We asked experts how to recognize dyslexia and what services to seek.
Maria Benevento
Maria Benevento is The Beacon’s education reporter. She joined The Beacon as a Report for America corps member. In addition to her work at The Beacon, she’s reported for the National Catholic Reporter, Columbia Missourian and St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Her education reporting began in 2017, and she became a full-time Kansas City education reporter with The Beacon in mid-2021. She graduated from Creighton University in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in theology and American studies. In 2021, she graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a master's degree in journalism. She’s lived in Missouri most of her life and first moved to Kansas City in 2017.
Posted inState Government
Your guide to Missouri’s newest education laws in 2025
The governor signed legislation about religion in public schools, using cellphones during the school day and protections against discrimination related to hair style or texture.
Posted inEducation
Superintendent Dale Herl is retiring. What’s next for the Independence School District?
Independence residents reflect on what they appreciated about the outgoing superintendent’s legacy, and what they want to see change.
Posted inEducation
Meet the tiny Kansas City-area school with a mission of teaching kids who have dyslexia
Horizon Academy features small class sizes and highly trained staff, but the intensive services come with a high price tag.
Posted inEducation
Dyslexia is common, but these KC-area parents had to push for it to be taken seriously
Some estimates suggest up to 20% of people have dyslexia symptoms. But Kansas City-area parents said their concerns were often brushed off.
Posted inBehind the Beacon
The Beacon joins The Trust Project, implements the 8 Trust Indicators
The Beacon has always worked to earn your trust. Now we’ve taken it a step further by implementing the 8 Trust Indicators.
Posted inEducation
An email warned Missouri Western recruiters away from 23 schools in KC and St. Louis. Why?
Missouri Western said the directive was reversed in 2023, but questions remain about who ordered the email, what inspired it and what it means for students.
Posted inEducation
Rockhurst University and Spring Hill College to partner on academics, exchange programs
Rockhurst hopes the partnership will increase opportunities for its students and improve enrollment.
Posted inElections
Election results: Here’s what Kansas City-area voters decided about school boards and bonds April 8
Voters approved bonds in four districts and chose who will serve on school boards for the next several years.
Posted inElections
Endorsers see key differences among Lee’s Summit school board candidates
Community groups have lined up behind two pairs of candidates in the Lee’s Summit school board race.