Latest News from State Capitol and 55th District - By Rep. Jill Cooper (R-Westmoreland)

October 10, 2024

Boosting Reading Programs for Elementary Students
One of the most interesting questions I have ever searched for on Google is “How many words does the average person read in one day?”

As you could imagine, verifiable results were hard to come by. However, one such result said that a smartphone user in the USA reads more than 60,000 words per day.

From restaurant menus and product instructions to social media posts, imagine how difficult a world it could be for someone who can’t read very well. Unfortunately, that’s a reality for many Pennsylvania students – and a reality that legislation recently approved in the General Assembly aims to change.

According to the nonprofit organization Children First PA, more than 50,000 third-graders in Pennsylvania are struggling with reading comprehension, basic writing skills or both, as evidenced by a 48% failure rate on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) tests.

In information provided to the House Education Committee, the organization also pointed out that 66% of Pennsylvania’s students are not proficient in fourth-grade English, based on the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress Reading Assessment.

I consider basic literacy a cornerstone in education. Without the ability to read and comprehend, a student is destined to face challenges in just about every other subject area.

To provide the Commonwealth’s students much-needed help, Senate Bill 801 passed with no opposing votes. It begins with work by the Pennsylvania Department of Education that will create a Reading Leadership Council to develop and maintain a list of approved reading curriculum and universal reading screeners that align with evidence-based reading instruction.

Members of the Leadership Council will be Pennsylvania elementary educators from public schools. This empowers teachers and the changes will not be a direct mandate issued by bureaucrats within the department. A list of approved curricula for schools to consider is due June 1.

The bill was inspired by measures taken in other states, including Florida and Mississippi, where notable gains in reading proficiency, specifically post-pandemic, were made. In fact, Mississippi realized notable gains, considering that in 2013 the state ranked 49th in literacy. The legislation became known as the “Mississippi Miracle” in 2022 when the state ranked 21st.

What I also like about the legislation is that the changes begin with how educators are trained in their craft. Instructors who teach reading and literacy education programs to prospective educators will be required to be trained in foundational skills and instructional interventions based on structured literacy. Also, there are no additional costs to taxpayers.

In addition to public safety and maintaining our infrastructure, I believe education is one of state government’s most core services. In fact, the Pennsylvania Constitution states in Article III, Section 14, that the Commonwealth’s students are to be provided a thorough and efficient public education system.

Providing a strong education improves a young person’s chances for personal and professional success. From early childhood to higher education, the ability to read influences a student's capacity to absorb information, engage with content and participate in discussions.

When students struggle with reading, their academic performance is compromised, often leading to a ripple effect that impacts their self-esteem, motivation and future opportunities. This literacy legislation is not a matter of political maneuvering but rather an essential step toward guaranteeing all students are equipped with the critical skills necessary for their academic and future success.

Having passed in the House, Senate Bill 801 goes back to the Senate for a concurrence vote. From there, it heads to Gov. Josh Shapiro for consideration.

Here are some additional news topics and reminders I would like to share.

Is Your License Plate Difficult to Read? - If your license plate is illegible or difficult to read, you may be eligible for a free replacement. Attend my Hard-to-Read License Plate Event, Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Murrysville Municipal Building, 4100 Sardis Road in Murrysville, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., cohosted with the Murrysville Police Department. Be certain to bring your current vehicle registration card and driver’s license. For more information call the New Kensington office at 724-472-4102 or the Washington Township/Export office at 724-387-9113.

PFBC Offers Grants to Inspire Interest in Fishing and Boating - The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is seeking applicants for grants to support education programs that promote new and renewed interest in fishing and boating through the recruitment of new participants, retention of existing participants and reactivation of former participants – collectively known as "R3."

The grants will reimburse qualifying organizations up to $25,000 for eligible expenses for projects conducted between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. The grants require a minimum of 25% match of total project costs. The deadline to submit applications is Friday, Dec. 6.

Organizations eligible for funding include school districts, universities and colleges, community and civic groups, sporting and conservation organizations, and local recreation departments. More information, including the application, can be found on the PFBC R3 Grant Program page on the PFBC website at https://www.fishandboat.com/About-Us/Grants/Pages/R3GrantProgram.aspx.

PennDOT Seeks Feedback on Construction, Maintenance Services - PennDOT is hosting an online survey to gather feedback on its construction and maintenance services.

The 24-question survey asks respondents how they receive PennDOT roadway information and how often PennDOT meets or exceeds expectations in construction and maintenance activities. Respondents are also asked about their experiences with reporting concerns to the department, and whether or how they use the state's 511PA traveler information services.

The survey is available through Oct. 22 and is available at surveymonkey.com/r/2024PDConstruction.