March is designated as National Reading Month and literacy is the foundation of all learning. Representative Jack Jordan (R-Bremen) said in a recent news release, “It is critical that more Hoosier students become proficient in reading. With test scores showing that 1 in 5 Hoosier children in third grade are not reading proficiently, I supported legislation to boost scores and help children succeed.”
House Bill 1558 would provide targeted support for Indiana students experiencing the greatest reading challenges. Rep. Jordan said, “By implementing the science of reading curriculum in our schools, we can increase students’ reading competency in the areas of phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary development, reading fluency, oral language skills, and reading comprehension. The legislation would establish the Science of Reading Grant Fund to place literacy instructional coaches in elementary schools to help teachers.”
Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, the state board of education and the department of education would adopt academic standards in K-12 schools for reading that are based on the science of reading. The Department of Education would develop guidelines requiring accredited teacher preparation programs to use curriculum or content that instructs teacher candidates on the science of reading.
The Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents, Indiana State Teachers Association, and the Indiana School Boards Association support this bill.
Rep. Jordan said, “Be sure to stay up-to-date with what’s going on at the Statehouse by clicking here. For literacy resources, click here.”
