House Passes Third Reading Bill

The third piece of a package of legislation aimed at ensuring Idaho schoolchildren learn to read sailed through the House on Monday with just four no votes.

The measure, HB178, requires increased training in reading instruction for Idaho teachers, including new certification requirements. It also beefs up reading instruction programs at Idaho universities that train teachers.

Rep. June Judd, D-St. Maries, a retired teacher who led opposition to the first two bills in the package, voted in favor of this piece.

The other two bills, which passed the House last week after much debate, set standards for reading by grade level, require all kindergarten through third-graders to be tested on their reading level twice a year, and set up special, intensive programs for those who test below grade level.

All three bills now move to the Senate for consideration. They form a package endorsed by the state Board of Education, a special legislative committee that helped develop them, the state superintendent of schools and Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, who made a literacy act guaranteeing that kids learn to read by third grade a plank in his campaign platform.

Money for the program already has been earmarked in the state budget.