AK HB274

Requires the Department of Education to adopt a statewide screening tool for grades kindergarten through three to identify students with reading deficiencies, including dyslexia, assessing phonemic awareness, letter fluency, vocabulary, and oral reading fluency based on grade level.

Mandates administering the screening tool three times annually (fall, winter, spring) to all students in grades kindergarten through three, removing the previous exemption for students demonstrating sufficient reading skills on first screening.

Removes the exception that previously allowed school districts to waive screening for students demonstrating sufficient reading skills on initial screening, requiring universal three-times-yearly assessment.

Reduces the timeline for notifying parents of grade three students with reading deficiencies from 45 days to 15 days before end of school year, with parents able to waive grade progression if student completes 20 hours of summer reading intervention.

Establishes $500 per student funding for districts to provide reading improvement support, interventions, and services for each kindergarten through third grade student identified with a reading deficiency.