(MPRN-Lansing) Third graders who fail the state’s reading test might not be able to graduate to 4th grade. That’s if Governor Rick Snyder signs a bill that is headed his way.
The bill stalled a bit over the summer, but Wednesday it quickly jumped from the House to the Senate for a final vote. Wednesday was the last time the Senate and House would meet on the same day before the election.
Speaking before the House voted on the bill, Republican State Representative Amanda Price said,
“Whether you agree with it or not, literacy in Michigan still needs to be addressed and it still needs attention from this body.”
Price is the bill’s sponsor. There are some exemptions in the bill. For example, students may pass to 4th grade if they do well enough in other subjects. Parents can also petition the state superintendent for a “good cause” exemption.
Some opponents of the bill say only allowing parents to petition - and not an advocate - is unfair to some students.
