SB 5753 - DIGEST

     Declares that a reading incentive program to compensate parents of first grade students who have achieved appropriate reading accuracy and fluency skills is created.  The program shall be administered as follows:  (1) Before the end of the academic year, first grade teachers may evaluate the reading abilities of their students.  Teachers have the sole discretion in determining if a student has achieved the appropriate first grade reading level;

     (2) teachers shall provide a redeemable reading certificate to all first grade students achieving the appropriate first grade reading level;

     (3) parents of the children who received the certificates may endorse the reading certificate and submit it to the superintendent of public instruction for payment in the amount of fifty dollars, or the parent may choose to donate his or her certificate to a reading endowment fund established by the district;

     (4) upon receiving the certificates the superintendent of public instruction shall redeem the certificates for the face amount.

     Makes an appropriation of three million five hundred thousand dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000, from the general fund to the superintendent of public instruction for the purposes of this act.

     Makes an appropriation of three million five hundred thousand dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2001, from the general fund to the superintendent of public instruction for the purposes of this act.