Becoming Top Ten – Starting with Early Literacy
Bill aimed at improving early literacy moves to the full house
That’s why Ed Trust-Midwest supports investments in improving public education systems and proven strategies from leading education states that have dramatically boosted early literacy levels, especially for students who are most behind.
Discussions about how to do just that continue in Lansing. A bill aimed at improving reading proficiency by the end of third grade advanced to the Michigan House of Representatives after passing the House Education Committee last week. The measure, House Bill 4822(Price – R) passed 13-3.
The current version of the bill calls for strategies to improve reading, but more will be needed to make sure that schools and districts have the tools and capacity necessary to drive dramatic reading improvement. Under the bill, students who do not meet certain benchmarks in reading may be retained in the third grade, beginning in the 2017-18 school year.
The legislation will now be considered by the Michigan House of Representatives, before being considered by the Senate Education Committee and State Senate.
Graphic: Michigan Must Outpace National Average Improvement Rate to Become a Top Ten State in Early Literacy by 2030
If Michigan stays on our current path, we are on track to becoming 44th in the nation for early literacy by 2030. To become a top ten education state, we must do better. Through comprehensive policy improvements and strategic investments, we can put Michigan on the path to becoming top ten.
Capitol Update
House Committee on Education approved bill aimed at improving third-grade reading. House Bill 4822 (Price – R) passed 13-3, with broad bipartisan support. Portions of the bill related to retaining students who are not reading at grade level will not take effect until the 2017-18 school year. Additional changes address concerns around the impact of the legislation of English language learners and students with disabilities.
Senate Committee on Education will meet today, September 29, at noon, in room 110 of the Farnum Building. The committee will consider testimony on House Bill 4059 (Hughes – R), which expands on the circumstances where retired teachers can return to the classroom without forfeiting retirement allowances or health care coverage.
The committee will also hear testimony on Senate Bill 491 (Pavlov – R), which would amend provisions related to alternative teaching certification.
House Education Appropriations Subcommittee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, September 30, at 10:30 am in Room 426 of the State Capitol Building. The agenda includes the Office of the Auditor General Audits on the Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Office of Field Services.
