By Bob Katzen

House 23-131, rejected an amendment to a bill that would provide a framework for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 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 require early intervention by the school when a student is “at risk” of falling behind in reading skills. It would replace language that requires early intervention only when a student is already behind.

Amendment sponsor Rep. Alyson Sullivan-Almeida (R-Abington) said the amendment would make a small but significant change that would require schools to act proactively rather than waiting for significant underperformance before providing support for that child. She said that earlier intervention would give students a better chance of success.

Rep. Ken Gordon (D-Bedford) said the amendment will create a vague, non-precise and unenforceable standard. He said it is hard to determine when a student is “at risk” of falling behind.

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

Rep. Christine Barber No Rep. Mike Connolly No Rep. Paul Donato No Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven No