Researcher: JC Page 1 4/18/24
OLR Bill Analysis
sSB 14
AN ACT ASSISTING SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN IMPROVING
EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES.
SUMMARY
This bill requires the State Department of Education’s (SDE) Center
for Literacy Research and Reading Success to make available to the
faculty of teacher preparation programs (1) resources and research
supporting scientifically based reading instruction (see
BACKGROUND) and ( 2) Connecticut’s K-3 Literacy Strategy that the
center develops. It replaces current requirements that the center make
available (1) materials related to the science of teaching reading, (2) the
intensive reading instruction program, and (3) samples of available
reviewed and approved reading curriculum models or programs. It also
eliminates the requirement for the center to report on teacher
preparation programs’ progress in including these models or programs.
Under existing law, SDE’s Office of Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities
must verify that educator preparation programs and applicants for
educator certification meet compliance standards for dyslexia
instruction and training. The bill extends this requirement to cover
intermediate administrator and supervisor preparation programs. It
also expands the scope of the requirement to include the programs’ and
applicants’ compliance with scientifically based reading research and
instruction and structured literacy instruction and training.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2024
BACKGROUND
Scientifically Based Reading Research and Instruction
Existing law defines “scientifically based reading research and
instruction” as (1) a comprehensive program or a collection of practices 2024SB-00014-R000547-BA.DOCX
Researcher: JC Page 2 4/18/24
based on reliable, valid evidence showing that when these programs or
practices are used, students can be expected to achieve satisfactory
reading progress and (2) the integration of strategies for continuously
assessing, evaluating, and communicating the student’s reading
progress and needs in order to implement ongoing interventions so all
students can read and comprehend text and apply higher-level thinking
skills. The program or collection of practices must include instruction in
oral language, phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, rapid
automatic name or letter name fluency, and reading comprehension.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Education Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute Change of Reference - APP
Yea 44 Nay 0 (03/18/2024)
Appropriations Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 52 Nay 0 (04/04/2024)