72-292. Basic reading skills; mastery program; report to legislature. (a) The state board of education shall prepare a strategy for identifying, developing, and implementing a mastery of basic reading skills program in kindergarten and each of grades one through three of school districts based upon the goal of mastery of basic reading skills by pupils upon completion of the third grade. In carrying out this directive, the state board shall:

(1) Identify state standards and outcomes of mastery of basic reading skills in kindergarten and each of grades one through three;

(2) prepare a plan for monitoring the progress of pupils in kindergarten and at each applicable grade level in achieving mastery of basic reading skills; and

(3) specify the means to be used for determining mastery of basic reading skills by each pupil upon completion of grade three.

(b) The state board's strategy shall include a component for requiring school districts to provide interventions for pupils who are not making satisfactory progress toward mastering basic reading skills such as, but not limited to, a restructured school day, additional school days, summer school, or individualized instruction.

(c) The state board of education shall report to the 2001 legislature a strategy and proposed plan for implementing the mastery of basic reading skills program with development of standards during the 2001-02 school year and commencement of the plan in the 2002-03 school year. The state board report to the 2001 legislature shall include estimates of the cost to the state of implementing the program.

History: L. 2000, ch. 138, § 9; July 1.