Repeal RICA that, for 24 years, has done nothing to enhance literacy and has been a roadblock to increasing racial diversity in our teaching force.
Please contact the legislators NOW who sit on the Assembly Education Committee and urge them to support Senate Bill 614 by Senator Susan Rubio.
On August 3, the Assembly Education Committee will consider SB 614, a bill that will eliminate the Reading Instruction Competency Assessment (RICA) by 2024 and transition to a Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA). It will include foundational reading skills in the TPA and align teacher preparation to the current English language arts and English language development frameworks.
WHY?
As we strive to break down racial barriers in our schools and communities, we must recognize the roadblocks within our systems and make every effort to clear the path for student success. RICA is one of those roadblocks that, for 24 years, has done nothing to enhance literacy. Instead, it has served as an impediment to teachers of color entering the profession, a problem we know greatly impacts students. SB 614 will strengthen reading instruction and provide performance-based assessments that more accurately determine preparedness.
We have a critical teacher shortage in California and the impact of RICA disproportionately affects potential African American, Latinx and Indigenous teachers. This unnecessary test is creating barriers for the diverse teacher workforce our students desperately need. Currently, there are better ways to assess teacher readiness in these subject areas and all the methods used require much greater depth and learning than an outdated test like the RICA.
Teacher candidates are currently required to:
✅ Complete 600 hours of supervised practice teaching.
✅ Pass a teaching performance assessment.
✅ Perform coursework and fieldwork that includes assessment of expected knowledge and skills to teach reading and literacy.
Please contact the legislators NOW who sit on the Assembly Education Committee and urge them to support SB 614 by Senator Susan Rubio.
Assembly Member Patrick O’Donnell, @AsmPatODonnell
Capitol: 916-319-2070, District: 562-429-0470
Assembly Member Kevin Kiley, @KevinKileyCA
Capitol: 916-319-2006, District: 916-774-4430
Assembly Member Ash Kalra, @Ash_Kalra
Capitol: 916-319-2027, District: 408-277-1220
Assembly Member Kevin McCarty, @AsmKevinMcCarty
Capitol: 916-319-2007, District: 916-324-4676
Assembly Member Christy Smith, @AsmChristySmith
Capitol: 916-319-2038, District: 661-286-1565
Assembly Member Shirley Weber, @AsmShirleyWeber
Capitol: 916-319-2079, District: 619-531-7913
Assembly Member Megan Dahle, @AsmMeganDahle
Capitol: 916-319-2001, District: 530-223-6300
Tell them RICA, for 24 years, has done nothing to enhance literacy and has been a roadblock to increasing racial diversity in our teaching force.
