STATEHOUSE (Feb. 1, 2024) — A Senate Republican priority bill, referred to as the 'Every Child Learns to Read' bill by author State Sen. Linda Rogers (R-Granger), that would improve reading skills for Hoosier children passed the Senate today.
Each year, about 1 in 5 Hoosier students end third grade without basic reading skills, as measured by Indiana's IREAD assessment. Senate Bill 1 – the caucus's top priority – offers a comprehensive plan to help students achieve reading proficiency by addressing the issues of curriculum, assessment, remediation and retention.
"Reading is one of the most crucial skills for developing students to learn," Rogers said. "In order to ensure our children have the skills they need to be successful in the future, we have to identify the kids who are struggling early and offer more assistance. Only as a last resort will schools retain students. This legislation would give Hoosier students a stronger chance to improve their literacy so they can move on to more challenging lessons with their peers."
SB 1 would require schools to provide kindergarten through eighth grade reading instruction aligned with Science of Reading curriculum. Senate Republicans have previously championed several laws to ensure the Science of Reading is taught in every Indiana classroom, including the 2023 state budget, which provided $60 million in funding for reading initiatives.
SB 1 would also require schools to give the IREAD test to students in second grade, allowing those who pass at this stage to be exempt from taking the test again in the future. With this change, students who do not pass must receive targeted support during third grade to help them improve their reading skills.
After a full year of remediation and three opportunities to take the IREAD test, SB 1 would require some students to be retained if they do not pass the test by the end of third grade. Exceptions to this include students who have already been retained in third grade, special-education students when deemed appropriate, certain English language learners, and students who pass the math portion of the statewide assessment and receive remedial reading instruction.
"Senate Bill 1 gives students more opportunities to be supported by their instructors, mentors and peers, ultimately preparing them for a strong, successful education," Rogers said. "I am proud to champion this bill and look forward to helping it progress as it moves to the House of Representatives."
SB 1 will now move to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
Session and committee meetings are livestreamed at iga.in.gov. More information on bills, session schedules, daily calendars and more can be found on this site.
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State Sen. Linda Rogers (R-Granger) represents Senate District 11,
which includes portions of Elkhart and St. Joseph counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
Contact: Emma Balzer, Senior Press Secretary
Emma.Balzer@iga.in.gov
317-232-7184
