SB 929 Summary

• Establishes a task force to develop a master plan by January 1, 2020, addressing academic achievement gaps among racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and gender groups, and English language learners in Connecticut schools.

• Creates an Interagency Council for Ending the Achievement Gap composed of representatives from nine state departments and agencies to implement the master plan and submit annual progress reports.

• Requires priority school districts to assess reading levels of students in kindergarten through grade three at the beginning, middle, and end of each school year and develop individual reading plans for students substantially deficient in reading.

• Mandates that students in kindergarten through grade three who are substantially deficient in reading attend summer school unless exempted, with non-attendance resulting in retention to the next grade.

• Directs the Department of Education to approve and distribute model curricula and frameworks in reading and mathematics for prekindergarten through grade four by July 1, 2012, and establishes a Connecticut School Reform Resource Center to provide professional development and best practices for school improvement.