INDIANAPOLIS — Education advocates, faith leaders and the state's largest teachers union gathered at the state Capitol on Tuesday to voice concerns about a bill recently passed by the Senate.
Their focus was on Senate Bill 1, which deals with third-grade reading comprehension in Indiana. The statistics aren't very good. According to the Indiana Department of Education, one in five children can't read by the time they finish their third grade.
Education advocates agree that children need help with reading, but the best way to give them that help is still being debated.
“Today we are at a crossroads in the education of our youngest Hoosiers,” Keith Gambill, president of the Indiana State Teachers Association, told those gathered.
Gambill and education advocates said they agreed with lawmakers that a problem exists and something needs to be done about it.
“This is not an academic issue. This is an issue that affects our children's education and future success in life.”
Credit: Lauren Kostic
According to the Indiana Department of Education, one in five students cannot read by the end of third grade.
RELATED: Third-grade literacy bill passes Indiana Senate
When it comes to setting students up for success, those gathered Tuesday said they don't think pushing back students who struggle with reading a grade is the answer.
“We think this bill focuses too much on retention, and that's something we would like to see adjusted,” Gambir explained.
Senate Bill 1 would require all students to take the currently required IREAD test in second grade instead of third grade. According to the Indiana State Department of Education, 60% of students have already taken the test in her second grade.
Students who fail IREAD in second grade may receive reading assistance. If the student fails the test again the following year, in third grade, he or she will be held back.
RELATED: Lawmakers debate best way to help Hoosier children struggling to read
Education advocates are concerned about how this will affect teachers and class sizes.
“How are we going to rebalance education? Because these are kids who already need support, and kids who need reading support and others who need reading support,” said Rachel Burke of the Indiana Parent Teacher Association. Because we know it's the same with all of our new third-year students.”
SB1 provides some exceptions for students who fail the test and have special needs or for whom English is a second language.
SB1 also creates an appeals process for parents who do not want their children detained.
For now, that decision is being made jointly by teachers, school administrators, and parents.
Rather than focusing on retention rates, education advocates are focusing on identifying readers with reading difficulties before kindergarten, ensuring schools have the latest reading materials and technology, and improving reading comprehension. They argue that it is necessary to focus on securing support staff such as experts.
“We applaud the spotlight on this issue and think it's important to get it right,” Gambir said.
However, what that is depends on who you ask.
Tuesday's meeting comes a day before the House Education Committee is scheduled to hear testimony on SB1 Wednesday morning. Both Democrats and Republicans say literacy is a top priority this Congress. This is also on Gov. Eric Holcomb's agenda.
