Idaho House backs targeted expansion of early‑grade literacy training (Senate Bill 10‑69)

Sponsor remarks to the House said Senate Bill 10‑69 amends section 33‑18‑07, Idaho Code, to expand a targeted literacy coaching and trainer‑of‑trainers program often described by supporters as “SMART” (Striving to Meet Achievement in Reading Together). The sponsor told the House the program is designed to train teachers and administrators, and cited examples where participating classrooms showed marked improvements in early reading proficiency.

Supporters said the program focuses on phonics and the “science of reading,” targets the lowest‑performing 25% of schools, and includes administrator training so principals can support teacher implementation. The sponsor read a passage from the governor’s State of the State describing literacy as a priority and said the bill’s fiscal note is a small part of the governor’s broader school funding plan.

Opponents criticized long-term spending patterns for literacy and questioned whether the state’s current literacy dollars reach students. Representative from District 10 said the state already spends roughly $72.8 million on literacy but asserted that most of that money “is going to pay,” not directly to interventions; he urged stronger fiscal oversight and suggested reallocating existing funds toward proven, classroom-level interventions. Other members raised concerns about past spending growth in education without commensurate gains in some statewide measures.

Teachers and several House members described classroom‑level results from districts using the program and argued that modest targeted investment could yield meaningful gains in early reading. A primary‑grade teacher who spoke on the floor said learning to read is “cracking a code” and that a phonics‑based approach is necessary in early grades.

The roll‑call vote on the question “Shall Senate Bill 10‑69 pass the House?” was recorded as 40 ayes and 30 nays. The bill passed and will be transmitted to the Senate.