HB 6063 Summary

• Deletes mandatory retention provisions for grade 3 students who score below Level 2 on the statewide standardized English Language Arts assessment, effective July 1, 2018.

• Retains requirement that students score Level 2 or higher to be promoted to grade 4, but eliminates automatic retention for those failing to meet the standard.

• District school boards may only exempt students from retention for specified "good cause" reasons, including limited English proficiency, disabilities, alternative assessment performance, portfolio demonstrations, or previous retentions with intensive instruction.

• Requires districts to provide intensive reading interventions for retained students, including minimum 90 minutes daily instruction, summer reading camps, and highly effective teachers certified in reading by July 1, 2020.

• Allows midyear promotion of retained students who demonstrate grade-level reading proficiency and requires districts to implement policies permitting promotion during the school year after demonstrating reading mastery.