Rep. Jason Ortitay, a Republican from Washington/Allegheny and an advocate for literacy, has expressed dissatisfaction with the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s (PDE) recently released reading list. The list was developed in accordance with Act 135 of 2024, a law that Ortitay championed.
Ortitay addressed his concerns in a letter to PDE Acting Secretary Carrie Rowe. He criticized the materials on the department’s website, stating they do not meet the intended standards or reflect the importance of structured literacy as outlined by the law. “The materials posted on the department’s website do not reflect the intent, rigor or review standards that were envisioned when the law was enacted,” Ortitay stated.
The law requires creating a Reading Leadership Council to maintain an approved reading curriculum list aligned with evidence-based instruction. It also mandates professional development programs for teachers and eliminates ineffective methods like three-cuing.
Ortitay called for immediate action from PDE to address these issues:
– Withdraw current lists pending a comprehensive review.
– Form a Pennsylvania-based panel of educators and experts to evaluate submitted materials.
– Correct factual inaccuracies related to vendors such as Benchmark Education Co.
– Ensure transparency by publishing evaluation criteria and processes used for program inclusion.
Information about PDE’s Act 135 of 2024 is available online, along with Ortitay’s letter to Rowe.
The 46th Legislative District represented by Ortitay includes areas in Allegheny County such as South Fayette Township and McDonald and Oakdale boroughs, as well as parts of Washington County including Cecil, Chartiers, Mt. Pleasant, North Strabane townships, and Canonsburg, Houston, and McDonald boroughs.
