A. School districts and charter schools may create comprehensive, coordinated middle and high school literacy initiatives to provide scientifically based literacy programs to improve the reading and writing proficiency of students in grades six through twelve.

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B. The design of a middle and high school literacy initiative shall be based upon scientific research that shows that using the methods and materials proposed is effective in improving reading proficiency beyond the primary grades and shall include, at a minimum:

(1)     instruction in nonfiction writing;

(2)     ongoing teacher and school administrator professional development equal to that which was validated in the supporting research;

(3)     use of student assessment data to guide and individualize instruction; and

(4)     a rigorous and thorough evaluation component.

C. A middle and high school literacy initiative shall also incorporate some or all of the following elements:

(1)     direct, explicit comprehension instruction;

(2)     teacher teams, including language arts and content area instructors who implement mutually reinforcing practices;

(3)     strategies to encourage motivation and self-directed learning;

(4)     text-based collaborative learning by groups of students; (5)     strategic tutoring;

(6)     diverse texts;

(7)     a technology component; and

(8)     extended time for literacy.

D. School districts and charter schools that meet department eligibility requirements may apply to the department for awards from the public school reading proficiency fund for support for their middle and high school literacy initiatives. Applications shall be in a form prescribed by the department.