Senate Bill 168 Alabama 2026 Session

Updated Mar 5, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Donnie ChesteenSenator
Republican
Session: 2026 Regular Session
Title: Public K-12 education; to prohibit the three-cueing system of reading instruction
Summary: SB168 would ban the three-cueing system of reading instruction in Alabama public K-12 schools and require reading instruction based on the science of reading.
What This Bill Does
If enacted, the bill would prohibit teaching reading with the three-cueing system and would prohibit using visual memory for word recognition. It would require all reading instruction and materials to use structured literacy strategies—explicit, systematic, and sequential approaches to phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, encoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension—based on the science of reading. The State Board would set criteria for curricula and educator-preparation programs, and local boards would implement high-quality, evidence-based materials. Starting in 2026-2027, the Board would notify local boards, the Legislature, and the public if violations are found; the act becomes effective June 1, 2026.

Who It Affects
Public K-12 students in Alabama will receive reading instruction that uses structured literacy and not three-cueing or visual-memorized-based methods.
Teachers, future teachers in educator-preparation programs, and local school districts must follow new rules and use approved, science-based materials and training for reading instruction.

Key Provisions
Prohibits the three-cueing system and visual memory as bases for teaching word reading.
Requires instruction to use structured literacy strategies (explicit, systematic, sequential) for phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding/encoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
State Board must adopt criteria for curricula and educator-preparation programs; materials and training must be science-of-reading-based.
Local boards must use high-quality, science-backed materials and may not use three-cueing or visual memory for word recognition; violations may be reported to the Legislature and public beginning 2026-2027.
Effective date June 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 26, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Education