STATEHOUSE (Feb. 2, 2010) - Senate lawmakers voted today in favor of enhancing early reading proficiency and greatly reducing the practice of social promotion, according to State Sen. Dennis Kruse, chair of the Senate Committee on Education.

Kruse (R-Auburn) said lawmakers passed Senate Bill 258 by a vote of 33-17 sending the measure to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

"Reading is the foundation of learning," Kruse said. "As chair of the Senate Committee on Education, my priority is to ensure our young Hoosiers learn this critical skill and I believe this measure is a positive step for Indiana's future."

As amended, Kruse's bill would empower the State Board of Education to devise and implement a plan to certify third grade students are reading at third grade level before being promoted. Without this directive, the board had limited authority to consider social promotion or to require schools to retain students who aren't prepared to move to the next grade level.

Kruse said the measure includes safeguards requiring the State Board of Education to make sure the plan has no fiscal impact, provides legislative and public input. 

Academic success, as defined by high school graduation, can be predicted with reasonable accuracy by knowing someone's reading skill at the end of third grade, according to the National Reading Panel. The panel said a person who is not at least a modestly skilled reader by that time is unlikely to graduate from high school.

"Senate lawmakers have worked together with State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony   Bennett to make sure this legislation is fiscally responsible without losing focus of the primary goal," Kruse said. "This measure has received significant support from constituents and I look forward to it passing out of the House of Representatives."
 
Sen. Kruse represents Senate District 14, which includes portions of Allen, DeKalb and Steuben counties.

Audio Clip

-30-

« Back to News Release List

Link to this event: