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House passes bill to formalize early reading assessments after floor fight over kindergarten vs. first grade
Summary
The Utah House approved a substitute to House Bill 67, requiring formal reading assessments and parent-involvement plans for young students. Lawmakers debated whether testing should start in kindergarten or be postponed until first grade and adopted amendments before passing the measure 59–9.
The Utah House approved a substitute to House Bill 67 on Feb. 28, 1997, directing schools and the State Board of Education to formalize early reading assessments and set up programs to help children who are behind. The bill passed the House floor 59–9 and will be sent to the Senate.
Sponsor Jay Brent Hammond said the measure creates a systematic approach to identify students who are not at expected reading levels and provide support: "This bill provides that all children from grade 1 through 6 will be tested at the beginning of school," and he told…
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