Gov. Hochul signs $10 million literacy plan into law

Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a new bill into law which could change the way children learn to read.

The $10 million Back to Basics Reading Plan has passed in the state budget. It would retrain 20,000 teachers in the "science of reading." That involves teaching kids to sound out words, decode them and understand their meaning as well as help expand their vocabulary.

"This is urgent. We've already lost too many young people who are struggling to read not just as children but it carries into adulthood. It affects your ability to understand everything, from filling out your job application, communicating with others," Hochul said.

The budget is also expanding the SUNY and CUNY micro-credentialing programs so that teachers focused on the science of reading help ensure current and future teachers.