LCO No. 1510 1 of 17 General Assembly Raised Bill No. 5380 February Session, 2020 LCO No. 1510 Referred to Committee on EDUCATION Introduced by: (ED) AN ACT CONCERNING SC HOOL LITERACY. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened: Section 1. Section 10-14t of the general statutes is repealed and the 1 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2020): 2 (a) On or before [January 1, 2016] July 1, 2020, the Department of 3 Education shall develop or approve reading assessments for use by local 4 and regional boards of education for towns designated as an alliance 5 district, as defined in section 10-262u, as amended by this act, for the 6 school year commencing July 1, [2016] 2020, and each school year 7 thereafter, to identify students in kindergarten to grade [three] five, 8 inclusive, who are below proficiency in reading, provided any reading 9 assessments developed or approved by the department include 10 frequent screening and progress monitoring of students. Such reading 11 assessments shall (1) measure phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, 12 vocabulary, and comprehension, (2) provide opportunities for periodic 13 formative assessment during the school year, (3) produce data that is 14 useful for informing individual and classroom instruction, including the 15 grouping of students based on such data and the selection of 16 Raised Bill No. 5380 LCO No. 1510 2 of 17 instructional activities based on data of individual student response 17 patterns during such progress monitoring, (4) be compatible with best 18 practices in reading instruction and research, and (5) assist in 19 identifying, in whole or in part, students at risk for dyslexia, as defined 20 in section 10-3d, or other reading-related learning disabilities. 21 (b) Not later than [February 1, 2016] July 1, 2020, the Commissioner 22 of Education shall submit the reading assessments developed or 23 approved under this section to the joint standing committee of the 24 General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, 25 in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a. 26 Sec. 2. Section 10-14u of the general statutes is repealed and the 27 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2020): 28 (a) As used in this section: 29 (1) "Achievement gap" means the existence of a significant disparity 30 in the academic performance of students among and between (A) racial 31 groups, (B) ethnic groups, (C) socioeconomic groups, (D) genders, and 32 (E) English language learners and students whose primary language is 33 English. 34 (2) "Scientifically-based reading research and instruction" means (A) 35 a comprehensive program or a collection of instructional practices that 36 is based on reliable, valid evidence showing that when such programs 37 or practices are used, students can be expected to achieve satisfactory 38 reading progress, and (B) the integration of instructional strategies for 39 continuously assessing, evaluating and communicating the student's 40 reading progress and needs in order to design and implement ongoing 41 interventions so that students of all ages and proficiency levels can read 42 and comprehend text and apply higher level thinking skills. Such 43 comprehensive program or collection of practices [shall include] 44 includes, but is not [be] limited to, instruction in five areas of reading: 45 Phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and text 46 comprehension. 47 Raised Bill No. 5380 LCO No. 1510 3 of 17 (b) For the school year commencing July 1, [2014] 2020, and each 48 school year thereafter, the Commissioner of Education, in consultation 49 with the coordinator of the Center for Literacy Research and Reading 50 Success, established pursuant to section 5 of this act, shall create an 51 intensive reading instruction program to improve student literacy in 52 grades kindergarten to grade [three] five, inclusive, and close the 53 achievement gap. Such intensive reading instruction program shall 54 include routine reading assessments for students in kindergarten to 55 grade [three] five, inclusive, scientifically-based reading research and 56 instruction, an intensive reading intervention strategy, as described in 57 subsection (c) of this section, supplemental reading instruction and 58 reading remediation plans, as described in subsection (d) of this section, 59 and an intensive summer school reading program, as described in 60 subsection (e) of this section. [For the school year commencing July 1, 61 2014, the commissioner shall select five elementary schools that are (1) 62 located in an educational reform district, as defined in section 10-262u, 63 (2) participating in the commissioner's network of schools, pursuant to 64 section 10-223h, or (3) among the lowest five per cent of elementary 65 schools in school subject performance indices for reading and 66 mathematics, as defined in section 10-223e, to participate in the 67 intensive reading instruction program and for the school year 68 commencing July 1, 2015, and each school year thereafter, the 69 commissioner may select up to five additional such elementary schools 70 to participate in the intensive