A Kansas Senate committee rejects Brownbacks third-grade reading plan; University of Kansas study shows DEA reduces risk of pre-term birth. Senate Panel Rejects Kansas Reading Initiative A Kansas Senate committee Tuesday rejected Gov. Sam Brownback's proposal to hold back third-graders who fail the state reading test. Gov. Brownback wants to bar schools from promoting third-graders to fourth grade if they fail to read at a proficient level on state tests. The bill also included a grant system for early education programs aimed at boosting reading skills. After the disappointing 6-5 vote, Brownback said, "It's early in the process. We'll work with legislators." Sen. Jeff Melcher of Leawood supported the idea. He wanted to know how many resources are wasted by allowing a non-reading fourth grader to move on. Committee chairman Steve Abrams of Ark City amended the bill to allow schools to give students a chance to take a second, alternative test to measure reading proficiency. Prenatal
↧