Third Grade Reading Standards Bill Passes House Committee

A Michigan House committee has approved a bill creating literacy benchmarks for students to reach by the end of third grade. If they don’t hit their mark they’re held back a grade.

The legislation would require students who fall short to take intensive reading courses to bring them up to par.

The original bill was changed to include a summer school option before third grade.

State Representative Amanda Price, who chairs the House Education Committee and sponsored the bill, says the earlier a school can address reading problems the better.

Three lawmakers voted no on the bill, including State Representative Ed McBroom.

The Upper Peninsula Republican says schools in his district are doing just fine in addressing reading deficiencies and creating the new, statewide standards will only muck that up.