37-23-16 - Early literacy and numeracy screening assessment instruments; selection; use; funding; annual report on effectiveness.
§ 37-23-16. Early literacy and numeracy screening assessment instruments; selection; use; funding; annual report on effectiveness.
(1) (a) The State Department of Education shall select early literacy and numeracy screening assessment instrument or instruments to be used throughout the state in the screening of students in kindergarten through Grade 3.
(b) All school districts shall use the literacy and numeracy screening instrument or instruments selected by the department; however, no literacy or numeracy screening instrument or instruments shall be used by school districts for the purpose of determining whether or not a student will be promoted to the next grade level. For the purposes of this section, "literacy" means ability to read and write and "numeracy" means fluency in understanding numbers and mathematical operations.
(2) In addition to those funds that are appropriated by the Legislature, the State Department of Education may receive and expend funds made available to the department from any source, including any federal or other governmental agency, private business, industry, foundation or other organization, to screen students for literacy and numeracy difficulties.
(3) The State Department of Education shall establish a reporting system for school districts in order to monitor the effectiveness of the literacy or numeracy screening assessment instruments. The department shall require school districts to annually submit data requested by the department which may be utilized to determine whether or not the assessment instruments are accurately identifying students in need.
(4) The department shall prepare an annual report on the effectiveness of the literacy and numeracy screening assessment instruments and the overall effectiveness of the testing, which report must be submitted to the Chairmen of the Education Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives not later than November 1 of each year.
(5) The requirements of this section shall be effective beginning with the 2008-2009 school year and compliance with the mandates of this section shall be subject to appropriation by the Legislature.
Sources: Laws, 2007, ch. 402, § 2, eff from and after July 1, 2007.