Existing law requires the board of trustees of each school district and the governing body of each charter school to prepare a plan to improve the literacy of pupils enrolled in an elementary school. (NRS 388.157) Section 1 of this bill requires the board of trustees of each school district and the governing body of each charter school to also prepare a plan to improve the proficiency in mathematics of pupils enrolled in an elementary school. Sections 1 and 2 of this bill additionally require the assessment of a pupil's proficiency in mathematics and reading: (1) within the first 30 days of school after the pupil enters kindergarten or upon enrollment in kindergarten if the pupil enrolls after that period; and (2) during each grade level of elementary school. Existing law requires the principal of a public elementary school to designate a licensed teacher employed by the school with certain qualifications related to improving the literacy of pupils to serve as a literacy specialist. (NRS 388.159) Section 3 of this bill: (1) requires the principal of a public elementary school to additionally designate a licensed teacher employed by the school with certain qualifications related to improving the mathematics proficiency of pupils to serve as a mathematics specialist; and (2) authorizes such a principal to designate more than one literacy specialist and more than one mathematics specialist. Existing law requires an elementary school to provide intervention services and intensive instruction to a pupil during the time a pupil attends the school if the pupil does not obtain the passing score prescribed by the State Board of Education on the criterion-referenced examination in reading. (NRS 392.760) Section 8 of this bill also requires an elementary school to provide such services and instruction to a pupil if the pupil does not obtain the passing score prescribed by the State Board on the criterion-referenced examination in mathematics. Section 8 additionally requires an elementary school to: (1) retain a pupil in grade 3 if the pupil does not obtain the passing score prescribed by the State Board on the criterion-referenced examination in reading unless the pupil receives a good-cause exemption; and (2) retain a pupil in grade 5 if the pupil does not obtain the passing score prescribed by the State Board on the criterion-referenced examination in mathematics unless the pupil receives a good-cause exemption. Section 8 prescribes the requirements and procedure to obtain a good-cause exemption. Existing law requires the principal of an elementary school to notify the parent or guardian of a pupil who exhibits a deficiency in reading of the deficiency and provide the parent or guardian with certain information concerning: (1) the steps that will be taken to monitor the progress of the pupil: and (2) the consequences of the pupil remaining deficient in reading. (NRS 392.750) Section 5 of this bill requires the principal of an elementary school to similarly notify the parent or guardian if a pupil exhibits a deficiency in mathematics. Sections 5 and 6 of this bill require such notice to include an explanation that the pupil may be retained in grade 3 or 5 pursuant to section 8 if the pupil is deficient in reading before completing grade 3 or deficient in mathematics before completing grade 5. Section 9 of this bill requires: (1) the board of trustees of each school district and the governing body of each charter school to adopt a policy governing the promotion of a pupil retained in grade 3 or 5 pursuant to section 8; and (2) the principal of a school to consult with the parent or guardian of a pupil about additional alternative learning methods for a pupil who was retained in grade 3 or 5 and is still not academically ready to be promoted at the end of the school year. Section 4 of this bill requires the governing body of a charter school that operates as an elementary school to adopt rules concerning pupils retained in grades 3 and 5 pursuant to section 8. Sections 4 and 11 of this bill require the governing body of a charter school that operates as an elementary school or the board of trustees of a school district, respectively, to publish and submit to certain entities an annual report consisting of certain information relating to pupils retained in grade 3 or 5. Existing law requires: (1) an elementary school to take certain measures to monitor the progress of a pupil who demonstrates a deficiency in the subject area of reading; and (2) the principal of an elementary school to offer to the parent or guardian of such a pupil certain instructional options to improve the proficiency of the pupil. (NRS 392.755, 392.770) Sections 7 and 10 of this bill also apply those requirements to a pupil who demonstrates a deficiency in mathematics.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 388.157, 388.159, 388A.487, 392.750, 392.755, 392.760, 392.765, 392.770, 392.775
BDR: 388.157, 388.159, 388A.487, 392.750, 392.755, 392.760, 392.765, 392.770, 392.775