Oregon State 52nd District Representative Mark Johnson introduced legislation establishing an age 3 to grade 3 reading initiative in Oregon schools.  House Bill 3455 creates a coordinated program with the goal of ensuring that all Oregon students can read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade.  It instructs the Oregon Department of Education to award grants to school districts who commit to implementing early reading programs that focus on students who are expected to be a grade level behind or who are struggling to read.  Schools must implement evidence-based early reading aligned to academic standards and be making progress toward addressing student achievement gaps and overall literacy rates.  Johnson says it’s proven that when a student can read well, they are more successful in the rest of their educational career.  If passed, HB 3455 would take effect in the summer of 2018, with the Department of Education having the opportunity to establish a pilot program during the 2017-2018 school year.