Florida may give extra help to struggling students

Florida may wind up paying for private tutors, books and other services for struggling 3rd graders.

A Florida House panel on Thursday voted for a bill that would create a new scholarship program for students who performed poorly on the standardized reading test given to third grade students. That’s the same test that can be used to hold back students from moving on to the fourth grade.

Under the measure parents would be reimbursed after paying for tutors and other services.

Republicans said they are pushing the bill to help third graders learn how to read.

The scholarship provision is part of a sweeping education bill that also includes other changes to standardized testing rules and charter schools.

There is not currently a similar bill moving through the Florida Senate.