BROOKLYN, NY (January 30, 2025) – Amplify, a publisher of next-generation curriculum and assessment programs, today awarded California Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio the 2025 Leader in Education Award. This annual award honors and recognizes legislators who have demonstrated dedication and creativity in improving learning opportunities for all students.

Since her election to California’s 48th district in 2016, Assemblywoman Rubio has made education a cornerstone of her legislative work, with a particular focus on improving early literacy and reading outcomes for California students. Her multi-year effort to advance evidence-based literacy instruction culminated in September with the passage of Assembly Bill 1454 (AB 1454), which she led in partnership with Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas) and Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance), Chair of the Assembly Education Committee. 

AB 1454 represents a comprehensive approach to ensuring California’s children learn to read proficiently and on schedule, including:

  • Robust training in evidence-based practices, such as Evidence-Based Literacy Instructional (EBLI), which emphasize explicit and systematic phonics instruction, phonetic awareness, and fluency development
  • Updated guidance for the adoption of ELAD/ELD instructional materials for grades K–8 
  • Ensuring that both current and future instructional materials are also grounded in evidence-based literacy practices

“I’m honored to be recognized with the 2025 Leader in Education award,” said Rubio. “Education has been foundational to my own success; it is the pathway for the success of countless others, and because of this, it is a cornerstone of my work in the Assembly.  I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve accomplished with AB 1454. This legislation represents years of partnership with educators, advocates, and legislative leaders who share the vision that every child deserves to learn to read well and on time. This recognition belongs to everyone who helped make this reform a reality. ”

Rubio’s successful advocacy for the Bill garnered support from a broad coalition committed to California’s literary excellence. Her commitment to improving student reading outcomes across California comes at a critical time, when focused efforts are needed to ensure all students reach their full reading potential and achieve academic success.

“Reading is foundational to student success across every subject, yet too many students in California and across the country lack critical reading skills,” said Amplify CEO Larry Berger. “Assemblywoman Rubio’s leadership demonstrates what’s possible when policymakers prioritize evidence-based practices.”

Rubio received the award earlier today at an event in Brooklyn, New York.

About Amplify

A pioneer in K–12 education since 2000, Amplify delivers next-generation curriculum and assessment on an intuitive, integrated platform that includes thousands of free lessons. Our high-quality programs in ELA, math, and science engage students in rigorous learning that inspires them to think deeply, creatively, and independently. Our formative assessment tools help teachers identify the instruction each student needs to build a strong foundation in reading and math. Across all programs and services, we equip educators with powerful tools to understand and respond to the needs of every learner. Today, Amplify serves more than 18 million students and teachers across all 50 states and on 6 continents worldwide. For more information, visit Amplify.com.

Media Contact: Kristine Frech; media@amplify.com