On Thursday, New Jersey Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex) introduced a package of four bills to enhance student performance across all grade levels.  The bill package includes S-2644, which would require school districts to implement a reading intervention program for students in K-3, where building foundational literacy skills is critical;  S-2645, which would require that school districts screen certain students for reading deficiencies using an assessment approved by the Department of Education; S-2646, which will ensure that teachers are prepared to implement reading intervention programs by providing training annually to teachers; and S-2647, which recognizes the consequential nature of student learning-loss by establishing the independent Office of the Learning Loss Czar in the Department of Education. 

The following is a statement from JerseyCAN Executive Director Paula White:

“New Jersey’s Senate Majority Leader has once again shown the people of the Garden State why she is the State of New Jersey’s greatest advocate for children.

“The bills proposed yesterday by Leader Ruiz reflect the comprehensive approach needed to yield sustainable wins for our children and ensure a future New Jersey powered by a literate population.”

“The significance of Leader Ruiz’s leadership on the frontline of literacy improvement cannot be overstated. JerseyCAN is grateful for her tireless commitment to all children in our state and we thank her and her great team for always showing up for New Jersey’s kids.”