MS SB2706

Creates the "COVID Impact Literacy-Based Promotion Modification Act" to address reading instruction losses during the 2019-2020, 2020-2021, and 2021-2022 school years due to the COVID epidemic

For the 2021-2022 school year only, third-grade students scoring at the lowest achievement level on reading assessments will not be promoted to fourth grade, but those scoring above the lowest level (even if below the second lowest) will be promoted with mandatory remediation

Promoted fourth-graders who scored in the lowest two achievement levels must be placed in Tier 3 Response to Intervention within the first 20 days of school and receive an individual reading plan with intensive intervention

Requires minimum 90 minutes daily of research-based reading instruction covering phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension for students needing remediation

School districts must assign high-performing teachers to these students, provide written notification to parents, and supply a "Read-at-Home" plan with parental contract; provisions expire July 1, 2023