Efforts are underway to improve literacy in the Bluegrass State. The Kentucky Senate has adopted legislation that incorporates a new strategy to boost literacy in early elementary grades. It calls for what’s known as a ‘read to succeed’ initiative. Bourbon County Senator Steve West said it’s modeled after a successful program in Mississippi.
“Our goal is to have every kid know how to read by third grade. Can we do that? I don’t know. But, we need to try. This is aspirational public policy. And if there are no questions, I’d move for passage of Senate Bill nine,” said West.
West added that the extensive measure takes more of a team approach and includes more professional development for teachers in kindergarten through the third grade. He noted it also calls for universal statewide literacy screening in those grades.
The senators voting “no” expressed concern that the successful Read to Achieve program that is already in place across Kentucky will become less of a priority. The bill passed 28 to seven and now heads to the House.