Rep. Scott Backs Amendment for Reading Waiver for High Performing Schools

Hartford, Conn. – Rep. Tony Scott (R-112) issued the following statement after a vote on SB 14, an omnibus educational bill titled “An Act Assisting School Districts in Improving Educational Outcomes.”

During debate, House Republicans introduced an amendment addressing “Right to Read” legislation, a costly unfunded mandate requiring school districts to choose from a list of commercial products for their “Science of Reading” program. Districts could apply for waivers, but only 17 of the 85 districts that applied were granted one. Currently, literacy rates play no role in the waiver process.

House Republicans offered an amendment that would have extended the time period for compliance with the mandate and allowed waivers to be granted if literacy rates based on student performance data was above proficiency in reading.

The amendment was rejected 89 to 57 in a largely party-line vote.

Rep. Scott met with Connecticut State Department of Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker and her staff last month about the state’s Right to Read law.

“After speaking with the school superintendents in the 112th district, I passed along information to SDE that this law, without a waiver, will cost our districts several hundred thousand dollars. Monroe, Easton, and Trumbull have good literacy rates, which should be enough to earn a waiver from this new law,” said Scott. “I voiced concerns about this unfunded mandate and was glad they listened to these issues but was told that for now there won’t be a change to the program. I will continue to work with and keep an open line of communication with members of the Education Committee, SDE and others until we can resolve the concerns of the 112th district because one-size does not fit all when it comes to teaching our kids how to read.”

According to the CT Department of Education, Easton’s literacy rate is 72%, Monroe’s is 70.6% and Trumbull’s is 66.9%.