Recognizing reading as the foundation of education success, I am pleased to report legislation I supported in the House to boost early literacy has been signed into law.
Statistics show half of Pennsylvania fourth graders are reading below their grade level. In fact, results of the Future Ready PA Index, released earlier this week, show a decrease from 54.5% to 53.9% proficiency in English Language Arts. Proficiency rates in math and science increased slightly.
Since childhood reading difficulties can produce long-term effects and limit our children’s chances at success, it is important we are proactive in advancing child literacy and intervening with students who may need additional help.
Act 135 of 2024 requires the Department of Education to develop and maintain a list of evidence-based reading curricula on its website that must be aligned with academic standards and the science of reading. It also requires the creation of a Reading Leadership Council to develop and maintain lists of approved reading instruction curricula, structured literacy professional development training programs, universal reading screeners and structured literacy intervention approaches.
The law takes effect in 90 days.
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