SB 1131 Summary

• Establishes K-3 reading program administered by the Department of Education to improve reading proficiency in kindergarten and grades 1-3, with school districts and charter schools required to submit annual reading program plans to the state board.

• Requires third grade students to demonstrate sufficient reading skills on the statewide assessment to be promoted, with limited exemptions for English learners with fewer than two years of instruction, students in special education evaluation, and students with diagnosed reading impairments like dyslexia.

• Mandates schools provide evidence-based intervention and remedial strategies for students not meeting reading standards, including assignment to a different teacher, summer school instruction, and intensive reading instruction during the school day.

• Requires adoption of evidence-based reading curricula including five essential components: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary development, reading fluency, and reading comprehension.

• Establishes reporting requirements for the state board to submit annual reports on K-3 reading achievement by December 15, and requires third grade reading assessment scores be delivered to schools by May 15 of each academic year.