CT HB05350

Repeals and replaces Section 5 of Public Act 11-85, establishing definitions for achievement gaps, district performance indices for mathematics, reading, writing, and science, and educational reform districts (the 10 lowest-performing districts by performance index scores).

Expands the early literacy pilot study to include schools in educational reform districts beginning July 1, 2012, allowing the Commissioner of Education to assess reading levels multiple times per year using various assessment tools.

Requires the Department of Education to develop or approve reading assessments by July 1, 2014, for kindergarten through grade three students measuring phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension with frequent screening and progress monitoring.

Mandates that school districts disproportionately identifying minority students as requiring special education due to reading deficiency must submit annual plans to reduce such misidentification through improved reading assessments and interventions.

Requires the Commissioner of Education to create a professional development program in reading instruction by July 1, 2014, that counts toward continuing education requirements and includes mentor teacher training and model classroom establishment.