Prior to 2023, districts were required to submit the K-12 Comprehensive Evidence-Based Reading Plan (CERP) to the Department of Education for approval. Senate Bill 2524 requires school districts to submit a comprehensive reading plan for approval to the applicable district school board, charter school governing board, or lab school board of trustees. It removes the requirement for the Department of Education to approve district comprehensive reading plans. The approval of the 2023-2024 K-12 CERP by the district school board is to be in alignment with the statutory requirements outlined in Rule 6A-6.053, Florida Administrative Code (FAC). The school district is required to submit the district approved K-12 Comprehensive Evidence-Based Reading Plan (CERP) to Just Read, Florida! by June 15. By July 1 of each year, the Department shall release to each school district its allocation of appropriated funds pending plan submission.

Without a district school board approved K-12 Comprehensive Evidence-Based Reading Plan, CCDS will not receive its allocation of appropriated Evidence-Based Reading funds thereby preventing the funding of salaries for the Supervisor of Reading and Early Literacy, Reading/Literacy Specialists, and Reading/Literacy Coaches. Without the allocation of appropriated Evidence-Based Reading funds, the ability of the district to purchase evidence-based professional learning, supplemental reading materials, and interventions would be greatly impacted. Additionally, the District will be limited in supporting K-3 students with substantial deficiencies in reading in accordance with Section 1008.25(3)(a), F.S.

Evidence-Based Reading funds in the amount of $170,000,000 were provided for the 2022-23 fiscal year for a system of comprehensive reading instruction to students enrolled in prekindergarten through grade 12 programs and certain students who exhibit a substantial deficiency in early literacy. The amount of $115,000 was allocated to each district, and the remaining balance was allocated based on each district’s proportion of the total K-12 base funding. The total amount of Evidence-Based Reading Funds released to CCDS based on the 2022-23 FEFP First Calculation Prekindergarten through Grade 12 Funding Summary was $2,178,395.00 which increased to $2,195,543.00 based on the Second Calculation. With the 2022-2023 allocation of funding, the district was able to provide district charter schools with a proportionate share of the allocated funding, provide salary funding for the Supervisor of Reading and Early Literacy, four Specialists, and eight coaches; purchase evidence-based professional learning, supplemental reading materials, and interventions; reimburse teachers for taking and passing the K-12 Reading Subject Area Exam; reimburse teachers for adding the reading endorsement to their teaching certificate; provide funding for district reading competency course facilitator pay for the reading endorsement; provide schools substitute reimbursement for teachers attending district reading/literacy professional learning sessions; and fund other items relating to evidence-based reading instruction as outlined in the state approved CCDS 2022-2023 K-12 CERP.

With district school board approval of 2023-2024 K-12 Comprehensive Evidence-Based Reading Plan, it is expected that student learning of the B.E.S.T. English Language Arts Standards as provided in Rule 6A-1.09401, F.A.C. will improve based on the role of administration (both district and school level), professional development, assessment, curriculum, and instruction as fully depicted in the District K-12 CERP. It is also expected that district school board approval of the  budget for the Evidence-Based Reading Instruction Allocation will result in the District receiving its allocation of appropriated funds on July 1, 2023 for salaries and benefits, professional development, assessment, programs/materials, tutoring and incentives pursuant to Section 1011.62(8)(d), F.S., and for supporting K-3 students with substantial deficiencies in reading in accordance with Section 1008.25(3)(a), F.S.

Goal 1: Develop a High Quality & Aligned Instructional System

Strategy 1.1 Provide teachers and students with the tools and resources necessary to meet the demands of the Florida Standards and students' individual needs.

Strategy 1.2 Provide diagnostic and prescriptive interventions for differentiated instruction in reading

Strategy 1.3 Prepare all students to be full option graduates who are prepared for college, eligible to enlist in military services, or able to compete in the workforce. 

Goal 5: Develop and support great educators, support personnel, and leaders.   

Strategy 5.2: Provide ongoing training and support for teachers, support staff, and leaders.

That the School Board approve the 2023-2024 K-12 Comprehensive Evidence-Based Reading Plan.