reading instruction program.] For the 71 school year commencing July 1, 2020, the commissioner, in consultation 72 with the Center for Literary Research and Reading Success, shall 73 provide, upon request, such intensive reading instruction program to a 74 local or regional board of education for a town designated as an alliance 75 district, as defined in section 10-262u, as amended by this act, or may 76 include such intensive reading instruction program in the tiered 77 supports in early literacy provided under the reading readiness 78 program pursuant to section 10-14y, as amended by this act. 79 (c) On or before July 1, [2014] 2020, the Department of Education, in 80 consultation with the coordinator of the Center for Literacy Research 81 Raised Bill No. 5380 LCO No. 1510 4 of 17 and Reading Success, shall develop an intensive reading intervention 82 strategy for use by [schools selected by the Commissioner of Education 83 to participate in the intensive reading instruction program to address 84 the achievement gap at such schools and to] any elementary school 85 located in an alliance district that enrolls students who are not reading 86 at or above grade level to ensure that [all] such students are reading 87 proficiently by grade [three] five in such schools. Such intensive reading 88 intervention strategy [for schools] shall (1) include, but not be limited 89 to, (A) rigorous assessments in reading skills, (B) scientifically-based 90 reading research and instruction, (C) [one] external literacy [coach for] 91 coaches made available to each school [, to be funded by the 92 department,] who will work with the reading data collected, support the 93 principal of the school as needed, observe, and coach classes and 94 supervise the reading interventions, (D) [four] reading interventionists 95 [for each school, to be funded by the department,] who will develop a 96 reading remediation plan for any student who is reading below 97 proficiency, be responsible for all supplemental reading instruction, and 98 conduct reading assessments as needed, and (E) training for teachers 99 and administrators in scientifically-based reading research and 100 instruction, including [,] training for school administrators on how to 101 assess a classroom to ensure that all children are proficient in reading 102 by grade [three] five, and (2) outline, at a minimum, how (A) reading 103 data will be collected, analyzed and used for purposes of instructional 104 development, (B) professional and leadership development will be 105 related to reading data analysis and used to support individual teacher 106 and classroom needs, (C) [the selected] schools will communicate with 107 parents and guardians of students on reading instruction strategies and 108 student reading performance goals, and on opportunities for parents 109 and guardians to partner with teachers and school administrators to 110 improve reading at home and at school, (D) teachers and school leaders 111 will be trained in the science of teaching reading, (E) periodic student 112 progress reports will be issued, and (F) such [selected school] intensive 113 reading intervention strategy will be monitored at the classroom level. 114 The commissioner shall review and evaluate the [school] intensive 115 reading intervention strategy for model components that may be used 116 Raised Bill No. 5380 LCO No. 1510 5 of 17 and replicated in other [schools and school] alliance districts to ensure 117 that all children are proficient in reading by grade [three] five. 118 (d) (1) For the school year commencing July 1, [2014] 2020, and each 119 school year thereafter, each [school selected by the Commissioner of 120 Education to participate in the intensive reading instruction program 121 under this section shall] local and regional board of education for a town 122 designated as an alliance district shall, in consultation with the 123 coordinator of the Center for Literacy Research and Reading Success, 124 provide supplemental reading instruction to students in kindergarten 125 to grade [three] five, inclusive, who are reading below proficiency, as 126 identified by the reading assessment described in section 10-14t, as 127 amended by this act. Such supplemental reading instruction shall be 128 provided by a reading interventionist during regular school hours. 129 (2) A reading remediation plan shall be developed by a reading 130 interventionist for each student in an alliance district in kindergarten to 131 grade [three] five, inclusive, who has been identified as reading below 132 proficiency to address and correct the reading deficiency of such 133 student. Such remediation plan shall include instructional strategies 134 that utilize research based reading instruction materials and teachers 135 trained in reading instruction, parental involvement in the 136 implementation of the remediation plan and regular progress reports on 137 such student. 