Sec. 28.0062. READING STANDARDS FOR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH THIRD GRADE. (a) Each school district and open-enrollment charter school shall:

(1) provide for the use of a phonics curriculum that uses systematic direct instruction in kindergarten through third grade to ensure all students obtain necessary early literacy skills;

(2) ensure that:

(A) not later than the 2021-2022 school year, each classroom teacher in kindergarten or first, second, or third grade and each principal at a campus with kindergarten or first, second, or third grade has attended a teacher literacy achievement academy developed under Section 21.4552; and

(B) each classroom teacher and each principal initially employed in a grade level or at a campus described by Paragraph (A) for the 2021-2022 school year or a subsequent school year has attended a teacher literacy achievement academy developed under Section 21.4552 before the teacher's or principal's first year of placement in that grade level or campus; and

(3) certify to the agency that the district or school:

(A) prioritizes placement of highly effective teachers in kindergarten through second grade; and

(B) has integrated reading instruments used to diagnose reading development and comprehension to support each student in prekindergarten through third grade.

(b) The agency shall provide assistance to school districts and open-enrollment charter schools in complying with the requirements under this section.

(c) The agency shall:

(1) monitor the implementation of this section; and

(2) periodically report to the legislature on the implementation of this section and the effectiveness of this section in improving educational outcomes.

(d) The commissioner shall establish an advisory board to assist the agency in fulfilling the agency's duties under this section. Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the advisory board.

(e) The commissioner may adopt rules to implement this section.

Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 943 (H.B. 3), Sec. 2.013, eff. June 12, 2019.