H4642 — An Act relative to teacher preparation and student literacy

Summary

An Act relative to teacher preparation and student literacy

Bill Text

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The bill amends various provisions of the General Laws to enhance literacy instruction and oversight in educator preparation programs in Massachusetts, shifting focus toward evidence-based methodologies.

• Section 38G of chapter 71

  student → candidate

  This change redefines the term 'student' to 'candidate' in the context of educator preparation programs.

• Section 38G of chapter 71

  The college or university or school district or other institution shall also provide the commissioner with a transcript of the student’s record. → The approved program shall be evaluated by the commissioner annually to ensure that candidates are well prepared to meet the needs of all students in the commonwealth. Through this review, the commissioner of education shall meaningfully differentiate the performance of individual program providers based in part on program quality and outcomes of candidates once they are employed. The review shall include, but not be limited to, program implementation of evidence-based preparation in the five research-based areas in reading instruction, i.e., phonemic awareness, phonics, fluence, vocabulary, and comprehension, and the extent to which new teachers’ effectiveness addresses persistent disparities in achievement. The commissioner shall annually publish data on these programs, including the current approval status, enrollment, demographics of candidates, areas of licensure being pursued and employment rate of graduates.

  This change promotes an annual evaluation of educator preparation programs based on evidence and student outcomes instead of requiring transcripts.

• Section 38G of chapter 71

  All applications for reviewing and approving preparation programs under this section shall be accompanied by a fee to be determined annually by the secretary of administration and finance under the provisions of section 3B of chapter 7, which shall be sufficient to allow the department to carry out the responsibilities outlined in this section.

  This addition mandates that preparation programs submit an application fee to facilitate program reviews.

• Section 57A of chapter 71

  The commissioner shall annually publish data on which screening instruments are employed by each school district in the commonwealth, including but not limited to grades Pre-K-3 literacy screening assessments and whether the screening instruments are approved by the department of elementary and secondary education.

  This addition requires the commissioner to publish information on literacy screening instruments used in school districts.

• Section 57B of chapter 71

  The department of elementary and secondary education, in consultation with the department of early education and care, shall issue guidelines to districts requiring screening protocols for reading for all students in grades kindergarten through third grade using evidence-based screeners.

  This establishes guidelines for districts to implement reading screening protocols based on evidence-based practices.

• Section 1E of chapter 69

  Curricula selected to meet the curriculum frameworks for elementary literacy must include instruction in the five research-based areas in reading instruction, i.e., phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

  This mandates inclusion of specific areas of reading instruction in elementary literacy curricula.

• Section 1E 1/2 of chapter 69

  (a) The department shall provide tools and resources to aid districts in providing professional development aligned with evidence-based literacy instruction and scientifically-based reading standards for literacy teachers, paraprofessionals, and reading specialists in grades pre-kindergarten through third grade.

  This requires the department to support districts in providing training for literacy instruction.

• Subsection (c)(ii) of section 1S of chapter 69

  and (J) → (J) implementing literacy instructions based on scientifically-based reading standards; and (K)

  This change adds a focus on implementing scientifically-based reading standards to existing mandates.

• Subsection (c)(ii) of section 1S of chapter 69

  that if a district → any such program must adhere to scientifically-based reading standards as set out by section 1E 1/2 of this chapter.

  This clarifies that literacy programs must conform to scientifically-based reading standards.

• Section 1S of chapter 69

  (e)(1) The department shall identify a list of data requirements for reporting purposes in order to ensure that districts are implementing literacy instruction that is consistent with department-approved literacy curricula as set forth in section 1E of this chapter.

  This establishes data requirements for districts' reporting on literacy instruction adherence.

• Section 1S of chapter 69

  (h) Notwithstanding any general law

  This begins a provision allowing exceptions to other general laws for specified purposes.

Sponsors

• Joint Committee on Education · Primary

Subjects