138 (3) The principal of [a school selected by the Commissioner of 139 Education to participate in the intensive reading instruction program 140 under this section] each school in an alliance district shall notify the 141 parent or guardian of any student in kindergarten to grade [three] five, 142 inclusive, who has been identified as being below proficiency in 143 reading. Such notice shall be in writing and (A) include an explanation 144 of why such student is below proficiency in reading, and (B) inform such 145 parent or guardian that a remediation plan, as described in subdivision 146 (2) of this subsection, will be developed for such student to provide 147 supplemental reading instruction, including strategies for the parent or 148 guardian to use at home with such student. 149 Raised Bill No. 5380 LCO No. 1510 6 of 17 (e) (1) [Any student enrolled in a school selected by the 150 Commissioner of Education that is located in a priority school district, 151 pursuant to section 10-266p, to participate in the intensive reading 152 instruction program under this section and who is reading below 153 proficiency at the end of the school year shall be enrolled in] Each local 154 and regional board of education for a town designated as an alliance 155 district shall, in consultation with the coordinator of the Center for 156 Literacy Research and Reading Success, provide any student in 157 kindergarten to grade five, inclusive, who is reading below proficiency 158 at the end of the school year with an intensive summer school reading 159 instruction program. Such intensive summer school reading instruction 160 program shall include, (A) a comprehensive reading intervention 161 program, (B) scientifically-based reading research and instruction 162 strategies and interventions, (C) diagnostic assessments administered to 163 a student prior to or during an intensive summer school reading 164 instruction program to determine such student's particularized need for 165 instruction, (D) teachers who are trained in the teaching of reading and 166 reading assessment and intervention, and (E) weekly progress 167 monitoring to assess the reading progress of such student and tailor 168 instruction for such student. 169 (2) [The principal of a school selected by the Commissioner of 170 Education to participate in] Each local and regional board of education 171 for a town designated as an alliance district providing supplemental 172 reading instruction as part of the intensive reading instruction program 173 under this section shall submit reports to the Department of Education, 174 at such time and in such manner as prescribed by the department, on 175 (A) student reading progress for each student reading below proficiency 176 based on the data collected from the screening and progress monitoring 177 of such student using the reading assessments described in section 10-178 14t, as amended by this act, and (B) the specific reading interventions 179 and supports implemented. 180 (f) Not later than October 1, [2015] 2020, and annually thereafter, the 181 department shall report to the joint standing committee of the General 182 Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, in 183 Raised Bill No. 5380 LCO No. 1510 7 of 17 accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, on student reading 184 levels [in schools participating] in the intensive reading instruction 185 program. Such report shall include recommendations on model 186 components of the school intensive reading intervention strategy that 187 may be used and replicated in other [schools and school] alliance 188 districts. 189 Sec. 3. Section 10-14v of the general statutes is repealed and the 190 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2020): 191 On or before January 1, [2014] 2020, the Department of Education 192 shall, in collaboration with the Center for Literacy Research and 193 Reading Success, established pursuant to section 5 of this act, develop a 194 coordinated state-wide reading plan for students in kindergarten to 195 grade [three] five, inclusive, that contains strategies and frameworks 196 that are research-driven to produce effective reading instruction and 197 improvement in student performance. Such plan shall include: (1) The 198 alignment of reading standards, instruction and assessments for 199 students in kindergarten to grade [three] five, inclusive; (2) teachers' use 200 of data on the progress of all students to adjust and differentiate 201 instructional practices to improve student reading success; (3) the 202 collection of information concerning each student's reading 203 background, level and progress so that teachers can use such 204 information to assist in the transition of a student's promotion to the 205 next grade level; (4) an intervention for each student who is not making 206 adequate progress in reading to help such student read at the 207 appropriate grade level; (5) enhanced reading instruction for students 208 who are reading at or above their grade level; (6) the coordination of 209 reading instruction activities between parents, students, teachers and 210 administrators of the school district at home and in school; (7) school 211 district reading plans; (8) parental involvement by providing parents 212 and guardians of students with opportunities for partnering with 213 teachers and school administrators to (A) create an optimal learning 214 