Senate Education Committee Passes Rubio Education Bills On Mandatory Kindergarten And Teacher Reading Assessment

March 17, 2021

SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Senate Education Committee today approved education bills by Sen. Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) that will ensure children receive critical instruction in their earliest years of learning and align teacher reading instruction assessments with the most current best practices.

“As an elementary public school teacher for 17 years, I have witnessed the detrimental effects on young students who miss out on fundamental early education. I also know that properly assessing and developing teacher candidates in reading will provide the best opportunity for our students to thrive,” Sen. Rubio said.  “I want to thank the Senate Education Committee for passing important bills that are critical, especially in helping to repair the long-term impact of the pandemic in our educational system.”

SB 70 will require all students to complete one year in kindergarten before being admitted into the first grade. Existing California law does not mandate children to attend kindergarten. But the research is clear that mandatory kindergarten is essential and will ensure that children are prepared both socially and academically when entering elementary school.

SB 488 will require the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to revise their preparation program standards and Teaching Performance Expectations to ensure teacher candidates are qualified and prepared to teach students how to read using the most current best practices.

Senator Susan Rubio represents Senate District 22 in Los Angeles County. The district is comprised of San Gabriel Valley cities Alhambra, Arcadia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Covina, El Monte, Industry, Irwindale, La Puente, Monterey Park, San Gabriel, Rosemead, South El Monte, Temple City and West Covina as well as the unincorporated communities of Avocado Heights, Charter Oak, Citrus, East Pasadena, East San Gabriel, Mayflower Village, North El Monte, South Monrovia Island, South San Gabriel, South San Jose Hills, Valinda, Vincent and West Puente Valley.

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Media Contact: Edward Barrera, edward.barrera@sen.ca.gov