Bill > S07454

This bill requires school districts to provide evidence-based literacy programming for students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, with the goal of ensuring students develop strong foundational reading skills. The bill defines key terms like "evidence-based" instruction, which means using rigorous, scientifically proven methods to teach reading skills such as phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary development, reading fluency, and comprehension. School districts must develop a coherent literacy plan that aligns with the state's Culturally Responsive Sustaining Education (CRSE) framework, which aims to create inclusive learning environments. The bill mandates that teachers in these grade levels receive professional development in evidence-based reading instruction, including 35 hours of training for new teachers and professional learning courses for existing teachers. The New York State Education Department will develop a list of approved, evidence-based curricula and professional development programs, create a competitive grant program to help districts replace non-evidence-based curricula, and provide grants to hire literacy coaches in high-need districts. Additionally, districts must provide parents with detailed progress reports on their child's literacy development three times per year and the commissioner must submit an annual report tracking students' reading progress, teacher training, and curriculum implementation.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S7454