71st OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2001 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .
 
LC 2533
 
                           B-Engrossed
 
                         Senate Bill 595
                  Ordered by the Senate June 28
       Including Senate Amendments dated May 8 and June 28
 
Sponsored by Senator STARR
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure.
 
  Establishes elementary school pilot program on teaching
students how to read using explicit phonics.
    { - Appropriates moneys from General Fund to Department of
Education for grants to school districts participating in pilot
program. - }
  Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2001.
 
                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to reading; and declaring an emergency.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1.  { + (1) There is established a pilot program on
elementary school reading instruction. The focus of the pilot
program shall be on integrating instruction methods using
explicit phonics into language arts programs in elementary
schools that serve students from low-income families. The pilot
program shall be for the 2001-2002, 2002-2003 and 2003-2004
school years.
  (2) If the Department of Education obtains funds for the pilot
program as described in subsection (7) of this section, each
school district with a weighted average daily membership (ADMw)
of greater than 50,000 shall participate in the pilot program. A
school district board of a participating school district shall
select elementary schools and classrooms for participation in the
pilot program. If possible, the board shall select schools and
classrooms that serve students from low-income families. The
board shall determine how to implement the pilot program with
other reading programs that may already exist in the schools and
classrooms.
  (3) During the 2001-2002 school year, each participating school
district shall provide advanced training to teachers who are
currently using explicit phonics in the classroom. Teachers
receiving training under this subsection shall serve as mentors
for other teachers and shall instruct other teachers on the use
of explicit phonics in classrooms.
  (4) During the 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 school years, each
participating school district shall implement the pilot program
in selected schools and classrooms by incorporating reading
instruction using explicit phonics in the classrooms.
  (5)(a) At the end of the 2001-2002 school year, each school
district participating in the pilot program shall report to the
interim legislative committees on education on the progress of
the pilot program.
  (b) At the end of the pilot program, each school district
participating in the pilot program shall report to the interim
legislative committees on education. The report shall include:
  (A) An evaluation of the program;
  (B) An evaluation of the program's impact on the reading level
of the students and how those reading levels compare with similar
students from other schools;
  (C) Recommendations about the program;
  (D) Costs of the program; and
  (E) Any other relevant information.
  (6) The Department of Education shall award grants to
participating school districts for the pilot program established
under this section. A school district that receives a grant under
this subsection shall use the grant for implementation of the
pilot program.
  (7) The Department of Education may seek and accept gifts,
grants and donations from any source and federal funds for the
purpose of funding the pilot program. + }
  SECTION 2.  { + This 2001 Act being necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency
is declared to exist, and this 2001 Act takes effect July 1,
2001. + }
                         ----------