MS HB879

Establishes the "Reading is Fundamental Literacy Program" requiring school districts to provide intensive reading instruction to students with substantial reading deficiencies in kindergarten through grade 3.

Prohibits student promotion to fourth grade beginning in 2013-2014 if reading deficiency is not remedied by end of third grade, unless a good cause exemption applies.

Eliminates social promotion by prohibiting grade assignment based solely on age or other non-academic factors; requires retained students to receive at least 90 minutes daily of research-based reading instruction.

Establishes good cause exemptions including limited English proficient students with less than 2 years of ELL instruction, students with disabilities, and students with 2+ years of intensive remediation who were previously retained.

Requires school districts to notify parents of reading deficiencies, provide annual progress reports to parents and public, and report data to State Board of Education and local newspapers by September 1 each year.