SF0178

Establishes a reading assessment and intervention program for kindergarten through grade four students, with different requirements for high-performing and non-high-performing school districts, creates causes of action for parents, and establishes an operations research staff within the Department of Education.

• Defines terms including 'assessment,' 'diagnostic instrument,' 'dyslexia,' 'high performing district' (at least 60% of students scoring proficient or advanced on grade 3 English language arts for two of three prior years), 'parent,' 'reading difficulty,' and 'universal screener.' (W.S. 21-3-401(e), Sec. 1)
• Requires high-performing school districts to implement a reading assessment and intervention program screening for reading difficulties in kindergarten through grade three, notify parents of screening results within 15 school days, and develop individualized reading plans based on student needs and parent input. (W.S. 21-3-401(h), Sec. 1)
• Requires non-high-performing school districts to select and implement a state superintendent-identified assessment program screening at least three times per year in kindergarten through grade three, notify parents within 15 calendar days, and develop individualized reading plans with specific components including reading deficiencies, goals, instructional services, and progress monitoring. (W.S. 21-3-401(j), Sec. 1)
• Establishes retention requirements: commencing school year 2027-2028 for grade three and 2028-2029 for grade four, students scoring basic or below basic on English language arts assessments may be retained or placed on individualized reading plans, with limitations on retention duration and exceptions for English language learners. (W.S. 21-3-401(h)(iii)-(iv), W.S. 21-3-401(j)(v)-(vi), W.S. 21-3-401(k), Sec. 1)
• Authorizes parents to request and schools to provide at parental consent private tutoring, summer reading programs, and course repetition as educational interventions, with schools bearing the cost of private tutoring if selected. (W.S. 21-3-401(h)(iii)(D), W.S. 21-3-401(j)(iii)(C), Sec. 1)
• Creates a cause of action for parents against school districts that fail to provide required notice or develop individualized reading plans, allowing recovery of damages up to average per pupil state and local expenditures from the previous fiscal year, plus up to $10,000 in attorney's fees and court costs, and permitting court-ordered plan implementation.