DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 201 Engrossed 2025 Regular Session St. Blanc
Abstract: Expands student eligibility for the R.E.A.D. program to include those attending "D" or
"F" schools and requires the state Dept. of Education to deliver books to these schools and
the schools to distribute books and related materials.
Present law provides for the R.E.A.D. (Reading Enrichment and Academic Deliverables) Program,
administered by the state Dept. of Education (DOE) and established to provide books to each student
who meets one of the following criteria:
(1)He is in prekindergarten and does not score satisfactorily on the literacy section of the early
childhood assessment.
(2)He is in grades K-3 and reads below grade level.
(3)He is in grades 4-5 and scored below mastery in English language arts (ELA) on the prior
school year's state assessment.
(4)His eligibility based on screeners or assessments cannot be determined but he is
recommended by his ELA teacher.
Proposed law extends eligibility to a student who meets any of the present law criteria or is enrolled
at a school that received a performance letter grade of "D" or "F" the most recent school year.
Requires DOE to provide for the quarterly shipment of books directly to such schools and requires
the schools to ensure that books and supplemental resources are provided to each student. Requires
DOE to determine the specific content and format of such resources.
(Amends R.S. 17:4033.1(B)(intro. para.); Adds R.S. 17:4033.1(B)(5) and (C)(7))