New Jersey Senate Bill S2645

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/8/24
• Refer: 2/8/24

Caption

Requires school districts to screen certain students for reading deficiencies.

Impact

The legislation is expected to lead to enhanced student literacy outcomes by identifying reading deficiencies promptly. It requires the New Jersey Department of Education to create partnerships with reliable screening providers to ensure that the assessments are valid and effective. The department will also maintain a list of approved providers to assist school districts in monitoring student progress toward achieving grade-level reading proficiency. Furthermore, school districts are obligated to notify parents within fifteen days of identifying a reading deficiency and must provide evidence-based intervention strategies to support affected students.

Summary

Bill S2645, introduced in the New Jersey Legislature, mandates that school districts conduct screenings for reading deficiencies among students, primarily in grades K-3. The proposed legislation aims to ensure that students who are at risk of falling behind in reading skills receive appropriate interventions early in their educational journey. The bill specifies that screening must occur three times annually for students in kindergarten through grade three, while newly enrolled students in grades four through twelve must be screened once. Importantly, screenings can also be initiated at the request of a student's parent or guardian.

Contention

Debate may arise regarding the implementation and funding of the required screenings and interventions. While proponents argue that the bill fosters proactive measures to support struggling readers, concerns about the potential burden of additional assessments on school resources and the adequacy of funding for necessary interventions persist. Moreover, school districts will have the option to seek waivers for using specific assessments, which could lead to discussions on the effectiveness and comparability of various screening methods. As such, ensuring that the assessments used are consistent and supportive of students' different needs will be critical.