One thing is clear, Michigan is not doing a relatively good job when it comes to teaching kids how to read. A National Assessment test found more than 60 percent of kids in Michigan aren’t proficient at reading.
What isn’t clear is how to fix it.
On Tuesday in Lansing, lawmakers debated a bill that would impact every child entering our public school system.
House Bill 4822 already passed in the House, and today was debated before the Senate Education Committee.
Republican Rep. Amanda Price from Ottawa County sponsored the bill. She told the committee that first kids learn to read, and then kids read to learn.
She said legislation requiring reading intervention programs for kids behind will lead to success in all subjects. The legislation would hold kids back from fourth grade if they aren’t proficient at reading.
Holding kids back is controversial. The senate committee wrote new legislation into their version of the bill that would give parents and school leaders some options other than holding a student back due to a test score.
Senator Patrick Colbeck (R-Wayne County) voiced concerns that the legislation micromanages teachers.
“I get nervous about the state saying, this is how teachers need to teach,” said Colbeck.
Once teacher from the Warren School District drove to Lansing to voice concerns for children who don’t speak English as a first language. She said they should be given special consideration.
“it is against their legal rights. They need to have access to grade level content,” said Barbara Gottschalk, a teacher.
