CCS/HCS/SB 319 - ASSESSMENT OF ESL STUDENTS (160.518) - This act provides that assessment scores of students for whom English is a second language (ESL) shall not be counted until the student has been educated in a school where English is the primary language for three full years.

This portion of the act is similar to HB 1732 (2000).

RETESTING (167.640) - The act eliminates the mandatory retesting requirement in the following year for students scoring in the lowest level of proficiency on any assessment.

This portion of the act is similar to language contained in the perfected version of SCS/HCS/HB 50.

PROMOTION OF STUDENTS (167.645) - The 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. Special education students, student with limited English proficiency, students receiving services under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and whose plan addresses reading and students with insufficient cognitive ability are exempted from the required reading assessment, though a reading improvement plan shall be provided for students with such insufficient cognitive ability. 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 Department of Elementary and Secondary Education may, subject to appropriation, reimburse the extra costs incurred by school districts in providing the additional 30 hours of reading instruction.

Students who complete required summer school instruction shall be reassessed. Students not meeting reading standards after summer school following fourth grade shall not be promoted to fifth grade. A student shall be retained no more than once due to this requirement. Mandatory retention under this act shall not apply to grades later than fourth 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.

School districts may 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. Districts meeting requirements by cooperative agreement must make timely payments as provided in such agreements.

The State Board of Education shall not use data concerning the number of students receiving additional reading instruction as part of its accreditation program for school districts. Each district shall make available, upon request, the number and percentage of students receiving remedial instruction under this act. Schools shall also inform parents of students with reading improvement plans as to the methods and materials used to teach reading.

This portion of the act is similar to SCS/SB 239 and portions of SCS/HCS/HB 50.

AFTER-SCHOOL RETREAT READING AND ASSESSMENT GRANT PROGRAM - Beginning with the 2002-2003 school year, the act establishes a competitive grant program for development of after-school programs with educational content. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall establish criteria for the award of grants, with preference given to districts having a higher percentage of at-risk students. If the amount appropriated, along with other available funds for the grants, is not sufficient to fund all approved grants, the grant amounts will be prorated.

This portion of the act is similar to HB 925.
OTTO FAJEN