Brief Description: Creating the "ready to read" community assistance program.

Sponsors: Representatives Talcott, McDermott, Shabro, Haigh, Anderson, Flannigan, Tom, Kenney, Kagi and Santos.

Hearing Date: 2/24/05

Staff: Susan Morrissey (786-7111).

Background:

In 1995, the Kennewick School District adopted a goal of having 90 percent of the district's students reading at or above grade level by the end of the third grade by 1999. The district's goal preceeded the academic goals adopted in the federal "No Child Left Behind Act of 2001". Under the federal goals, almost all students must meet or exceed state standards in reading, writing, mathematics, and science by 2014.

The district is making progress toward its goals and the goals of the federal law. In 1995, 57 percent of the district's elementary students were reading at or above grade level. In 2004, 88 percent of its elementary school students were reading at or above the state standards. The district attributes these gains to many factors, including leadership, excellent instruction, data systems, diagnostic testing, focused teaching to address skill gaps, and retesting. It has also partnered with parents and community organizations, including the National Children's Reading Foundation, to help children come to kindergarten prepared to read.

Summary of Bill:

The Ready to Read Community Assistance program is established in the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The purpose of the program is to encourage local public-private partnerships that enhance preliteracy and reading readiness efforts.

The program will prepare and distribute one or more models to stimulate community support for preliteracy foundations. It will also stimulate efforts to introduce parents to the importance of reading and other preliteracy activities and educate them about child development and literacy.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.