Virginia House Bill HB211

Virginia 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/4/24
• Refer: 1/4/24

Caption

Higher educational institutions, public; Dept. of Education to audit education preparation programs.

Impact

The bill requires a significant overhaul of the curricula in education preparation programs, making reading coursework and field practice foundational elements for students pursuing endorsements in early childhood, elementary education, or special education. The legislation emphasizes the identification and intervention strategies for students with dyslexia and related disorders, highlighting a commitment to inclusive education. Additionally, the Department of Education is tasked with biennial audits of these programs to ensure compliance, thereby linking the success of teacher preparation directly with ongoing assessment and improvement.

Summary

House Bill 211 aims to enhance the training of educators in literacy instruction within Virginia's public and private higher education institutions. The bill mandates that education preparation programs, which train candidates seeking initial licensure or reading specialization, demonstrate mastery in evidence-based literacy instruction and science-based reading research. This is intended to ensure that future educators are well-equipped to teach reading effectively, particularly to those who may struggle with literacy.

Contention

Notably, there may be differing opinions among educational stakeholders regarding the implementation specifics of HB 211. Proponents argue that the bill is a necessary step towards increasing literacy rates and addressing the needs of diverse learners, while opponents might raise concerns about the feasibility of stringent auditing processes and the adequacy of resources available for institutions to comply with the new requirements. Some educators may also feel that the focus on standardized literacy instruction could limit the creativity and diversity of teaching methods currently employed in the classroom.