State Superintendent of Schools, Michele Blatt, addressed lawmakers at the Education Oversight Commission on Education Accountability, highlighting an unforeseen consequence of the Third Grade Success Act, a significant education bill from the 2023 Legislative Session. This legislation has led to a significant shift in staffing within special education classrooms. Under the provisions of the bill, many first-grade classrooms now require specially-trained aides to improve reading and math scores among students. Superintendent Michele Blatt informed the commission that this change has resulted in a notable shift in personnel, with a staggering 41% of special education aides transitioning to first-grade classrooms. Data collected from 48 out of 55 counties revealed that 249 aides had transitioned to these new positions, as reported by Blatt.
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