PIERRE, S.D.(KJJQ)- The state of South Dakota is rolling out a new program designed to boost child literacy rates.

The legislature passed a six-million dollar appropriation for the initiative based on the Science of Reading. Education Department Secretary, Dr. Joe Graves, provided an update this week to the state Board of Education Standards.

Graves says they’ll be moving the training to a Board of Regents responsibility starting July First.

He also mentioned the state’s next English Language Arts standards.

Graves says phonics is a major component of the program.