Pennsylvania Statutes Title 24 P.S. Education § 15-1501-N. Definitions

The following words and phrases when used in this article shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

“Contractual school day.”The length of an educator's scheduled work day in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement negotiated between the school entity and an employee organization under the act of July 23, 1970 (P.L. 563, No. 195),  1 known as the Public Employe Relations Act.

“Council.” The reading leadership council required to be established by the department under section 1502-N(a)(5). 2

“Department.” The Department of Education of the Commonwealth.

“Educator.” An individual who has completed approved professional development under section 1205.8  3 and is responsible for providing or supervising reading instruction, intervention or coaching, including an elementary teacher, school reading specialist, reading interventionist, English as a second language teacher, special education teacher, literacy coach, principal or chief school administrator.

“Employee organization.”The term shall have the same meaning as “employe organization” under section 1101-A.  4

“Evidence-based reading instruction.”A program of structured literacy instruction, for students in kindergarten through grade three, that is aligned with the science of reading, including explicit and systematic instruction in phonemic awareness, the alphabetic principle, decoding, encoding, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension and building content knowledge. The instruction may not include three-cueing, which is any model of teaching students to read based on meaning, structure and syntax and visual cues, which may also be known as MSV.

“Literacy intervention approaches.”Evidence-based, skills-based specialized reading, writing and spelling instruction that is systematic and explicit and intensified based on the needs of the student.

“School entity.”A school district, intermediate unit, area career and technical school, charter school, cyber charter school or regional charter school.

“Science of reading.”A vast interdisciplinary body of scientifically based research that:

(1) Requires the explicit, systematic inclusion of the following essential components:

(i) Phonemic awareness.

(ii) Phonics.

(iii) Fluency.

(iv) Vocabulary.

(v) Comprehension.

(2) Is supported by evidence that informs:

(i) How proficient reading and writing develop.

(ii) Why some students have difficulty with reading and writing.

(iii) How to effectively assess and teach reading and writing to improve outcomes for all students.

(3) Has a demonstrated record of success and, when implemented, leads to increased student competency in the areas of:

(i) Phonemic awareness.

(ii) Phonics.

(iii) Reading fluency.

(iv) Vocabulary development.

(v) Oral language skills.

(vi) Reading comprehension.

(vii) Writing and spelling.

“Structured literacy.”The term shall have the same meaning as provided in section 1205.8.

“Universal reading screener.”An assessment tool that meets all of the following:

(1) Is used as part of a support system, for example, a multitiered system of support, to do all of the following:

(i) Determine:

(A) if a student is at risk for developing reading difficulties; and

(B) the need for intervention.

(ii) Evaluate the effectiveness of core curriculum as an outcome measure.

(2) Does all of the following:

(i) Measures phonemic awareness, understanding of the alphabetic principle, decoding and encoding skills, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.

(ii) Identifies students who have a potential reading deficiency, including identifying students with characteristics of dyslexia.

(iii) Measures students' reading knowledge and skills against national norms.