Sec. 28.0061. READING EXCELLENCE TEAM PILOT PROGRAM. (a) Using funds appropriated for that purpose, the commissioner shall establish a reading excellence team pilot program in accordance with this section.

(b) A school district is eligible to participate in the pilot program if, as determined by the commissioner, the district has low student performance on:

(1) a reading instrument administered in accordance with Section 28.006(c) or (c-2); or

(2) a third grade reading assessment instrument administered under Section 39.023(a).

(c) The pilot program must:

(1) establish reading excellence teams composed of reading instruction specialists;

(2) allow an eligible school district to request the assistance of a reading excellence team; and

(3) provide a reading excellence team to a requesting eligible school district to:

(A) review with the district the results of the assessments described under Subsection (b) to determine campuses and classrooms for kindergarten through third grade with the greatest need of assistance; and

(B) work with teachers on campuses and in classrooms identified under Paragraph (A) to provide training necessary to improve student reading outcomes.

(d) The commissioner shall adopt rules to administer this section, including rules establishing qualifications and criteria for selecting reading instruction specialists for a reading excellence team.

(e) This section expires September 1, 2021.

Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 203 (S.B. 935), Sec. 1, eff. May 28, 2015.

Amended by:

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 943 (H.B. 3), Sec. 3.021, eff. September 1, 2019.