The Pennsylvania Literacy Coalition commended the Pennsylvania State Board of Education for its decisive action during its 389th meeting, advancing recommendations that would strengthen teacher certification assessments by aligning them with evidence-based reading instruction grounded in the science of reading.

At the meeting, the board’s Teacher and School Leader Effectiveness Committee recommended that the Secretary of Education consider whether a new or revised certification assessment aligned to the Pre-K–6 grade-band changes enacted under Act 47 of 2025 should require candidates to demonstrate knowledge of evidence-based reading practices. Notably, the committee emphasized that literacy competencies should be assessed across all relevant certificates—not limited to elementary pathways—and embedded directly in licensure testing wherever reading instruction is part of a teacher’s role.

“This is a huge and meaningful step forward for Pennsylvania,” said Rachael Garnick, Pennsylvania Coalition manager for Teach Plus, on behalf of the Pennsylvania Literacy Coalition. “By naming the science of reading as a required component of licensure assessments, the State Board is signaling that evidence-based instruction is not optional—it is foundational to teaching.”

The coalition, which is composed of more than 70 organizations from across the Commonwealth representing educators, school and district leaders, healthcare professionals, business leaders, parents, and advocates, noted that the board’s action closely aligns with recommendations it formally shared with the Board in 2025, which called for strengthening Pennsylvania’s teacher certification exam so it serves as a clear, rigorous measure of candidates’ readiness to teach reading using evidence-based practices. Those recommendations emphasized the critical role licensure assessments play in shaping educator preparation programs and ensuring new teachers enter classrooms prepared to meet the needs of all learners.

“As Pennsylvania continues this work, we are hopeful the final assessment selection process includes strong guardrails, such as stand-alone, evidence-based measures of reading competency that apply across all relevant certification areas,” Garnick added. “Getting licensure right is one of the most powerful levers the state has to ensure lasting, systemwide alignment with the Science of Reading.”

The Pennsylvania Literacy Coalition stands ready to support the State Board of Education and the Department of Education as this process moves forward and looks forward to continued partnership to strengthen teacher preparation and improve literacy outcomes for students across the Commonwealth.