IL SB3900

Creates the Right to Read Act requiring the State Board of Education to support public school districts in selecting and implementing evidence-based core reading instruction programs using structured literacy instruction, including phonemic awareness, phonics, spelling, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension by February 1, 2023.

Establishes an Early Literacy Grant pilot program to award grants to districts committing to comprehensive literacy curriculum reform and teacher professional development by September 1, 2025, with grantees required to ensure K-3 teachers and administrators complete evidence-based reading instruction training.

Requires teacher license applicants in early childhood education, elementary education, English language arts, reading specialist, special education, speech language pathology, and English language learner teaching to pass a reading foundations test assessing phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and assessment methods.

Allows applicants who have successfully completed a reading foundations test of comparable rigor in another state or country to be exempt from the Illinois reading foundations test requirement.

Mandates the State Board annually post information on its website regarding literacy support efforts, Early Literacy Grant recipients, funding allocation documentation, and evidence-based curricula being utilized by grant recipients; effective immediately.