(1) The General Assembly hereby finds that reading proficiency is a gateway skill necessary for all of Kentucky students to achieve the academic goals established in KRS § 158.6451. It is Kentucky’s goal that all children learn to read well before exiting grade three (3) and that all middle and high school students have the skills necessary to read complex materials in specific core subjects and comprehend and constructively apply the information.
(2) It is the intent of the General Assembly that: (a) Every elementary school:
1. Provide comprehensive schoolwide reading instruction aligned to reading and writing standards required by KRS § 158.6453 and outlined in administrative regulation promulgated by the Kentucky Board of Education;
2. Provide a multitiered system of supports, as set forth in and required by KRS § 158.305, to support and engage all students in learning to read at the proficient level, meaning a level that reflects developmentally appropriate grade-level performance, by the end of grade three (3);
3. Ensure quality instruction by highly trained teachers and intervention by individuals most qualified to provide the intervention; and
4. Provide high quality library media programs; (b) Every middle and high school:
1. Provide direct, explicit instruction to students lacking skills in how to read, learn, and analyze information in key subjects, including language, reading, English, mathematics, science, social studies, arts and humanities, practical living skills, and career studies; and
2. Ensure that teachers have the skills to help all students develop critical strategies and skills for subject-based reading;
(c) The Kentucky Department of Education provide technical assistance to local school districts in the identification of professional development activities, including teaching strategies to help teachers in each subject area to:
1. Implement evidence-based reading, intervention, and instructional strategies that emphasize phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and connections between reading and writing acquisition, and motivation to read to address the diverse needs of students;
2. Identify and teach the skills that students need to comprehend the concepts and content of each subject area; and
3. Use activities and materials that will help the students comprehend and constructively apply information based on the unique content of each subject area;
(d) The Education Professional Standards Board review and revise when deemed necessary the teacher certification and licensure requirements to ensure that all teachers, regardless of the subject area taught, are
prepared to improve students’ subject reading skills; and
(e) The department shall collaborate with the Department for Libraries and Archives, the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood, and Kentucky Educational Television to establish and maintain a partnership to support the use of high-quality, evidence-based year-round programming, materials, and activities for elementary-aged children in the areas of reading.
Effective:March 29, 2022
History: Amended 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 40, sec. 1, effective March 29, 2022. — Amended 2010 Ky. Acts ch. 42, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2010. — Created 2005
Ky. Acts ch. 127, sec. 2, effective March 18, 2005.
Legislative Research Commission Note (3/29/2022). 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 40, sec.
10, provides that the Act, which amended this statute, may be cited as the Read to Succeed Act.
Legislative Research Commission Note (3/18/2005). 2005 Ky. Acts ch. 127, which created this section, KRS § 158.791, provides that the Act shall be cited as the Read to Achieve Act of 2005.