This bill aims to amend the Code of West Virginia by adding a new article to expand the Literacy Based Promotion Act, specifically targeting literacy proficiency for students in grades four through eight. It establishes a framework for the State Board of Education to provide support and resources to instructional leaders, teachers, and other personnel involved in literacy education. The bill outlines the need for professional development grounded in the science of reading, job-embedded coaching, and educator preparation programs that equip teachers with the necessary skills to address diverse student needs, including those with reading difficulties and dyslexia.

Additionally, the bill mandates the development of rules for implementing an evidence-based literacy intervention program, which includes the use of universal screeners to identify students at risk for reading deficiencies and the provision of targeted interventions. It specifies that the program must not utilize the three-cueing system method for teaching reading. Furthermore, the State Board of Education is required to submit an annual report to the legislature detailing the program's implementation, including the number of students identified with significant reading deficiencies and the effectiveness of the interventions provided. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-2L-1, 18-2L-2, 18-2L-3, 18-2L-4, 18-2L-5, 18-2L-6