House Bill No. by Representative Carver aims to expand student eligibility for the R.E.A.D. (Reading Enrichment and Academic Deliverables) program. The bill amends R.S. 17:4033.1(B) and introduces new provisions under R.S. 17:4033.1(B)(5) and (C)(7). It allows all students enrolled in elementary schools that received a performance letter grade of "D" or "F" in the most recent school year to participate in the program. Additionally, the bill mandates the state Department of Education to ensure the quarterly shipment of books to these schools and requires the schools to distribute books and supplemental family literacy resources to students in prekindergarten through fifth grade.

The proposed law builds on existing eligibility criteria, which include students who do not score satisfactorily on literacy assessments or read below grade level. By including students from underperforming schools, the bill aims to enhance literacy support for those who may be at a disadvantage. The Department of Education is also tasked with determining the specific content and format of the family literacy resources to be provided, ensuring that the materials effectively support at-home reading engagement.

Statutes affected:
HB272 Original: 17:1(B)