HB 1558 / Chamber Supports
Authored by Rep. Jake Teshka (R-South Bend), HB 1558 includes several provisions related to the “science of reading,” which includes establishing a $20 million state grant fund to assist school corporations in placing literacy instructional coaches in elementary schools, obtaining science of reading training for teachers and complying with science of reading curriculum requirements.
The bill was heard by the House Education Committee and unanimously approved by a 12-0 vote and will be recommitted to the House Ways and Means Committee.
House Bill 1558 signals the Legislature’s embrace of the science of reading movement, an instructional model backed by the latest research on how students learn to read and the most effective practices in literacy education. In a sense, the science of reading reflects a return to a phonics-based approach that teaches students how to sound out and decode words and a repudiation of reading instruction emphasizing “sight word” memorization that has been a fixture in most classrooms over the past two decades. Ramping up support for the science of reading is a top priority for the Indiana Department of Education – one backed by significant investments from philanthropy – aimed at addressing poor K-12 reading proficiency rates and widespread learning loss stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Indiana Chamber joined other advocates testifying in support of the bill based on a recognition that reading and literacy are the foundation of an educated and highly skilled workforce. Indiana has been incredibly successful at creating a business climate that is the envy of many of our peer states, but we lose much of that competitive advantage when it comes to our education attainment rate, which ranks 37th nationally. Even more troubling in a talent-driven economy is the fact that nearly one out of every five Hoosiers lacks basic literacy proficiency today.
Adults lacking essential reading and literacy skills face numerous challenges just navigating daily life, let alone securing stable, living-wage employment in a skills-based economy. And, based on the data, we know that reading deficiencies are at the center of the alarming learning loss and achievement gaps in our K-12 schools. We must attack this challenge on multiple fronts, both early and often, with evidence-based instruction and targeted interventions that are grounded in valid research and proven best practices. House Bill 1558 is a good step in that direction.
Resource: Jason Bearce at (317) 264-6880 or jbearce@indianachamber.com
