HB 1550 Summary

• Establishes the Reading Sufficiency Act requiring screening and assessment of reading skills for kindergarten through third-grade students using State Board-approved instruments.

• Mandates retention of third-grade students not reading at grade level unless they participate in and successfully complete a summer academy or other reading remediation program, with limited exemptions for English language learners and students with certain IEPs.

• Requires school districts to develop and implement reading instruction programs for at-risk students and notify parents of retention status, reading deficiencies, and available remedial programs.

• Provides state reimbursement to school districts for reading assessment and remediation expenses ($150 per at-risk student, up to $400 for summer programs) contingent on appropriated funds.

• Requires annual Reading Report Cards detailing three years of disaggregated data on at-risk students and reading proficiency rates, with recommendations for program improvements.