Bill
Bill > A03937
NY A03937
NY A03937Requires the commissioner of education to establish and enforce rules and regulations to incorporate at least a three credit course devoted to the instructional techniques necessary for effective literacy instruction which shall include delivering structured, systematic, explicit, evidence-based instruction aligned with the science of reading for prospective teachers.
summary
Introduced
01/30/2025
01/30/2025
In Committee
01/07/2026
01/07/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 General Assembly
Bill Summary
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to requiring the incorporation of structured, explicit, language and evidence-based approaches to literacy instruction aligned with the science of reading into at least three credits of the six credits of literacy courses currently required for prospective teachers in accredited college of education programs
AI Summary
This bill requires the commissioner of education to establish rules mandating that every higher education institution in New York offering education or educational administration degree programs incorporate a three-credit course focused on effective literacy instruction techniques. The course must specifically teach prospective and current teachers language-based reading instruction methods, including structured, systematic, and explicit teaching strategies aligned with the "science of reading" (also known as structured literacy). This requirement aims to improve teacher preparation by ensuring that future educators learn evidence-based approaches to reading instruction within their existing literacy curriculum. The new requirement will go into effect 180 days after the bill becomes law, which means education programs will need to update their coursework to comply with these new instructional standards for literacy education.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (16)
Robert Carroll (D)*,
Catalina Cruz (D)*,
Pamela Hunter (D)*,
Ed Ra (R)*,
Jonathan Rivera (D)*,
Linda Rosenthal (D)*,
Nader Sayegh (D)*,
Jo Anne Simon (D)*,
Al Stirpe (D)*,
Jaime Williams (D)*,
Scott Bendett (R),
Joe DeStefano (R),
Andrew Hevesi (D),
Steven Raga (D),
Karines Reyes (D),
Mary Beth Walsh (R),
Last Action
referred to education (on 01/07/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A3937 |
| BillText | https://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=A03937&term=2025&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Text=Y&Committee%26nbspVotes=Y&Floor%26nbspVotes=Y#A03937 |
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