Wednesday, November 22, 2000

By PAT NEWMAN
pnewman@TheCitizenNews.com

Students on the verge of failing reading and math may soon have a formalized program of remedial study funded through House Bill 1187, commonly known as the A+ Reform Act, according to Stuart Bennett, Fayette County's assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.

While no firm guidelines have been issued from the state Department of Education yet, Bennett said the initial plan calls for time equalling 20 extra days offered after school and in late summer.

It would require about 40 teachers in Fayette County working one to two extra hours per day to make the program work, Bennett estimated.

"We expect this to be implemented very soon... we have to identify lead teachers and get the teachers on board," Bennett said. No guidelines for teacher pay have been handed down from the state to date, but Bennett said teachers would require "a fair wage to do this."

Remediation is expected to begin in grades kindergarten through five, with middle schools and high schools to follow. Bennett conceded that one consideration the state did not make at this point, is funding for transportation.

"They may have created an Achilles heel leaving out transportation," he said, referring to the funding plan.

But with changes "coming down almost daily," according to Bennett, the transportation issue may eventually be addressed.

"In the future, remediation will cover more than reading and math, Bennett said," "It will cover science and social studies as well."

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