Oklahoma § 70-1210.516 - Oklahoma Bridge to Literacy Program - Applications

§ 70-1210.516. Oklahoma Bridge to Literacy Program - Applications

A. The State Board of Education shall establish the Oklahoma

Bridge to Literacy Program. The purpose of the Program is to

improve reading skills of children up through the fourth grade, as

measured by mastery of the skills identified in the subject matter

standards adopted by the State Board of Education, by training and

assisting private entities, as defined in subsection C of this

section, to offer reading instruction to children before school,

after school, on Saturdays and during summer periods.

B. The State Department of Education shall issue a request for

proposals on or before October 1, 2012, and each October 1

thereafter for which the Oklahoma Bridge to Literacy Program is

funded, seeking applications for the Oklahoma Bridge to Literacy

Program. The Department shall review the applications for

compliance with the established requirements.

C. Private entities eligible to submit applications for the

Oklahoma Bridge to Literacy Program shall include the following:

1. Nonprofit organizations or programs which are exempt from

taxation pursuant to the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the

Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C., Section 501(c)(3);

2. Community-based programs, centers, organizations or services

which maintain community participation or supervision in their

planning, operation and evaluation; and

3. Churches or religious organizations, associations, or

societies or nonprofit organizations or programs operated,

supervised or controlled by or in conjunction with a religious

organization, association or society.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools

D. The State Board of Education may approve applications that

meet the requirements set forth in this subsection and as

established by the Board. Approved applications shall establish

reading programs for children up through the fourth grade. The

reading programs may be offered before school, after school, on

Saturdays or during summer periods. The reading programs shall

offer reading instruction designed to enable the children to acquire

the appropriate level reading skills and shall provide diagnostic

assessments and measurement of reading skills to determine reading

success. The reading program shall focus on the acquisition of

reading skills including, but not limited to, phonological

awareness, phonics, spelling, reading fluency, vocabulary, and

comprehension.

E. On or before December 1, 2012, and each December 1

thereafter for which the Oklahoma Bridge to Literacy Program is

funded, the Department shall forward applications that the

Department has determined meet the requirements of this section to

the Board. On or before February 1, 2013, and each February 1

thereafter for which the Oklahoma Bridge to Literacy Program is

funded, the Board shall award, through a competitive bid process,

one or more grants to private entities to provide reading

instruction programs through the Oklahoma Bridge to Literacy

Program. To the extent possible, grants shall be awarded on a

statewide basis. The grant funding shall be used to provide the

reading instruction program, provide employees and volunteers for

the program and to purchase materials for the program.

F. In addition to the grant funding, the Department shall

provide to the private entities awarded grants pursuant to this

section the following:

1. Reading instruction training, academies or courses designed

to train the private entity employees or volunteers in reading

instruction and remediation strategies;

2. Resources and materials on reading instruction and

remediation; and

3. Any other appropriate assistance.

G. The Board shall provide for independent evaluations of

programs funded pursuant to this section.

H. Beginning June 30, 2013, and each year thereafter for which

the Oklahoma Bridge to Literacy Program is funded, the Board shall

prepare and submit a report to the Governor, the Speaker of the

House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate

containing:

1. Descriptions of the reading programs approved and funded

through the Oklahoma Bridge to Literacy Program;

2. Number and amount of grants awarded;

3. Number of children served through approved programs; and

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools

4. Achievement data for children served through approved

programs.

Added by Laws 2012, c. 318, § 1, eff. July 1, 2012. Amended by Laws

2014, c. 430, § 11, emerg. eff. June 5, 2014.