Bill > S07341

This bill directs the commissioner of education to conduct a comprehensive audit of literacy instruction within higher education institutions that offer education or educational administration degree or certification programs in the state. The audit will evaluate how well these programs teach the "science of reading," focusing on the five core reading components identified by the National Reading Panel: phonemic awareness, phonics, reading fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. The audit will assess each program's coverage of critical literacy instruction skills, including phonology, alphabetic principles, sound-symbol correspondences, syntax, language development, and evidence-based teaching methods. Programs will be required to provide detailed information about their instructional approaches, including an evaluation of whether they use effective research-based methods like structured literacy and avoid ineffective approaches such as three-cueing or leveled texts. Each institution must complete a self-assessment and provide an attestation about their program's literacy instruction capabilities. The audit results will be reported to state leadership, including the governor and legislative leaders, with potential recommendations for improving literacy instruction standards. These audits will be conducted every four years to ensure ongoing alignment with the most current research in reading education.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S7341