(a)

1. (1) By the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, all teachers employed in any of the following teaching positions shall demonstrate proficiency in knowledge and practices of scientific reading instruction:

   1. (A) Elementary school teachers in kindergarten through grade six (K-6) teaching:

(i) Math;

1. (ii) Science;

   1. (iii) Social studies; or

      1. (iv) English language arts;
   2. (B) Special education teachers in kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12) who teach a special education course that directly relates to literacy;
   3. (C) Teachers of English Language Learners in kindergarten through grade six (K-6); and
   4. (D) Reading specialists;

2. (2)

   1. (A) A teacher described in subdivision (a)(1) of this section who has not demonstrated proficiency by the 2023-2024 school year may be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate proficiency by being placed in intensive support status for a period of time specified by the teacher’s evaluator in the professional growth plan for the teacher.
   2. (B) A teacher described in subdivision (a)(1) who has not demonstrated proficiency but is teaching under a provisional license as a result of reciprocity with another state, teaching under an alternative route program approved by the department, working under an alternative licensure pathway, or moving grade levels meets the proficiency requirement if the teacher has a proficiency plan within the Educator Effectiveness Evaluation System.
3. (3) All other educators shall demonstrate awareness in knowledge and practices of scientific reading instruction.

(b)

1. (1) All teachers who begin employment in the 2023-2024 school year and each following school year shall demonstrate proficiency or awareness in knowledge and practices in scientific reading instruction as is applicable to their teaching position by completing the prescribed proficiency or awareness in knowledge and practices of the scientific reading instruction credential either:

   1. (A) As a condition of licensure; or

   2. (B) Within one (1) year if the teacher is:

      1. (i) Already licensed; or
      2. (ii) Employed under a waiver from licensure.

2. (2) The requirements under subsection (a) of this section and subdivision (b)(1) of this section shall not apply to a teacher who:

   1. (A) Has already demonstrated proficiency through an approved, prescribed pathway; and

   2. (B) Is adding an endorsement to his or her teaching license.

      1. (c) Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, each public school district, including open-enrollment public charter schools, must document each licensed teacher that has not demonstrated either proficiency or awareness in compliance with this section as part of professional development reporting requirements in eFinance.
      2. (d)
3. (1) Any educator whose license expires on December 31, 2023, or after must have an awareness credential to renew his or her license.
4. (2) If the educator does not have the required credential, the educator's license will not be renewed.