HF629 Summary

• Establishes the "Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act" (Read Act) requiring evidence-based literacy instruction with goal of all children reading at or above grade level by end of grade 3, including English learners.

• Requires school districts to screen students for reading proficiency and dyslexia in kindergarten through grade 2, provide reading interventions, and develop personal learning plans for struggling readers.

• Mandates districts adopt local literacy plans by August 1 each year, including approved curricula, screeners, professional development, and intervention methods based on science of reading.

• Requires all districts to employ or contract with a lead literacy specialist by August 30, 2025, and provide evidence-based reading instruction training to teachers by July 1, 2025 for intervention teachers and by June 15, 2027 for other teachers.

• Appropriates $40 million in fiscal year 2024 for literacy grants to districts and $30 million each in fiscal years 2024 and 2025 for professional development training on structured literacy.