| (a) Program purpose. In accordance with the Texas Education Code (TEC), §29.094, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) shall establish and implement a pilot program in which a participating local education agency (LEA) provides intensive reading or language intervention to participating students. (b) Application. LEAs shall submit applications in accordance with instructions provided by the TEA through the request for application (RFA) process. The following terms apply to each LEA applicant seeking participation in the pilot program. (1) Eligible LEAs will be determined to be eligible based on a review of Grade 3 statewide assessment scores in reading. (2) LEA campuses that are awarded grants under this program shall select an intensive reading or language intervention program from the TEA Commissioner's List of Approved Providers, which shall be determined through a competitive process. (3) The LEA shall be responsible for ensuring that funds flow to campuses that serve students in Kindergarten-Grade 2 as appropriate. (4) Participating LEA campuses shall administer pre- and post-tests to students served, including but not limited to, the Texas Primary Reading Inventory (TPRI) or Tejas LEE and program benchmarks. (c) Notification. The TEA shall notify each applicant in writing of the selection or non-selection for participation. (d) Approved products. In order to be selected by a participating LEA campus for use in providing intensive reading or language intervention, a program must: (1) be neuroscience-based; (2) have scientifically validated methods; (3) include scientifically based reading interventions or instructional tools that have been proven to accelerate language acquisition and reading proficiency for struggling readers; (4) include a sufficient quantity and quality of professional development to train teachers and administrators in successful implementation and use of the program; (5) include explicit ties to the student expectations in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills; (6) incorporate repeated assessment of student proficiency that informs classroom instruction; and (7) include the ability to administer benchmark measures at the beginning and end of the program. (e) Implementation. Participating LEA campuses shall purchase a product from the Commissioner's List of Approved Providers, participate in required professional development, and implement the program in accordance with the TEC, §29.094, to serve eligible/targeted students. (f) Evaluation. Each LEA must comply with evaluation procedures established by the commissioner of education as detailed in the RFA. (g) Funding. Implementation of the pilot is contingent upon sufficient funding in accordance with the TEC, §29.094, and the General Appropriations Act. |
