Republicans could make a return to Michigan’s third grade reading law a sticking point in budget talks
Under the old policy, third graders who were more than a grade behind at reading could face being held back. Lawmakers repealed it a couple years ago, though the House voted this week to bring it back.
Now, Republican House Speaker Matt Hall says that needs to happen, alongside more spending on kids and a refocus on phonics, if lawmakers want to help kids learn to read.
“We’ve got to do all three to get a deal on literacy and everyone has said they want to do literacy. So, this is part of getting literacy done.”
But critics say holding kids back wouldn’t help them read better. Democratic House Minority Leader Ranjeev Puri accuses Hall of pulling stunts with third grade reading.
“I have not had any conversations with him about that. I don’t think it’s actually a serious goal of his.”
It’s unlikely the Democratic-led Senate would take up the bill.
