To enact sections 121.401, 3301.85, 3301.86, 3301.90, 3301.91, 3301.92, and 3333.71 to 3333.74 of the Revised Code to implement the OhioReads initiative through the creation of classroom and community reading grants, to establish the Ohio Schools Best Practices Center, the OhioReads Office, and the OhioReads Council; to abolish the Council on July 1, 2004, by repealing sections 3301.90, 3301.91, and 3301.92 of the Revised Code on that date; and to make appropriations.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Sec. 121.401. THE OHIOREADS COMMUNITY READING GRANTS PROGRAM IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED. THE DEPARTMENT OF AGING IS THE FISCAL AGENT FOR THE PROGRAM. UNTIL JULY 1, 2004, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL AWARD GRANTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GUIDELINES ESTABLISHED BY THE OHIOREADS COUNCIL UNDER SECTION 3301.91 OF THE REVISED CODE.

Sec. 3301.85. THE OHIOREADS OFFICE IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. THE OFFICE SHALL BE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WHO SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. THE SUPERINTENDENT'S APPOINTMENT OF ANY PERSON TO THE POSITION OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PRIOR TO JULY 1, 2004, HOWEVER, IS SUBJECT TO THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE OHIOREADS COUNCIL. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHALL SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT. THE SUPERINTENDENT MAY HIRE ADDITIONAL STAFF FOR THE OFFICE.

Sec. 3301.86. THE OHIOREADS CLASSROOM READING GRANTS PROGRAM IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED. THE OHIOREADS OFFICE IS THE FISCAL AGENT FOR THE PROGRAM AND SHALL AWARD GRANTS UNDER THE PROGRAM. UNTIL JULY 1, 2004, THE OFFICE SHALL AWARD THE GRANTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GUIDELINES ESTABLISHED BY THE OHIOREADS COUNCIL UNDER SECTION 3301.91 OF THE REVISED CODE.

Sec. 3301.90. THE OHIOREADS COUNCIL IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED. THE COUNCIL SHALL CONSIST OF SEVEN MEMBERS, AS FOLLOWS:

(A) THREE PERSONS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, ONE OF WHOM SHALL BE A READING TEACHER AND ONE OF WHOM SHALL REPRESENT A COLLEGE OF EDUCATION IN THIS STATE;

(B) ONE MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES;

(C) ONE MEMBER OF THE SENATE, APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE;

(D) THE DIRECTOR OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT;

(E) THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

THE THREE MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR SHALL SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE GOVERNOR. THE GOVERNOR SHALL APPOINT SUCCESSORS TO FILL VACANCIES IN THE POSITIONS TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR. THE LEGISLATIVE MEMBERS SHALL SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE APPOINTING OFFICIAL, BUT A LEGISLATIVE MEMBER WHO CEASES TO BE A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE HOUSE FROM WHICH THE MEMBER WAS APPOINTED SHALL CEASE TO BE A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL. THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SHALL FILL ANY VACANCY IN THE POSITION OF THE MEMBER FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE SHALL FILL ANY VACANCY IN THE POSITION OF THE MEMBER FROM THE SENATE.

THE COUNCIL SHALL MEET AT LEAST TWICE EVERY MONTH TO CONDUCT ITS BUSINESS.

THE MEMBERS SHALL SERVE WITHOUT COMPENSATION.

Sec. 3301.91. (A) THE OHIOREADS COUNCIL'S RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING:

(1) ADVISING AND CONSENTING TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION'S APPOINTMENTS TO THE POSITION OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE OHIOREADS OFFICE;

(2) DEVELOPING A MODEL TO MONITOR AND EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE OHIOREADS INITIATIVE ESTABLISHED BY THIS SECTION AND SECTIONS 121.401, 3301.86, AND 3333.74 OF THE REVISED CODE AND CONDUCTING ANNUAL EVALUATIONS BEGINNING IN FISCAL YEAR 2002;

(3) DEVELOPING A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR RECRUITING, TRAINING, AND PLACING VOLUNTEERS FOR THE OHIOREADS INITIATIVE;

(4) ESTABLISHING GUIDELINES FOR THE AWARDING OF CLASSROOM READING GRANTS UNDER SECTION 3301.86 OF THE REVISED CODE AND COMMUNITY READING GRANTS UNDER SECTION 121.401 OF THE REVISED CODE, INCLUDING ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, GRANT AMOUNTS, AND ADMINISTRATIVE, PROGRAMMATIC, AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

(B) IN PERFORMING ITS DUTIES, THE COUNCIL SHALL TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE:

(1) MAXIMIZE THE USE OF RESOURCES TO IMPROVE READING OUTCOMES, ESPECIALLY THE FOURTH GRADE READING PROFICIENCY TEST ESTABLISHED UNDER DIVISION (A)(1) OF SECTION 3301.0710 OF THE REVISED CODE;

(2) IDENTIFY AND MAXIMIZE RELEVANT FEDERAL AND STATE RESOURCES TO LEVERAGE OHIOREADS RESOURCES AND RELATED PROGRAMS;

(3) FOCUS ON EARLY READING INTERVENTION STRATEGIES, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT;

(4) GIVE PRIORITY TO PROGRAMS, INCLUDING PROGRAMS PRIMARILY USING VOLUNTEERS, THAT HAVE BEEN REVIEWED BY THE EDUCATION COMMISSION OF THE STATES AND RECOGNIZED AS PROMISING EDUCATIONAL PRACTICES FOR ACCELERATING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.

