Signed by Governor John Kasich

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires third grade students to meet the minimum score on a standardized reading assessment before promotion to fourth grade, effective at the start of the 2013-2014 school year.

Highlights:

• Prohibits students who do not achieve a minimum score designated on the English assessment exam at the end of third grade from being promoted to fourth grade, effective for students entering third grade in the 2013-2014 school year (Secs. 3301.0710 & 3313.608).

• Exempts the following students from meeting the minimum level of achievement on the third grade English language assessment (Sec. 3316.608):
• Students not fluent in the English language who have been enrolled in school in the United States less than 2 school years;
• Students with disabilities who are entitled to special education and related services; or
• Students who meet the minimum level of achievement on an alternative standardized reading assessment.

• Requires each district to provide remediation services for each student retained in the third grade due to a failure to meet achievement standards, including but not limited to (Sec. 3313.608):
• Small group instruction;
• An extended school day, week, or year; or
• Summer reading school.

• Requires the district board of education to annually assess the reading skills of each student in kindergarten through third grade, whereas existing law requires reading assessments in first and second grade only (Sec. 3313.608).

• Requires that the district provide to the parent or guardian of a student with reading skills below grade level written notification of reading deficiency and description of services provided to improve reading skill (Sec. 3313.608).

Full Bill Text