H.B. 75 Enrolled

INCENTIVE FOR ELEMENTARY READING
PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT
1999 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Sponsor: Ron Bigelow
AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC EDUCATION; ESTABLISHING A READING
PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT AWARDS PROGRAM IN THE STATE'S PUBLIC
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS; PROVIDING FOR ANNUAL $1,000 CASH AWARDS TO
SELECTED SCHOOLS; REQUIRING THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO MAKE
RULES REGARDING APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCEDURES; PROVIDING FOR AN
ANNUAL REPORT; PROVIDING FOR A $9,000 APPROPRIATION; AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
ENACTS:
53A-3-202.11, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 53A-3-202.11 is enacted to read:
53A-3-202.11. Reading Performance Improvement Awards Program -- Participation
-- Awards.
(1) There is established a Reading Performance Improvement Awards Program to
recognize and reward qualified elementary schools that demonstrate significant reading
performance improvement with students in kindergarten through grade three.
(2) (a) (i) The State Board of Education shall select nine schools annually to each receive
$1,000 awards for their successful participation in the program.
(ii) The schools shall use their awards to purchase books and other reading materials.
(b) The board shall select the nine schools from schools who have successfully applied to
participate in the program under rules made by the board in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a,
Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
(c) The board, after consultation with the state's colleges of education and local school

boards, shall also make rules on what constitutes significant reading performance improvement, to
include demonstrating both written and oral skill improvement in at least grades one through three.
(3) The board shall provide the Legislature, through its Education Interim Committee, and
the governor with an annual evaluation of the program, together with recommendations, if required,
for modifications in the program.
Section 2. Appropriation.
There is appropriated from the Uniform School Fund for fiscal year 1999-2000, $9,000 to
the State Board of Education to fund the Reading Performance Improvement Awards Program
established under Section 53A-3-202.11 .
Section 3. Effective date.
This act takes effect on July 1, 1999.

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