• The Kansas State  Department of Education will pay for educators to participate in LETRS training until their funding is depleted, likely by January 2026. If you do not successfully complete LETRS, your next attempt(s) will not be reimbursed ($795).
• KSDE is seeking a funding source to pay for the Praxis. If they find a source, they will reimburse educators for this cost, but if they do not find a source, it will be at each educator’s expense ($85).

Note: Information is subject to change based on the current information provided by KSDE. 

The Elementary Education: Teaching Reading Subtest (7002) focuses on the knowledge and skills an educator must have to support reading and writing development in kindergarten through sixth-grade students. The test specifications are based on the Standards for the Preparation of Literacy Professionals from the International Literacy Association (2017) and the standards from the International Dyslexia Association.

• Olathe Public Schools will offer Praxis test-prep programs after school or on Saturdays.
• You will receive points for both relicensure and salary movement.
• Praxis test-prep sessions are optional, but highly recommended.
• The Praxis is approximately 80 questions and takes approximately one hour and 50 minutes.
• You may take the Praxis online with online proctoring (a live person monitors your test session via your computer webcam).
• To qualify for the Seal of Literacy, you must score the ETS-set passing score of 143 or higher.
• Take a sample ETS #7002 assessment. The 7002 assessment is on pages 28-37. 

Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) is a professional learning course from Lexia for instructors of reading, spelling, and related skills. It provides teachers with in-depth knowledge and tools they can use with any reading program.

• There are multiple versions, depending on your role: LETRS for Early Childhood Educators, LETRS for Elementary Educators, and LETRS for Elementary Administrators.
• The LETRS® course is composed of two volumes and completed over two school years.
• Teachers will complete a self-paced asynchronous online course, reading from the LETRS manual, and classroom application activities estimated to require 45-55 hours (approximately two hours per week) each school year.
• In addition to the online course, teachers will also participate in 24 hours of live training distributed throughout each of the two school years. This training will occur off contract — either after school or on Saturdays. You will receive points for both relicensure and salary movement, or you may take the course for up to 10 hours of college credit (college credit would be paid by the educator).
• You must score at least 80% on each end of volume assessment to qualify for your Seal of Literacy. 

Educators currently serving in the following categories are required to complete the seal of literacy:

• Pre-kindergarten through fifth grade classroom teachers
• Elementary English Language Learner teachers
• Elementary Title 1 reading teachers
• Pre-kindergarten through fifth grade special education teachers, including early childhood special education and high and low incidence
• All gifted teachers, kindergarten through 12th grade
• All school psychologists serving buildings K-12
• Elementary reading specialists
• Elementary administrators

Educators currently serving in the following categories DO NOT need to complete the seal of literacy:

• Elementary specials teachers including art, band, counselors, library media specialists, nurses, music, physical education and strings
• Elementary Title 1 math teachers
• Elementary-certified teachers who currently teach at the middle school level
• Speech language pathologists, occupational therapists or physical therapists
• Elementary-certified administrators who currently serve at the secondary level
• All contents grades 6-12

Yes. Anyone with a reading specialist degree is still required to obtain the seal. The Praxis you took for your reading specialist license does not count toward the seal.

Anyone whose license is renewed on or after July 1, 2028, will need to have the seal of literacy.

There are currently two approved pathways to the seal of literacy. Be thinking about which pathway is best for you.

1. Participate and successfully complete one of the following science of reading programs:
   1. LETRS third edition or newer (There are different training programs based on educator role.) Learn more about LETRS content.
   2. AIM Pathway Training
   3. Keys to Literacy Training
2. Successfully complete one of the following assessments:
   1. ETS Teaching Reading Praxis #7002
   2. Pearson Foundations of Reading Assessment #190
   3. Center for Reading Excellence Assessment

Yes, as long as it was LETRS third edition (two-year program) AND you had at least 80% accuracy on all end-of-volume modules. If you have completed this requirement, you should have received an email from TLALicense@ksde.org. Please email us if you did not get the TLA license email.

No. Kansas State Department of Education requires both the dyslexia training and seal of literacy.

You do not have to get the seal of literacy added to your teaching license unless or until you teach in one of the required categories. However, if you think you may one day teach in one of the required fields, you may want to pursue the seal of literacy now while the Kansas State Department of Education is paying for LETRS or the Praxis.