One of the Republican legislature’s signature programs, Read to Achieve, is hitting its stride.

Admittedly, the program did not fare well in its first year, mostly due to poor statewide implementation and abysmal communication with parents.  Now, North Carolina is paying more attention to reading proficiency in the early grades than it ever has.  And more help appears to be on the way.

According to WWAY, which oddly does not identify Read to Achieve by name,

The State Board of Education on Wednesday considers allocating $1.7 million for tutors to help about 400 students around the state who have twice failed to advance to fourth grade. A decision is expected Thursday.

State lawmakers in 2013 began requiring that third-graders show they can read before advancing to the next grade. They can attend summer reading camp or a transitional fourth-grade class.

This is the first school year that twice-retained students could get extra tutoring. The extra money will pay for three hours of tutoring per week per student.

While school districts will welcome the additional funds, there are ongoing concerns about the quality of reading instruction they provide.  As always, education expenditures are important insofar as our public schools use the funds in efficient and effective ways.