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Read. Follow. Verify.Kansas SB 440 authorizes a two-year special education teacher training pilot program for private entities
Last action · April 10, 2026: Died in Committee
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What This Bill Proposed
AN ACT concerning education; relating to teacher training programs; authorizing a special education training pilot program that provides provisional accreditation to a private entity for the purpose of operating a special education teacher training program; authorizing such entity to collect data from such program; providing requirements for full accreditation of such program; amending K.S.A. 72-2151 and repealing the existing section.
Establishes a framework for alternative, non-college entities to train and credential special educators in Kansas schools.
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
teacher candidates holding a bachelor's degree
They are permitted to receive high-quality special education instruction through a provisionally accredited private entity pilot program.
private entity operating the pilot program
The entity receives provisional accreditation for two years, is authorized to collect program data, and may apply for full accreditation upon completion.
State Board of Education
The board is tasked with provisionally accrediting the private entity, evaluating the pilot program's coursework, and placing qualifying entities on the accredited list.
Key Facts
- Authorizes a special education teacher training pilot program for a period of two years.
- Requires the state board to provisionally accredit a private entity to operate the special education training pilot program.
- Mandates that the private entity provide high-quality instruction to teacher candidates who hold a bachelor's degree and seek special education licensure.
- Permits the private entity to collect data while operating the pilot program.
Show all 7 facts
- Allows the private entity to seek full accreditation upon completion of the pilot program pursuant to K.S.A. 72-2151(b).
- Amends K.S.A. 72-2151 to allow the state board to place provisionally accredited private entities on the accredited list if their coursework successfully prepares participants to teach special education.
- Repeals the existing version of K.S.A. 72-2151.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to participate in the teacher training pilot program?
How long does the provisional accreditation last?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died in committee.
Procedural history
6 actions- Apr 10, 2026SenateDied in Committee
- Mar 4, 2026SenateHearing: Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 1:30 PM — Room 144-S
- Feb 24, 2026SenateWithdrawn from Senate Committee on Education; Rereferred to Senate Committee on Education
- Feb 19, 2026SenateWithdrawn from Senate Committee on Ways and Means; Referred to Senate Committee on Ways and Means
- Feb 3, 2026SenateCommitteeReferred to Senate Committee on Education
- Feb 2, 2026SenateIntroducedIntroduced
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Alternative Provisional Accreditation Pathway
The legislation creates a mechanism to grant provisional accreditation to a non-college private entity for special education training, departing from traditional postsecondary institutional requirements under K.S.A. 72-2151.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.kslegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 35)
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
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