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AlabamaSB1682026 Regular SessionSenate

Public K-12 education; to prohibit the three-cueing system of reading instruction

Sponsored By: Donnie Chesteen (Republican)

Enacted

Education

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Alabama schools must use research-based reading materials

Beginning June 1, 2026, Alabama public schools must use high-quality, research-based reading materials in kindergarten through grade 12. Materials must use structured literacy for reading words and phonics for decoding and spelling, regardless of the approval process. Required skills include sound awareness, letter formation, phonics, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Schools cannot teach word recognition through three-cueing—using meaning, sentence structure, and visual clues—or visual memory; context and visuals remain allowed for understanding text. Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, the State Board must notify a violating local board, the Legislature, and the public.

New reading standards for Alabama teacher training

Beginning June 1, 2026, Alabama’s State Board of Education must set research-based standards for reading-training materials, including course textbooks. These standards cover state-approved programs for elementary teachers, school leaders, and other school staff, including approved alternative programs. Training must teach spoken language, sound awareness, phonics, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing with spelling explicitly and in a clear sequence, including methods using multiple senses. The standards exclude three-cueing and visual memory in place of decoding. Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, program approval must include these standards, and the Board must report violations to the program, the Legislature, and the public.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Donnie Chesteen

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 262 • No: 0

House vote • 2/26/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 657

Yes: 98 • No: 0 • Other: 5

House vote • 2/26/2026

Third Reading in Second House

Yes: 100 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 1/22/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 130

Yes: 32 • No: 0

Senate vote • 1/22/2026

Third Reading in House of Origin

Yes: 32 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Enacted

    3/5/2026Senate

  2. Third Reading in Second House

    2/26/2026House

  3. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 657

    2/26/2026House

  4. Ready to Enroll

    2/26/2026Senate

  5. Enrolled

    2/26/2026Senate

  6. Delivered to Governor

    2/26/2026Senate

  7. Signature Requested

    2/26/2026House

  8. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    1/29/2026House

  9. Reported Out of Committee Second House

    1/28/2026House

  10. Third Reading in House of Origin

    1/22/2026Senate

  11. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 130

    1/22/2026Senate

  12. Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Education Policy

    1/22/2026House

  13. Pending Committee Action in Second House

    1/22/2026House

  14. Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

    1/21/2026Senate

  15. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    1/21/2026Senate

  16. Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Education Policy

    1/15/2026Senate

  17. Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

    1/15/2026Senate

Bill Text

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