AN ACT CONCERNING STUDENT LITERACY, ASPIRING EDUCATORS, AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE AS PART OF THE WORLD LANGUAGES CURRICULUM AND THE PARAEDUCATOR HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN SUBSIDY PROGRAM.

The program target changed from grades 4-6 to kindergarten through grade 3.

Eligibility criteria changed from specific mastery examination scores (levels 1 or 2) to a broader requirement to identify all students below proficiency in reading.

Added a requirement for the Department of Education to adopt a list of required reading assessments that measure specific skills like phonemic awareness and rapid automatic naming.

Added a mandate for local boards to administer these assessments at least three times per year (fall, winter, spring) to monitor progress.

Added a requirement to identify students at risk for dyslexia and other reading-related learning disabilities.

Added a requirement for the Department to develop guidance on implementing multitiered systems of support or response to intervention frameworks.

Added a requirement for assessments to be administered in both English and a student's native language if available.

The effective date for the new assessment mandate is July 1, 2026, replacing the previous July 1, 2026 start date for the grant program.

Removed the specific grant awarding language for the Center for Literacy Research and Reading Success.