HB 2143: Require elementary school teachers to be certified in the science of reading - West Virginia

Engrossed Committee Substitute → hb2143 hfa coop-gonzalez 3-13 _1 adopted.htm · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to explicitly exempt public charter school teachers from the mandatory science of reading endorsement requirements, allowing them to opt-in rather than be required to participate. Additionally, the bill title and header were updated to reflect the Delegate's name and the amendment status.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed by creating an exemption for public charter school teachers, changing their status from mandatory participants to optional participants in the new training requirements.

ELIGIBILITY

Public charter school teachers are no longer required to receive the science of reading endorsement; they may now choose to participate.

REQUIREMENT

A new sentence was inserted stating that public charter school teachers may choose to participate in the section's requirements.

TECHNICAL

The bill header was updated to include the Delegate's name and amendment identifier.

Committee Substitute → Engrossed Committee Substitute · 3 edits · Mar 17, 2025

MINOR

The bill was updated to reflect its status as an Engrossed Committee Substitute. The most significant substantive change is the addition of a clause allowing public charter school teachers to opt out of the mandatory science of reading training requirements, whereas previously they were required to participate.

Scope change

The requirement for public charter school teachers to undergo the science of reading training was changed from mandatory to voluntary.

REQUIREMENT

Public charter school teachers are no longer required to participate in the science of reading training; they may now choose whether to enroll.

TIMELINE

The deadline for currently employed educators to enroll in training was updated from the 2027/2028 school year to the 2027-2028 school year.

TECHNICAL

The header was updated to indicate this is the 'Engrossed Version' rather than the 'Committee Substitute' version.

Introduced Version → Committee Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to replace the requirement for teachers to be 'certified' in the science of reading with a requirement to 'receive an endorsement.' The substantive text was significantly rewritten to mandate specific professional learning, including ongoing intensive training with live sessions and classroom application, rather than just general training. It also clarifies that currently employed teachers must enroll by the 2027-2028 school year, while new hires must enroll in their first year of employment.

Scope change

The scope of applicability was narrowed and clarified to specifically target Kindergarten through Grade 5 teachers providing literacy instruction, replacing the broader term 'elementary school teachers.'

REQUIREMENT

Changed the certification requirement to an endorsement requirement, indicating a different administrative process for teachers.

Replaced general training mandates with specific requirements for ongoing, intensive professional learning that includes live sessions and classroom application activities.

TIMELINE

Established specific enrollment deadlines: 2027-2028 for currently employed teachers and the first year of employment for new hires.

SCOPE

Narrowed the target audience from general 'elementary school teachers' to specifically 'Kindergarten through Grade 5 public school teachers and public charter school teachers providing literacy instruction.'

FISCAL

Added a provision stating that the application for the Science of Reading endorsement must be free of charge for those who complete the training.

Require elementary school teachers to be certified in the science of reading

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