

• Discussions were held with legislators and the governor’s staff on allocation for the community exchange program.

Create Tax Credits for Child Care

• HB 269 (Shields) -  Passed out of House – Rules -Legislative on 2.20.25

Three Cueing System

• HB 941 (Lewis) - Public hearing completed – House – Elementary and Secondary Education on 2.19.25

School Choice and College Access

Open Enrollment

• HB 711 (Pollitt) – Scheduled for Committee Heating 2.24.25 – House – Rules – Legislative
• SB 215 (Trent) – Pass as substituted – Senate Education. Placed on Informal Calendar

Teacher Externships

• HB 267 (Shields) – Executive Session - Scheduled for Committee Hearing 2.26.25 House – Elementary and Secondary Education

Read the Missouri Education Policy update.

Read the full weekly legislative report.

Budget and Revenue

Last week, the House Budget Committee heard from PK-12 officials; this week, it was Higher Ed's turn. Dr. Bennett Boggs, Commissioner of the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, presented the agency’s FY26 budget request to the committee, highlighting priorities to address workforce needs amid an aging population.

The state needs 243,000 more individuals with advanced credentials by 2030 and is working with colleges to reengage those who started but didn’t complete degrees. Department leaders expect about 7,500 students to qualify for the Bright Flight scholarship and 36,000 for Access Missouri aid. Legislative changes to the Fast Track Workforce Incentive led to a 90% participation increase, with 2,200 adults projected to enroll in upskilling programs. Missouri now ranks third nationally in apprenticeship opportunities.

Dr. Boggs also outlined key budget items:

• $500,000 in General Revenue for the Reentry 2030 program to help justice-involved and recently incarcerated individuals transition into the workforce.
• $113,000 in General Revenue for tuition assistance at the University of Missouri for survivors of public service officers killed in the line of duty, plus $495,000 for survivors and spouses of veterans killed in action.
• $36,694 in General Revenue for scholarships to minority and underrepresented students pursuing environmental studies at Missouri colleges.
• $1.3 million cut to the Returning Heroes college tuition reimbursement program, which offsets tuition costs for returning veterans.
• $1 million for youth workforce initiatives to equip high school students not attending college with skills for high-demand careers.
• $250,000 in General Revenue for job skills and independent living services for individuals with autism in Southeast Missouri.
• $2.3 million cut from programs that expose underserved high school students to advanced workforce opportunities in health, life sciences, and agriculture.
• $2 million increase in General Revenue for the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Program.
• 1.5% General Revenue increase for all public four-year colleges, community colleges, and the State Technical College of Missouri.

Lawmakers to begin K-12 budget work in early March

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) will likely present its budget to Senate Appropriations in the first week of March. And we expect the House to start the markup process on the DESE budget that week as well.

In other news

• Districts are spending big on schools tailor-made for 4-year-olds
• St. Louis Public Schools advocates push for more support in Jefferson City
• Acting Superintendent named permanent for St. Louis Public Schools
• Maryville University names Shipp as the next President
• Missouri bill would give tax credit to homeschool families 

Kansas Update

Turnaround in Topeka: Education Legislation Advances

It is turnaround week, the deadline for lawmakers to consider and vote on bills, and the midpoint of the legislative session. As the session progresses, several key bills have advanced.  

Aligned is actively supporting legislation that expands access to quality education, strengthens workforce pathways, and ensures more students get better opportunities to thrive and stay in Kansas.  

Here are the bills we support and why: 

• HB 2033 expands access to accredited nonprofit literacy programs by recognizing them as approved at-risk educational programs. This ensures that more students receive evidence-based reading interventions to support early learning success. 
• SB 87 increases eligibility and funding for the Tax Credit for Low-Income Students Scholarship Program, providing more families with financial assistance for private school tuition while encouraging greater donations to scholarship programs. 
• HB 2185 expands National Guard educational benefits to include dependents of service members and allows funding for advanced degrees under the EMERGE program, strengthening support for those who serve our state and nation. 
• SB 44 broadens access to Kansas Promise Scholarships, making higher education and career training more affordable for students pursuing high-demand fields in the state. 
• HB 2102 provides advance enrollment for military-connected students, ensuring families relocating to Kansas due to service can enroll in schools sooner, reducing educational disruptions. 
• HB 2299 enhances protections against religious discrimination in public schools, ensuring all students, regardless of faith, have equal access to education, extracurricular activities, and opportunities. 

As these bills move through the legislature, along with others that may come up for debate, Aligned will continue advocating for policies that improve education and workforce opportunities for all Kansans. We appreciate lawmakers' work to support these initiatives and will keep you updated on their progress.  