Sec. 3301.92. THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR SHALL PROVIDE THE OHIOREADS COUNCIL WITH STAFF AND OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT.

Sec. 3333.71. PRIOR TO DECEMBER 31, 1999, THE GOVERNOR, THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, AND THE CHANCELLOR OF THE OHIO BOARD OF REGENTS SHALL CONDUCT A SEARCH FOR THE BEST LOCATION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN OHIO SCHOOLS BEST PRACTICES CENTER. THE LOCATION SELECTED SHALL BE ON THE CAMPUS OF ONE OF THE STATE UNIVERSITIES NAMED IN SECTION 3345.011 OF THE REVISED CODE.

THE UNIVERSITY SELECTED UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL BE CHOSEN ON A COMPETITIVE BASIS FROM AMONG THOSE UNIVERSITIES THAT APPLY TO THE BOARD OF REGENTS TO HOUSE THE CENTER AND THAT DEMONSTRATE THE ABILITY AND DESIRE TO MAINTAIN IT IN THE MANNER NECESSARY TO ACCOMPLISH THE GOALS SPECIFIED IN SECTIONS 3333.72 AND 3333.74 OF THE REVISED CODE.

Sec. 3333.72. THE OHIO SCHOOLS BEST PRACTICES CENTER IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED AT THE STATE UNIVERSITY SELECTED THROUGH THE PROCESS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 3333.71 OF THE REVISED CODE.

EMPLOYEES OF THE CENTER SHALL IDENTIFY THE BEST EDUCATIONAL PRACTICES IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND ESTABLISH METHODS FOR COMMUNICATING THESE PRACTICES TO OTHER SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS. IN ADDITION, CENTER EMPLOYEES SHALL PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS DESIRING TO REPLICATE BEST EDUCATIONAL PRACTICES.

Sec. 3333.73. THE OHIO SCHOOLS BEST PRACTICES CENTER SHALL BE OPERATED BY A BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONSISTING OF FIVE MEMBERS. THREE MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR AND TWO MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY HOUSING THE CENTER. IN MAKING APPOINTMENTS, THE GOVERNOR SHALL ENSURE THAT AT LEAST ONE MEMBER IS A CLASSROOM TEACHER EMPLOYED BY A SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THIS STATE AND THAT AT LEAST ONE MEMBER IS THE PRINCIPAL OF A SCHOOL IN A DISTRICT IN THIS STATE. VACANCIES SHALL BE FILLED BY THE APPOINTING AUTHORITY. ALL APPOINTEES SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE APPOINTING AUTHORITY. MEMBERS SHALL RECEIVE NO COMPENSATION.

THE BOARD SHALL HIRE AND FIX THE COMPENSATION OF AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER WHO SHALL SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE BOARD.

Sec. 3333.74. WITHIN THE OHIO SCHOOLS BEST PRACTICES CENTER SHALL BE THE OHIOREADS CLEARINGHOUSE, WHICH SHALL BE THE REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION DESCRIBING THE BEST EDUCATIONAL PRACTICES AND PROGRAMS FOR TEACHING AND IMPROVING READING SKILLS IN THE STATE'S PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS. THE CLEARINGHOUSE SHALL PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS DESIRING TO REPLICATE THESE READING PROGRAMS AND TEACHING PRACTICES.

(B) The OhioReads Council is not subject to section 101.84 of the Revised Code. The Council expires on July 1, 2004, as provided in division (A) of this section, and not on the date otherwise prescribed by section 101.84 of the Revised Code.

(C) Not later than January 1, 2004, the Director of Budget and Management shall submit a written recommendation to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President of the Senate of a governmental entity to assume the duties of the OhioReads Council beginning July 1, 2004, if the General Assembly does not continue the Council's existence.

General Revenue Fund

GRF	490-507	OhioReads Community Reading Grants	$	5,000,000	$	5,000,000
TOTAL GRF General Revenue Fund			$	5,000,000	$	5,000,000
TOTAL ALL BUDGET FUND GROUPS			$	5,000,000	$	5,000,000

OhioReads Community Reading Grants

The foregoing appropriation item 490-507, OhioReads Community Reading Grants, shall be used to make Community Reading Grants under section 121.401 of the Revised Code.

General Revenue Fund

GRF	200-566	OhioReads Classroom Reading Grants	$	20,000,000	$	20,000,000
TOTAL GRF General Revenue Fund			$	20,000,000	$	20,000,000
TOTAL ALL BUDGET FUND GROUPS			$	20,000,000	$	20,000,000

OhioReads Classroom Reading Grants

The foregoing appropriation item 200-566, OhioReads Classroom Reading Grants, shall be used by the OhioReads Office to make Classroom Reading Grants under section 3301.86 of the Revised Code.

The appropriations made in this act are subject to all provisions of the main operating appropriations act of the 123rd General Assembly that are generally applicable to such appropriations.