SB 258 Summary

• Requires annual reading diagnostic assessments for kindergarten through grade 3 students, with biannual assessments for students identified with reading deficiencies.

• Mandates retention in grade 3 for students not reading at grade level by end of grade 3, based on ISTEP reading assessment scores, beginning 2012-2013 school year.

• Provides five good cause exemptions from mandatory grade 3 retention: limited English proficient students with less than two years of English instruction, students with disabilities on alternate assessments, students passing alternative standardized reading assessments, students with disabilities previously retained and receiving two years of intensive remediation, and students previously retained twice while receiving intensive remediation.

• Requires intensive reading interventions including minimum 90 minutes daily of scientifically-based instruction, small group instruction, tutoring, and potential summer programs for retained students.

• Adds reporting requirements to school corporation annual performance reports including grade 3 reading proficiency percentages and student retention data by grade for kindergarten through grade 10.