LINCOLN — State lawmakers narrowly gave first-round approval Thursday to add more support for students reading below grade level by the end of third grade, up to repeating the grade once.

Legislative Bill 1050, a priority of Gov. Jim Pillen, led by State Sen. Murman, advanced 26-10. It needed at least 25 votes. As originally introduced, it would mirror the so-called “Mississippi Miracle” intended to boost academic performance and require students to be held back in third grade if they were reading below grade level based on a new uniform statewide assessment. State Sen. Margo Juarez, a former Omaha Public Schools school board member, said the bill needed more time and worried retention would increase mental health challenges or the risk of a student dropping out.

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