Literacy Act Delay Bill Running Out of Time
A bill to delay next year’s requirement to hold back third grade students who aren’t proficient in reading is running out of time in the Legislature. The Senate-passed measure was discussed for more than an hour in a public hearing Wednesday in the House Education Policy Committee. Committee Chairwoman Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, opted not to vote on the bill and said the committee may take it up Tuesday. If approved there, it would need a House vote during the two remaining legislative days of this session. Sponsor Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, said the pandemic has greatly altered education delivery in the state to the disadvantage of students. He argued the holdback requirement, part of the 2019 Literacy Act, should be delayed two years. Otherwise, too many students will be held back. Read more. More from the Legislature this week: Bill to Limit State Emergency Declarations Moving in the House Bill Requiring Accommodations for Pregnant Workers, Other Bills Won't Get Vote Bill Puts Into Law Unemployment Benefit Fraud Protections Bill Would Ban All Chemical Abortions in Alabama Legislature Nearing Passage of State Budgets as Session Nears End
