WHEREAS, in 2021, Delaware recognized that reading proficiency is essential for academic achievement by enacting Senate Bill No. 133 (151
st
General Assembly) which requires that educator preparation programs designed for prospective early childhood teachers, elementary school teachers, reading specialists, and special education teachers prepare educators to effectively instruct students in the essential components of literacy, as established under § 1280(c)(3) of Title 14 as the essential components of evidence-based reading instruction; and
WHEREAS, the current certification requirements for early childhood teachers, elementary school teachers, reading specialists, and special education teachers do not include requirements that directly align with the essential components of literacy; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Education, Professional Standards Board, and the State Board of Education are responsible for the professional standards, licensure, and certification of educators in this State; and
WHEREAS, the P-20 Council makes recommendations designed to ensure a more integrated, seamless education system that enables children to enter school ready to learn, receive challenging instruction throughout their school careers, and graduate from high school ready for college and careers so they grow to be successful citizens; and
WHEREAS, the certification requirements for educator positions addressing reading should include the ability to effectively instruct students in the essential components of literacy.
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 151st General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that the Department of Education’s (“Department”) review of the requirements for educator licensure and certifications and efforts to identify methods of strengthening these requirements to include demonstrated knowledge of the essential components of evidence-based reading instruction, as established under § 1280(c)(3) of Title 14 (“review”) is good public policy.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department is encouraged to work with the Professional Standards Board, State Board of Education, and P-20 Council when conducting this review.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in this review, the Department is encouraged to include the certification requirements for educator positions addressing reading and to recommend minimum requirements that align with the essential components of evidence-based reading instruction for these positions, including for all of the following:
(1) Early childhood teacher.
(2) Elementary teacher.
(3) School reading specialist.
(4) Reading interventionist.
(5) Early childhood exceptional children special education teacher.
(6) Special education teacher of students with disabilities.
(7) Literary coordinator.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in this review, the Department is encouraged to include consideration of all of the following methods of requiring demonstrated knowledge of the essential components of evidence-based reading instruction:
(1) Issuing an approved list of options for educators to demonstrate competency, including the options of an additional certification exam, competency-based professional learning, and attainment of competency-based micro-credentials.
(2) Replacing the Reading and Language Arts subtest requirement for elementary teachers and reading specialists with a test that measures the components listed under § 1280(c)(3) of Title 14.
(3) Requiring attainment of a suite of literacy micro-credential certifications for certification renewal.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in this review, the Department should consider the alignment of requirements with the essential components of reading instruction, including available associated research, and how, as the rigor of these requirements is increased, the State can minimize additional burdens and create more flexibility for educators.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that no later than December 1, 2022, that the Department submits a final report containing a summary of the analysis of the issues reviewed, including findings, recommendations for how to strengthen literacy in state certification requirements, and a proposed implementation plan.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department submits the report to all of the following: the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the members of the House and Senate Education Committees, the Governor, State Board of Education, P-20 Council, Professional Standards Board, the Director and the Librarian of the Division of Research of Legislative Council, and the Delaware Public Archives.
