The bill amends the Strong Readers Act to improve reading proficiency assessments and interventions for students in kindergarten through third grade. It establishes a Student Reading Proficiency Team, which must include a literacy coach, to create individualized reading intervention plans for students with identified reading deficiencies. The bill removes previous provisions that allowed certain students to demonstrate proficiency through screening instruments and introduces a retention requirement for third-grade students who do not meet grade-level targets on statewide assessments, unless they qualify for a good-cause exemption. Additionally, school districts are mandated to report specific data on student performance and intervention outcomes to the State Department of Education.

Key changes include the requirement for school districts to offer summer academies or alternative programs for students needing additional support, as well as a structured process for evaluating good-cause exemption requests. The bill emphasizes the necessity of intensive intervention services for retained students, mandating at least 90 minutes of daily instruction in reading skills. It also requires the notification of parents or guardians when a student is not reading at grade level by the end of the second quarter and encourages participation in summer programs. Starting in the summer following the 2027-2028 school year, school districts must provide in-person summer academies for students who do not meet reading performance standards, with the potential for expanding these requirements to higher grades in the future. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, with an emergency clause for immediate implementation upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 70-1210.508C, 70-1210.508D, 70-1210.508E