54100-54102
EDUCATION CODE
SECTION 54100-54102
54100. This chapter may be cited as the Miller-Unruh Basic Reading Act of 1965. 54101. It is the intent and purpose of the Legislature that the reading instruction program provided for in this chapter shall be directed to the prevention of, and the correction of, reading disabilities at the earliest possible time in the educational career of the pupil. It is further the intent of the Legislature that the reading program in the public schools be of high quality. The Legislature recognizes that early development of reading skills and the early correction of reading disabilities enhances the opportunity of each pupil for success in school and for success in a career upon leaving school. The Legislature further recognizes that to achieve its intent and purpose it will be necessary to provide means to employ specialists trained in the teaching of reading. To carry out its intent and purpose, the Legislature has enacted this chapter to provide salary payments for reading specialists. It is also the intent of the Legislature that the provisions of this chapter shall be administered to provide funds and services first to those school districts and to the schools in those school districts where the need for reading instruction is greatest and the financial ability of the districts to provide it is least. This program is voluntary and any school district may participate or may decline to participate. It is not the intent of the Legislature to preempt a school district from establishing and maintaining any other special reading program which otherwise complies with the law. 54102. The State Board of Education may have the power to adopt and promulgate all rules and regulations necessary to the effective administration of this chapter, including, but not necessarily limited to, those specifically required to be adopted by particular provisions of this chapter. A school district may request a waiver of any provision of this chapter. The State Board of Education may approve or disapprove the request, depending on whether or not the waiver would further the purposes of this chapter.