3rd Grade Reading Bill Headed to Conference Committee

Lawmakers making up a conference committee will begin work next month on ironing out differences between the Michigan House and Michigan Senate on a bill that aims to ensure kids are reading at grade level when they advance to the fourth grade.

The House passed a version of the bill last fall that required students to be reading at grade level or they would be held back.

The Senate made changes this week to soften it.

State Representative Amanda Price, R-Holland, the original sponsor of the bill, says it will be important for the committee to stay focused on what’s really important – making sure kids are able to comprehend what they’re reading by the time they reach the fourth grade.

Lawmakers are on spring break so the conference committee won’t begin its work for at least two weeks.