In the last legislative session, the General Assembly laid the foundation for implementing structured literacy across Pennsylvania's public schools. Through Act 135, we directed the Department of Education and the reading leadership council to establish comprehensive lists of resources for our schools, including:

• Evidence-based reading instruction curricula that align with both Commonwealth academic standards and the science of reading, ensuring our students receive instruction proven to work.
• Universal reading screeners that enable early identification of students who may need additional support.
• Structured literacy intervention approaches that incorporate all essential components of evidence-based reading instruction, providing teachers with effective tools to help struggling readers.

While this groundwork is crucial, we must build upon it to ensure every Pennsylvania student becomes a proficient reader. My impending legislation will create a comprehensive support system through four key initiatives:

1. School Implementation Grants: Establish a dedicated funding program to help schools transition to and maintain evidence-based reading instruction programs for all students, removing financial barriers to adoption.
2. Early Detection and Intervention: Mandate regular reading competency screenings for students in kindergarten through third grade, coupled with targeted intervention plans for students showing reading deficiencies. This early identification system will help prevent reading difficulties from becoming long-term obstacles.
3. Expert Reading Coach Program: Deploy a specialized team of reading coaches from the Department of Education to schools with the highest concentration of struggling readers. These coaches will work directly with principals and teachers to strengthen reading instruction and implement effective interventions.
4. Teacher Retention Initiative: Address the critical shortage of reading teachers in elementary education by providing grant funding for retention bonuses in high-need areas of the Commonwealth, ensuring our most vulnerable students have access to experienced reading instructors.

This comprehensive approach will strengthen our commitment to evidence-based literacy instruction and help ensure every Pennsylvania student develops strong reading skills.

Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation.
 
 

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 1557 (May 01, 2025): P.L.30, No.14