Expands student eligibility for participation in the R.E.A.D. (Reading Enrichment and Academic Deliverables) program (EG +$1,700,000 GF EX See Note)
Summary
HB 201 expands Louisiana’s R.E.A.D. (Reading Enrichment and Academic Deliverables) program by adding a new eligibility category for students enrolled in elementary schools that received a school performance letter grade of “D” or “F” in the most recent school year. Under current law, the program serves certain students based on literacy and English language arts performance or teacher recommendation; this bill keeps those existing categories and adds schoolwide eligibility for students in low-performing elementary schools.
The bill also changes how the program is delivered for those newly eligible schools. It requires the state Department of Education to arrange quarterly shipment of books directly to qualifying schools, and it requires those schools to distribute the books and supplemental family literacy resources to students in prekindergarten through fifth grade. The department is also given authority to determine the specific content and format of the family literacy materials.
Impact
HB 201 would amend R.S. 17:4033.1 to broaden the R.E.A.D. program’s reach and to impose new administrative duties on the Department of Education and participating schools. It would extend program access beyond individually identified students to all students in elementary schools with “D” or “F” accountability grades, and it would require quarterly book shipments and distribution of supplemental literacy materials. The bill is also associated with an estimated increase in general fund expenditures, reflecting the added cost of expanded book delivery and materials.
Sentiment
Based on the bill’s text and available context, the measure appears to be framed positively as a literacy-support initiative aimed at students in struggling schools. The caption and digest emphasize reading enrichment, academic support, and family literacy resources, suggesting a policy focus on improving early literacy outcomes. No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of opposition or support from debate or roll call history in the supplied materials.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is the expansion from student-specific eligibility to schoolwide eligibility for all students in “D” or “F” elementary schools, which broadens the program’s scope and cost. Another possible issue is the added administrative burden on the Department of Education and schools, including quarterly shipping, distribution logistics, and DOE control over the content and format of family literacy resources. No specific objections or supporters are identified in the provided record.