HB9 Summary

• Prohibits Alabama public K-12 schools from using instructional materials that employ the three-cueing system (MSV model based on meaning, structure/syntax, and visual cues) or visual memory for teaching word reading.

• Requires all reading instructional materials approved for use in Alabama schools to utilize structured literacy strategies and phonics instruction for decoding and encoding, effective June 1, 2025.

• Mandates the State Board of Education adopt rules by the 2025-2026 school year requiring educator preparation programs to use scientifically researched, evidence-based reading strategies including explicit, systematic instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.

• Permits visual information and strategies to improve background knowledge, context, oral language, and vocabulary for comprehension support, but explicitly prohibits their use for teaching word recognition or decoding.

• Authorizes the State Board to notify local boards of education, educator preparation programs, the Legislature, and the public of violations of these reading instruction requirements.