170.014. Reading instruction act--reading programs established, essential components--explicit systematic phonics defined. - Missouri Statutes

Reading instruction act--reading programs established, essentialcomponents--explicit systematic phonics defined.

170.014. 1. This section shall be known as the "Reading InstructionAct" and is enacted to ensure that all public schools establish readingprograms in kindergarten through grade three based in scientific research.Such programs shall include the essential components of phonemic awareness,phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, and all new teachers whoteach reading in kindergarten through grade three shall receive adequatetraining in these areas.

2. The program described in subsection 1 of this section may include"explicit systematic phonics", which, for the purposes of this section,shall mean the methodology of pronouncing and reading words by learning thephonetic sound association of individual letters, letter groups, andsyllables, and the principles governing these associations.

3. Every public school in the state shall offer a reading program asdescribed in subsection 1 of this section for kindergarten through gradethree.

(L. 2002 H.B. 1711)

*Revisor's note:

Invalidity of section 82.293 shall not affect the validity of this section, RSMo 82.293.