environment, and (B) receive updates on the reading progress of their 215 student; (9) teacher training and reading performance tests aligned with 216 teacher preparation courses and professional development activities; 217 Raised Bill No. 5380 LCO No. 1510 8 of 17 (10) incentives for schools that have demonstrated significant 218 improvement in student reading; (11) research-based literacy training 219 for early childhood care and education providers and instructors 220 working with children birth to five years of age, inclusive, and transition 221 plans relating to oral language and preliteracy proficiency for children 222 between prekindergarten and kindergarten; (12) the alignment of 223 reading instruction with the common core state standards adopted by 224 the State Board of Education; and (13) the alignment of reading 225 instruction with the two-generational initiative established pursuant to 226 section 17b-112l. 227 Sec. 4. Section 10-14y of the general statutes is repealed and the 228 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2020): 229 (a) The Department of Education shall, within available 230 appropriations and in collaboration with the Center for Literacy 231 Research and Reading Success, established pursuant to section 5 of this 232 act, establish a reading readiness program that provides tiered supports 233 in early literacy to each school district designated as an alliance district, 234 pursuant to section 10-262u, as amended by this act, and each school 235 participating in the commissioner's network of schools, pursuant to 236 section 10-223h. The department shall conduct an assessment of the 237 reading readiness of students enrolled in kindergarten to grade [three] 238 five, inclusive, for each such school and school district. Such reading 239 readiness assessment shall consider any combination of the following: 240 (1) Whether such school or school district has developed and is 241 implementing a multiyear plan and allocated resources specifically for 242 early literacy in kindergarten to grade [three] five, inclusive, (2) whether 243 teachers and administrators have received training regarding the 244 science of teaching reading, and the extent to which teachers and 245 administrators have completed the program of professional 246 development in scientifically-based reading research and instruction, 247 pursuant to section 10-148b, (3) the level of access to external coaches in 248 literacy, and (4) whether there is reading intervention staff embedded at 249 such school or in the school district. 250 Raised Bill No. 5380 LCO No. 1510 9 of 17 (b) The department shall identify the early literacy needs of each 251 school and school district described in subsection (a) of this section 252 based on the results of the reading readiness assessment conducted 253 pursuant to [said] subsection (a) of this section, and provide, in 254 collaboration with the Center for Literacy Research and Reading 255 Success, tiered supports in early literacy as follows: 256 (1) Tier one universal supports shall [be provided to each such school 257 district that is an educational reform district, as defined in section 10-258 262u, and] include online professional development modules aligned 259 with the reading instruction survey, as described in section 10-145r, and 260 other literacy modules and programs available in the state; 261 (2) Tier two targeted supports shall include (A) a two-year program 262 of literacy leadership training for certain teachers and administrators, 263 (B) targeted professional development, in accordance with the 264 provisions of section 10-148b, using the results of the reading instruction 265 survey, as described in section 10-145r, and (C) external coaching 266 support using funding received pursuant to section 10-223h or 10-262u, 267 as amended by this act; and 268 (3) Tier three intensive supports shall include multiyear support from 269 the department and a commitment from such school or school district, 270 that includes, but need not be limited to, (A) the use of funding received 271 pursuant to section 10-262u, as amended by this act, to support an early 272 literacy program for students enrolled in kindergarten to grade [three] 273 five, inclusive, (B) technical support in the drafting and submission of 274 alliance district reading plans, as described in section 10-262u, as 275 amended by this act, (C) identifying and embedding dedicated literacy 276 coaches and reading interventionists, (D) targeted and intensive 277 professional development, and (E) funds for assessment and 278 instructional materials. 279 (c) Any tiered supports in early literacy provided under this section 280 shall be aligned with any turnaround plan, developed pursuant to 281 section 10-223h, or alliance district plan, developed pursuant to section 282 Raised Bill No. 5380 LCO No. 1510 10 of 17 10-262u, as amended by this act, as applicable. 283 Sec. 5. