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The New York State Education Department (NYSED) is seeking proposals to establish a New York State Reading Resource Center (the Center) to provide support to NYSED and school districts on the Reading First reading initiative, as described under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001. The Center will work with NYSED and the Regional School Support Centers (RSSCs) to assist Reading First funded schools. The Center will:

The Center will be funded to serve all geographic areas of New York State. The term of the contract will start on April 1, 2005 and end on July 30, 2008. The RFP will be available on-line at the following web address: http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/funding/currentapps.htm A Bidders Conference will be held on January 4, 2005 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.. Attendance is not required, but NYSED must be notified of anyone planning on attending either in person or via video conferencing. The conference will be held in Room 150 of the Education Building, Washington Avenue, Albany, NY. Information and a registration form are included in this RFP (see Attachment 4).

This Request for Proposal is open to any local educational agency (LEA), Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), institution of higher education (IHE), volunteer literacy organization, community based organization (CBO), public or private nonprofit agency, library, public housing authority, for profit organizations or a network of organizations listed above that have the ability to provide professional development services. Agencies may work as a consortium, with one agency assuming the role of fiscal agent and providing the oversight of all activities.

An agency responding to this RFP must certify that it is in a position to meet the Mandatory Requirements as listed in Section 1.D.

The Center must have sufficient staff at the time of the contract award to carry out required activities as identified in this proposal for year one of the contract. The Center will be staffed at a minimum with:

Questions regarding this request should be directed to:

Questions submitted in writing by December 28th will be answered at the bidders’ conference to be held on January 4^th. Any additional questions must be received by 1/14/05. Questions and answers from the bidders conference and any additional questions received by the 1/14/05 deadline will be posted on the web site January 25, 2005.

12/13/04

This section of the bid package details the services and products to be acquired. Please note that the contract process also includes general New York State administrative terms and conditions, as well as terms and conditions required by New York State law. These terms and conditions address issues related to both the submission of bids and any subsequent contract; they are included separately in this bid package for your information. Please review all terms and conditions.

New York State is a diverse State with pockets of excellence in the practice of reading instruction. An identified statewide need, however, is to support comprehensive and long term changes in the instructional practices in classrooms that are aligned with scientifically based reading research (SBRR). It is intended that an entity be established to support expanding statewide capacity to understand and fully utilize reading practices based on current scientific based reading research.

At the end of any contract term otherwise provided for herein, if a replacement contract has not yet been approved in accordance with State law, any contract awarded hereunder may be extended unilaterally by the State, upon notice to the contractor, at the same terms and conditions, including all contract pricing, for a period of one month. Additionally, this extension may be for a period of up to three months with the concurrence of the contractor. However, any extension will terminate immediately upon approval of the replacement contract except where a period for transition of contractors has been previously provided for.

The Reading First legislation has specific definitions for technical assistance and professional development.

Professional Development is defined as funds for the State to develop and implement a program of professional development for teachers including special education and kindergarten through grade three that will prepare these teachers in all the essential reading skills which include information on instructional materials, programs and strategies based on SBRR.

2. Phase II - Activities will focus on identifying effective instructional strategies, identifying areas of instructional practice needing further investigation, supporting RSSCs in establishing effective performance indicators, and assessing the alignment of pre-service teacher preparation courses with SBRR. Activities stipulated for Year 1 will also be continued.

   1. Goals for years two and three include:

3. Expand statewide capacity for the use of supplemental and intervention instructional strategies.
4. Expand statewide capacity on the use of student grouping to effectively work with English Language Learners and students with disabilities within Reading First classrooms.
5. Expand capacity for LEAs to effectively assess program implementation.
6. Identify lowest performing districts and support RSSCs to help them.

2. Activities include but are not limited to:

2. Develop performance indicators of effective programs.
3. Develop a proposal and investigate an area that would advance understanding of the effectiveness of a particular issue relating to NYS Reading Initiative.
4. Develop and survey institutions of higher education on reading preservice models.
5. Develop strategies based on survey information to examine the need and modify existing preservice education models.
6. Disseminate information about scientifically based reading research to non-Reading First districts, school administrators, teachers, parents, school boards and professional organizations.
7. Collaborate with statewide literacy organizations, such as Parents as Reading Partners or Even Start, to enhance the goals of Reading First as stated in this RFP.
8. Conduct one statewide meeting for Reading First funded LEAs, instructional leaders and institutions of higher education. Meetings should be held in Spring 2007 for approximately 3,000.
9. Identify successful implementation efforts in LEAs and disseminate through the website and at professional development and technical assistance sessions.
10. Continue year one activities.

