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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | April 13, 2023 10:36 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Justin C. Fleming and Rep. Jason Ortitay |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Literacy Achievement for All Pennsylvanians |
| Nearly half of Pennsylvania fourth-grade students are reading below their grade-level. Reading deficits are due to many factors, including inequitable educational opportunities. Further, childhood reading difficulties can produce long-term effects. Currently, one in five American adults struggle with reading basic sentences. For these individuals, tasks such as reading the mail, completing tax forms, or even engaging in civic duties can be nearly impossible. In order to create more equitable systems, it is critical that we provide more personalized and flexible learning environments for our students. Our students need us now more than ever, and literacy is a great equalizer. It not only empowers our communities, but also improves health, teaches employment skills, and allows us to better understand and navigate the world around us. Unlike the current status quo, literacy is not just for those who can afford private school or private tutoring. Literacy is for all, and thankfully we can look to decades of cognitive science on how to achieve this goal. To meet this objective, our legislation will present a three-stage approach: First, with evidence-based reading curricula, we will bolster literacy instruction, ensuring literacy achievement for children across the Commonwealth. Second, through a universal screening, beginning in the first 30 days of school, we will outline a process to identify struggling readers. Finally, by looking at the screening data, it will help us to design and implement intervention plans, to prevent children from falling behind. These steps will put the necessary supports in place and put all children on the path to reading proficiently by the third grade. This work takes courage, heart, and will require leadership. Please join us in sponsoring this important literacy initiative. |
Introduced as HB998