Pennsylvania HB 684: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in evidence-based reading instruction, further providing for definitions, providing for school entity duties related to evidence-based reading instruction, for school entity duties related to reading screening, for reading deficiency identification and parental notification, for reading intervention plans, for grant program, for funding, for reporting, for accountability and for construction.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1557
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 684
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY ORTITAY, FLEMING, MARCELL, JAMES, FREEMAN,
M. MACKENZIE, KHAN, CUTLER, DONAHUE, MENTZER, NEILSON, DALEY,
GREEN, MADDEN, STAATS, WHITE, FIEDLER, D. WILLIAMS, WEBSTER,
GAYDOS, SMITH-WADE-EL, KOZAK, VENKAT AND KUTZ, APRIL 30, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MAY 1, 2025
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in evidence-based reading
instruction, further providing for definitions, providing for
school entity duties related to evidence-based reading
instruction, for school entity duties related to reading
screening, for reading deficiency identification and parental
notification, for reading intervention plans, for grant
program, for funding, for reporting, for accountability and
for construction.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 1501-N of the act of March 10, 1949
(P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is
amended by adding a definition to read:
Section 1501-N. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this article
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
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"Parent." An individual who has legal custody or
guardianship of a student.
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Section 2. The act is amended by adding sections to read:
Section 1503-N. School entity duties related to evidence-based
reading instruction.
A school entity shall do all of the following beginning with
the 2026-2027 school year:
(1) Adopt an evidence-based reading instruction
curriculum.
(2) Approve a professional development training program
from a list developed by the council, that satisfies the
requirements under section 1205.8(c) for educators providing
reading instruction.
(3) Identify an educator responsible for assisting each
school with the implementation of the curriculum adopted
under paragraph (1).
(4) Demonstrate that each educator responsible for
providing reading instruction or coaching is in the process
of completing approved professional development under
paragraph (2). An educator must complete approved
professional development training under paragraph (2) no
later than the beginning of the 2028-2029 school year.
Section 1504-N. School entity duties related to reading
screening.
(a) General rule.--A school entity shall do all of the
following beginning with the 2026-2027 school year:
(1) Screen each student enrolled in kindergarten through
third grade for reading competency three times each school
year, once at the beginning of the school year, once during
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the middle of the year and once at the end of the school
year. In conducting the screening, the school entity shall
use a universal reading screener chosen from the list of
approved universal reading screeners under section 1502-N(b).
(2) Provide educators time during the contractual school
day to complete data entry and compilation associated with
the screener, to communicate with families and carry out any
other responsibility required under this section.
(b) Exception.--Students with limited English proficiency,
students with disabilities and gifted students are subject to
the requirements of this section, unless the assessment would
conflict with the educational program, plan or service agreement
provided in accordance with Federal or State law and regulation.
Section 1505-N. Reading deficiency identification and parental
notification.
(a) Student.--A student in kindergarten through grade three
shall be identified as having a reading deficiency if an
approved universal reading screener administered under section
1504-N identifies the student at risk for reading failure.
(b) Reading deficiency.--A student who is identified as
having a reading deficiency under subsection (a) shall remain
identified as having a reading deficiency until the student
performs at or above an identified threshold level using at
least three data points, which may include:
(1) results on a universal reading screener;
(2) the educator's professional judgment on a student's
performance;
(3) progress monitoring outcomes;
(4) diagnostic assessments;
(5) benchmark assessments; and
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(6) formative or summative assessments.
(c) Parental notification.--A school entity shall notify, in
writing or electronically:
(1) Each parent of a kindergarten student who exhibits a
deficiency in reading in the third screening at the end of
the school year.
(2) Each parent of a first th