This bill amends the Revised School Code by adding Section 1531k, which mandates that starting in the 2029-2030 school year, school districts and public school academies must ensure that certain personnel, including K-5 teachers and those involved in literacy instruction, complete specific professional learning programs. The Department of Education is tasked with approving a single provider to deliver this training, which must cover various aspects of literacy instruction, including effective reading strategies, assessment techniques, and the critical components of literacy development.

Additionally, the bill requires annual reporting from both school districts and the professional learning provider starting in the 2026-2027 school year. School districts must report the number and percentage of personnel who have completed the training, while the provider must report enrollment and completion statistics, costs, and grant fund expenditures. The Department of Education will compile these reports to assess compliance and recommend necessary policy adjustments. The bill also stipulates that the legislature must appropriate sufficient funds to support these initiatives.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 380.1, 380.1852