Bill > A04291

This bill requires teachers who provide literacy instruction to kindergarten through fifth-grade students to obtain a specialized literacy endorsement. Starting January 1, 2027, new teachers will need to acquire this endorsement within three years of certification, while teachers already certified before that date must obtain the endorsement by January 1, 2030. The literacy endorsement will involve completing evidence-based science of reading training and passing an assessment that demonstrates the teacher's ability to effectively teach foundational reading skills (such as phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension), use high-quality instructional materials, and provide targeted instruction for students with reading challenges, including those with characteristics of dyslexia. The bill also mandates that educator preparation programs for childhood and early childhood education include coursework necessary to obtain this literacy endorsement starting January 1, 2026. Additionally, the bill provides a potential exemption mechanism for teachers, allowing school districts to request an exemption based on classroom observations and student achievement data that demonstrate the teacher's literacy instruction knowledge.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A4291