Some democrats in the state House want to make literacy a constitutional right. But not everyone is onboard.
Democrats say the state is not doing enough to defend the rights of children to read – so it should be in the state constitution.
Representative Darrin Camilleri is a bill sponsor. He says literacy is the key to success in life.
“Literacy is the fundamental component to accessing all of the other subjects that a student learns in school. You can’t read a social studies book or a science book without knowing the fundamental basis of how to read in general.”
Republicans in the state House are already promising an uphill battle. Representative Tim Kelly is the chair of the House Committee on Education Reform. He says the bill – quote – “won’t see the light of day.”