SPRINGFIELD (WGEM) – After passing a law requiring the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to adopt Comprehensive Literacy Plan in 2023, state lawmakers are now looking to expand its requirements to ensure partners supporting teachers and students also follow the plan.

The state Senate Education Committee passed a bill Tuesday requiring any vendor or learning partner approved to work with a school in English/language arts to follow the literacy plan.

Adopted by ISBE in January, the plan uses evidence-based literacy instruction materials to teach students foundational reading skills. It also supports teachers by making sure they’re prepared to teach those foundational literacy skills.

Jessica Handy, the executive director of Stand For Children, said it’s a fairly small bill but it’s a significant step forward.

The bill now heads to the Senate floor. The state House of Representatives passed the legislation on April 16.

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