By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Learning never ends for teachers. Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, the state of Kansas has pushed to make up some of the learning lost during that time. One intensive teacher training program is Lexia's Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS). Given the complex nature of the training, USD 431 Hoisington Superintendent Patrick Crowdis suggested an additional stipend for teachers who undergo the training.
"There's anywhere between 40-60 hours of training that takes place by the teacher itself outside of the classroom and outside of the actual workshops they go to on a quarterly basis," he told the board of education Monday.
The district had set aside $50,000 for a learning loss coordinator position. That position has since fell through, and Crowdis suggested reallocating that money as a flat stipend for teachers in the LETRS program. Currently, the state of Kansas pays for the training.
"The feedback I'm hearing from other districts, superintendents, principals, and teachers, as well as our own teachers, is that it is a lot," Crowdis said. "It is the best training they've ever been to, but it is probably the most difficult. It's almost probably master's level work."
According to Lexia, research shows that just 35 percent of students are proficient readers, but 95 percent of students can learn to read. The program is aimed at closing that gap. Crowdis will present more information to the board in the December meeting.