By Tracy Pennycuick
In fourth grade, kids no longer just learn to read, but read to learn. If a child doesn’t know how to read by fourth grade they can quickly fall behind.
Tragically, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, only 33 percent of Pennsylvania’s fourth grade kids can read proficiently. We’ve heard these stats before and sadly nothing seems to change despite record funding.
As a mom and a grandmother, I believe there are few things more important than ensuring our kids get the best education possible whether public or private.
As your state Senator, I have focused on not only providing resources to support students but also empowering parents in the education of their children and improving the way we approach educational needs.
For the third consecutive year, I have supported a state budget that included more than a billion dollars in new funding for K-12 schools.
Yet clearly, something’s got to change.
We now know that literacy efforts aligned with the science of reading have proven to be successful in a number of states, including those with high poverty rates and low per-pupil spending. One only has to look at the reading gains in Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Indiana, and Alabama to see the positive impact of science of reading reforms. It’s time for Pennsylvania to join this growing movement and ensure our students have the best opportunity to be proficient readers.
That’s why I’ve championed legislation to change the way we teach our kids, focusing on outcomes and techniques that have proven results.
Senate Bill 700 requires schools to implement evidence-based reading instruction, conduct reading screenings for K–3 students, and provides grant funding to support literacy development and calls on schools to design and implement intervention plans for identified struggling readers.
The efficacy of these efforts is evident by the growing number of students who can read at grade level in states that have implemented the very changes being proposed. This bill will put the necessary support in place and put all children on the path to reading proficiently by the third grade.
I’ve also introduced Senate Bill 422 – so-called First in Math legislation. First in Math is a supplemental mathematics program within the Department of Education. The initiative aims to provide every K-5 student in the Commonwealth with access to a proven tool, such as First in Math, to strengthen critical skills like fact fluency, computational thinking, and proficiency.
Currently, only 20% of students in Pennsylvania utilize First In Math, but the results are compelling. Data shows it significantly boosts engagement and helps students achieve grade-level fluency.
Schools can use the program for enrichment, summer learning, or as a supplement to existing classroom instruction. Importantly, participation will not be mandated as part of the curriculum.
It’s time we rethink education with common-sense proposals that have a proven track record. Our kids’ futures depend on it.
Pennsylvania Senator Tracy Pennycuick represents the 24th District, which includes parts of Berks and Montgomery counties.