87R21495 ANG-D
By: Lopez H.B. No. 1613
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the requirement for certain public school teachers and
principals to attend a literacy achievement academy or otherwise
demonstrate proficiency in reading instruction.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 28.0062(a), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) Each school district and open-enrollment charter school
shall:
(1) provide for the use of a phonics curriculum that
uses systematic direct instruction in kindergarten through third
grade to ensure all students obtain necessary early literacy
skills;
(2) ensure that:
(A) not later than the 2023-2024 [2021-2022]
school year, each classroom teacher in kindergarten or first,
second, or third grade and each principal at a campus with
kindergarten or first, second, or third grade has:
(i) attended a teacher literacy achievement
academy developed under Section 21.4552; or
(ii) demonstrated proficiency in the
science of teaching reading on a certification examination in
accordance with rules adopted under Section 21.048(a-2); and
(B) each classroom teacher and each principal
initially employed in a grade level or at a campus described by
Paragraph (A) for the 2023-2024 [2021-2022] school year or a
subsequent school year has attended a teacher literacy achievement
academy developed under Section 21.4552 before the teacher's or
principal's first year of placement in that grade level or campus;
and
(3) certify to the agency that the district or school:
(A) prioritizes placement of highly effective
teachers in kindergarten through second grade; and
(B) has integrated reading instruments used to
diagnose reading development and comprehension to support each
student in prekindergarten through third grade.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2021.