Reading First Program Notes for Russ Sweet March 2 & 3, 2006 Eugene, Oregon © 2006 by the Oregon Reading First Center Center on Teaching and Learning

General Budgeting for Tighter connection between Reading First budgets and District Reading First planned activities Increase efforts toward sustainability through a coordination of resources Support continues for: –Coaching, Leadership, Professional Development, Student Libraries, Assessments, Limited Materials (Cohort B) Support ends for: –Purchases of new materials for Cohort A (other than replacement of consumables) –Technology

Time line for Budgets Budget & Action Plan guidance to Districts by April 3, Action Plan and Budget due to ODE by June 15, The Action Plan and Budget includes: –Professional Development Activities and related costs for –Updated staff counts and commitments to project –Projected numbers of K-3 students including number of identified ELL and Special Education students –Coaching salaries and benefits –Other information TBD necessary for making an accurate budget

Time line for Budgets ODE will notify districts of the planned award for Part One of the award will be made by August 31, 2006 (Final date 8/31/07) All grants made through school year end September 30, 2006 Part Two of the award will be made by February 28, 2007 (Final date 8/31/07)

Remaining Funds from After the grants close on 9/30/06, districts have 45 days to request funds for activities complete prior to the grant closing date. When the request period ends (approximately 11/15/06), unused funds will be liquidated and will revert back to ODE for reallocation.

Review of Approved Use of Funds Coaching Leadership support Approved materials Approved professional development Classroom library books for K-3 Other activities or purchases approved by ODE with the consent of the USDOE

Not approved uses of RF Funds Purchases geared for 4-12 students Purchases of furniture or other materials generally provided by the district (e.g., paper, files, etc.) Staff salaries other than coaches Non approved materials or Professional Development

Coordination of Title 1A and RF No district can withhold Title 1A funds from a school receiving Reading First (Title 1B) funds

Coordination of Title 1A and RF All Title I schools that operate schoolwide programs must implement a schoolwide plan. Title I “schoolwides” that receive Reading First subgrants will need to coordinate and integrate their Reading First activities with this plan. Reading First activities can help focus schoolwide plans on the critical goal of improving reading achievement. Title I schoolwides that receive Reading First subgrants must meet all the purposes of Reading First.

Coordination of Title 1A and RF Similarly, all schools identified for improvement under Title I must implement a school improvement plan. Schools identified for improvement that receive Reading First subgrants must coordinate and integrate their Reading First activities with this plan and must meet all the purposes of Reading First.

RF Targeted Assistance Grants Oregon will apply this coming July If we are successful, funds will be awarded in September 2006 The general details –100% of funds is awarded to eligible LEAs already participating in Reading First –ODE will determine how funds may be used under the guidelines set by the USDOE –Guidance available on the USDOE website

How will you know what to do when? Information will be sent to the District Team Leaders We will post notices on the ODE Reading First website when information goes out to district team leaders