SCS/SB 239 This act requires that certain public school students receive summer school reading instruction. Local school districts are required to select a reading assessment mechanism and to assign third-grade and older students who are reading below grade level to be assessed for summer school placement. Third-grade students who read below the second grade level shall be required to complete at least thirty additional hours of reading instruction or practice outside the regular school day during the fourth grade and may also be required to attend summer school instruction. The school shall notify the parent or guardian of a pupil prior to establishment of a reading improvement plan.

Students who complete summer school instruction shall be reassessed and if necessary receive further summer school placement, through the sixth grade. Students between grades four and six who transfer to the school district are also required to be assessed if not reading at or above grade level. If a student is reading below the fifth-grade level at the end of sixth grade, a notation will be made in the student's record that he or she is reading below minimal levels.

Special needs students are exempt from this section.

School districts are permitted to coordinate their summer school reading instruction programs with other summer school programs and may fulfill the requirement of offering such summer reading instruction by arrangement with neighboring districts.

This act has an emergency clause.

This act is similar to HB 1076 from 2000 and HB 50 and similar language is contained in the TAT version of CCS/HCS/SB 319 (2001).
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SA 1 - ADDS THE PROVISIONS OF SB 575 REGARDING SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT CARDS.

SA 2 - ADDS A REVISED VERSION OF SB 447 TO ALLOW MISSOURI ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (MAP) TESTS TO BE GIVEN TO SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS AT DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE GRADE LEVELS, WHICH MAY BE OTHER THAN ACTUAL GRADE LEVEL, UPON REQUEST BY THE DISTRICT AND SUBJECT TO APPROVAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION.

SA 3 - REQUIRES DISTRICTS TO MAKE TIMELY PAYMENTS REQUIRED UNDER COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS TO IMPLEMENT THE READING AND SOCIAL PROMOTION PROVISIONS OF THE ACT.

SA 4 - REQUIRES SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO INFORM THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS FOR WHOM READING INSTRUCTION IS REQUIRED AND THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL CONSIDER THESE DATA IN ITS ACCREDITATION REVIEW OF EACH DISTRICT.

SA 5 - REQUIRES SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO INFORM PARENTS CONCERNING THE DISTRICT'S METHODS AND MATERIALS USED IN READING INSTRUCTION IN GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH SIXTH GRADE, RATHER THAN THROUGH FOURTH GRADE.

SA 7 - ADDS PROVISIONS OF SB 616 TO REQUIRE PHONICS INSTRUCTION AS A PART OF READING INSTRUCTION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.