FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 30, 2024
Regents announce new Office of Literacy and appoint Dr. Cynthia Lane director
New director to lead implementation of Blueprint on Literacy to improve children’s reading proficiency and ensure Kansas teachers are trained in the Science of Reading
(Topeka, Kan.) – Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) President and CEO Dr. Blake Flanders announced today the appointment of Dr. Cynthia Lane as Director for the Blueprint for Literacy.
The Blueprint for Literacy was created by the Kansas Legislature and signed into law by Governor Laura Kelly on April 24, 2024. Its purpose is to prepare teachers with science of reading strategies and evidence-based approaches to achieve literacy proficiency for all Kansas students. Through the Blueprint, Kansas will also work to study, contribute to and continue to advance the science of reading.
“The Regents are excited that Dr. Lane has been appointed as director,” said KBOR Chair Jon Rolph. “She cares deeply about the success of all students and is committed to advancing teacher preparation, particularly in the area of literacy. Dr. Lane is an outstanding collaborator and leader, who will advance one of the most important and impactful investments we can make to help families, support businesses and advance economic prosperity for all Kansans.”
“I am honored to serve as the director of the Kansas Blueprint on Literacy,” said Dr. Lane. “Learning to read and write well is fundamental to life’s success. The Blueprint provides a clearly marked path with practical steps to ensure our teachers have the tools and training needed to provide high-quality evidence-based instruction. We are well-positioned to achieve our goals, working in partnership with the State Board and Department of Education, policy makers, teachers and administrators to help our students reach and exceed proficiency.”
Dr. Lane has more than 40 years of experience as a special education teacher, parent advocate, administrator, and superintendent. Most recently, she chaired the Governor’s Council on Education and served as a member of the Board of Regents. Lane chaired the Board’s Academic Affairs Committee, focused on ensuring higher education is accessible and affordable and that students graduate with valued credentials and degrees. In the director role, Lane will lead the Board of Regents’ implementation of the Blueprint to advance evidenced-based instruction and the science of reading to achieve literacy proficiency for all Kansas students.
“The science has advanced on what matters in the teaching of reading,” said President Flanders. “We must adapt our curriculum and instruction accordingly, equipping teachers with tools and methods grounded in this science of reading. Schools of education play a vital role in training our teachers of tomorrow, and they must also provide ongoing support to educators who are in classrooms across the state.”
Dr. Lane has announced she is resigning from the Board of Regents on June 24, 2024, after which she will begin her new role as Director of the Blueprint for Literacy.
For more information, please contact Matt Keith at (785) 430-4237 or
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About the Kansas Board of Regents
The nine-member Kansas Board of Regents is the governing board of the state’s six universities and the statewide coordinating board for the state’s 32 public higher education institutions (six state universities, one municipal university, nineteen community colleges, and six technical colleges). In addition, the Board administers the state’s student financial aid, adult education, high school equivalency, and career and technical education programs. Private proprietary schools and out-of-state institutions are authorized by the Kansas Board of Regents to operate in Kansas.
Visit the Kansas Board of Regents online at www.kansasregents.org.