Committee backs $5 million literacy-training bill requiring 'science of reading' coaching for K–3 teachers

The Senate Education Committee voted to send Senate Bill 1069 to the Senate floor with a due-pass recommendation after sponsor Senator Van Burton Shaw described the bill as a requirement that the Idaho Department of Education provide professional development in the "science of reading" and related evidence-based practices for all teachers and elementary administrators serving students in kindergarten through third grade.

Senator Van Burton Shaw told the committee the proposal would amend Idaho Code and require the department to provide professional development and align existing literacy dollars with evidence-based reading instruction. "This bill requires a $5,000,000 ongoing appropriation," he said, explaining the funding would support a three-year cycle of training and then sustain ongoing training; priority for initial training would go to school districts and charter schools scoring in the lower 25% on the fall Idaho reading indicator.

Committee members asked how the program is delivered and whether the training is a one-time event. Megan Wunderlich, director of academics, content and curriculum at the Idaho State Department of Education, said the program can provide credits toward license renewal but does not change existing renewal requirements. Superintendent Debbie Critchfield told senators she has seen higher reading scores where teachers and administrators have received the coaching and called the program "grounded in phonics." "Teachers who have received the smart coaching training and their administrators — their reading scores go up, period," she said.

A year‑one participant, Laura Milton Hayden, testified by video that the program consists of an ongoing monthly book-study and coaching cycle and is "better than any professional development I've received from my district." Hayden, a third-grade teacher, said coaches visit classrooms, analyze current student data and help adjust interventions midyear; she told the committee the work has improved her students' phonics and overall reading skills.

Committee member questions included whether charter schools are included. The department replied the coaching model has been used in charter schools and district programs; the department said roughly 600 charter-school teachers took part in the program last year. Senators also asked about funding mechanics; the sponsor and department clarified that the bill mandates the program and requires the ongoing appropriation, but the actual appropriation level would be set in the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee.

The committee voted to send Senate Bill 1069 to the Senate floor with a due-pass recommendation by voice vote; the motion carried.