Illinois House Bill HB4070

Illinois 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/3/23
• Refer: 5/4/23
• Refer: 2/28/24
• Refer: 4/5/24

Caption

SCH CD-STATE LITERACY PLAN

Impact

If enacted, HB4070 could significantly influence the education laws in Illinois by ensuring that literacy instruction is prioritized through the development of new standards and assessments for reading educators. This could lead to improved reading outcomes for students in the state, particularly in the early grades, which is crucial for long-term academic success. Moreover, the bill introduces grant programs aimed at providing funding to districts for hiring specialists to support literacy education, which may help improve resource allocation in schools.

Summary

House Bill 4070, introduced by Rep. Dave Severin, aims to enhance literacy education in the state of Illinois by mandating the creation of a comprehensive literacy plan by the State Board of Education. The bill requires this plan to be developed in consultation with various education stakeholders and outlines key areas that the plan must address, including classroom student-to-teacher ratios in grades K-6 and the establishment of a reading teacher content area test for endorsements. The State Board is tasked to adopt and implement this plan by January 31, 2024.

Contention

There are potential areas of contention surrounding HB4070. Advocates may argue that the establishment of a state-mandated literacy plan could standardize literacy instruction across the state, promoting equity and quality in education. However, some educators and local school boards might express concerns about top-down mandates that may not account for the unique needs of individual districts or communities. Additionally, the emphasis on assessments could be seen as problematic if it leads to a narrow focus on testing rather than a holistic approach to reading education.