1941-S2.E AMS EDU S2954.1

E2SHB 1941 - S COMM AMD

By Committee on Education

    Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

    "NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that the ability to read with comprehension and skill is essential for success in school, and for success in future life.  It is the intent of the legislature to improve student learning by focusing on reading literacy in our public schools.  The legislature encourages the school districts that are ready to use the reading assessment system developed by the commission on student learning under RCW 28A.630.885 to use the system and the information provided from the assessments as tools to evaluate instructional practices and to initiate appropriate educational support for students who have not mastered the essential academic learning requirements in reading.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 28A.630 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) The elementary grades assessment developed by the commission on student learning under RCW 28A.630.885 shall be designed to assess students for reading literacy skills no later than the spring of third grade and at other appropriate grade levels.

    (2) The information provided by the reading assessment shall be used by educators as tools to evaluate instructional practices, and to initiate appropriate educational support for students who have not mastered the essential academic learning requirements for reading.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter 28A.630 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) To the extent funds are appropriated, the office of the superintendent of public instruction and the commission on student learning shall jointly establish a pilot program for the reading assessment system for elementary grades developed under RCW 28A.630.885.  The program shall provide additional student learning improvement grants for elementary schools in one small school district, one medium-sized school district, and one large school district that are each ready to begin implementing the reading assessment system.  The purpose of the grants is to provide funds for additional time and resources for site-based planning activities and staff development and planning to support the implementation of the reading assessment system and to improve reading literacy of students.

    (2) To the extent funds are appropriated, and for allocation purposes only, the amount of grants for the 1995-96 and 1996-97 school years shall be based on time equivalent to one day and on the number of full-time equivalent certificated staff who work in the elementary school.  Funds from the grant may be used to pay for staff development and planning for certificated and classified staff and site-based planning activities to implement the reading assessment system and improve reading literacy.  Use of the funds shall be governed by RCW 28A.300.138.

    (3) Districts participating in the reading assessment pilot program shall report the results of their participation to the commission on student learning.  The commission on student learning shall include the results of the report in its annual report to the joint select committee on education restructuring and to the legislature.

    (4) This section shall expire June 30, 2000.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.  If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill number, is not provided by June 30, 1995, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act is null and void."

E2SHB 1941 - S COMM AMD

By Committee on Education

    On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "literacy;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "adding new sections to chapter 28A.630 RCW; and creating new sections."

                            --- END ---