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TO: ALL SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS
The following message is being sent at the request of the Commissioner.
Note: The Administrative and Informational Letters (with more formatting
for ease of reading and printing) are available on our website at the
following address: http://www.maine.gov/education/edletrs/homepage.htm
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INFORMATIONAL LETTER: 120
POLICY CODE: DD
TO: Superintendents of Schools
FROM: Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner
DATE: April 29, 2005
RE: Reading Recovery Program
We have previously communicated with many of you and other
representatives involved with the Reading Recovery Program, as well as both
the Legislative Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs
and the Legislative Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial
Affairs, regarding the Reading Recovery Program in Maine. Reading Recovery
is supported by the extensive review and research provided by the University
of Maine and represents a real resource for young students and an effective
strategy for SAUs. With the implementation of Essential Programs and
Services (EPS), it was necessary for us to be certain that the resources
made available to the Department have the statewide impact the Legislature
intended. The Department has therefore agreed to facilitate the development
of local fiscal resources for support of the Teacher Leader component of the
Reading Recovery network. The Department has made a commitment to identify
$120,000 to support the University of Maine's provision of professional
development and program evaluation. This letter outlines a method for
funding the Teacher Leader sites which provide professional development to
local Reading Recovery teachers.
We are pleased that we have a proposal which is designed to ensure
an interim plan for the 2005-2006 school year. This will ensure the
program continues while we identify means of supporting its implementation
in those SAUs which wish to implement the Reading Recovery Program.
Reading Recovery leaders at the State and local levels have
developed, with the leadership of participating superintendents, a funding
formula which would ensure that critical Teacher Leader capacity be
maintained. The formula includes a $3,460.00 cost per Reading Recovery
teacher. This funding would be provided to Teacher Leader sites that
support these positions in a manner consistent with current practice.
SAUs can meet their financial commitment through funding options
which include the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Local
Entitlement funds, No Child Left Behind funds, Per Pupil Professional
Development funds, and an adjustment to the distribution of State assistance
under Essential Programs and Services. Other local funds may be used and
processed through the University of Maine College of Education and Human
Development. It is also possible for SAUs to use a combination of funds.
With respect to the funding, superintendents will need to specify on
the attached form the method by which payment will be made for Reading
Recovery teachers. The form needs to be completed and returned to Tammy
Morrill ([log in to unmask]) at the Department of Education no later
than Friday, May 6, 2005.
Authorization for Financial Support of the Reading Recovery Program Form:
http://www.maine.gov/education/edletrs/2005/ilet/attachfile/ilet120readfin.r
tf
For assistance using these funding options, please feel free to
contact John Kierstead for IDEA and Local Entitlement
([log in to unmask] or 624-6658), Jacqueline Soychak for No Child Left
Behind ([log in to unmask], or 624-6730), Jim Rier, for the
adjustment to General Purpose Aid ([log in to unmask] or 624-6790), and
Dianne Avery, for the University of Maine billing
([log in to unmask] or 581-2430).
If you have any questions about the plan, please feel free to
contact David Noble Stockford ([log in to unmask] or 624-6643).
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