“The failure of S.B. 169 was a success for education. We don’t need to spend $6 million on reading-instruction grants to nonprofits with potential ulterior motives. We need to spend it on the classroom. As Brownback himsel…f said, we can and we must do better by our children.” Sarah Smith Nessel, KC Star 913 Section. This excellent article explains why mandatory third grade retention is the wrong solution. Kansans beware, we have not heard the last of this bill.  http://joco913.com/news/sarah-smith-nessel-cookie-cutter-literacy-crusade-is-a-disservice-to-special-needs-kids/#storylink=cpy