4. Mandatory Requirements

Certification Statement of Ability to Meet Minimum Requirements - An agency responding to this RFP must certify that it is in a position to meet the minimum requirements. By signing this document (see 5.) Submissions Documents), the representative attests that the agency can provide and/or meet all items listed below.

5. Operating Principles

Applicants must describe the operating principles for the Center’s work. These principles should include an explanation of how the Center will collaborate with the RSSCs and other NYSED networks to establish written agreements with the targeted district/schools and ensure an understanding with them regarding roles and responsibilities of all parties. Operating principles should also outline the anticipated steps in the supportive services, including but not limited to: data analysis, causal analysis, results-based planning, strategies and interventions, expected outcomes and benchmarks, evaluation processes, and collaborative efforts.

6. Governance Structure

The applicant must describe the operating structure of the Center. The description must include an organizational chart, lines of supervision and communication protocols.

• One full-time Project Director with advanced credentials (Master’s or above) in reading, and knowledge/experience with recent scientifically based reading research and elementary classroom practice.

• Project staff with knowledge and experience working with LEAs. Staff is expected to have at least a Masters level reading credential in reading instruction and have a comprehensive knowledge base of Reading First goals and activities.

• Project staff must have expertise in professional development training.

• Project staff must have expertise in the use of high end technology for training.

• Resumes of all staff must be included.

• Arrange for or provide bimonthly technical assistance to RSSCs

This section details the submission document or documents that are expected to be transmitted by the respondent to the State Education Department in response to this RFP. New York State Education Department shall own all materials, processes, and products (software, code, documentation and other written materials) developed under this contract. Materials prepared under this contract shall be in a form that will be ready for copyright in the name of the New York State Education Department. Any sub-contractor is also bound by these terms. The submission will become the basis on which NYSED will judge the respondent’s ability to perform the required services as laid out in the RFP. This will be followed by various terms and conditions that reflect the specific needs of this project.

Section I: Project Description

Section II: Governance

Section III: Work Plan - Year 1 (4/1/05 – 6/30/06)

The Work Plan should provide an outline of the proposed activities described in section 1 A, B - J. For technical assistance and professional development, include topics, size of audiences, dates and locations. Describe methodologies for research, dissemination and evaluation as discussed in Section 1A and B. Describe applicant's proposed strategy to work with NYSED staff; RSSCs and NYSED funded networks in the state.

Technical assistance efforts are those related to activities to support LEA, SED or RSSC implementation processes.

Professional Development efforts are those related to expanding and deepening the statewide knowledge of professionals, parents and organizations related to content specific to Reading First.

Section IV: Budget Narrative

This section begins with the criteria the agency will use to evaluate bids, and closes with the "method of award" or how the contractor will be selected. This will be followed by various terms and conditions that reflect the specific needs of this project as well as New York State contract guidelines and requirements.

The proposal will be evaluated on the criteria established under the scoring rubric. All components of the application must be included or the application will not be reviewed. In order to have the budget reviewed, applicants must receive a minimum score of 56 points on Section I – III.

The proposal will be reviewed by a panel of NYSED representatives from the Office of School and Community Services, the Office of Regional and Community Services, VESID and the Office of Curriculum and Assessment.

The New York State Education Department reserves the right to call applicants for clarifications of their proposals.

The financial portion of the proposal represents thirty (30) points of the overall score and will be awarded points pursuant to a formula. This calculation will be computed by the Contract Administration Unit upon completion of the technical scoring by the technical review panel. The cost for the entire contract period (4/1/05 – 6/30/08) will be used.

The agency reserves the right to request best and final offers.

The submitted budget will be awarded points pursuant to a formula that awards the highest score of thirty (30) points to the total budget (for period 4/1/05 – 6/30/08) that reflects the lowest overall cost. The remaining budgets will be awarded points based on a calculation that computes the relative difference of each proposal against the lowest budget submitted. The resulting percentage is then applied to the maximum point value of thirty (30) points.

The aggregate score of all the criteria listed will be calculated for each proposal received.

The contract issued pursuant to this proposal will be awarded to the vendor whose aggregate technical and cost score is the highest among all the proposals rated.

In the event that more than one proposal obtains the highest aggregate score, the contract will be awarded to the vendor in that group whose budget component reflects the lowest overall cost.

The New York State Education Department reserves the right to reject all proposals received or cancel this RFP if it is in the best interest of the Department.

Upon selection, the successful bidder will enter into negotiations for a contract with NYSED. The contents of the RFP, any subsequent correspondence during the proposal evaluation period, and such other stipulations as agreed upon may be made a part of the final contract developed by NYSED. Successful bidders may be subject to audit and should ensure that adequate controls are in place to document the allowable activities and expenditure of federal funds.

