DE SB4

Department of Education must maintain a list of evidence-based reading curricula for kindergarten through 3rd grade that align with science of reading research, including the six essential components: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and oral language.

School districts and charter schools must adopt a reading curriculum from the Department's approved list before the 2027-2028 school year and provide competency-based professional development to all educators teaching reading instruction.

Districts and charter schools must identify an individual responsible for implementing adopted curricula and ensure all elementary teachers, reading specialists, interventionists, special education teachers, literacy coaches, and designated literacy cadre staff complete required professional development by the 2027-2028 deadline.

School districts and charter schools must submit annual reports starting October 31, 2023, detailing adopted curricula, designated implementation coordinators, and educator professional development completion rates.

Department must issue annual reports beginning December 31, 2023, to legislative and state leadership showing curriculum adoption numbers, educator professional development participation, and compliance percentages with the new requirements.