Missouri § 161.241 - Reading instruction, comprehensive system of services — office of literacy — department duties — fund created, use of moneys.

§ 161.241. Reading instruction, comprehensive system of services — office of literacy — department duties — fund created, use of moneys.

1.  The state board of education, in collaboration with the coordinating board for higher education and the commissioner's advisory council under section 186.080, shall develop a plan to establish a comprehensive system of services for reading instruction.

2.  The state board of education shall establish and periodically update a statewide literacy plan that supports high quality, evidence-based reading instruction for all students.

3.  The state board of education shall create an office of literacy.  The commissioner of education shall coordinate staff with roles relating to literacy and align staff work around supporting best practices in reading instruction.

4.  The state board of education shall align literacy and reading instruction coursework for teacher education programs as required under subsection 4 of section 161.097.

5.  Subject to appropriation, the department of elementary and secondary education shall recruit and employ quality teacher trainers with expertise in reading instruction and provide opportunities for evidence-based professional development in reading instruction available for all active teachers.

6.  The department shall maintain and publish data on reading outcomes, provided that the report shall not include individually identifiable student data.

7.  The department shall publish criteria and examples to help districts and schools select and use evidence-based reading curricula and instructional materials.  Additionally, the department shall publish a list of curricula that ensure instruction is explicit, systematic, diagnostic, and based on phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, morphology, syntax, and semantics.  This shall be a resource to districts.

8.  The department shall provide online tools and training for active teachers on evidence-based reading instruction.

9.  There is hereby created in the state treasury the "Evidence-based Reading Instruction Program Fund".  The fund shall be administered by the department and used to reimburse school districts and charter schools for efforts to improve student literacy, including, but not limited to: initiatives that provide optional training and materials to teachers regarding best practices in reading pedagogies; resources for parents and guardians to assist them in teaching their children to read; funding for reading tutoring programs outside of regular school hours; stipends for teachers who undergo additional training in reading instruction, which may also count toward professional development requirements; and funding for summer reading programs.  The fund shall consist of moneys appropriated annually by the general assembly from general revenue to such fund, any moneys paid into the state treasury and required by law to be credited to such fund, and any gifts, bequests, or donations to such fund.  The fund shall be kept separate and apart from all other moneys in the state treasury and shall be paid out by the state treasurer pursuant to chapter 33.  Notwithstanding the provisions of section 33.080 to the contrary, moneys in the fund at the end of the biennium shall not be transferred to the credit of the general revenue fund.  All interest and moneys earned on the fund shall be credited to the fund.

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(L. 2022 S.B. 681 & 662)

---- end of effective  28 Aug 2022 ----

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