Olympia, Wash. (Metro) -- A bill introduced in the state Senate would prevent third-grade public-school students who fail the statewide reading exam from being promoted.
Under Senate Bill 5237, those students would be required to repeat third grade and would be guaranteed additional attention to help them pass on their second try.
Supporters of the measure say they hope it will help shrink the achievement gap between the highest and lowest performing students and lower the high school dropout rate.
The bill is being heard by the Senate Education Committee.
