Early literacy and numeracy screening

A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA BY ADDING SECTION 59-155-155 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL APPROVE NO MORE THAN FIVE RELIABLE AND VALID EARLY LITERACY AND NUMERACY SCREENING ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS FOR SELECTION AND USE BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH THIRD GRADE, AND TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCH INSTRUMENTS; BY ADDING SECTION 59-155-205 SO AS TO CREATE THE SOUTH CAROLINA READING PANEL, AND TO PROVIDE THE COMPOSITION, FUNCTIONS, AND DUTIES OF THE PANEL; TO AMEND SECTION 59-33-510, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS CONCERNING THE UNIVERSAL SCREENING PROCESSES USED IN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR STUDENTS EXPERIENCING ACADEMIC OR SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DIFFICULTIES, SO AS TO PROVIDE ALL RELATED SCREENING TOOLS MUST BE CAPABLE OF IDENTIFYING STUDENTS WITH DYSLEXIA OR OTHER READING DISORDERS; TO AMEND SECTION 59-155-110, RELATING TO THE READ TO SUCCEED OFFICE, SO AS TO CORRECT A TYPOGRAPHICAL ERROR; TO AMEND SECTION 59-155-120, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS IN THE READ TO SUCCEED ACT, SO AS TO REVISE DEFINITIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 59-155-130, RELATING TO DUTIES OF THE READ TO SUCCEED OFFICE, SO AS TO REVISE THE REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING COURSEWORK NECESSARY FOR LITERACY ADD-ON ENDORSEMENTS AND TO REVISE REQUIREMENTS FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN READING AND COACHING FOR CERTIFIED READING/LITERACY COACHES AND LITERACY TEACHERS; TO AMEND SECTION 59-155-140, RELATING TO THE STATE READING PROFICIENCY PROGRAM, SO AS TO REMOVE THE USE OF BOOK CLUBS FOR CERTAIN REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTION; TO AMEND SECTION 59-155-150, RELATING TO THE READINESS ASSESSMENT PROVIDED BY THE READ TO SUCCEED ACT, SO AS TO REVISE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SCREENING AND DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENTS AND INTERVENTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 59-155-160, RELATING TO MANDATORY STUDENT RETENTION PROVISIONS OF THE READ TO SUCCEED ACT, SO AS TO REVISE CRITERIA FOR RETENTION AND EXEMPTIONS FROM RETENTION, TO ELIMINATE AN APPEALS PROCESS, AND TO REVISE CRITERIA FOR INTENSIVE INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES AND SUPPORT PROVIDED TO RETAINED STUDENTS; AND TO AMEND SECTION 59-155-180, RELATING TO PROVISIONS CONCERNING TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN THE READ TO SUCCEED ACT, SO AS TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT THAT READING/LITERACY COACHES BE EMPLOYED IN ALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, TO REVISE REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING THE ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF READING/LITERACY COACHES, TO PROVIDE CERTAIN READING AND LITERACY SUPPORT SERVICES TO SCHOOLS IDENTIFIED AS HAVING CERTAIN LEVELS OF LOWEST ACHIEVEMENT ON ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENTS BY THIRD GRADE STUDENTS, AND TO PROVIDE THE MANNER OF USE FOR CERTAIN RELATED RESOURCES.