The bill, introduced by Dutton and others, seeks to improve kindergarten readiness and enhance early literacy and numeracy skills among public school students in Texas. It amends the Education Code to replace "accelerated reading instruction programs" with "reading interventions" and expands requirements for open-enrollment charter schools to comply with early childhood literacy and mathematics proficiency plans. The bill establishes stipends for teachers who complete literacy and mathematics achievement academies, while also mandating the development of intervention academies for educators to ensure effective instructional practices for struggling students. Additionally, it modifies existing reading assessment provisions to focus on measuring foundational literacy skills rather than diagnosing reading development.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new requirements for school districts to administer approved reading and mathematics instruments, with results reported to parents, while ensuring that these assessments are not used for accountability purposes. It mandates targeted reading interventions for at-risk students and establishes a program for supplementary supports, including grants for tutoring services. The bill also enhances qualifications for prekindergarten teachers, mandates universal screening for dyslexia, and introduces new funding mechanisms for reading interventions. Most provisions are set to take effect in the 2025-2026 school year, aiming to create a more supportive educational framework for early learners in Texas.

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 12, Education Code 48, Education Code 28, Subchapter G, Chapter , Education Code 48, Education Code 29, Education Code 25, Education Code 39, Education Code 21, Education Code 37)
House Committee Report: 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 29.0031, Education Code 29.1543, Education Code 29.161, Education Code 29.167, Education Code 38.003, Education Code 39.333, Education Code 48.108 (Education Code 12, Education Code 48, Education Code 28, Subchapter G, Chapter , Education Code 48, Education Code 29, Education Code 25, Education Code 39, Education Code 38, Education Code 21, Education Code 37)
Engrossed: 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 29.0031, Education Code 29.1543, Education Code 29.161, Education Code 29.167, Education Code 38.003, Education Code 39.333, Education Code 48.108 (Education Code 12, Education Code 48, Education Code 28, Subchapter G, Chapter , Education Code 48, Education Code 29, Education Code 25, Education Code 39, Education Code 38, Education Code 21, Education Code 37)