Kansas Budget Update

The Kansas House has advanced an amended version of HB 2007, outlining the state’s budget for FY 2026. The bill reduces the state general fund by $246 million (2.4%) compared to FY 2025, cutting state spending by $162 million less than Governor Laura Kelly’s proposal.

Let’s examine key provisions affecting Aligned’s policy areas: 

K-12 Education 

• State Foundation Aid & Supplemental State Aid: $3.56 billion for the school funding formula and equalization aid. 
• Special Education Funding: $611 for special education services aid. The bill proposes a $10 million increase for special education services compared with last year — below the $72.6 million recommended by Governor Kelly — raising concerns among legislators and education advocates about adequate support for students with special needs.

Higher Education 

• Postsecondary Institutions: $702.9 million for four-year, two-year, technical, and municipal universities. 
• Board of Regents: $5.25 million for operating expenditures. 

Workforce Development 

• Two-Year College Business/Industry & Apprenticeship Act: $14.3 million to expand partnerships between colleges and industries, strengthening workforce pipelines. 
• Statewide Marketing for High-Demand Careers: $2 million to promote fields facing labor shortages and encourage workforce participation. 

HB 2007 reflects a leaner budget approach, balancing education funding priorities with fiscal constraints. We expect debates over special education funding and higher education investments to continue as the bill progresses. Aligned will monitor the budget as it makes its way through the Senate.  

Read the turnaround report.

In other news

• Hard lessons from the new NAEP results
• Kansas State Department of Education weighs in on snow days impact
• FFA goes beyond agriculture to teach students lifelong skills

As Aligned reported last month, Governor Mike Kehoe issued Executive Order 25-14 to establish the Missouri School Funding Modernization Task Force to examine ways to modernize the state's outdated K-12 school funding formula. This move marks an important milestone in addressing a formula that has remained unchanged for over 20 years. 

Task force appointments are underway, as Speaker Jon Patterson has appointed Representatives Ed Lewis and Marlene Terry to represent the House. 

Why modernize? 

The current formula relies on 2005 property values, which do not reflect changes in demographics, inflation, or shifts in the tax base. It also uses simplistic single-weight calculations to allocate resources for special education, English language learners, students from low-income backgrounds, and others. Updating it would ensure funding follows real-time needs rather than a 20-year-old state snapshot. 

An outdated formula can exacerbate funding gaps between wealthy and lower-income communities and lead to situations where some students are severely underserved. 

For the past two years, Aligned has led a coalition dedicated to studying the issue and suggesting solutions to secure better educational opportunities for all Missouri students.  

Aligned’s role 

Over the last six months, we have partnered with Bellwether to develop a funding formula simulator—a tool designed to model and analyze potential funding changes across Missouri's school districts. 

When complete, the model can run simulations to evaluate how proposed changes impact individual districts.

As the Task Force's work continues, Aligned will monitor developments and provide insights and updates on the key levers driving fairness, sustainability, and student success. 

Stay tuned. 

Upcoming Events at Aligned

Edunomics: Master Education Finance in a Changing Landscape

Education finance is at the center of major policy decisions, influencing how resources reach schools and students. This program provides the expertise to navigate funding complexities and drive smart decision-making.

What You’ll Learn:

✔️ Key cost drivers in education

✔️ Funding allocation and accountability structures

✔️ The impact of ESSA and state policies

✔️ Practical strategies for financial leadership

What You’ll Gain:

✅ 3.0 CEUs, 36 CPEs, or 30 PD credits

✅ Practical insights from top experts

✅ A network of education finance professionals

📍 Kansas City | June 10-11

🔗 Register Now

Sponsorship opportunities are available—reach out to learn more!

Thank you to our sponsors:

🏛 Venue Sponsor – Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

🏆 Platinum Sponsor – Missouri Charter School Association

🥇 Gold Sponsors – U.S. Engineering & Holland 1916 Inc.

🥉 Bronze Sponsors – JE Dunn Construction & KIDaccount

Interested in sponsorship opportunities?

With federal policy debates reshaping education funding, now is the time to strengthen your understanding of the financial landscape.

Warmer days ahead! Rejoice ☀️

Have a great weekend.

Torree Pederson

President

Aligned

Torree@WeAreAligned.org

(913) 484-4202

Linda Rallo

Vice President

Aligned

Linda@WeAreAligned.org

(314) 330-8442

About Aligned

Aligned is the only state-wide non-profit, nonpartisan business group working in Kansas and Missouri on educational issues impacting the full development of our children, from supporting high-quality early learning to solid secondary programs that provide rigorous academic programs and real-world learning opportunities.

Our vision is that our public education systems in Kansas and Missouri have the resources and flexibility to prepare students to pursue the future of their choice.

We are currently focused on education policies that will strengthen early childhood education, teacher recruitment and retention, and school finance reform.

Learn more about our work.