DYER — Lake Central School Corp. Superintendent Larry Veracco continues to raise concerns over legislation being considered in the Indiana General Assembly that could increase the number of third graders being held back across the state.
Senate Bill 1, currently being considered in the House, would require Indiana students to take the state's standardized reading exam, IREAD-3, in second grade. Students who pass the test would not have to take it again in third grade.
Those who don't pass IREAD in second grade would be provided additional reading support and the option to take summer school before taking IREAD in third grade.
Students in third grade who don't pass the test would get one more opportunity to retake it in the summer. If after three attempts a student doesn't pass IREAD, they would be held back from fourth grade.
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SB 1 does allow exemptions from retention, including for some English learners, students with disabilities, students already held back once and students who don't pass IREAD but do pass the math portion of the state's standardized exam — with additional reading support provided in fourth grade.
Veracco during Monday night's school board meeting said while he agrees with the portions of the bill that implement and track intentional interventions for students who don't pass IREAD, he again raised issues with the lack of contingencies for students who barely miss the cutoff score for IREAD and students who show significant improvement between test attempts.
The superintendent previously raised similar concerns about SB 1 during the last school board meeting.
Veracco said he continues to have conversations with lawmakers regarding the piece of legislation, but that he continues to hear the same standard talking points, mainly over the need for legislative action given last year's IREAD results showed nearly a fifth of students statewide not passing the exam.
However, he noted at least one local state legislator has acknowledged it could be appropriate to protect otherwise successful students who miss the cutoff score.
SB 1 is expected to be considered by the House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday.
In other business, the school board approved around $108,000 in additional funding for ongoing construction work and renovations at Bibich Elementary School and Lake Central High School.
The board also approved one-time stipends for certain teachers, paraprofessionals, tutors and reading support staff. The payments are being funded through the state's Early Literacy Achievement Grant, which is meant to reward schools and educators for improving students' foundational reading abilities.
The next Lake Central School Board meeting is set for March. 4.
PHOTOS: Girls 4A Northern Semistate at LaPorte
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 2
Valparaiso's Rebecca Gerdt looks to pass at Saturday's second game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 2
Guarded by Noblesville's Reagan Wilson, Lillian Barnes attempts a shot at Saturday's second game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 2
Noblesville's Reagan Wilson guards Valparaiso's Lillian Barnes at Saturday's second game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 2
Valparaiso's Lillian Barnes takes a shot at Saturday's second game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 2
Valparaiso's Katherine Weber takes a free throw shot at Saturday's second game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 2
Guarded by Noblesville's Meredith Tippner, Lillian Barnes attempts a shot at Saturday's second game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 2
Valparaiso's Brianna Fincannon guards Noblesville's Reagan Wilson at Saturday's second game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 2
Valparaiso's Katherine Weber takes a free throw shot at Saturday's second game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 2
Valparaiso's Lillian Barnes passes on the run at Saturday's second game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 2
Valparaiso's Rebecca Gerdt and Noblesville's C.C. Quigley battle for position for an inbounds pass at Saturday's second game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 2
Valparaiso's Lillian Barnes and Margaret Kuka embrace following their loss to Noblesville at Saturday's second game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 2
Valparaiso coach Candy Wilson talks to her team late in the 4th quarter at Saturday's second game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 2
Valparaiso's Rebecca Gerdt drives in for a layup attempt at Saturday's second game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 2
Valparaiso coach Candy Wilson talks to her team late in the 4th quarter at Saturday's second game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 1
Lake Central's Vanessa Wimberly rolls past Homestead's Myah Epps for a layup attempt at Saturday's first game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 1
Lake Central's Riley Milausnic takes a shot over Homestead's Carley Moellering at Saturday's first game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 1
Lake Central's Aniyah Bishop is guarded closely by Homestead's Carley Moellering at Saturday's first game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 1
Lake Central's Kennedie Burkes brings the ball into play at Saturday's first game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 1
Lake Central's Ayla Krygier and Vanessa Wimberly say a prayer before the start of Saturday's first game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 1
at Saturday's first game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 1
Lake Central's Ayla Krygier takes a free throw shot late in the 4th quarter at Saturday's first game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 1
at Saturday's first game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 1
Lake Central's Aniyah Bishop is fouled by Homestead's Gabriella Helsom at Saturday's first game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 1
Lake Central's Nadia Clayton shoots a free throw at Saturday's first game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 1
Lake Central's Ayla Krygier goes up for a shot at Saturday's first game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 1
Lake Central's Vanessa Wimberly is fouled by Homestead's Emma Reust at Saturday's first game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 1
Lake Central coach Joe Huppenthal gives his team some final instructions late in the 4th quarter at Saturday's first game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
Lake Central's Vanessa Wimberly sets up a play at Saturday's championship game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
With the semistate trophy in hand, an emotional Ayla Krygier is greeted by her parents Kalahni and Ed Krygier following Saturday's championship win at the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
Lake Central's Nadia Clayton guards Noblesville's Meredith Tippner at Saturday's championship game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
Lake Central fans celebrate a basket at Saturday's championship game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
Lake Central's Riley Milausnic sets up a play at Saturday's championship game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
Lake Central coach Joe Huppenthal talks to his team in the final minutes of Saturday's championship game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
Moriah Crawford congratulates Nadia Clayton on Saturday's championship win at the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
Lake Central's Kennedie Burks comes to the basket at Saturday's championship game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
Lake Central's Aniyah Bishop has her shot rejected at Saturday's championship game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
Lake Central coach Joe Huppenthal talks to his team in the final minutes of Saturday's championship game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
Lake Central's Vanessa Wimberly takes a shot over Noblesville's Kate Rollins at Saturday's championship game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
The Lake Central girls basketball team pose for pictures following their championship win at the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
Under pressure by Noblesville's Meredith Tippner, Lake Central's Nadia Clayton looks to pass at Saturday's championship game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
Lake Central's Aniyah Bishop hits two over Noblesville's Kate Rollins at Saturday's championship game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
With the semistate trophy in hand, an emotional Ayla Krygier is greeted by her parents Kalahni and Ed Krygier following Saturday's championship win at the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
With the semistate trophy in hand, an emotional Ayla Krygier is greeted by her parents Kalahni and Ed Krygier following Saturday's championship win at the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
Lake Central fans celebrate a basket at Saturday's championship game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate - Game 3
Lake Central's Aniyah Bishop rolls in for a layup at Saturday's championship game of the Girls Class 4A Northern Semistate basketball game.
