SB 1183 - This act allows public schools to establish family literacy programs. Additionally, the act adds funding for family literacy programs to the priority list of "Statewide areas of critical need for learning and development" and makes family literacy personnel eligible to receive a portion of the funds already allocated to address said statewide areas of critical need for learning and development. Also, this act allows local boards of education to include family literacy programs in the "child at-risk in education programs" which utilize moneys already distributed to school districts by means of the state aid formula.

The act mandates that a portion of the state school aid appropriation to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) shall be distributed by DESE to establish and fund family literacy programs in school attendance centers declared academically deficient or school districts declared unaccredited or provisionally accredited. This amount shall be the lesser of either: 5% of any increase from the total line 14 revenue compared to the total line 14 revenue amount distributed to all school districts in fiscal year 2002; or 1.5% percent of the total line 14 distribution. DESE will promulgate rules for the distribution of these family literacy funds.

Additionally, the act requires the State Board of Education to make an annual report to the General Assembly and the Governor concerning coordination with other agencies and departments of government that support family literacy programs.

Lastly, this act adds family literacy programs to the definition of "eligible pupils".

Provisions similar to those contained in this act have been incorporated into the truly agreed to CCS/HCS/HB 1711 (2002). Similar provisions are also contained in the SCS/HB 1817 (2002) and the SS/SCS/SB 1059 (2002).
DONALD THALHUBER