SB 151 Summary

• Redefines early education programs as approved school district programs for 4-5 year-olds with educational focus, replacing previous "pre-elementary" terminology and funding structures.

• Establishes department grants for 3-year district-wide early education programs, with phased eligibility beginning July 1, 2020, prioritizing lowest-performing districts first.

• Creates statewide literacy program with department reading specialists assigned to up to 10 low-performing schools to provide direct reading intervention and teacher coaching starting in school year 2020.

• Implements Alaska Reads Act requiring statewide reading assessment for K-3 students, reading intervention services for identified deficient readers, and individual reading improvement plans with intensive support outside school hours for lowest performers.

• Establishes grade progression standards requiring grade 3 students to demonstrate sufficient reading skills through statewide assessment, alternative standardized assessment, or portfolio before advancing to grade 4, with limited good cause exemptions.