The Department is expanding instructional supports provided to RAISE school districts based on changes included in HB 5101. The expansion includes providing support in implementing: evidence-based reading instruction proven ....

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-6.0531Reading Achievement Initiative for Scholastic Excellence (RAISE)

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Department is expanding instructional supports provided to RAISE school districts based on changes included in HB 5101. The expansion includes providing support in implementing: evidence-based reading instruction proven to accelerate progress of students exhibiting a reading deficiency; differentiated instruction based on screening, progress monitoring, or student assessment data to meet students’ specific reading needs; and explicit and systematic reading strategies to develop phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension with more extensive opportunities for guided practice, error correction, and feedback.

SUMMARY: RAISE was established to provide instructional supports to school districts, school administrators and instructional personnel in implementing evidence-based reading instruction and interventions in order to improve student reading achievement. Instructional supports include State Regional Literacy Directors and a high school tutoring program for kindergarten through grade 3 students. The expansion of instructional supports within the rule will provide a higher level of support for the identified schools in order to increase student literacy achievement.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: The proposed rule is not expected to have any adverse impact on economic growth, business competitiveness or any other factors listed in s. 120.541(2)(a), F.S., and will not require legislative ratification. No increase in regulatory costs are anticipated as a result of the rule changes. This is based upon the nature of the proposed rule.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 1001.02(1), (2)(n), 1008.365(9), F.S.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1008.365, F.S.

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: August 23, 2023, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Collier County School Board Office 5775 Osceola Trail Naples, FL 34109.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Melinda Webster, Executive Director, Just Read, Florida!, [phone].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-6.0531 Reading Achievement Initiative for Scholastic Excellence (RAISE).

(1) In accordance with Section (s.) 1008.365, Florida Statutes (F.S.), RAISE is established within the Department of Education to provide instructional supports to school districts, school administrators and instructional personnel in implementing: evidence-based reading instruction and interventions in order to improve student reading achievement.

(a) Evidence-based reading instruction proven to accelerate progress of students exhibiting a reading deficiency;

(b) Differentiated instruction based on screening, diagnostic, progress monitoring, or student assessment data; and

(c) Explicit and systematic reading strategies to develop phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension with more extensive opportunities for guided practice, error correction, and feedback.

(2) No change.

(3) Supports for RAISE schools. A school identified for RAISE based on the established criteria must:

(a) Receive support from a State Regional Literacy Director. State Regional Literacy Directors serve in a regional capacity focused on improving implementation of evidence-based practices and curriculum, instruction and intervention, and reading assessments as delineated in district K-12 Comprehensive Evidence-Based Reading Plans under s. 1003.4201 1011.62(8)(d), F.S., and the reading portion of school improvement plans for schools identified for RAISE supports. State Regional Literacy Directors monitor district-level, school-level and classroom-level data to help provide differentiated support to school districts, school-level literacy leadership teams, coaches and teachers. State Regional Literacy Directors provide supports for schools identified for RAISE, including:

1. Professional learning, aligned to the science of reading and evidence-based strategies identified pursuant to s. 1001.215(7)(8), F.S.;

2. through 4. No change.

5. Assistance with:

a. No change.

b. Selection and consistent, coordinated use of scientifically researched high-quality instructional materials and evidence-based supplemental materials grounded in the science of reading as identified by the Just Read, Florida! Office pursuant to s. 1001.215(7), F.S. Identified reading instructional and intervention programs for foundational skills must not include strategies that employ the three-cueing system model of reading or visual memory as a basis for teaching word reading;

c. and d. No change.

(b) No change.

(4) RAISE Tutoring Program. As part of RAISE, the Department has established a tutoring program that prepares eligible high school students to tutor students in kindergarten through grade 3 RAISE schools.

(a) through (c) No change.

(d) RAISE tutors who provide at least seventy-five (75) hours of tutoring under the program shall be known as New Worlds Scholars.

1. Participating school districts must verify completion of seventy-five (75) tutoring hours and provide these tutors with a New Worlds Scholar Certificate and Pin.

2. Annually, the Department will provide to school districts pins and a certificate template and post at https://www.fldoe.org/academics/standards/just-read-fl/tutoring.stml the deadlines for participating districts to verify tutoring hours and award New Worlds Scholars Certificates and Pins to qualified tutors.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(1) FS. 1008.365(9) FS. Law Implemented 1008.365 FS. History–New 6-14-22 Amended              .

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Melinda Webster, Executive Director, Just Read, Florida!.

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Manny Diaz Jr., Commissioner, Department of Education.

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: July 25, 2023

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: June 26, 2023