DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers in a legislative budget group plan to propose delaying a state-mandated summer reading program for struggling third-graders because there’s no money to pay for it.
The joint Education Appropriations Subcommittee said Tuesday the roughly $14 million needed to support the program is not available. They want to add language to a budget bill that would delay implementation from 2017 to 2018.
Sen. Brian Schoenjahn, an Arlington Democrat and subcommittee co-chairman, says there’s bipartisan support to delay the program. At least one education group applauded the move.
Gov. Terry Branstad didn’t include money in his budget recommendations for the program, which could hold back some third-graders who don’t complete it. A spokesman for Branstad says the governor will reserve judgment until he sees the legislation in its final form.
