SCH CD-READING INITIATIVE

Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to establish a reading initiative in all public elementary schools to ensure that all students, beginning with students entering kindergarten in the 2016-2017 school year, are reading at or above grade level by the time they complete 3rd grade. Provides that, under the initiative, if a student does not read at or above grade level by the time he or she completes 3rd grade, then that student may not be promoted to the next higher grade level until he or she is able to read at or above grade level. Provides that if more than 10% of a school's 3rd grade students are retained at the end of a given school year, then the school district is subject to State intervention, in which the State Board of Education may authorize the State Superintendent of Education to direct the reassignment of students or direct the reassignment or replacement of school district personnel who are relevant to the failure of those students to read at or above grade level. Effective immediately.