Manning Testifies in Front of Primary and Secondary Education Committee

COLUMBUS – State Representative Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville) legislation to adjust Ohio’s Third Grade Reading Guarantee had its first hearing in the House Primary and Secondary Education Committee Tuesday.

The legislation will eliminate holding students back under the reading guarantee program for students entering third grade in the 2023-2024 school year and will require only one third-grade English language-arts assessment per year. 

“This legislation is about supporting Ohio’s young students and preparing them for their future education and giving parents a voice in their child’s education,” Manning said. “We have seen a dip in educational benchmarks since the pandemic, so this legislation is a way to allow students to make up for the lost time by providing that additional support that some students may need.”

To help provide additional assistance to students that may fall behind in their reading proficiency, Manning’s legislation will require the State Board of Education to expand the standards of teaching of phonics from third to fifth grade students. 

In addition to the remediation services for students reading below grade level that are already required, the legislation will require these services be increased to fourth and fifth grade students. These services must include reading improvements and monitoring plans for students in fourth and fifth grade who have been identified as reading below grade level. 

The legislation will apply to both public and private schools. 

The legislation is now awaiting additional hearings in the House Primary and Secondary Education Committee.