HB 1591 Summary

• Amends the Reading Sufficiency Act to require that all reading teachers in kindergarten through third grade incorporate five elements of reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, reading fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

• Establishes a state reading goal requiring all third-grade students to read at or above grade level by end of third grade (excluding up to 15% with IEPs and English language learners not proficient in English).

• Requires each public elementary school to establish a baseline reading achievement level by September 1, 2005, and set annual improvement goals to progress toward the reading goal by July 1, 2008.

• Mandates that kindergarten through third grade spend a majority of instructional time daily focused on reading and mathematics, with encouragement to integrate other Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS) curriculum areas.

• Declares an emergency, making the act effective July 1, 2009, with the State Board of Education to recognize schools meeting reading goals and provide technical assistance to those falling short.