The U.S. Department of Education says Michigan ranks 39th in the country when it come to literacy. State lawmakers are trying to taking action to address this with House Bill 4822.
The bill would require that kids be held back in third grade if they are not proficient in reading for a year.
It would also fund and require reading skill assessment and assistance programs in public schools. These would provide help for kids struggling to read starting in kindergarten.
It is a step in the right direction say literacy advocates.
“Every child is important, and every child deserves a chance to get an education and learn,” said Margaret Williamson, Executive Director of Pro-Literacy Detroit.
Williamson serves a city where by some estimates a staggering 47% of adults are illiterate.
She says illiteracy, poverty and crime are all connected. As a result spending money on literacy education can cut the resources needed in other areas.
“We want to empower people and that can only happen if we ensure every person has access to a quality education from pre-school through graduation.
Rep. Amanda Price (R-Ottawa County) is sponsoring the bill. She says depending on the statistics you look at 30% to 70% of kids in Michigan are not proficient at reading, and this bill aims to change that.
“Either number is alarming,” said Rep. Price.
Does it do enough?
Parents of kids with dyslexia say they fear their kids will not get the help they need under this legislation.
“To have a reading bill that doesn’t address dyslexia is like trying to prevent heart attacks without talking about heart disease. It doesn’t make sense,” said Jessica Kelly of Decoding Dyslexia.
Decoding Dyslexia reports there are more than 300,000 kids in Michigan with dyslexia and they make up many of the struggling readers.
Will and Melissa Diesel have been paying hundreds of dollars every month to help their son Ryan learn how to read with dyslexia.
“Once you learn how, you can control it,” said Ryan.
They say he is not provided with the specialized assistance he needs in school. They want the literacy bill to change that.
Rep. Price also says more legislation could address that in the future, but this bill will provide services that will benefit kids struggling with dyslexia. Without dyslexia specifically addressed in the language, many parents aren’t convinced.
7 Action News will follow what happens.
We want to know what you are facing as your child works to get an education. If you have a story, e-mail us at fixmyschool@wxyz.com.
