HB 3 Reading Academies
Per House Bill 3 (HB 3), passed by the 86th Texas Legislature in June of 2019, all kindergarten through third grade teachers and principals must attend a "teacher literacy achievement academy" by the 2022 - 2023 school year. For simplification and to avoid confusion with other grant programs and past literacy achievement academies, the Texas Education Agency is referring to this latest requirement as the HB 3 Reading Academies.
All K-3 teachers, including special education teachers, and principals are required to complete the HB 3 Reading Academies by 2023. This includes literacy specialists who see K-3 students in small groups and K-3 departmentalized teachers. While there are some formal processes pending, districts (LEAs) can proceed to exempt teachers who hold “all-level certification in art, health education, music, physical education, speech communication and theatre arts, or theatre,” as described in §231.3(a).
Authorized Providers grant districts and educators access to the Reading Academies. They include Education Service Centers (ESCs), School Districts, Higher Ed. partners, and Non-Profits.
Each School District decides how to comply with HB3, incl. which Authorized Provider to contract with, and whether to adopt a Comprehensive, Blended, or Local Implementation model.
All Texas K-3 Educators (and Principals) except special area teachers (Art, Music, PE) must complete Reading Academies by 2022-2023. Consult your campus Principal for more guidance.
Cohort Leaders are hired by an Authorized Provider, and administer the Reading Academies Blended (online) course. "Facilitators" similarly administer the Comprehensive (on-site, live) course.
Texas Reading Academies Business Rules (FAQ)
We compiled 50+ questions from our stakeholders and outline our Reading Academies guidelines.
Overview of Reading Academies:
- Reading Academy Implementation Information (PDF) (Updated 3/08/2021)
For Authorized Providers:
- Reading Academies 12-month Calendar (PDF) (Updated 3/31/2021)
- Module 6 Accommodation Request Form (Updated 3/24/2021)
- Cohort Leader and Support Facilitator Roles & Responsibilities (PDF) (Updated 4/1/2021)
- Reading Academy Implementation Information (PDF) (Updated 3/08/2021)
- Blended Model vs. Comprehensive Model (PDF) (Updated 3/08/2021)
- Reading Academies Pathway Types (PDF) (Updated 3/08/2021)
- Science of Teaching Reading Initiatives (PDF) (Updated 3/08/2021)
- Moderated Grading Structure (PDF) (Updated 3/08/2021)
For School Districts:
- Reading Academies LEA Calendar (PDF) (Updated 3/31/2021)
- Blended Model vs. Comprehensive Model (PDF) (Updated 3/08/2021)
- Reading Academies Pathway Types (PDF) (Updated 3/08/2021)
- Reading Academy Implementation Information (PDF) (Updated 3/08/2021)
- Science of Teaching Reading Initiatives (PDF) (Updated 3/08/2021)
- Moderated Grading Structure (PDF) (Updated 3/08/2021)
For Educators:
- Science of Teaching Reading Initiatives (PDF) (Updated 3/08/2021)
For Cohort Leaders:
Cohort Leaders are the lead facilitators for the new K-3 Reading Academies.
To learn more about the Cohort Leader role, click here to download our Cohort Leader Screener overview presentation.
If you are an experienced educator with formal training in scientifically based reading instruction, you may be a good fit to take the Screener and to pursue becoming a Cohort Leader.
How to Become a Cohort Leader:
Cohort Leader Screener - Registration Page
What is a Cohort Leader Roles & Responsibilities?
Cohort Leader and Support Facilitator Roles & Responsibilities (PDF) (Updated 4/1/2021)
Research for Prospective Cohort Leaders to Review:
Prospective cohort leaders may wish to review the Teacher Knowledge of Early Literacy Skills survey.
For a list of additional resources for prospective Cohort Leaders to review, please click here.