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Bill

SB 440

Authorizing a special education pilot program that provides provisional accreditation to a private entity for the purpose of operating a special education teacher training program, allowing such entity to collect data from such program and providing requirements for full accreditation of such program.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas authorizes a private entity to pilot a special education teacher training program under provisional accreditation while collecting performance data to qualify for full accreditation.

Died in Committee
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Bill Summary · SB 440

Legislative bill overview

SB 440 creates a pilot program allowing a private entity to operate a special education teacher training program under provisional accreditation. The bill permits this entity to collect data during the pilot phase and establishes pathways toward full accreditation based on program performance and outcomes.

Why is this important

Special education teacher shortages are a persistent challenge in Kansas and nationwide. This bill attempts to address workforce gaps by enabling non-traditional training providers to enter the market, potentially expanding the pipeline of qualified special education instructors while reducing reliance solely on university-based programs.

Potential points of contention

  • Oversight and quality assurance: Provisional accreditation may lower initial standards; critics may worry about teacher preparation quality without robust upfront requirements and whether data collection alone ensures accountability
  • Competition with traditional programs: Universities and established teacher training institutions may oppose a private competitor receiving governmental approval and potential students/funding
  • Data collection and transparency: The bill's requirements for data collection are unspecified; unclear what metrics determine success, who controls the data, and whether results will be publicly available for independent evaluation
  • Full accreditation standards: The criteria and timeline for moving from provisional to full accreditation are not detailed in the bill summary, creating uncertainty about long-term viability and sustainability

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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