(a) The Department of Education shall establish a Center for Literacy Research and Reading Success within the department. The center shall be responsible for (1) the implementation of the coordinated state-wide reading plan for students in kindergarten to grade three, inclusive, established pursuant to § 10-14v; (2) researching and developing, in collaboration with the Office of Early Childhood, a birth to grade twelve reading success strategy to be included in the alignment of reading instruction with the two-generational initiative, established pursuant to § 17b-112l; (3) (A) providing direct support to schools and boards of education to improve reading outcomes for students in kindergarten to grade three, inclusive, and other reading initiatives, and (B) supporting teachers, schools and boards of education engaged in improving through coaching, leadership training, professional development, parental engagement and technical assistance that is consistent with the intensive reading instruction program, as described in § 10-14u and aligned with evidence-based practices; (4) providing independent, random reviews of how a local or regional board of education is implementing (A) a reading curriculum model or program for grades prekindergarten to grade three, inclusive, pursuant to § 10-14hh, and (B) an approved reading assessment, pursuant to § 10-14t; (5) receiving and publicly reporting, not later than September 1, 2023, and biennially thereafter, the reading curriculum model or program being implemented by each local and regional board of education pursuant to § 10-14hh; (6) developing and maintaining an Internet web site for the purpose of disseminating tools and information associated with the intensive reading instruction program for student reading; (7) serving as a collaborative center for institutions of higher education and making available to the faculty of teacher preparation programs (A) the science of teaching reading, (B) the intensive reading instruction program, and (C) samples of available reading curriculum models or programs reviewed and recommended pursuant to § 10-14ii; and (8) reviewing and publicly reporting on progress made by teacher preparation programs to include reading curriculum models or programs reviewed and recommended pursuant to § 10-14ii.

(b) The Center for Literacy Research and Reading Success shall be under the direction of a director who shall, in consultation with the Reading Leadership Implementation Council described in subsection (c) of this section, be responsible for (1) overseeing all activities of the center, (2) facilitating communication between the center, local and regional boards of education and other affiliates of the center, and (3) coordinating the dissemination of information, tools and services made available by the center.

(c) The activities of the center shall be informed by the Reading Leadership Implementation Council which shall consist of the following members: (1) The director of the center, or the director’s designee; (2) the executive director of the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity, or the executive director’s designee; (3) an individual designated by the Governor, who has experience in literacy or education and is engaged in the development and implementation of the intensive reading instruction program; (4) an individual designated by the speaker of the House of Representatives, who has experience in literacy or education; (5) an individual designated by the president pro tempore of the Senate, who has experience in literacy or education; (6) an individual designated by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, who has experience in literacy or education; (7) an individual designated by the minority leader of the Senate, who has experience in literacy or education; (8) two individuals, designated by the chairperson of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus of the General Assembly, one of whom has experience with literacy or education and is engaged in the development and implementation of the intensive reading instruction program, provided such individual is not a member of the General Assembly; (9) the dean of the Neag School of Education at The University of Connecticut, or the dean’s designee; and (10) three individuals designated by the Commissioner of Education. The Reading Leadership Implementation Council shall develop and publish annual goals for the center and meet at least once every two months. The Reading Leadership Implementation Council may consult with representatives from public, private and philanthropic organizations.

(d) The Center for Literacy Research and Reading Success shall engage external literacy coaches who have experience and expertise in the science of teaching reading. Such external literacy coaches shall (1) provide training and professional development on the intensive reading instruction program, described in § 10-14u, literacy leadership and effective instruction to teachers, (2) work directly with teachers to support the implementation of the intensive reading instruction program, (3) provide coaching to teachers, and (4) participate in family engagement activities.