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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
K-5 teachers; literacy endorsement; requirements
Purpose
Allows, rather than requires, a certificated kindergarten through grade 5 (K-5) teacher who provides literacy instruction to obtain a literacy endorsement established by the State Board of Education (SBE) beginning August 1, 2025.
Background
The State Board of Education (SBE) oversees teacher certification and issues teaching certificates. Beginning August 1, 2025, the SBE is directed to establish a literacy endorsement as a requirement for all certificated K-5 teachers who provide literacy instruction. The literacy endorsement requires teachers to complete evidence-based science of reading training or coursework and includes a literacy instruction assessment to show that the teacher is capable of demonstrating effective teaching of foundational reading skills, implementing reading instruction and providing reading interventions.
A teacher certificated before August 1, 2025, must obtain a literacy endorsement by August 1, 2028, and a teacher certificated after August 1, 2025, must obtain a literacy endorsement within three years after certification. A certificated teacher who has had a local education agency verify the teacher's knowledge and skills in the science of reading is not required to complete the required coursework, training or assessment for the literacy endorsement. All approved educator preparation programs must require the necessary courses to obtain a literacy endorsement (A.R.S. § 15-501.01).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Specifies that the literacy endorsement required to be established by the SBE beginning August 1, 2025, must be a voluntary literacy endorsement.
2. Removes the requirement for a certificated teacher who provides K-5 literacy instruction to obtain a literacy endorsement.
3. Makes technical changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 5, 2024
MH/mg