H97 - 2015 Appropriations Act, Sec. 8.48: Reading Camps Offered to First and Second Grade Students (SL 2015-241)

Overview: Sec. 8.48 of S.L. 2015-241 makes the following changes to the State's Read to Achieve Program:

• Expands the opportunity to attend reading camps to first and second grade students who demonstrate reading comprehension below grade level.
• Expands the class of teachers authorized to teach in reading camps to include licensed teachers selected based on demonstrated outcomes in improvement of difficulties with reading development.
• Encourages parents and guardians of first and second grade students demonstrating reading comprehension below grade level to enroll their student in a reading camp.
• Beginning in 2016, expands the list of required information local boards of education (local boards) must annually publish on the Web site maintained by the local board's respective local school administrative unit to include the number and percentage of both first and second grade students demonstrating and not demonstrating reading comprehension at grade level.
• Beginning in 2016, expands the requirements each local board must annually report to the State Board of Education (SBE) by September 1 to include the number of first and second grade students attending a reading camp offered by the local board.
• Beginning in 2016, requires the SBE to include in its annual October 15th report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee the new accountability measures for first and second grade students as reported by the local boards.
• Authorizes parents and guardians of first and second grade students demonstrating appropriate developmental abilities in reading comprehension to enroll their student in a reading camp. Parents may be charged an attendance fee, not to exceed $825.
• Establishes priority enrollment in reading camps for (i) third grade students not demonstrating reading proficiency and (ii) first and second grade students demonstrating reading comprehension below grade level.

This section became effective July 1, 2015. Except as otherwise provided, this section is effective beginning with the 2015-2016 school year.