SB 1094 Summary

• Local and regional boards of education must fully implement a comprehensive, evidence-based reading curriculum model or program for kindergarten through grade three beginning July 1, 2023, with models reviewed and approved by the Center for Literacy Research and Reading Success.

• Boards not yet implementing an approved model must begin partial implementation by July 1, 2023, and achieve full implementation by July 1, 2025.

• The Commissioner of Education may grant waivers to implement alternative comprehensive reading programs if they are evidence-based and focused on seven core reading competencies: oral language, phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, rapid automatic name/letter fluency, and reading comprehension.

• Waiver requests must include disaggregated reading assessment data by race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, English proficiency, and disability status, plus a strategy to address remaining achievement gaps.

• The Center for Literacy Research and Reading Success must review and approve at least five comprehensive reading curriculum models by July 1, 2022, and provide technical assistance, professional development, and independent reviews of district implementation.