Committee advances bill funding statewide reading training for K–3 teachers and administrators

The Senate Education Committee voted to advance Senate Bill 10‑69, which would require the Idaho State Department of Education to provide professional development in the science of reading and evidence‑based practices to teachers and elementary administrators serving kindergarten through third grade.

Senator Van Burton Shaw (presenting the bill) told the committee the bill would “ensure that existing literacy dollars are being expended in alignment with the science of reading and evidence‑based best practices, maximizing student achievement in reading.” He said the measure builds on Idaho’s existing comprehensive literacy framework and cited code sections that direct the state’s literacy interventions.

The bill as described by the sponsor would provide a…