Bill > HB240

This bill amends Kentucky law to enhance early reading support and intervention for kindergarten and first-grade students. Starting with the 2025-2026 school year, the legislation requires schools to administer a universal screener to kindergarten students within the final 14 instructional days of the school year and potentially retain students in kindergarten if they do not make adequate progress in reading. Specifically, a student may be required to repeat kindergarten if they do not meet grade-level reading benchmarks, fail to master Kentucky reading standards, or are not considered prepared for first grade. The bill prohibits requiring a student who turns seven by August 1 to remain in kindergarten and mandates that schools reevaluate and adjust the reading improvement plan for students who are retained. Importantly, the legislation allows schools flexibility to advance a student through the primary program if it is determined to be in the student's best educational interest. The bill also requires schools to provide intensive reading interventions, progress monitoring, and support services, and ensures that parents receive quarterly progress reports and a "Read at Home" plan to help support their child's reading development.

Education

https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/25RS/hb240.html