schools; reading
proficiency; statewide measures
SB 1342 prescribes methods for the analysis of statewide academic measures in school districts and charter schools for the purpose of assessing reading proficiency in grades K-3.
Laws 1998, Chapter 231 established the development of a new reading curriculum for pupils in kindergarten through grade three. In response, the State Board of Education created the Reading Success Task Force. Over a period of one year, the Task Force consulted many national reading experts, and generated empirically validated research to develop a recommendation report. One recommendation in the Reading Success Task Force report published in January 2000 was to develop a statewide measurement to assess the reading proficiency of children in grades K-3. According to the report, the reading components of phonemic awareness, manipulation of alphabet letters, sound-symbol relationships, spelling and reading comprehension are primary reading principles that provide the foundation for reading success.