Alabama House Bill HB9

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/4/25
• Refer: 2/4/25
• Report Pass: 2/12/25
• Engrossed: 2/18/25
• Refer: 2/18/25
• Report Pass: 2/26/25

Caption

Three cueing system prohibited in public K-12 education

Impact

If enacted, this bill would significantly transform the curriculum standards for reading instruction across Alabama's public schools. The stipulations will guide educators in selecting instructional resources and defining educational practices that comply with the new regulations. Local schools may need to revise their materials and teacher training programs to ensure adherence to the requirements established in the bill, effectively shifting the focus of reading instruction towards more effective methodologies and potentially improving student reading outcomes in the long term.

Summary

House Bill 9 seeks to prohibit the use of the three-cueing system model in public K-12 education. This legislative move aims to enforce that reading instruction in Alabama schools relies strictly on scientifically-based literacy strategies, particularly focusing on phonological awareness, phonics, and decoding. The intent behind this bill is to enhance reading proficiency among students by eliminating less effective teaching methods currently employed in some classrooms. The bill outlines that local boards of education must ensure instructional materials do not utilize these outdated methods and instead prioritize evidence-based reading strategies.

Sentiment

The general sentiment surrounding HB9 has garnered support from various educational stakeholders who advocate for evidence-based instructional practices. Proponents believe that eliminating the three-cueing model will level the educational playing field, particularly for struggling readers. However, there may be concerns from some educators and groups over the sudden transition to new materials and teaching strategies, as many may be accustomed to the traditional methods. The discussions indicate a hopeful outlook for improving literacy rates, coupled with caution regarding implementation challenges.

Contention

Notable points of contention revolve around the practicality of enforcing such mandates at the local board level and the transition for existing educators who may have employed the three-cueing system in their teaching. Some educators express worries about the limitations the bill imposes on instructional flexibility and creativity. Additionally, the timeline for full compliance beginning with the 2025-2026 school year raises questions on whether adequate resources and training will be available to achieve these new instructional standards.