Education
2025–2026 Kansas Education Legislation Summary During the 2025–2026 Kansas legislative sessions, education policy focused on improving literacy, strengthening classroom environments, expanding educational opportunities, and increasing transparency and accountability in schools.
Kansas Education Bills – 2025–2026 Legislative Session
Below is a legislative report summarizing major K-12 and higher education bills considered during the 2025–2026 biennium.
Bills Enacted or Advanced
HB 2033 – At-Risk Literacy Programs
Status: Passed; effective July 1, 2025
Added programs provided by nonprofit organizations accredited by the International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council (IMSLEC) to Kansas' approved at-risk educational programs.
Expanded access to structured literacy interventions for struggling readers and students with dyslexia.
Intended to improve early literacy outcomes statewide.
K-12 Education Bills
HB 2421 – Student Cell Phone and School Communication Policies
Original Sponsors Included: Rep. Shawn Chauncey and others
Required school districts to prohibit student use of personal electronic communication devices during school hours.
Prohibited school employees from using social media to communicate directly with students for official school purposes.
Required reporting regarding student screen time during the school day.
Received committee consideration but did not become law.
SB 381 – Civics Examination and Communist/Socialist Regime Instruction
Status: Died
Would have required instruction regarding communist and socialist regimes and ideologies.
Would have required students to pass an American civics examination to graduate from high school.
Passed several legislative steps but did not complete the process.
HB 2420 – School-Based Mental Health Services
Status: Introduced
Required parental consent before schools could provide most school-based mental health services.
Established exceptions and enforcement provisions.
School Choice & Scholarship Legislation
SB 75 – Education Freedom Scholarship Program
Status: Considered
Proposed a large tax-credit scholarship program to help students attend private schools.
One of the most debated education measures of the 2025 session.
Supporters argued it expanded parental choice.
Opponents argued it primarily benefited families already using private schools and could divert resources from public education.
Strengthening Academic Achievement
Throughout the session, legislators continued discussions on improving reading proficiency, expanding educational options for families, and ensuring schools have access to effective instructional tools. Efforts focused on helping students recover learning losses, improving literacy outcomes, and directing resources toward programs with demonstrated success.
Supporting Parents and Local Schools
Several education proposals emphasized increasing parental involvement, improving communication between schools and families, and ensuring local school districts maintain accountability to the communities they serve. These efforts sought to balance local control with statewide academic goals.
Looking Ahead
Education remains one of Kansas' most important priorities. Future work will continue to focus on improving student achievement, supporting teachers, strengthening school safety, enhancing literacy instruction, and creating learning environments where every student has the opportunity to succeed.