SB78 Summary

• Postpones implementation of Alabama Literacy Act third grade retention requirement from 2021-2022 school year until 2025-2026 school year.

• Requires comprehensive core reading programs based on science of reading for all K-3 students with mandatory reading intervention for students showing deficiencies.

• Mandates summer reading camps with minimum 70 hours of instruction for identified K-3 students with reading deficiencies.

• Establishes multiple pathways for third grade promotion: passing state reading assessment, alternative standardized assessment, or demonstrating mastery through student reading portfolio.

• Creates good cause exemptions from mandatory third grade retention including students with disabilities, English language learners with less than two years instruction, and students who received intensive intervention for two or more years.