READING AT THE END OF THIRD GRADE

House Bill 5144

Sponsor:  Rep. Thomas F. Stallworth, III

Committee:  Education

Complete to 11-13-13

A PRELIMINARY SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5144 AS INTRODUCED 11-12-12

House Bill 5144 would amend the Revised School Code (MCL 380.1 et al) to require the Michigan Department of Education to adopt policies and programs that enable more Michigan children to attain proficiency in reading by the end of the third grade. 

The bill is tie-barred to House Bill 5111, meaning it could not go into effect unless House Bill 5111 is also enacted into law.   (House Bill 5111, as introduced, would amend the Revised School Code to specify that, beginning in the 2014-2015 school year, a student could not enroll in grade 4 without passing the grade 3 state reading assessment.)

A description of House Bill 5144 follows.

The bill would require the Michigan Department of Education to help ensure more students achieve a proficient score on the grade 3 state reading assessment.  To that end, the Department would be required, not later than April 1, 2014, to submit to the standing Education committees of the House and Senate a report identifying reading programs that have been demonstrated to be successful in helping low-performing elementary school child to become more proficient in reading.

Then, not later than June 1, 2014, the Department of Education would be required to recommend or to develop one or more reading programs that would allow students to achieve reading proficiency on the grade 3 state reading assessment.  The programs would be required to focus on diagnostic evaluation, early intervention, tutoring, and mentoring.

Then, for the 2014-2015 school year, the Department of Education would be required to implement a pilot program serving up to 400 K-3 students in up to four school districts or charter schools, at least one of which must be located in an urban area.

In addition, the Department of Education would be required to develop a process that enables third graders to retake the grade 3 reading assessment.

House Bill 5144 also requires that, beginning in the 2014-2015 school year, the boards of all school districts and charter school do all of the following to help ensure more students will earn a proficient grade on the grade 3 reading assessment:

o                   Use effective early screening instruments during the first 30 days of school to identify students having early literacy delays in grades K-3.

o                   For students having early literacy delays, notify the students’ parents in writing, and provide tools so that parents can help the students at home.

o                   Use intensive intervention programs of their choosing, including summer school, for those students experiencing literacy delays, and ensure those students the opportunity to retake the grade 3 reading assessment before enrolling in grade 4.

o                   Annually, submit early literacy data to the Michigan Department of Education.

FISCAL IMPACT:

House Bill 5144 requires the Michigan Department of Education to seek funding for the pilot program from private and public sources.  Further, the bill specifies the Legislature is to appropriate funds from these sources, and from the School Aid Fund as necessary, for the pilot program or programs for the 2014-2015 fiscal year.

A fiscal analysis is in process, and this summary will be updated as information becomes available.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault                 

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.