House adopts committee substitute to strengthen early reading instruction and require earlier parental engagement

The House adopted a committee substitute for HB 28-72 aimed at strengthening reading instruction for young students by making phonics the primary foundation of decoding and adding a clearer early-reading screener for grades 1 through 3.

Sponsor remarks framed the bill as adopting the "science of reading" and said systematic phonics instruction dramatically increases the share of children who learn to read proficiently. The sponsor said the bill includes dyslexia-informed practices, strengthens teacher preparation and provides tools to identify struggling readers early.

On the floor, a second amendment from the lady from Saint Louis was adopted after extended debate. That amendment requires schools to meet with parents at the end of second grade if a child is not on track, offers a homework plan and intensive reading instruction, and establishes implementation timing for retention for students still not reading by the end of third grade beginning in the 2027–28 school year. The amendment includes exemptions for students with IEPs, 504 plans, recent arrivals (less than two years of instruction in English), and students already retained.

The amendment passed by roll call: 103 yes, 27 no, 1 present. Sponsors and supporters emphasized parental involvement and early intervention; opponents on the floor raised concerns about the retention language and parental rights. The committee substitute as amended was ordered perfected and printed.