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2020) (a) The Department of Education 284 shall establish a Center for Literacy Research and Reading Success. The 285 center shall be responsible for (1) collaborating with the department in 286 the implementation of the coordinated state-wide reading plan for 287 students in kindergarten to grade five, inclusive, established pursuant 288 to section 10-14v of the general statutes, as amended by this act; (2) 289 researching and developing, in collaboration with the department and 290 Office of Early Childhood, a birth to grade twelve reading success 291 strategy to be included in the alignment of reading instruction with the 292 two-generational initiative, established pursuant to section 17b-112l of 293 the general statutes; (3) providing direct support to schools and boards 294 of education to improve reading outcomes for students in kindergarten 295 to grade five, inclusive, through coaching, leadership training, 296 professional development, parental engagement and technical 297 assistance that is consistent with the intensive reading instruction 298 program, as described in section 10-14u of the general statutes, as 299 amended by this act, and aligned with evidence-based practices; (4) 300 developing and maintaining an Internet web site for the purpose of (A) 301 disseminating tools and information associated with the intensive 302 reading instruction program and other reading initiatives, and (B) 303 supporting the community of teachers, schools and boards of education 304 engaged in improving student reading; and (5) serving as a 305 collaborative center for institutions of higher education and making 306 available to the faculty of teacher preparation programs (A) the science 307 of teaching reading, (B) the intensive reading instruction program, and 308 (C) samples of available curriculum. 309 (b) The center shall be under the direction of a coordinator who shall, 310 in consultation with the Reading Leadership Advisory Council 311 described in subsection (c) of this section, be responsible for (1) 312 overseeing all activities of the center, (2) facilitating communication 313 between the center and boards of education, the Department of 314 Education and other affiliates of the center, and (3) coordinating the 315 dissemination of information, tools and services made available by the 316 Raised Bill No. 5380 LCO No. 1510 11 of 17 center. 317 (c) The activities of the center shall be implemented by the Reading 318 Leadership Advisory Council which shall consist of the following 319 members: (1) The coordinator of the center, or the coordinator's 320 designee; (2) the director of reading initiatives for the Department of 321 Education, as described in section 10-3c of the general statutes, as 322 amended by this act; (3) the executive director of the Commission on 323 Women, Children and Seniors, or the executive director's designee; (4) 324 literacy experts, designated by the coordinator, who are engaged in the 325 development and implementation of the intensive reading instruction 326 program; (5) an individual designated by the chairperson of the Black 327 and Puerto Rican Caucus of the General Assembly, provided such 328 individual is not a member of the General Assembly; and (6) the dean 329 of the Neag School of Education at The University of Connecticut, or the 330 dean's designee. The Reading Leadership Advisory Council shall 331 develop and publish the annual goals for the center and meet at least 332 once every two months. The Reading Leadership Advisory Council may 333 establish an advisory board that consists of representatives from public, 334 private and philanthropic organizations, and is responsible for 335 providing advice, guidance and resources for the center's goal and 336 mission. 337 (d) The center shall hire reading coaches who have experience and 338 expertise in the intensive reading instruction program. Such reading 339 coaches shall (1) provide training and professional development on the 340 intensive reading instruction program, literacy leadership and effective 341 instruction to teachers, (2) work directly with teachers to support the 342 implementation of the intensive reading instruction program and attend 343 school and school district leadership, data and planning meetings, (3) 344 provide coaching to teachers, and (4) lead and participate in family 345 engagement activities. 346 (e) For purposes of establishing and administering the center under 347 this section, the Department of Education may enter into a 348 memorandum of understanding with a public institution of higher 349 Raised Bill No. 5380 LCO No. 1510 12 of 17 education that has expertise in scientifically-based reading research and 350 instruction, as defined in section 10-14u of the general statutes, as 351 amended by this act, and prior experience in the delivery of 352 comprehensive school-wide, evidence-based reading instruction and 353 intervention in grades kindergarten to five, inclusive. 354 Sec. 6. (Effective from passage) (a) There is established a working group 355 to study issues relating to the teaching of scientifically-based reading 356 research and instruction, as defined in section 10-14u of the general 357 statutes, as amended by this act, as part of teacher preparation 358 programs, as defined in section 10-10a of the general statutes, offered by 359 public and independent institutions of higher education in the state. 