SCH CD-READ BLOCK GRANT PROGRM
Under the provisions of HB2865, if the yearly appropriation for the Reading Improvement Block Grant Program falls below $15,000,000, the State Board of Education will limit eligibility to specific school districts based on additional criteria. This change aims to ensure that resources are effectively allocated to districts that require support the most. Furthermore, the bill emphasizes the importance of training teachers and providing them with the necessary tools and support to effectively teach reading to young students, thereby potentially improving educational outcomes in Illinois.
House Bill 2865, sponsored by Representative Rita Mayfield, proposes amendments to the School Code concerning the Reading Improvement Block Grant Program. This bill aims to enhance the reading and study skills of students from kindergarten through sixth grade by reforming how grant funds are allocated and managed. Notably, it removes the provision that the State Board of Education may distribute up to 2% of the appropriated funds for teacher training. Instead, the bill sets limitations on the distribution of funds based on the total funds appropriated for the program in a given fiscal year.
One point of contention surrounding HB2865 is its impact on teacher training opportunities. Critics argue that by eliminating the 2% allocation for teacher training funding, the bill may undermine efforts to support educators in effective reading instruction methodologies. However, supporters contend that the bill’s focus on need-based funding allocation and evidence-based curriculum investments will ultimately provide better outcomes for students, specifically targeting those districts that demonstrate significant needs in early literacy improvement.