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| SPONSOR: | Romero | DATE TYPED: | 03/02/01 | HB | |||
| SHORT TITLE: | Dolores Gonzales Elementary Literacy Program | SB | 573 | ||||
| ANALYST: | Segura | ||||||
| Recurring
or Non-Rec |
Fund
Affected | ||||
| FY99 | FY2000 | FY99 | FY2000 | ||
| $ 121.8 | Recurring | General Fund | |||
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
State Department of Education (SDE)
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
Senate Bill 573 appropriates $121.8 to SDE to staff the Dolores Gonzales Elementary School balanced literacy program pilot targeting at-risk kindergarten students.
Significant Issues
The pilot project could serve as a model for other at-risk Kindergarten programs in the state and since Dolores Gonzales is a full-day Kindergarten site this will enhance our understanding of how to better work with identified at-risk students.
According to SDE, the bill addresses the State Board of Education's Strategic Issue to: establish clear and high standards in all academic and vocational subjects, and ensure that assessments are aligned with content standards, benchmarks and performance standards.
Research further supports the fact that early intervention and parent involvement in education can reduce these risk factors. Toddlers and young children at risk in one or more of the elements of growth (cognitive, social, intellectual or affective) need intervention. Early intervention programs employ many methods and strategies. Through quality pre-K and Kindergarten programs children can be encouraged to be enterprising and self-confident.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
Senate Bill 573 appropriates $121.8 from the general fund and is recurring.
RS/ar