Signed by Governor Doug Ducey

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with house amendments and pass a bill that establishes a literacy instruction exam for teacher certification applicants.

Highlights:

• Requires each school district to ensure that at least one kindergarten through third grade teacher has received training related to dyslexia on or before July 1, 2022 (Sec. 1C).

• Requires certified teachers to have a baccalaureate degree and a valid fingerprint clearance card (Sec. 2A).

• Requires the state board of education to adopt rules for the issuance of the following certificates for teachers (Sec. 2B):

• Standard teaching certificate;

• Alternative teaching certificate;

• Subject-matter expert standard teaching certificate;

• Classroom-based standard teaching certificate for those who obtain training from a school district or charter school; and

• Career and technical education teaching certificate.

• Requires the certificate holder to complete at least 45 classroom hours or 3 college-level credit hours within 3 years after a certificate for elementary education or early childhood education is issued (Sec. 2).

• Establishes a literacy endorsement requirement for all certificated teachers who provide literacy instruction in kindergarten programs or in any grades 1 through 5 beginning August 1, 2025 (Sec. 2).

• Requires the teacher to pass a literacy instruction assessment to show they are capable of doing all of the following (Sec. 2):

• Effectively teaching foundational reading skills, phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension;

• Implementing reading instruction and using high-quality instructional materials; and

• Providing effective instruction and interventions for students with reading deficiencies.

• Requires all approved educator preparation programs to require courses necessary to obtain a literacy endorsement beginning August 1, 2022 (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a literacy instruction exam for teacher certification applicants.

Highlights:

• Requires each school district to ensure that at least one kindergarten through third grade teacher has received training related to dyslexia on or before July 1, 2022 (Sec. 1C).

• Requires certified teachers to have a baccalaureate degree and a valid fingerprint clearance card (Sec. 2A).

• Requires the state board of education to adopt rules for the issuance of the following certificates for teachers (Sec. 2B):

• Standard teaching certificate;

• Alternative teaching certificate;

• Subject-matter expert standard teaching certificate;

• Classroom-based standard teaching certificate for those who obtain training from a school district or charter school; and

• Career and technical education teaching certificate.

• Requires the certificate holder to complete at least 45 classroom hours or 3 college-level credit hours within 3 years after a certificate for elementary education or early childhood education is issued (Sec. 2).

• Establishes a literacy endorsement requirement for all certificated teachers who provide literacy instruction in kindergarten programs or in any grades 1 through 5 beginning August 1, 2025 (Sec. 2).

• Requires the teacher to pass a literacy instruction assessment to show they are capable of doing all of the following (Sec. 2):

• Effectively teaching foundational reading skills, phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension;

• Implementing reading instruction and using high-quality instructional materials; and

• Providing effective instruction and interventions for students with reading deficiencies.

• Requires all approved educator preparation programs to require courses necessary to obtain a literacy endorsement beginning August 1, 2022 (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text