Senate advances bill to codify 'science of reading' by banning 3-cueing in instruction

Senator Chastain moved for final passage of Senate Bill 168, describing the measure as a statutory codification of the State Department of Education’s action banning the '3-cueing' approach to teaching reading. On the floor, Chastain said the bill would ensure instruction follows the "science of reading," and referenced recent gains in literacy metrics as rationale for the change.

The chamber recorded no objections to final passage; the bill passed on unanimous voice/roll votes. The transcript does not include statutory text beyond the sponsor’s on-floor description, nor does it include implementation funding or district-level guidance details. Advocates framing the measure said it would standardize the state’s approach to literacy instruction in classrooms across Alabama.