TITLE 5. Education
Division 1. California Department of Education
Chapter 11. Special Programs
Subchapter 22.5 Reading First Achievement Index/Definition
of Significant Progress
§ 11991. Reading First Achievement Index.
(a) The California Reading First Plan, approved by the United States Department of Education on August 23, 2002, requires the development of criteria to determine progress for Reading First local educational agencies (LEAs). To comply with this requirement, the Reading First Achievement Index (RFAI) was created. The RFAI is an annually calculated numerical index of a school’s reading achievement in kindergarten through grade three, and comprises weighted test results from the following assessments:
(1) The Standardized Testing and Reporting Program (STAR), California Standards Test (CST) in English language arts, for grades two and three. Each of these assessments is weighted as 30 percent of a school’s RFAI, for a total of 60 percent;
(2) The STAR norm-referenced subtests in reading, language arts, and spelling for grade three. The reading subtest is weighted as 6 percent, the language arts subtest as 2 percent, and the spelling subtest as 2 percent of a school’s RFAI, for a total of 10 percent; and
(3) The Reading First End-of-Year Reading Assessments in either English or Spanish for kindergarten through grade three. The kindergarten and grade three assessments are each weighted as 5 percent of a school’s RFAI, and grade one and two assessments are each weighted as 10 percent of a school’s RFAI, for a total of 30 percent.
(b) If a school does not have test results as specified in section 11991(a), due to either not having classrooms in one or more of the primary grade levels, kindergarten through grade three, or having less than 11 students in any grade level, the LEA’s mean values on those missing data elements will be used to calculate the school’s RFAI.
(c) If a school does not submit test results for any of the assessments specified in section 11991(a), a value of zero will be used for that data element to calculate the school’s RFAI.
(d) If a school does not have at least 45 percent of the RFAI weights specified in section 11991(a), an RFAI will not be calculated for that school.
NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 12001, 12032 and 33031, Education Code. Reference: Section 51700, Education Code; 20 USC 6361 (Title I, Part B, federal No Child Left Behind Act).
§ 11991.1. Defining Significant Progress/Continuance of Reading First Funding.
(a) In order to continue to receive Reading First Funding, a local educational agency (LEA) must achieve "significant progress" which is defined as having at least half of the LEA’s Reading First schools, which have an RFAI, achieve an RFAI that is above one standard deviation below the mean on the RFAI for the LEA’s cohort.
(b) A cohort is made up of all the LEAs that were funded in the same round of subgrant competition.
(c) Cohort One is defined as all of the LEAs in the round of subgrant competition that was funded commencing November 13, 2002.
(d) For Cohort One, if a LEA fails to make significant progress after the fifth year of implementation, the California Department of Education (CDE) shall notify the LEA that it will not be funded for the next year of implementation.
(e) For all other cohorts, if a LEA fails to make significant progress after the fourth year of implementation, CDE shall notify the LEA that it will not be funded for the next year of implementation.
NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 12001, 12032 and 33031, Education Code. Reference: Section 51700, Education Code; 20 USC 6362 (Title I, Part B, federal No Child Left Behind Act).
§ 11991.2. Appeal Process.
(a) For Cohort One, if an LEA fails to make significant progress after the fifth year of implementation, or for all other cohorts, if an LEA fails to make significant progress after the fourth year of implementation, CDE shall notify them in writing that they will not be funded for the next year of implementation (defunding determination). Such notice shall also include information regarding the LEA’s ability to appeal the defunding determination.
(b) If an LEA chooses to appeal the defunding determination, the following process shall be adhered to:
(1) Within 30 days of receipt of the defunding determination notification, the LEA shall file a written request for appeal with the CDE. The request shall include an explanation of the basis for the appeal and any supporting documentation.
(2) Upon receipt of an LEA appeal, the CDE shall have 30 days to investigate the appeal. CDE shall have the right to request the LEA to provide additional or clarifying information. CDE shall also have the right to reasonably extend the investigation period for up to an additional 30 days, if in its opinion, more time is required to complete a thorough review of the appeal and supporting documents.
(3) Upon completion of its investigation, CDE shall make a recommendation to the SBE to either uphold or deny the LEA’s appeal, including the reasons for such recommendation. CDE shall also notify the LEA that its investigation is complete and that the recommendation has been forwarded to the SBE.
(4) The SBE shall consider the recommendation at the earliest regularly scheduled SBE meeting at which the appeal can be placed on the Agenda.
(c) An LEA involved in the appeal process may continue to offer the Reading First program while the appeal is being considered and a final determination achieved.
NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 12001, 12032 and 33031, Education Code. Reference: Section 51700, Education Code; 20 USC 6362 (Title I, Part B, federal No Child Left Behind Act).
