Lawmakers unclear on what 'flexibility' districts may get on Read to Achieve
Lawmakers charged with studying education issues say the state should consider offering school districts "flexibility" on the Read to Achieve program. But it's far from clear what that flexibility would look like or if it will actually be offered in the coming legislative session.
Posted — UpdatedWith lawmakers set to return to work later this month, legislative oversight committees are wrapping up work and making recommendations for legislation that should be taken up. The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Education reported Tuesday that lawmakers should consider giving school districts more flexibility with regards to Read to Achieve.
It's unclear what additional flexibility lawmakers may grant, although the committee heard from educators who have said the program requires too much testing.
"We say in our recommendation that some additional flexibility should be allowed. Will that require legislation to give them (school districts) additional flexibility?" asked Rep. Craig Horn, R-Union.
Committee Chairman Rep. Bryan Holloway, R-Stokes, said that it would. But, he emphasized, there is no specific piece of legislation that the committee is recommending.
Sen. Jerry Tillman, R-Randolph, who has served in senior education policy and budget positions in the Senate, said he was skeptical that any changes would be made in the next year.
"I don't want to mess with it right now," Tillman said after the meeting, saying that he wanted to give the program two more years as is so that data on student achievement can be gathered.
Once the legislature convenes, any lawmaker can file a bill on any topic. However, stiff resistance among leadership can mean bills will be shelved before they are even heard in committee.
The remainder of the committee's report was similarly modest. It included:
- A provision that says the oversight committee will continue to monitoring the budget at Elizabeth City State University. Although the Senate took a tentative step toward closing the university in a draft budget last year, they quickly backed off that plan. Since then, legislators say, the university's leadership has established a financial plan with which the General Assembly is happy.
Related Topics
• Credits
Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.