Sec. 21.4551. TEACHER READING ACADEMIES. (a) The commissioner shall develop and make available reading academies for teachers who provide instruction to students at the sixth through eighth grade levels.

(b) A reading academy developed under this section must include training in:

(1) for a teacher providing instruction in reading to students at the seventh or eighth grade level:

(A) administration of the reading instrument required by Section 28.006(c-1); and

(B) interpretation of the results of the reading instrument required by Section 28.006(c-1) and strategies, based on scientific research regarding effective reading instruction, for long-term intensive intervention to target identified student needs in word recognition, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension;

(2) for a teacher providing instruction in reading to students at the sixth, seventh, or eighth grade level:

(A) strategies to be implemented in English language arts and other subject areas for multisyllable word reading, vocabulary development, and comprehension of expository and narrative text;

(B) an adaptation framework that enables teachers to respond to differing student strengths and needs, including adaptations for students of limited English proficiency or students receiving special education services under Subchapter A, Chapter 29;

(C) collaborative strategies to increase active student involvement and motivation to read; and

(D) other areas identified by the commissioner as essential components of reading instruction; and

(3) for a teacher providing instruction in mathematics, science, or social studies to students at the sixth, seventh, or eighth grade level:

(A) strategies for incorporating reading instruction into the curriculum for the subject area taught by the teacher; and

(B) other areas identified by the commissioner.

(c) The commissioner by rule shall require a teacher to attend a reading academy if the teacher provides instruction in reading, mathematics, science, or social studies to students at the sixth, seventh, or eighth grade level at a campus that fails to satisfy any standard under Section 39.054(e) on the basis of student performance on the reading assessment instrument administered under Section 39.023(a) to students in any grade level at the campus.

(d) The commissioner shall adopt criteria for selection of teachers, other than teachers described by Subsection (c), who may attend a reading academy.

(e) From funds appropriated for that purpose, a teacher who attends a reading academy is entitled to receive a stipend in the amount determined by the commissioner. A stipend received under this subsection is not considered in determining whether a district is paying the teacher the minimum monthly salary under Section 21.402.

(f) On request of the commissioner, regional education service centers shall assist the commissioner and agency with training and other activities relating to the development and operation of reading academies. The commissioner may seek additional assistance from other public and private providers.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1058 (H.B. 2237), Sec. 4, eff. June 15, 2007.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 895 (H.B. 3), Sec. 24, eff. June 19, 2009.

Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 91 (S.B. 1303), Sec. 7.003, eff. September 1, 2011.

For expiration of this section, see Subsection (f).