SECTIONS 54100-54102 - California Statutes

EDUCATION CODE

SECTION 54100-54102

54100. This chapter may be cited as the Miller-Unruh Basic Reading
Act of 1965.

54101. It is the intent and purpose of the Legislature that the
reading instruction program provided for in this chapter shall be
directed to the prevention of, and the correction of, reading
disabilities at the earliest possible time in the educational career
of the pupil.
It is further the intent of the Legislature that the reading
program in the public schools be of high quality. The Legislature
recognizes that early development of reading skills and the early
correction of reading disabilities enhances the opportunity of each
pupil for success in school and for success in a career upon leaving
school. The Legislature further recognizes that to achieve its intent
and purpose it will be necessary to provide means to employ
specialists trained in the teaching of reading. To carry out its
intent and purpose, the Legislature has enacted this chapter to
provide salary payments for reading specialists. It is also the
intent of the Legislature that the provisions of this chapter shall
be administered to provide funds and services first to those school
districts and to the schools in those school districts where the need
for reading instruction is greatest and the financial ability of the
districts to provide it is least. This program is voluntary and any
school district may participate or may decline to participate.
It is not the intent of the Legislature to preempt a school
district from establishing and maintaining any other special reading
program which otherwise complies with the law.

54102. The State Board of Education may have the power to adopt and
promulgate all rules and regulations necessary to the effective
administration of this chapter, including, but not necessarily
limited to, those specifically required to be adopted by particular
provisions of this chapter. A school district may request a waiver of
any provision of this chapter. The State Board of Education may
approve or disapprove the request, depending on whether or not the
waiver would further the purposes of this chapter.