HB 5146 Summary

• Requires school districts and public school academies to select and use one approved reading assessment system for grades K-3 to screen, diagnose, and monitor reading skills at least three times per school year, with first assessment within 30 days of school year start.

• Mandates individual reading improvement plans for any student in grades K-3 identified with reading deficiency, created by teacher, principal, and parent/guardian, with intensive reading intervention provided until deficiency is resolved.

• Establishes grade 3 reading retention policy: beginning 2019-2020, students must achieve grade 3 reading proficiency on state assessment, alternative standardized assessment, or portfolio before enrolling in grade 4, with limited good cause exemptions available.

• Requires schools to employ early literacy coaches to provide professional development in evidence-based reading instruction, implement coaching and mentoring for K-3 teachers, and support reading leadership teams.

• Permits school districts and public school academies to provide individual reading improvement plans to students in any grade who show reading difficulty, deficiency, or disability beginning 2018-2019 school year.