360 Such study shall include, but need not be limited to, an examination of 361 (1) whether, or to what extent, (A) such teacher preparation programs 362 are providing, pursuant to subsection (e) of section 10-145a of the 363 general statutes, instruction on the knowledge and pedagogy of the 364 science of reading and the skills that are tested as part of the reading 365 instruction examination approved by the State Board of Education on 366 April 1, 2009, and (B) professors in such teacher preparation programs 367 have received training on or are competent to provide such instruction, 368 and (2) the number of credit hours of such instruction being provided in 369 such teacher preparation programs. 370 (b) The working group shall consist of the following members: 371 (1) The director of reading initiatives for the Department of 372 Education, as described in section 10-3c of the general statutes, as 373 amended by this act; 374 (2) The executive director of the Commission on Women, Children 375 and Seniors, or the executive director's designee; 376 (3) Three members who are representatives from the Neag School of 377 Education at The University of Connecticut, appointed by the president 378 of The University of Connecticut; 379 (4) Four members who are representatives from each of the teacher 380 Raised Bill No. 5380 LCO No. 1510 13 of 17 preparation programs offered at Western Connecticut State University, 381 Southern Connecticut State University, Eastern Connecticut State 382 University and Central Connecticut State University, appointed by the 383 president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities; 384 (5) Three members who are representatives from teacher preparation 385 programs offered by independent institutions of higher education in the 386 state, appointed by the president of the Connecticut Conference of 387 Independent Colleges; and 388 (6) Two members who have expertise in scientifically-based reading 389 research and instruction, appointed by the executive director of the 390 Commission on Women, Children and Seniors. 391 (c) All appointments to the working group shall be made not later 392 than thirty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy shall 393 be filled by the appointing authority. 394 (d) The director of reading initiatives for the Department of 395 Education shall schedule the first meeting of the working group, which 396 shall be held not later than sixty days after the effective date of this 397 section. The members of the working group shall elect the chairperson 398 of the working group from among the members of the working group 399 at the first meeting. 400 (e) Not later than January 1, 2022, the working group shall submit a 401 report on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing 402 committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters 403 relating to education and higher education, in accordance with the 404 provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. Such report shall 405 include a recommendation as to the appropriate number of credit hours 406 for the instruction on the knowledge and pedagogy of the science of 407 reading and the skills that are tested as part of the reading instruction 408 examination approved by the State Board of Education on April 1, 2009. 409 The working group shall terminate on the date that it submits such 410 report or January 1, 2021, whichever is later. 411 Raised Bill No. 5380 LCO No. 1510 14 of 17 Sec. 7. Section 10-3c of the general statutes is repealed and the 412 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2020): 413 There shall be a director of reading initiatives within the Department 414 of Education. The director shall be responsible for (1) administering the 415 intensive reading instruction program to improve student literacy in 416 kindergarten to grade [three] five, inclusive, and close the achievement 417 gap, pursuant to section 10-14u, as amended by this act, (2) assisting in 418 the development and administration of the program of professional 419 development for teachers and principals in scientifically-based reading 420 research and instruction, pursuant to section 10-148b, (3) administering 421 the coordinated state-wide reading plan for students in kindergarten to 422 grade [three] five, inclusive, pursuant to section 10-14v, as amended by 423 this act, (4) administering the incentive program described in section 10-424 14w, (5) providing assistance to local and regional boards of education 425 in the administration of the reading assessments described in section 10-426 14t, as amended by this act, and the implementation of school district 427 reading plans, (6) providing information and assistance to parents and 428 guardians of students relating to reading and literacy instruction, (7) 429 addressing reading and literacy issues related to students who are 430 English language learners, and (8) developing and administering any 431 other state-wide reading and literacy initiatives for students in 432 kindergarten to grade twelve, inclusive. 