By Bob Katzen

The House 132-22, approved an amendment to a bill that would provide a framework for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to identify and approve a list of high-quality curricula that school districts will select from for kindergarten through third grade literacy.

The amendment would provide that DESE, the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Association of School Committees and the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents study and make recommendations about the education workforce in public school districts in the area of reading and literacy development.

Rep. Marjorie Decker (D-Cambridge), the sponsor of the amendment, did not offer any arguments in favor of her amendment during debate on the House floor. She also did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking her why she sponsored the amendment.

“I opposed this amendment because it would hand groups such as the Massachusetts Teachers Association and American Federation of Teachers an outsized role in determining how schools staff their literacy and reading workforce,” said Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “These groups were opposed to this bill in its entirety; thus, it would be counterproductive to have them play such a prominent role in producing those recommendations.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.)

Rep. Christine Barber Yes Rep. Mike Connolly Yes Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven Yes