SB 8 - Alaska Reads Act Summary

• Establishes early education programs for 4-5 year old children in public schools with department approval and state funding through three-year grants to qualifying districts.

• Creates statewide reading intervention requirements for students in grades kindergarten through three, including screening assessments three times yearly and intensive intervention services for students with reading deficiencies.

• Implements a grade retention framework for grade three students who do not demonstrate sufficient reading skills, with limited good cause exemptions and parent notification requirements.

• Requires elementary education teachers to complete three credits in evidence-based reading instruction and establishes a reading program with specialized reading specialists in the lowest performing 25 percent of schools.

• Establishes a teacher retention working group to review challenges and make recommendations for improving teacher retention in Alaska public schools, with a report due by January 15, 2022.