- Nick Miller
- Communications Director
- 916-319-2029
- Nick.Miller@asm.ca.gov
SACRAMENTO — Today, Speaker Robert Rivas celebrates Governor Gavin Newsom’s signing of landmark legislation to strengthen child literacy in California schools.
Assembly Bill 1454 by Speaker Rivas (D-Salinas) and joint authors Assemblymembers Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) and Blanca Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) advances evidence-based early literacy and provides direct support to help California’s children learn to read in a proficient and timely manner.
The new law is bolstered by a $200 million budget investment to equip California’s educators and school leaders with the training, materials and support needed to help every student succeed.
Early literacy instruction now aligns teacher credentialing and curriculum with evidence-based literacy practices. Building on this new approach, the budget also includes $250,000 to support guidance for the instructional materials adoption, informed by AB 1454.
What Speaker Robert Rivas Says
“Strong reading skills are the foundation for every student’s success, and this new law demonstrates a landmark commitment to advancing California’s reading and literacy rates. It is a critical step forward and will improve literacy outcomes for all of our students.”
What Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi Says
“After more than two years of working to promote evidence-based literacy instruction, I am proud to join Speaker Rivas and Assemblymember Rubio as a joint author of this important measure. Assembly Bill 1454 is a significant step forward in teaching every child in California the foundational skill of reading.”
What Assemblymember Blanca Rubio Says
“I am very proud and incredibly grateful to see AB 1454 signed into law by Governor Newsom. This bill sets California on the right path to strengthening education and improving literacy statewide. Thanks to the final passage of this bill, California’s teachers will have the necessary tools and support for teaching literacy; our students will have the skills they need to tackle reading- a skill that is foundational for lifelong success. Our state is making a historic investment in our children’s future, showing its commitment and dedication to their success and wellbeing.
Governor Newsom’s decision to sign AB 1454 is meaningful and will have a far-reaching impact in the education system. I am also very grateful for the support from Speaker Rivas, Assemblymember Muratsuchi and the countless advocates, teachers, parents and constituents who have been invested in the success of this legislation. This bill is the result of years of hard work, dedication and commitment to our kids- it is the honor of a lifetime to see this bill manifest through the full legislative process. I can’t wait to see how our students and teachers thrive moving forward.”
Overview of Assembly Bill 1454
- Updates instructional materials: Requires the State Board of Education to adopt instructional materials that align with evidence-based means of teaching foundational reading skills.
- Supports administrator preparation: Requires the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to update school administrator and reading specialist standards to include training to support effective literacy instruction.
How We Got Here
California has made significant investments in literacy initiatives in recent years, including literacy coaches and pandemic learning recovery. Speaker Rivas has made child literacy a top priority, authoring key legislation like AB 1454 to strengthen early literacy efforts statewide. The funding allocated in the budget builds on that momentum, reinforcing California’s commitment to ensuring every child develops strong reading skills.
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For more information, follow Speaker Robert Rivas at the following social media channels:
Instagram: @caspeakerrivas
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CASpeakerRivas/