Requires the incorporation of structured, explicit, language and evidence-based approaches to literacy instruction for prospective teachers
Summary
Requires the commissioner of education to establish and enforce rules and regulations to incorporate at least a three credit course devoted to the instructional techniques necessary for effective literacy instruction which shall include delivering structured, systematic, explicit, evidence-based instruction aligned with the science of reading for prospective teachers.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Mar 13, 2025
Last action Jan 7, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
S6400
→
S6400A
·
3 edits
MINOR
This bill was amended to strengthen literacy training for future teachers by updating the required curriculum to explicitly align with the 'science of reading.' The changes clarify that instruction must be evidence-based and structured, moving away from vague terms like 'multisensory' to ensure a more rigorous, research-backed approach to teaching reading.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on accredited college of education programs, but the specific requirements for the literacy courses were tightened to mandate alignment with established scientific research.
REQUIREMENT
Replaced the requirement for 'multisensory approaches' with a mandate for 'evidence-based approaches aligned with the science of reading,' ensuring the curriculum relies on proven research methods.
DEFINITION
Updated the bill title and text to formally define the required instruction as 'structured, explicit, language and evidence-based approaches,' removing the previous emphasis on 'multisensory' instruction.
TECHNICAL
Added status notes indicating the bill was amended, discharged from committee, and reprinted, and updated the internal tracking number from 01-5 to 03-5.
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
4
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Amendments
2
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
upper
Mar 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 6400A
upper
Mar 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO HIGHER EDUCATION
upper
Mar 13, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
upper
1 primary · 5 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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