Southwest Allegheny News

Rep. Jason Ortitay of the Washington/Allegheny district has expressed his response to the Senate Education Committee's decision to unanimously report out Senate Bill 801. This bill is a counterpart to Ortitay's House Bill 998 aimed at enhancing literacy achievement across the state.

Ortitay emphasized the importance of prioritizing early literacy investment. He noted, "While this initiative was not included by Gov. Josh Shapiro in his budget address yesterday, investing in early literacy in every school across the state should be a top priority as we try to fulfill the Commonwealth Court's landmark decision on fair funding and increase our state's declining early literacy rate, which stands at 32% proficient by the end of third grade." Ortitay added, "Gov. Shapiro proposed an increase of $1.1 billion in education spending yesterday, which, if passed, would be the largest single-year increase in school funding in our Commonwealth’s history. Surely, something as important as teaching children how to read should be included and prioritized in such a proposal."

Detailing the bill's provisions, Ortitay stated, "This is a great first step. The bill includes early screening for all children in grades K-3, requires the use of evidence-based structured literacy backed by scientific data, creates a reading council to help develop curriculum and resources for all school districts, provides teachers with professional development and training, establishes a grant program to help schools offset the costs of implementation, and bans the harmful practice of three-cueing."

Ortitay is hopeful about the legislative process, concluding, "I look forward to this legislation moving further in the legislative process as the future of our children depend on it."

The 46th Legislative District, which Ortitay represents, covers areas in both Allegheny and Washington Counties.