Hearing on HB 763, To Study Teacher Education Programs for Reading

How You Can Help!

Contact the Ways and Means Committee Members and tell them:

• I am your constituent and live in your district.
• I support House Bill 763 (if you prefer a letter, scroll down to see letter model)
• Too many students are not learning to read in Maryland because they do not receive appropriate instruction.
• Appropriate instruction for struggling readers and those with reading disabilities like dyslexia must include structured, explicit, systematic, cumulative instruction.  

• Members of the Task Force indicated in HB 763 should include experts in the field of reading who have deep knowledge and practice in the foundations of reading.
  
• To ensure all kids learn to read, we cannot leave one more teacher untrained.
• Thank them for their time.

Ways & Means Committee

Montgomery County: Del Sheila Hixson (District 20) Delegate Anne Kaiser( District 14), Delegate Andrew Platt (District 17)

Baltimore County: Del. Robert Long (District 6), Del. Ric Metzger ( District 6) Del Eric Ebersole (District 12)

Howard County: Del. Frank Turner ( District 13), Del.Eric Ebersole ( District 12)

Prince George's Country: Del Darryl Barnes (District 25) Del. Diana Fennell ( District 47A), Del. Jimmy Tarlau (District 47A), Del. Jay Walker (District 26), Delegate Alonzo Washington ( District 22), Delegate Carolyn Howard ( District 24)

Frederick and Carroll Counties: Delegate Kathy Afzali (District 4), Del Haven Shoemaker (District 5)

Baltimore City : Delegate Mary Washington ( District 43)

Anne Arundel County : Delegate Meagan Simonaire ( District 31B)

Allegheny County: Del. Jason Buckel ( District 1B)

Cecil County : Del. Kevin Hornberger ( District 47A)

Cecil and Harford Counties : Del. Teresa Reilly (District 35B)

Charles County : Del. Edith Patterson ( District 28)
 

HB 763 by Del. Cullison (D-Montgomery) would establish a Task Force to study Effectiveness of Teacher Education Programs in the Instruction of Reading.  A hearing was held March 5 at 1:00pm -- 
CLick here to read DD-MD testimony in support of HB 763
Click here to Watch Testimony (Delegate Cullison, 3:15:13)

Bill Synopsis:

1. Study and assess whether students in the State are meeting age and grade appropriate benchmarks for reading comprehension;
2. Study whether current teacher education courses are adequately preparing teachers to teach students how to read;
3. Study whether current assessments given at the completion of teacher education courses are adequately assessing whether an individual is prepared to teach reading;
4. Study whether current teacher education courses include an emphasis on phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary development, fluency and comprehension;
5. Research teacher education courses relating to reading instruction in other states, compile a list of best practices and assess whether any of the finding should be applied in the State;
6. Research other states that require additional assessments or certifications specifically designed to measure a teacher's ability to teach reading, compile a list of best practices and assess whether any of the findings should be applied in the State and 
7. Make recommendations regarding:

• whether the State should require additional teacher education coursework, assessments, or certifications specific to an individual's ability to teach reading instruction before an individual is given a credential to teach in the state;
• funding requirements and budgetary priorities necessary to carry out any legislative or policy initiatives of the Task Force; and 
• any other relevant issues or considerations identified by the Task Force

On or before Dec. 31, 2015, the Task Force shall report its finding and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly.  This act shall take effect on July 1, 2015.

HB 763 is scheduled for a hearing on March 5 at 1pm.  DD-MD will offer testimony to support this legislation.   Anyone is allowed to testify at bill hearings -- here's a link to the testimony requirements.  If you would like to testify, the best way to do so is to follow the letter format linked below on how to call, write, email your legislator.  

If you are interested in bills that impact reading & dyslexia, please follow their progress, hearings and other activities by registering with the Maryland Legislature. 

HB 763: TEXT
DD-MD Testimony
Track Items of Interest 
Legislative Information for HB 763
Who is My Legislator?
Call, Write or Email Your Legislator
Sample Appointment Letter

Letter/Email to Your Legislator/Governor to Support HB 763

Dear (name):

I am very concerned about reading instruction in the state of Maryland.  In 2012, Governor Scott Walker took the lead in Wisconsin to create a task force called Read to Lead, recognizing that there is no skill more important to future success than reading.  

 After many years of research , we have the knowledge of the nature, causes , and treatments for reading difficulties. We also know that the classroom teacher has a significant impact on student outcomes. Dr. Louisa Moats, a nationally recognized expert in reading writes, "If the classroom teacher does not know what a reading disability looks like, what causes it, or what science says can be done about it, the affected students will languish and suffer. On the other hand, a well-trained and well-equipped teacher can make a huge difference to a student's eventual outcomes."

There is a big void  in the world of teacher training standards which have not been aligned with scientific research and which are not rigorous and measurable.  In 2012,  the American Federation of Teachers called for a "more rigorous threshold to ensure that every teacher is actually ready to teach. All prospective teachers should meet a universal and rigorous bar that gauges mastery of  subject matter knowledge and demonstrates competency." 

The foundation of knowledge in reading is comparable to teaching anatomy to medical students so that they can better practice medicine. It is not a curriculum, but that on which a curriculum is based. Maryland requires no test of knowledge of the foundations of reading.

HB 763 creates a Task Force to study this issue and make recommendations.  State data shows that a large number of students are not literate -- we need to change education to close that gap.

Sincerely,
Your Name
Address
Phone