Rep. Joel Kitchens is not reading between the lines regarding the state’s school districts implementing changes to its reading curriculum. Earlier this month, State Superintendent Jill Underly requested that lawmakers change the deadline for implementing some of the changes being brought on by Act 20. The law changes how public and private schools teach reading by focusing on the science-based method, which hopes to improve the state’s reading scores that have dipped in recent years. Some parts of the law, including reading intervention testing and additional training for teachers, should be implemented in time for the next school year. Department of Public Instruction officials fear that schools are not ready to start administering universal screening tests on the state’s youngest learners that will identify their early reading skills. Rep. Joel Kitchens, who has played a leading role in getting the law passed since it was first discussed with parents in Door County, does not believe school districts are purposely putting some of the law’s points on the back burner. He would like to see school districts implement the new strategies sooner rather than later.

Kitchens said they will likely make the first screening test scheduled for this fall to be optional.