Reading plan is gutted by Indiana Senate panel

Niki Kelly, The Journal Gazette

nkelly@jg.net

INDIANAPOLIS - A key fiscal committee on Tuesday stripped a reading initiative sought by Gov. Mitch Daniels out of a bill because it would cost local schools money at a time when they are struggling.

Then the Senate Appropriations Committee passed Senate Bill 258 by a vote of 9-3, sending it to the full chamber for consideration.

The bill originally would have prohibited schools from promoting a child to fourth grade if the student couldn't meet certain reading standards, a practice known as social promotion.