AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP TASK FORCE CONCERNING THE CREATION OF A DIRECTOR OF READING INITIATIVES AT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2015) There shall be a director of reading initiatives within the Department of Education. The director shall be responsible for (1) administering the intensive reading instruction program to improve student literacy in kindergarten to grade three, inclusive, and close the achievement gap, pursuant to section 10-14u of the general statutes, (2) assisting in the development and administration of the program of professional development for teachers and principals in scientifically-based reading research and instruction, pursuant to section 10-148b of the general statutes, (3) administering the coordinated state-wide reading plan for students in kindergarten to grade three, inclusive, pursuant to section 10-14v of the general statutes, (4) administering the incentive program described in section 10-14w of the general statutes, (5) providing assistance to local and regional boards of education in the administration of the reading assessments described in section 10-14t of the general statutes and the implementation of school district reading plans, (6) providing information and assistance to parents and guardians of students relating to reading and literacy instruction, (7) addressing reading and literacy issues related to students who are English language learners, and (8) developing and administering any other state-wide reading and literacy initiatives for students in kindergarten to grade twelve, inclusive.