This bill amends Louisiana's education law to enhance literacy instruction, particularly for adolescents, by requiring teacher education programs for kindergarten through third grade to include foundational literacy skills such as phonemic awareness, phonics, and comprehension. It also mandates that special education and secondary education teacher candidates receive training in adolescent literacy skills, focusing on effective reading strategies and high-quality instructional materials. The bill establishes requirements for the state Department of Education and public schools to implement high-dosage tutoring and develop individual student literacy improvement plans.

Additionally, the bill introduces new definitions and provisions for adolescent literacy, including the creation of an adolescent literacy program and approved reading assessments. Public schools are tasked with providing core literacy instruction, administering assessments, and notifying parents of students with reading deficiencies. They must also create individual reading improvement plans for these students, ensuring targeted interventions. The bill emphasizes the use of high-quality instructional materials, prohibits the three-cueing systems model in reading instruction, and requires annual reviews of reading improvement plans by school governing authorities. It also consolidates various literacy plans into a single document and sets the implementation date for the 2027-2028 school year, with an earlier deadline for plan submissions in September 2026.

Statutes affected:
HB316 Original: 17:10(K), 17:9(C)
HB316 Engrossed: 17:10(K), 17:9(C)
HB316 Reengrossed: 17:10(K), 17:9(C)
HB316 Enrolled: 17:10(K), 17:9(C)
HB316 Act 964: 17:10(K), 17:9(C)