May 17, 2000

TO THE ADMINISTRATOR ADDRESSED:

SUBJECT: Interim Expenditure Report for the Student Success Initiative: Accelerated Reading Instruction

Beginning in the 1999-2000 school year, school districts and charter schools were required to phase in and implement programs of accelerated reading instruction for students not showing adequate progress in reading development and who are at risk for reading difficulties, including dyslexia. Such programs are required to address the areas of deficiencies identified through the reading instruments required under the TEC Section 28.006 and administered in Kindergarten, Grade 1, and Grade 2.

Each school district and charter school serving children in Kindergarten, Grade 1, and Grade 2 is required to provide accelerated reading instruction to students in:

• Kindergarten during the 1999-2000 school year.
• Kindergarten and Grade 1 during the 2000-2001 school year.
• Kindergarten, Grade 1, and Grade 2 during the 2001-2002 school year.

During the 1999-2000 school year, $33.7 million was made available to serve Kindergarten students in accelerated reading instruction programs. The funding period for the 1999-2000 school year is September 1, 1999 to August 31, 2000.

An interim expenditure report is required for expenditures through April 30, 2000, with the report due on or before June 2, 2000. School districts and charter schools will provide information on how funds are being spent for the operation of the program. A final Expenditure Report and Program Evaluation are due at the end of the funding period for expenditures through August 31, 2000, which will be due no later than October 2, 2000.

This letter is to notify the Administrator Addressed that an Interim Expenditure Report system is now available online. Through electronic database interchange, the online reporting system expedites the reporting process. The final Expenditure Report and Program Evaluation report will also be furnished to the Texas Education Agency through the electronic database. Information for these reports will be made available at a later date. If you do not have access to the Internet, you can request a paper Interim Report guide by calling the Office of Statewide Initiatives at 1-800-819-5713 or (512) 463-9027.

The electronic database can be accessed via the Internet at the following URL address: www.tea.state.tx.us/reading/contents.html.  The next step will be to click on Accelerated Reading Instruction on the Table of Contents page.

If you need assistance, contact Margaret Moulton or Rebecca Martínez at the Office of Statewide Initiatives.

Sincerely,
Robin M. Gilchrist
Assistant Commissioner
Office of Statewide Initiatives

Attachment

A MS Word version of this letter and attachments is available for download.

For further information on this topic, contact Statewide Initiatives at 1-800-819-5713 or (512) 463-9027.

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