In a monumental step forward for California’s students, AB 1454 was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom—following unanimous votes of support in both the California Assembly (78-0) and the California Senate (38-0). Unanimous, bipartisan votes for an education policy change are a rarity in the United States, particularly in a state as diverse as California, with its nearly 6 million students.
AB 1454, jointly authored by Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas), Assemblymember Blanca Rubio (D-Baldwin Park), and Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance), will address California’s persistent literacy challenges by updating instructional materials to align with decades of research showing how children learn to read. Additionally, Governor Newsom allocated $200 million in the 2025–2026 final state budget to fund evidence-based professional development in literacy instruction for educators, making California the largest state in the nation to provide both updated materials and opportunities for professional development in evidence-based literacy instruction.
“Reading is the gateway to all future knowledge and opportunity. With the passage of AB 1454, millions more students will now receive evidence-based reading instruction—unlocking opportunities that were once closed to them,” said Marshall Tuck, CEO of EdVoice. “This is a historic day for California’s students, educators, and families. Unanimous, across-the-aisle votes in both chambers indicate that significant policy change is possible when we prioritize evidence over ideology and children over politics. That’s worth celebrating.”
California’s reading gaps, like those in many states across the U.S., have persisted for years. This milestone comes after months of advocacy by EdVoice and a coalition of over 90 supporting organizations—including anchor partners Decoding Dyslexia CA, Families In Schools, and the NAACP California-Hawaii State Conference—who have championed evidence-based reading instruction for California’s students.
“Strong reading skills are the foundation for every student’s success, and this new law demonstrates a landmark commitment to advancing California’s reading and literacy rates,” said Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas). “It is a critical step forward and will improve literacy outcomes for all of our students.”
AB 1454 aims to lift reading achievement by:
• Requiring the State Board of Education (SBE) to adopt a new English language arts/English language development instructional materials list that aligns with evidence-based means of teaching literacy.
• Local Education Agencies must follow SBE’s guidance when updating materials or certify that the materials are aligned with SBE’s criteria.
• Updating standards for administrator and reading specialist preparation programs to include training on effective means of teaching literacy.
“This is personal for me. As a former teacher and someone who learned English as a second language, I’ve seen what happens when we don’t get reading instruction right from the start—and our kids don’t have any more time to waste,” said Assemblymember Blanca Rubio (D-Baldwin Park).
She continued, “We have seen for years what happens when kids fall behind by third grade, and they struggle to catch up for years after, even into adulthood. But I’ve also seen the magic that happens when we teach reading the right way—suddenly everything clicks for these kids. That’s what AB 1454 does. It makes sure every teacher has the tools to help every child experience that breakthrough moment.”