15-249.09. Early literacy program fund; report; definitions

A. The early literacy program fund is established to provide support to improve reading skills, literacy and proficiency for students in kindergarten programs and grades one, two and three in addition to monies received pursuant to section 15-211. The fund shall be administered by the department of education.  The state board of education shall develop policies and procedures to be administered by the department of education. 

B. Subject to review and approval by the state board of education, the department of education shall award monies to eligible schools based on available monies on a per pupil basis. The per pupil amount shall be calculated using the student count for pupils in kindergarten programs and grades one, two and three.

C. Eligible schools that receive monies pursuant to this section shall submit data on expenditures and results and other information required by subsection E of this section.

D. Eligible schools may use monies for eligible expenses to increase the reading proficiency of students in kindergarten programs and grades one, two and three. Eligible schools may also use monies to provide a full-day kindergarten program that is structured to increase reading proficiency. Monies must be used to expand, enhance and support the components included in a school's reading program plan submitted pursuant to section 15-211.

E. Subject to review and approval by the state board of education, the department of education shall include a report on the early literacy program in the K-3 reading program plan required by section 15-211.  The report shall contain the following:

1. A description of the monies awarded each year.

2. A summary of the funded activities.

3. Information on the recipient schools' progress toward achievement goals.

4. Specific findings on strategies and activities and their level of effectiveness in improving reading proficiency in the recipient schools.

F. For the purposes of this section:

1. "Eligible expenses" means expenses for evidence-based strategies and interventions designed to improve the reading proficiency of students in kindergarten programs and grades one, two and three pursuant to sections 15-211 and 15-704, including literacy coaches and literacy specialists, reading curricula, kindergarten readiness assessments, summer programs or tutoring programs.

2. "Eligible school" means a public school with at least ninety percent of students who are eligible for free and reduced-priced lunches under the national school lunch and child nutrition acts (42 United States Code sections 1751 through 1785).

3. "Student count" means the average daily membership for pupils in kindergarten programs and grades one, two and three, as prescribed in section 15-901 for the current year.