For Immediate Release: NAACP CA-HI Sponsors AB 1121
The NAACP California Hawaii State Conference (NAACP CA-HI) has joined Decoding Dyslexia CA, EdVoice, and Families In Schools in sponsoring Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio’s new early literacy bill, AB 1121. The bill aims to ensure a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to teaching all California elementary school students how to read by addressing deep inequities around reading achievement for the state’s most vulnerable students. Details may be found on the campaign website www.californiakidsread.org.
For Immediate Release: EdVoice Sponsors AB 1121 (Rubio), a Landmark Early Literacy Bill
Reading is a civil right, but California’s early childhood literacy gaps are some of the largest by race and income in the nation. The problem is not that our children can’t learn, but that many are not being provided with effective reading instruction and materials.
Today, California State Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio (D-48) introduced a new early literacy bill, AB 1121, that will create more equitable academic outcomes by bringing evidence-based reading instruction to every elementary school classroom in California.
The bill is co-sponsored by EdVoice, Decoding Dyslexia CA and Families In Schools. This legislation, if enacted, will ensure that all elementary students in California receive reading instruction aligned with the latest scientific research on how the brain learns to read.
For Immediate Release: EdVoice CEO Statement on 2025-26 State Budget
Today, in response to Governor Newsom’s announcement of a proposed state budget for 2025-2026, EdVoice CEO Marshall Tuck issued the following statement:
“EdVoice is pleased to see the deep focus on literacy instruction and instructional materials in the Governor’s proposed budget, as reading is the most essential skill for future learning and opportunity. A persistent reading achievement gap exists between California’s low-income and non-low-income students, so we must continue to prioritize literacy instruction. We must also ensure that teacher training in evidence-based literacy instruction is required for elementary school teachers, and all instructional materials align with evidence-based practices and the foundational reading skills needed for students to become fluent readers.
Quality teachers matter most to a student’s academic success, so it’s encouraging to see continued funding for the Golden State Teacher Grant Program and National Board Certification Incentive Program, both of which increase the number of quality teachers at high-needs schools. EdVoice is optimistic that the administration will create a pathway for these and other one-time initiatives with proven success in recruiting and retaining teachers to become permanent programs. For the new Teacher Recruitment Incentive Program, our hope is that the administration will ensure the focus is on the highest-needs schools.”
For Immediate Release: EdVoice Institute Publishes Comprehensive Policy Plan to Transform California’s Education System by 2040
Today, our sister organization, EdVoice Institute, released a comprehensive, research-informed policy agenda to redesign California’s public school system by 2040. “Futures Filled with Opportunity: Reshaping California’s Public Education System for Children from Low-Income Communities,” prioritizes the needs of low-income children to receive a high-quality education—aligning local, state, and national research and best practices with nearly 100 clear, scalable policy recommendations.
For Immediate Release: EdVoice and 12 Orgs Oppose Elimination of TPAs
Sacramento, CA (June 5, 2024) – EdVoice and 12 other organizations have submitted a letter to the California Legislature expressing opposition to Senate Bill 1263. This bill would eliminate the Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA) requirement for teacher candidates attaining their preliminary multiple subject, single subject, or education specialist teaching credential through a teacher preparation program. The bill’s most recent amendments would also eliminate the requirement for teacher candidates to demonstrate their knowledge in literacy instruction, a requirement only recently passed in 2021 through Senate Bill 488 (Rubio).
“Performance assessments are an important measure to demonstrate that teachers are prepared to teach on day one in the classroom. The financial burden of assessments, however, should not fall on prospective teacher candidates,” said Marshall Tuck, CEO of EdVoice. “We recommend the state waive the costs of TPAs to remove potential barriers to the teaching profession, while maintaining an important tool to effectively hold teacher preparation programs accountable in meeting the state’s adopted standards of quality and effectiveness,” Tuck added.
For Immediate Release: EdVoice Sponsors Early Literacy Legislation (AB 2222)
Sacramento, CA (February 7, 2024) – Only three in 10 third-grade students from low-income communities can read at grade level compared to six in 10 of their higher-income peers, according to a policy brief co-authored by the California Early Literacy Coalition. Today, Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) introduced a new early literacy bill, AB 2222, to ensure a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to teaching all of California’s elementary school students how to read and addressing the deep inequities around reading achievement for California’s most vulnerable students. The bill has bipartisan support from 13 co-authors and is sponsored by EdVoice, Decoding Dyslexia CA and Families In Schools.
For Immediate Release: Early Literacy Policy Brief Just Released
Early Literacy Policy Brief Press Release
Our sister organization, EdVoice Institute—in collaboration with its California Early Literacy Coalition partners at Decoding Dyslexia CA, 21st Century Alliance, Families In Schools, and California Reading Coalition—is excited to announce the release of its Early Literacy Policy Brief. The brief proposes a research-based early literacy policy agenda anchored in the Science of Reading that, if passed and implemented effectively, will help California accelerate its path toward literacy for all students by the third grade.