HB 1981 Summary

• Reduces kindergarten reading screenings from three times per year (beginning, middle, end) to two times per year (middle and end), with the first screening no later than December.

• Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, requires the State Board of Education to approve at least two screening instruments for kindergarten and at least three for grades 1-3 to measure reading skills including phonological awareness, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

• Mandates that students identified with reading deficiencies receive individual reading intervention plans within 30 days, developed by a Student Reading Proficiency Team including parents, teachers, and reading specialists.

• Requires school districts to adopt and submit district strong readers plans for approval and to provide annual reports on student reading proficiency data, interventions provided, and compliance with the Strong Readers Act.

• Effective July 1, 2025; declares an emergency to allow the act to take effect immediately upon passage and approval.