S1E4 /// Kansas at a Crossroads — What If We Got This Right?

What if every child had access to the kind of instruction that transforms lives? 



In our Season 1 finale, we revisit the journey of Austin, once a struggling 6-year-old, now a thriving 17-year-old scoring in the top percentiles on the ACT. His story reminds us what’s possible when kids are finally taught to read with proven methods.



This episode takes a hard look at Kansas literacy outcomes, where only 28% of fourth graders are proficient in reading, and explores the systemic reforms underway. From legislators and board members to parents, teachers, and students, you’ll hear how Kansas is at a turning point — and what it will take to finally get this right.

In This Episode You’ll Hear:



• Austin Collins shares how his life was transformed after years of struggle having had structured literacy instruction


• Senator Renee Erickson on the literacy crisis and why research shows 95–97% of kids can learn to read with the right instruction


• Kansas State Board of Education Chair Cathy Hopkins on what’s kept the science of reading out of classrooms — and why collaboration is the key to moving forward


• Representative Megan Steele, both policymaker and parent, on why this crisis is personal and professional


• Research shows 95–97% of students can learn to read with structured literacy.


• Policy changes like the Seal of Literacy are steps forward, but without strong implementation and classroom application, they risk falling short.

Rolph Literacy Academy demonstrates how science-based instruction can change lives — for students, parents, and educators alike.


• Veteran teacher Stephani Brooks on the challenges of training and implementation in Kansas schools


• Skyline Schools PK-8 Principal Diane House and Teachers: Joyce Temanson, Carrie Harrold, Michelle Schmidt share the shift in student impact after having structured literacy training in Alphabetic Phonics on the lives of students- who also share as well.


• This is Kansas’ moment of reckoning: if we get this right, we can change the future for every child.


Resources & Further Reading



• Children of the Code Project (   / childrenofthecode  )


• Hope for Kansas Episode 1 (   • Hope for Kansas: Skyline Schools (Episode 1)  )  


• IMSLEC (https://imslec.org) (International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council)


• Kansas State Department of Education — Literacy Seal requirements (https://www.ksde.org)


• LETRS (https://www.lexialearning.com/letrs) Professional Learning by Dr. Louisa Moats


• NAEP (Nation’s Report Card) Kansas Reading Results (https://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard...)  


• Phillips Fundamental Learning Center (https://www.funlearn.org/)


• Sold a Story (https://features.apmreports.org/sold-...) podcast — Emily Hanford, APM Reports


• Teaching Reading Is Rocket Science by Dr. Louisa Moats (AFT, 2020)


• Reading in the Brain by Stanislas Dehaene (Viking, 2009)




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