Reading Academies Updates

The commissioner of education recently announced updates regarding required reading academies.

House Bill 3 (HB 3), passed during the regular session of the 86^th Texas Legislature, required all kindergarten through Grade 3 general and special education teachers and principals to attend a teacher literacy achievement academy referred to as the HB 3 reading academies. HB 3 was updated in the regular session of the 87^th Texas Legislature to extend the completion deadline of the reading academies to the end of the 2022–2023 school year.  

Year 3 Adjustments

The commissioner’s updates make the reading academies more flexible, more efficient, and more effective.

Flexibilities include the following:

• Allow certain teachers to attempt to demonstrate knowledge without completing the reading academies’ modules first
• Reduce module content for individuals who passed the Science of Teaching Reading (STR) exam
• Provide an exemption waiver to teachers who passed the STR and only teach math
• Grant additional completion time for individuals with extenuating circumstances

Efficiencies include the following:

• Streamline content to ensure actual seat time reflects projected seat time
• Discontinue requirement for cohort leaders to grade artifacts
• Allow districts to verify completion of reading academies on the Texas Education Agency (TEA) website

Effectiveness is being increased by providing more resources and guidance to authorized providers to support strong local implementation planning.

Resources

See the TEA resources below to help navigate reading academy requirements.

• HB 3 Reading Academies
• Texas Reading Academies Implementation Updates
• Math Teacher Waiver Application
• Authorized Provider List
• Reading Academies Pathways