By Chris Reefe, CSBA Legislative Director
Last week, a compromise emerged in the two-year saga to reform literacy instruction in California. Assembly Bill 1454 was approved by the Assembly Education Committee with support from the backers of two competing bills. While the negotiations continue on some outstanding issues, the current provisions in the bill provide more implementation flexibility for local educational agencies as compared to similar legislation proposed last session and again this year.
Authored by Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D–Hollister), Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D–Torrance), who serves as chair of the Assembly Education Committee, and Assemblymember Blanca Rubio (D–Covina), AB 1454 would bring changes in three main areas:
Instructional materials
The bill would require an LEA to adopt instructional materials in English language arts/English language development (ELA/ELD) approved by the State Board of Education (SBE) at its next follow-up adoption for grades K-8. The SBE would be required to ensure that the materials include current statutory requirements regarding evidence-based means of teaching foundational reading skills in print concepts, phonological awareness, phonics and word recognition, and fluency to all pupils, including tiered supports for pupils with reading difficulties, English learners and pupils with exceptional needs. The materials would also need to align with the current ELA/ELD Framework, the dyslexia program guidelines and Teaching Performance Expectations (TPEs). LEAs that do not select ELA/ELD materials adopted by the SBE must certify that the materials are similarly aligned.
Administrator preparation programs
The Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) would be required to update program standards for professional preparation of candidates for a preliminary services credential with a specialization in administrative services. By Sept. 1, 2027, the standards would need to include preparation on how to support teachers in delivering instruction through effective means for teaching literacy and align with current TPEs, the dyslexia program guidelines and the ELA/ELD Framework. The bill would also require the CTC, by Sept. 1, 2029, to certify that all related progressional development and training programs meet these criteria.
Professional development
The bill would require the state to make funding available to school districts and county offices of education to provide professional development to certificated and classified staff who provide reading instruction to students in TK-5. Funds may be spent on one or more of the programs on a list of in-service programs identified by the California Department of Education for its effective means of teaching literacy or programs not on the list so long as they meet certain criteria.
The changes proposed in the bill would only become operative if funds are appropriated. The bill will next be heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee later this month.
