Bill Text: MS SB2388 | 2016 | Regular Session | Enrolled

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Bill Title: Reading intervention program at "C" level or low-performing school districts; direct State Department of Education to conduct.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2016-05-11 - Approved by Governor [SB2388 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2016-SB2388-Enrolled.html

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MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2016 Regular Session

To: Education; Appropriations

By: Senator(s) Tollison, Jackson (11th)

Senate Bill 2388

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-177-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CONDUCT A READING INTERVENTION PROGRAM AT "C" LEVEL OR LOW-PERFORMING DISTRICTS AND SCHOOLS AND TO PRESCRIBE STANDARDS FOR THE PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  Section 37-177-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     37-177-7.  The State Department of Education shall:

          (a)  Select schools most in need for the reading intervention program and create criteria for selection for participation based on number and percentages of students scoring in the lowest two (2) achievement levels on state-adopted yearly reading assessments, screening results, and other relevant data;

          (b)  Assign a supervisory position within each school to be responsible for the faithful implementation of the Reading Intervention Program; and

          (c) * * *   Beginning with the 2014-2015 school year,  Subject to legislative appropriation, the Mississippi Department of Education shall conduct a * * * pilot program with willing "C" level or low-performing districts and/or schools * * * in a geographically concise region.  The * * * pilot program shall focus on the use of data coaches to improve reading and literacy, to determine the effectiveness of intense data-focused professional development, provide expert support in literacy and early reading instruction but it shall not necessarily be limited to literacy.  Data coaches should be experts in both pedagogy and data analysis who facilitate professional learning community meetings, and provide observation and feedback, to help teachers and district leaders build skills in using data to inform instruction.  Schools and districts selected by the department to participate in the program shall agree to involve the school and district leadership team as directed by the department.  The Mississippi Department of Education is authorized to include pre-school programs it deems appropriate.  The department is authorized to contract with a private sector provider to implement the * * * pilot program and work in partnership with * * * a four-year institutions of higher learning * * * that has a center for literacy instruction to develop and implement the * * * pilot.  The department shall also work in consultation with the Reading Panel regarding the development and implementation of the pilot program.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2016.

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