A bill recently passed unanimously in the Louisiana House (99-0) and Senate (36-0) would help curb the number of children who cannot read. However, the bill does not have any funding attached to it. Gov. John Bel Edwards has signed the bill into law. Two other bills regarding education (Senate Bills 222 and 216) were also signed into law. These bills were also passed unanimously

Under the new law, students with reading problems in kindergarten through fifth grade would receive up to $1,000 per year in Reading Scholarship accounts so that students could learn how to read. This money would go toward tutoring, summer and after-school reading programs, etc. About 160,000 students struggle with reading in Louisiana.

In grades K-3, it would be required that parents be notified if their child is struggling with reading. A screening would also be created to detect early reading difficulties in children. Students who struggle with reading would receive an individualized, research-based reading plan made just for them. Parents/guardians would be called in to discuss techniques and what they can do at home to help their children improve their reading skills.

"I think this program seeks to get our kids back on track so they can be meaningful members of society," said state Rep. Jason Hughes, D-New Orleans, co-sponsor of the bill, to the House Education Committee.

"We have to establish this program before we can fund it," state Rep. Scott McKnight, R-Baton Rouge, chief sponsor of the bill, told colleagues. "We hope we can get some money along the way."

However, House Bill 85 comes at a price of $159 million per year. Currently, this bill is “subject to appropriation” which means that nothing will happen with it until funding is found.

Louisiana has received about $4 billion in federal stimulus funds since March 2020. However, 90% of where the funds go is left for Louisiana’s 69 school districts to decide. "We have directed systems to prioritize literacy," said state Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley.

According to The Advocate, “Only 43% of kindergarten students read on grade level, 54% of first graders, 56% of second graders and 53% of third graders.”

Originally, students who are eligible would receive up to $500 per year, but lawmakers changed this amount after being told by Florida officials that $500 would not be enough.

"I am hopeful and very optimistic that monies will be appropriated for this very worthy cause," Hughes said. "Me and my colleagues realize there is a profound need to address the crisis in Louisiana as it relates to literacy.”

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, Founder and Chairman of the Foundation for Excellence in Education, released a statement about the bill:

“The ability to read opens doors and opportunities for all children. Today, Louisiana is taking a bold step toward helping every student unlock their God-given abilities by enacting policies that prioritize literacy for all students.

“In an increasingly polarized environment, it’s promising to see Louisiana lawmakers work across the aisle to put policy before politics and champion this important issue on behalf of students.

“I applaud Governor Edwards, Senator Sharon Hewitt, Senator Robert Mills, Representative Scott McKnight and the Louisiana Legislature for their unwavering commitment to ensuring Louisiana’s students are prepared to succeed in school and the workforce.”

These laws, if they receive the proper funding, would be a step in the right direction for Louisiana to help increase its literacy numbers. If reading difficulties can be caught early and children given the proper help they need early on, this would prevent them from falling behind and increase their chances of success.