Earlier this summer, the Post asked our readers what issues you wanted to hear candidates in federal, state and local races address leading up to the Nov. 3 election.

Based on that feedback, we developed a five-item questionnaire centering the issues most important to residents across Johnson County.

Each day this week, we’ll publish the candidates’ responses to one question. So far, we’ve published responses on special education.

Today, we’re publishing candidates’ responses to the following question:

Nearly a third of Kansas third graders scored at the lowest level in English language arts in 2024, and the state is now pushing evidence-based reading instruction through its “Blueprint for Literacy.” How will you judge whether it’s working, and what should happen to schools that aren’t improving?

Below are the answers the Post received from candidates on the issue:

Jim McMullen (Republican)

A generation ago, Kansas students regularly scored in the top 10 in the U.S. on national reading assessments. Kansas now sits somewhere in the middle. The Blueprint for Literacy will, I have little doubt, reverse that downward trend. Some school districts in the state are better positioned to invest in the teacher training to deploy the Blueprint effectively. That training is often necessary because phonics-based instruction may not have been a part of teachers’ university training. The State Board should help create a support system so that teachers have the confidence to teach the Blueprint’s curricular standards.

Amy Diediker (Democratic)

With time we will be able to assess if the Blueprint for Literacy is working through national and state assessment scores. It is also important to continually connect with reading specialists and educators in the classrooms to see if they feel their individual students are making strides.

For schools that are not improving, the state board must work alongside them to provide experts, support, and funding to help them make progress in their reading performance.

Coming up:

Tomorrow, we will publish the candidates’ responses to the following question:

Readers across the ideological spectrum asked about parents’ rights. Some want more say over which books their children are exposed to in the classroom and school library. Others worry about banning books. What role should parents play when they object to a book? Should the state set one policy, or continue leaving that to local boards?