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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates/Conflicts with/Companion to/Relates to Relates to SB3/SFCS

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

State Department of Public Education (SDE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

This bill creates a new section of the public school code to provide an optional preschool and early literacy program to ensure that children receive the support they need both at home and at school so that, by the time they enter third grade, they are reading at grade level. This bill also amends the Public School Finance Act to provide additional program units for students enrolled in an approved preschool and early literacy program and appropriates $15,000.0 to fund the additional program units.

Significant Issues

School districts must follow a program approval process and address specific program elements for students that serve children from age three through second grade most in need based upon-age appropriate assessments, address cultural diversity and provide family support education.

Approved preschool and literacy programs shall demonstrate the following components: age-appropriate developmental activities; research-based literacy materials appropriate to the age of the students; effective instructional teacher techniques that incorporate the most recent research in teaching reading; thorough integration of reading and writing activities; training for teachers and parents; and annual pre- and post-program assessments for students that delineate outcomes.

Student and family participation in preschool and early literacy programs shall be voluntary on the part of the parents or guardians.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

Effective from July 1, 1999 through June 30, 2001, early literacy program units will be determined by multiplying the number of children in programs for three-and four-year-old developmentally disabled students and the number of children in kindergarten through grade two by the district's at risk index multiplied by 1.05.

Effective from July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002, early literacy program units will be determined by multiplying the membership of approved preschool and early literacy programs by the district's at risk index.

This bill appropriates $15,000.0 from the general fund to SDE for expenditure in fiscal year 2000 to fund preschool and early literacy programs in the public schools. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2000 shall revert to the general fund.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

SDE indicates that by July 1, 1999 SDE will develop guidelines for the approval and application process, disseminate the guidelines, and provide technical assistance in developing proposals.

CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP

Included in SB3/SFCS is an appropriation of $5,000.0 to distribute funds, upon program approval, to school districts that develop literacy programs to meet literacy needs of children kindergarten through grade three. These programs shall include intensive literacy programs for students in kindergarten through grade three to ensure that all children are reading by the time they complete grade three.

CTF/njw