Bill > AB1121

This bill aims to address California's literacy crisis by establishing comprehensive requirements for professional development and instructional materials in early literacy education. The bill mandates that the State Department of Education develop and the State Board of Education approve a list of professional development and training programs focused on evidence-based literacy instruction by January 2027. Starting September 2027, all applicable personnel (including teachers, reading specialists, and administrators in transitional kindergarten through 5th grade) must complete an approved professional development program by August 2029. Additionally, the bill requires the State Board to adopt new basic instructional materials for English language arts, English language development, and reading for transitional kindergarten through 8th grade by January 2027, with a focus on evidence-based teaching methods. Local educational agencies will be required to use only state-board-approved instructional materials, with a limited waiver process for alternative materials. The bill acknowledges California's significant literacy challenges, noting that many students, particularly those from low-income, Black, Latino, and English learner backgrounds, are not reading at grade level, which can have long-term academic and economic consequences. The legislation seeks to ensure that all classroom instructional materials and teacher training are aligned with the most effective, research-backed literacy instruction methods.

Education

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1121