Directing the department of education to convene a working group to study the effectiveness of efforts related to increasing the reading proficiency of students enrolled in school districts in kindergarten through grade three

This bill directs the department of education (DE) to convene a working group to study the effectiveness of efforts related to increasing the reading proficiency of students enrolled in school districts in kindergarten through grade three.68 (student progression —— intensive reading instruction) related to the successful progression of early readers. The bill establishes that the working group’s study shall analyze data reported under the program, the frequency with which interventions and assessments are provided under the program, the number of classrooms that offer direct whole-class phonics instruction in addition to intensive reading interventions, the licensure status of employees that school districts use to provide intensive reading interventions, activities students engage in while other students are receiving intensive reading interventions, the impact of the assessments administered under the program to students who do not require intensive reading interventions, and tools that are used by DE to report and track compliance under the program. The bill provides that any expenses incurred by a member of the working group shall be the responsibility of the individual member or the respective entity represented by the member. The bill requires the working group to submit its findings and recommendations to the general assembly by December 31, 2023.