House and Senate Committees Pass Bills to Keep Focus on Reading

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, during Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida!, two Florida legislative committees passed bills which place a command focus on struggling readers in the Sunshine State. The House Education Committee passed House Bill 7021, sponsored by Representative Janet Adkins, and the Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee passed Senate Bill 1068, sponsored by Senator John Legg. Patricia Levesque, executive director of the Foundation for Florida’s Future, released the following statement about the bills’ passage:

“When children first step into a classroom, the literacy clock starts ticking. High school dropout rates and other indicators show that students who are not reading on grade level by the end of third grade spend the rest of their school years in a frustrating and often fruitless game of catch-up.”Thankfully, Representative Adkins and Senator Legg understand the critical nature of this issue and are addressing it in HB 7021 and SB 1068. This legislation would ensure training for reading coaches, teachers, and principals focused on effective reading instruction for all students, including those with severe reading difficulties. It provides for better communication between educators and the parents of struggling readers. And it would ensure reading instruction is based on sound research proving its effectiveness.

“Florida began focusing on K-3 literacy in 1999, and ever since has become one of the nation’s leaders in fourth grade reading gains. This early focus on literacy has a very real impact on the readiness of young Floridians for life after high school. These bills will ensure that progress continues and we thank them for their commitment to the future of our children.”

Find more information on these bills to place a command focus on reading. And learn more about the Florida Department of Education’s Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida!