A bill that would require kindergarteners to be screened before advancing to first grade passed the state House Primary and Secondary Education Committee Wednesday morning. It’s sponsored by state Representative Timothy Truett, whose district is made up of five counties in southeastern Kentucky. After the hearing, Truett called the bill a game-changer.
“If you've got a kid that's grade level ready in kindergarten, they're going to continue to be that. But if you got a kid that's below grade level in kindergarten, and you move them on, that gap gets larger and larger and larger, which then we're forced to offer special ed services.”
The bill would require a “universal screener” to be given within the last 10 days of kindergarten, starting next school year. Truett said we have to change the mentality that equates being held back with failing. He also acknowledged calls from Governor Beshear and Democrats for universal pre-K, which he said he supports.
“This is kind of a, maybe a band-aid on it, you know. It doesn't solve the problem, but it does soften it a little bit to where it's not – you know, if you've got a kid who's not ready, let's keep them back one more year.”
HB 240 would also require schools to reevaluate reading improvement plans for students who’re held back.
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