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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
literacy endorsement; curricula; special education
Purpose
Applies the literacy endorsement requirement to certificated teachers who provide literacy instruction in a special education program or a setting in any grade level. Specifies that curriculum, for the purposes of a K-3 literacy plan, includes any curriculum that is used to provide reading instruction to children with disabilities or English language learners.
Background
Beginning August 1, 2025, the State Board of Education (SBE) must establish a literacy endorsement as a requirement for all certificated teachers who provide literacy instruction in kindergarten programs or grades one through five. A certificated teacher who provides literacy instruction to such grades must obtain a literacy endorsement: 1) by August 1, 2028, if the teacher received a certificate before August 1, 2025; or 2) within three years of certificate issuance, if the teacher received a certificate after August 1, 2025. The literacy endorsement must require a teacher to complete evidence-based science of reading training or coursework, as determined by the SBE, and pass a literacy instruction assessment to show that the teacher is capable of: 1) effectively teaching foundational reading skills, phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension; 2) implementing reading instruction using high-quality instructional materials; and 3) providing effective instruction and interventions for students with reading deficiencies, including students with characteristics of dyslexia (A.R.S. § 15-501.01).
A school district or charter school that provides instruction to students in kindergarten programs or grades one through three must implement a K-3 literacy plan. Components of a K-3 literacy plan include: 1) selecting and administering outlined reading assessments to monitor student progress; 2) conducting a curriculum evaluation and adopting an evidence-based reading curriculum that includes the essential components of reading instruction; and 3) devoting reasonable amounts of time to explicit, evidence-based instruction and independent reading (A.R.S. § 15-704).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Applies the literacy endorsement requirement to all certificated teachers who provide literacy instruction in a qualifying grade level, rather than in kindergarten programs or grades one through five.
2. Includes, in qualifying grade level:
a) a kindergarten program;
b) a special education program or a setting in any grade level; or
c) any of grades one through five.
3. Specifies that curriculum, for the purposes of a K-3 literacy plan, includes any curriculum that is used to provide reading instruction to children with disabilities or English language learners.
4. Makes technical changes.
5. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 9, 2025
MH/ci