Senate lawmakers this week put the final touches on a bill that would overhaul the way Ohio tests its children, including removing the “fourth-grade reading guarantee.”

        Under previous legislation, fourth-grade students would have three tries to pass the reading test next year or be held back. Only intervention from a principal and reading teacher could prevent that.

        Under the new bill — Senate Bill 1 — which goes now to Gov. Bob Taft, schoolchildren would no longer face a week of proficiency tests in the fourth grade.

        The bill also allows districts to punish chronically failing schools.

        The GOP-controlled Senate approved the measure 30-3, with three Democrats voting no, including Sen. Mark Mallory of Cincinnati.

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