Senate Bill 1403 Summary

• Extends the deadline for dyslexia screening plan development from July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022, requiring all kindergarten and grade one students be screened for dyslexia indicators within 45 calendar days of school year start or enrollment.

• Requires all kindergarten through third grade teachers to complete dyslexia training complying with section 15-219 by July 1, 2022, and establishes a dyslexia specialist position within the Department of Education.

• Creates a literacy endorsement requirement beginning August 1, 2025 for teachers providing literacy instruction in kindergarten through grade five, requiring training, coursework, and passing an assessment in foundational reading skills and interventions for students with reading deficiencies.

• Mandates teacher preparation programs in elementary and early childhood education include courses necessary to obtain literacy endorsement beginning August 1, 2022.

• Requires 45 classroom hours or three college-level credit hours of training in systematic phonics instruction and reading instruction for all elementary and early childhood education certificate holders within three years of issuance.