The NAEP administration in the year 2002 should show expected growth in student reading achievement. In 1997-98 it is expected that reading professional development grants will become more flexible. The Governor's budget proposes funding for continued professional development for teachers of K-3 students and new funds for training in reading instruction for teachers of students in grades 4 through 8. In order to ensure that the Reading Initiative and improvements in mathematics curriculum and instruction are successful in raising student achievement, the state has committed to lowering class size to 20 students per teacher in primary grades. Funds are provided to help support class size reduction in three of the grades Kindergarten through three, and are proposed for all four grades.
Additional funds are available for facilities.
The majority of districts have applied for class size reduction funding and many already have class sizes of twenty or less at some grade levels. Districts may begin with reduction at the first grade level and expand over time to other levels. It is expected that full implementation of K-3 class size reduction will take more than one year and a continued commitment of funds. Local Improvement Plan requirements, a regional delivery system, and widespread distribution of up to date information. One hundred sixty-nine Goals 2000 Local Improvement Grants were distributed in October of 1995.