433 Sec. 8. Subsection (d) of section 10-262u of the general statutes is 434 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 435 2020): 436 (d) The local or regional board of education for a town designated as 437 an alliance district may apply to the Commissioner of Education, at such 438 time and in such manner as the commissioner prescribes, to receive any 439 increase in funds received over the amount the town received for the 440 prior fiscal year pursuant to subsection (a) of section 10-262i. 441 Applications pursuant to this subsection shall include objectives and 442 performance targets and a plan that are developed, in part, on the 443 strategic use of student academic performance data. Such plan may 444 Raised Bill No. 5380 LCO No. 1510 15 of 17 include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) A tiered system of 445 interventions for the schools under the jurisdiction of such board based 446 on the needs of such schools, (2) ways to strengthen the foundational 447 programs in reading, through the intensive reading instruction program 448 pursuant to section 10-14u, as amended by this act, to ensure reading 449 mastery in kindergarten to grade [three] five, inclusive, with a focus on 450 standards and instruction, proper use of data, intervention strategies, 451 current information for teachers, parental engagement, and teacher 452 professional development, (3) additional learning time, including 453 extended school day or school year programming administered by 454 school personnel or external partners, (4) a talent strategy that includes, 455 but is not limited to, teacher and school leader recruitment and 456 assignment, career ladder policies that draw upon guidelines for a 457 model teacher evaluation program adopted by the State Board of 458 Education, pursuant to section 10-151b, and adopted by each local or 459 regional board of education. Such talent strategy may include 460 provisions that demonstrate increased ability to attract, retain, promote 461 and bolster the performance of staff in accordance with performance 462 evaluation findings and, in the case of new personnel, other indicators 463 of effectiveness, (5) training for school leaders and other staff on new 464 teacher evaluation models, (6) provisions for the cooperation and 465 coordination with early childhood education providers to ensure 466 alignment with district expectations for student entry into kindergarten, 467 including funding for an existing local Head Start program, (7) 468 provisions for the cooperation and coordination with other 469 governmental and community programs to ensure that students receive 470 adequate support and wraparound services, including community 471 school models, (8) provisions for implementing and furthering state-472 wide education standards adopted by the State Board of Education and 473 all activities and initiatives associated with such standards, (9) strategies 474 for attracting and recruiting minority teachers and administrators, (10) 475 provisions for the enhancement of bilingual education programs, 476 pursuant to section 10-17f, or other language acquisition services to 477 English language learners, including, but not limited to, participation in 478 the English language learner pilot program, established pursuant to 479 Raised Bill No. 5380 LCO No. 1510 16 of 17 section 10-17n, (11) entering into the model school district 480 responsibilities agreement, described in section 10-223l, (12) leadership 481 succession plans that provide training and learning opportunities for 482 administrators and are designed to assist in the seamless transition of 483 school and district personnel in and out of leadership positions in the 484 school district and the continuous implementation of plans developed 485 under this subsection, and (13) any additional categories or goals as 486 determined by the commissioner. Such plan shall demonstrate 487 collaboration with key stakeholders, as identified by the commissioner, 488 with the goal of achieving efficiencies and the alignment of intent and 489 practice of current programs with conditional programs identified in 490 this subsection. The commissioner may (A) require changes in any plan 491 submitted by a local or regional board of education before the 492 commissioner approves an application under this subsection, and (B) 493 permit a local or regional board of education, as part of such plan, to use 494 a portion of any funds received under this section for the purposes of 495 paying tuition charged to such board pursuant to subdivision (1) of 496 subsection (k) of section 10-264l or subsection (b) of section 10-264o. 497 This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: Section 1 July 1, 2020 10-14t Sec. 2 July 1, 2020 10-14u Sec. 3 July 1, 2020 10-14v Sec. 4 July 1, 2020 10-14y Sec. 5 July 1, 2020 New section Sec. 6 from passage New section Sec. 7 July 1, 2020 10-3c Sec. 8 July 1, 2020 10-262u(d) Statement of Purpose: To expand the intensive reading instruction program to include grades four and five, and to establish the Center for Literacy Research and Reading Success within the Department of Education. Raised Bill No. 5380 LCO No. 1510 17 of 17 [Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.]