AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO READING COMPETENCY.

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Improving Reading Standards in Delaware

This act updates how Delaware chooses and uses reading tests and helps for students who struggle with reading.

What This Bill Does

• It clarifies the factors that the Department of Education must consider when selecting literacy intervention approaches for schools.
• School districts and charter schools can submit alternative reading screeners to the Department for approval.
• The Department must annually identify schools where a significant number of third graders are below proficient on the State’s reading assessment for two consecutive years.
• The Department has to provide additional supports to these struggling schools.

Who It Names or Affects

• School districts and charter schools
• Students who struggle with reading
• Teachers and staff at the Department of Education

Terms To Know

Department of Education (DOE)

The part of the government that runs public schools in Delaware.

Literacy intervention

Special help given to students who have trouble reading or writing.

Limits and Unknowns

• It does not specify how much extra support will be provided.
• The bill has passed the legislature but it is unclear if and when the governor will sign it into law.

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO READING COMPETENCY.
This Act updates the DOE’s standards for selecting and and implementing statewide reading screeners and literacy intervention approaches. In summary, this Act does the following:
1. Clarifies factors that the Department must consider when selecting literacy intervention approaches that may be used by schools.
2. Authorizes school districts and charter schools to submit an alternative reading screener to the Department for approval.
3. Requires the Department to annually identify schools with a significant level of students below proficient on the State’s third grade reading assessment for 2 consecutive years.
4. Requires the Department to provide additional supports to schools identified as below proficient.