The state should ensure that new elementary teachers know the science of reading instruction.
In its reading and language competencies, Louisiana requires all teacher preparation programs, including elementary programs, to address the science of reading. Programs must provide training in the five instructional components of scientifically based reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. Louisiana also requires all teacher candidates to study reading instruction:
Louisiana Administrative Code (LAC): Title 28, Part XCV, Bulletin 113 and Title 28, Part XLV, Bulletin 996
Require teacher candidates to pass a rigorous assessment in the science of reading instruction.
Although Louisiana is commended for requiring all teachers to take reading instruction coursework addressing the science of reading, the state should also require a rigorous reading assessment tool to ensure that its elementary teacher candidates are adequately prepared in the science of reading instruction before entering the classroom. The assessment should clearly test knowledge and skills related to the science of reading, and if it is combined with an assessment that also tests general pedagogy or elementary content, it should report a subscore for the science of reading specifically. Elementary teachers who do not possess the minimum knowledge in this area should not be eligible for licensure.
Louisiana asserted that effective September 1, 2010, all early childhood, elementary and special education alternate route teacher candidates must pass the Praxis II "Teaching Reading" assessment for issuance of a level one certificate.
Louisiana should extend its policy and require that all teacher candidates demonstrate requisite knowledge in the science of reading instruction by passing a rigorous assessment prior to licensure.