HB 2158 Summary

• Removes the limitation restricting "probationary promotion" evaluations to the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 school years, allowing students not eligible for automatic promotion to be evaluated for probationary promotion in all subsequent years if they score at unsatisfactory or limited knowledge levels on the third-grade reading assessment.

• Updates statutory language throughout the Reading Sufficiency Act relating to reading instruction programs, student assessment, and promotion and retention procedures.

• Maintains existing provisions for good-cause exemptions from retention, intensive reading instruction requirements for retained students, and the Reading Enhancement and Acceleration Development (READ) Initiative.

• Requires school districts to report annually to the State Department of Education on student reading proficiency, retention, and promotion data, with the State Department issuing a Reading Report Card by December 1 each year.

• Effective date is July 1, 2017, with an emergency clause allowing immediate implementation.