(a)(1) The Department of Education (Department) shall maintain a list of evidence-based, reading instruction curricula for grades kindergarten through 3 in school districts and charter schools. A curriculum on this list must meet all of the following requirements:
a. Align with evidence-based reading instruction in the essential components of reading based on science of reading research, as listed under § 1280(c)(3) of this title.
b. Include a logical scope and sequence that is sequential, systematic, and cumulative.
c. Include or support the use of high-quality instructional materials.
(2)The Department shall maintain all of the following on the Department website:
a. The current list of curricula under paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
b. The criteria and rubric used to identify
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(a) (1) The Department of Education (Department) shall maintain a list of evidence-based, reading instruction curricula for grades kindergarten through 3 in school districts and charter schools. A curriculum on this list must meet all of the following requirements:
a. Align with evidence-based reading instruction in the essential components of reading based on science of reading research, as listed under § 1280(c)(3) of this title.
b. Include a logical scope and sequence that is sequential, systematic, and cumulative.
c. Include or support the use of high-quality instructional materials.
(2) The Department shall maintain all of the following on the Department website:
a. The current list of curricula under paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
b. The criteria and rubric used to identify high-quality curriculum under paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
(3) a. The Department shall provide a process through which school districts and charter schools can submit an application for Department approval of an alternative curriculum that meets the requirements under paragraph (a)(2)b. of this section.
b. The Department shall add curricula approved under paragraph (a)(3)a. of this section to the list under paragraph (a)(2)a. of this section.
(b) If a school district or charter school serves students in 1 or more of the grades kindergarten through 3, the school district or charter school must do all of the following before the beginning of the 2027-2028 school year:
(1) For students served in grades kindergarten through 3, adopt a reading instruction curriculum from the list under subsection (a) of this section.
(2) Approve competency-based professional development for educators providing reading instruction. This professional development must be completed during the contractual day and must be high-quality professional learning aligned with the essential components of evidence-based reading instruction, including any of the following:
a. Professional learning associated with the curriculum adopted under paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
b. Attainment of microcredentials.
(3) Identify an individual responsible for assisting each school with the implementation of the curricula adopted under paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
(4) Demonstrate that all educators responsible for reading instruction or coaching have completed approved professional development under paragraph (b)(2) of this section, including all educators identified or certified as any of the following:
a. Elementary teacher.
b. School reading specialist.
c. Reading interventionist.
d. Special education teacher of students with disabilities.
e. The individual identified, under paragraph (b)(3) of this section.
f. Literacy coach.
g. A literacy cadre position.
(c) Beginning October 31, 2023, each school district and charter school shall annually report all of the following to the Department for the Department’s annual report:
(1) The curricula adopted under this section.
(2) The individuals identified under paragraph (b)(3) of this section and each individual’s responsibilities for approving and providing professional development required under paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(4) of this section.
(3) How the school district or charter school will ensure that educators have access to and have successfully completed the professional development required under paragraph (b)(4) of this section.
(d) (1) Beginning December 31, 2023, the Department shall produce an annual report that provides all of the following:
a. A list of the curricula adopted under subsection (a) of this section and the number of schools that have adopted each curriculum listed.
b. The number of educators who have received each type of professional development provided under paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
c. The percentage of the educators required to receive professional development under paragraph (b)(4) of this section that have successfully completed that professional development.
(2) The report required under paragraph (d)(1) of this section may be consolidated with the report required under § 158 of this title and submitted as a single report.
(3) The Department shall send the report required under this subsection to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the members of the House and Senate Education Committees, the Governor, State Board of Education, P-20 Council, Professional Standards Board, the Director and the Librarian of the Division of Legislative Services, and the Delaware Public Archives.