Perdue Budget to Include $10M for Reading Diagnostic Program

NC Gov. Bev Perdue announced that her 2012-2013 budget proposal will include $10 million to restore and expand the use of a successful reading diagnostic program aimed at helping ensure that children are able to read by the end of the third grade.

Gov. Perdue has focused on implementing education innovations to begin
transforming North Carolina schools. The announced initiative provides
teachers with mobile technology that empowers them to accurately assess
children’s reading progress’ the diagnostic software allows teachers to
precisely gauge students progress and target trouble spots.

“Investing in education pays dividends and innovative education
initiatives are transforming how we educate our children,” Gov. Perdue
said. “This reading diagnostic initiative supports our efforts to ensure
that children read on grade level – that is why I’m making it a
priority in my budget and why I will work with the General Assembly to
ensure we can expand this initiative to more schools across the state.”

Early results from the schools that are using the program are
encouraging. The diagnostic tools are important because they help
teachers identify children in need, assign instruction that is tailored
to the child’s specific needs, and notify parents when necessary. By
monitoring children’s reading progress on a regular basis teachers are
able to gauge the effectiveness of their instruction and adjust as
necessary.

The Perdue Administration launched the initiative in approximately 480
schools in the 2010-2011 budget year as a pilot program. In its
2011-2012 budget, the General Assembly cut the $10 million funding for
the program.

Gov. Perdue’s budget proposal for 2012-2013 will restore the $10 million
funding allowing the original 480 schools to continue implementing the
initiative and adding 182 schools to the program. Without the funding,
the approximately 480 schools currently using the technology may have to
discontinue the program.