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sjmerc_ca_feed) wrote2025-09-17 11:15 am
Historic California “science of reading” bill heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom
A landmark literacy bill awaits Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature after unanimously passing the Senate floor with a 38-0 vote.
If signed, AB 1454 moves the state one step closer to implementing evidence-based reading instruction in California classrooms — a decades-long, highly contentious state debate.
Authored by Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, who represents Salinas, and Assemblymembers Al Muratsuchi of Torrance and Blanca Rubio of Baldwin Park, AB 1454 would adopt new evidence-based reading instructional materials and training. Also known as the “science of reading,” evidence-based reading teaches students how to read by emphasizing skills like phonics and vocabulary rather than word recognition and memorization.
“This is a turning point for California’s children. Every child deserves the chance to succeed, and reading is the foundation for success,” said Rubio. “AB 1454 will give California’s teachers the tools they need to teach literacy and our students the skills they need to tackle reading. This bill confronts the staggering literacy gaps we’ve seen in California.”
AB 1454 previously passed the Assembly Education Committee, Assembly floor and Senate Education Committee unanimously. Its unanimous passage on the Senate Floor Friday was the final step in the state legislature, and it now awaits Newsom’s signature.
The milestone comes as national testing data released last week revealed high school seniors across the country had historically low test scores in reading and math. National testing data released earlier this year revealed that California fourth- and eighth-grade students continue to trail their peers in other states in math and reading scores, showing that the state’s students’ post-pandemic learning recovery has been especially slow compared to students across the nation.
The bill tackles the state’s reading crisis and emphasizes evidence-based reading through professional development, updated course materials and training requirements.
One part of the bill provides schools with state funding to train elementary school teachers on how to teach reading through evidence-based instruction, to which Newsom pledged $200 million in the 2025-26 state budget earlier this year.
If signed by Newsom, the bill would also require the State Board of Education — which sets policies and regulations for academic standards, curriculum requirements, course instructional materials and state assessments — to adopt a list of new English language instructional materials aligned with evidence-based reading methods, which schools must choose from when updating course materials or self-certify that their materials align with evidence-based methods.
AB 1454 would require the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing — which develops and accredits teacher preparation programs, issues credentials, enforces professional practices and oversees the discipline of educators — to include training on evidence-based literacy instruction for reading specialists and administrators.
While past efforts to implement evidence-based reading standards in California have failed to garner critical support — including a former bill by Rubio, AB 2222 — the California Teachers Association has been a vocal supporter of AB 1454, which gives school districts more flexibility to select instructional materials and the option to decline state-funded teacher training, unlike previous versions.
The bill also has unprecedented support, with more than 90 education and social justice advocates across the state supporting its implementation, including educational advocacy nonprofit EdVoice, school districts across the state, several National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) branches, parent-teacher associations, the California County Superintendents and the California School Library Association.
Marshall Tuck, CEO of EdVoice, said AB 1454 will uplift academic outcomes for millions of children in California.
“Transforming California’s education system requires a coordinated approach rooted in proven solutions,” Tuck said. “The overwhelming support from both the Legislature and Governor’s administration for evidence-based reading instruction demonstrates California’s commitment to bold change, so all children have access to the quality education they need and future opportunities they deserve.”
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