Webinar: Literacy, Data, and the Science of Reading

On November 12, 2025, Aligned hosted a webinar examining how Kansas and Missouri are translating the “science of reading” into policy and practice. The session walked through recent reading data, what research says about effective early literacy instruction, and how current laws in both states are shaping what happens in classrooms.

The conversation highlighted concrete policy moves: aligning standards and teacher preparation to the science of reading, banning ineffective practices, requiring early screening and Reading Success/Reading Improvement Plans, and tracking whether students who are behind actually receive targeted intervention. The webinar also explored what’s missing—consistent implementation, usable transparency, and support for educators to make these changes stick.

Speakers: Eric Syverson, Director of Policy & Research, Aligned

Watch the Recording: Here.

Aligned believes that strong literacy policy is only successful when it changes daily instruction for students. This webinar connected the dots between research, statute, and practice to help Kansas and Missouri leaders focus on what will move early reading outcomes the most.