H.B. No. 123 is a legislative initiative aimed at enhancing kindergarten readiness and improving early literacy and numeracy skills among public school students in Texas. The bill introduces an early childhood parental support program and modifies funding under the Foundation School Program to support these initiatives. Key provisions include the establishment of literacy and mathematics achievement academies for teachers, which will provide training in effective instructional practices. The bill also outlines stipulations regarding stipends for teachers attending these academies and mandates the development of evaluation methods to assess their effectiveness. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of clear communication with parents about their child's performance and the availability of resources for students with dyslexia or related disorders.

The bill further amends the Education Code to enhance assessment and intervention processes for foundational literacy and numeracy skills in students from kindergarten through third grade. It requires the adoption of scientifically-based reading and mathematics instruments, mandates their administration at specified times, and ensures that results are reported to parents. New provisions include a list of approved instruments, tailored reading interventions for at-risk students, and the establishment of a program for third-grade students requiring accelerated instruction. The bill also introduces funding adjustments for school districts, including an Early Literacy Intervention Allotment and adjustments to average daily attendance calculations. Notably, it mandates a reduction in funding for districts with special education students and repeals several sections of the Education Code to streamline regulations. The amendments will take effect starting with the 2025-2026 school year, with some provisions effective as of September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 12.104, Education Code 21.4552, Education Code 21.4553, Education Code 25.085, Education Code 37.008, Education Code 28.006, Education Code 29.1543, Education Code 29.161, Education Code 29.167, Education Code 29.934, Education Code 39.333, Education Code 48.0051, Education Code 48.108, Education Code 48.257, Subchapter G, Chapter , Education Code 48.0051 (Education Code 21, Education Code 29, Education Code 28, Education Code 12, Education Code 48, Education Code 37, Subchapter G, Chapter , Education Code 48, Education Code 39, Education Code 25)