Appendix A – Standard Clause for all New York State Contracts WILL BE INCLUDED in the contract that results from this RFP. Vendors who are unable to complete or abide by these assurances should not respond to this request.

Affirmative Action and Minority/Women Owned Business Enterprise Policy

The documents listed below are included in 5.) Submission Documents, which must be signed by the Chief Administrative Officer. Please review the terms and conditions. Certain documents will become part of the resulting contract that will be executed between the successful bidder and the NYS Education Department.

Certification-Omnibus Procurement Act of 1992

The parties to the attached contract, license, lease, amendment or other agreement of any kind (hereinafter, "the contract" or "this contract") agree to be bound by the following clauses which are hereby made a part of the contract (the word "Contractor" herein refers to any party other than the State, whether a contractor, licenser, licensee, lesser, lessee or any other party):

1. EXECUTORY CLAUSE. In accordance with Section 41 of the State Finance Law, the State shall have no liability under this contract to the Contractor or to anyone else beyond funds appropriated and available for this contract.

2. NON-ASSIGNMENT CLAUSE. In accordance with Section 138 of the State Finance Law, this contract may not be assigned by the Contractor or its right, title or interest therein assigned, transferred, conveyed, sublet or otherwise disposed of without the previous consent, in writing, of the State and any attempts to assign the contract without the State's written consent are null and void. The Contractor may, however, assign its right to receive payment without the State's prior written consent unless this contract concerns Certificates of Participation pursuant to Article 5-A of the State Finance Law.

3. COMPTROLLER'S APPROVAL. In accordance with Section 112 of the State Finance Law (or, if this contract is with the State University or City University of New York, Section 355 or Section 6218 of the Education Law), if this contract exceeds $15,000 (or the minimum thresholds agreed to by the Office of the State Comptroller for certain S.U.N.Y. and C.U.N.Y. contracts), or if this is an amendment for any amount to a contract which, as so amended, exceeds said statutory amount, or if, by this contract, the State agrees to give something other than money when the value or reasonably estimated value of such consideration exceeds $10,000, it shall not be valid, effective or binding upon the State until it has been approved by the State Comptroller and filed in his office. Comptroller's approval of contracts let by the Office of General Services is required when such contracts exceed $30,000 (State Finance Law Section 163.6.a).

4. WORKERS' COMPENSATION BENEFITS. In accordance with Section 142 of the State Finance Law, this contract shall be void and of no force and effect unless the Contractor shall provide and maintain coverage during the life of this contract for the benefit of such employees as are required to be covered by the provisions of the Workers' Compensation Law.

6. WAGE AND HOURS PROVISIONS. If this is a public work contract covered by Article 8 of the Labor Law or a building service contract covered by Article 9 thereof, neither Contractor's employees nor the employees of its subcontractors may be required or permitted to work more than the number of hours or days stated in said statutes, except as otherwise provided in the Labor Law and as set forth in prevailing wage and supplement schedules issued by the State Labor Department. Furthermore, Contractor and its subcontractors must pay at least the prevailing wage rate and pay or provide the prevailing supplements, including the premium rates for overtime pay, as determined by the State Labor Department in accordance with the Labor Law.

7. NON-COLLUSIVE BIDDING CERTIFICATION. In accordance with Section 139-d of the State Finance Law, if this contract was awarded based upon the submission of bids, Contractor warrants, under penalty of perjury, that its bid was arrived at independently and without collusion aimed at restricting competition. Contractor further warrants that, at the time Contractor submitted its bid, an authorized and responsible person executed and delivered to the State a non-collusive bidding certification on Contractor's behalf.

8. INTERNATIONAL BOYCOTT PROHIBITION. In accordance with Section 220-f of the Labor Law and Section 139-h of the State Finance Law, if this contract exceeds $5,000, the Contractor agrees, as a material condition of the contract, that neither the Contractor nor any substantially owned or affiliated person, firm, partnership or corporation has participated, is participating, or shall participate in an international boycott in violation of the federal Export Administration Act of 1979 (50 USC App. Sections 2401 et seq.) or regulations thereunder. If such Contractor, or any of the aforesaid affiliates of Contractor, is convicted or is otherwise found to have violated said laws or regulations upon the final determination of the United States Commerce Department or any other appropriate agency of the United States subsequent to the contract's execution, such contract, amendment or modification thereto shall be rendered forfeit and void. The Contractor shall so notify the State Comptroller within five (5) business days of such conviction, determination or disposition of appeal (2NYCRR 105.4).

9. SET-OFF RIGHTS. The State shall have all of its common law, equitable and statutory rights of set-off. These rights shall include, but not be limited to, the State's option to withhold for the purposes of set-off any moneys due to the Contractor under this contract up to any amounts due and owing to the State with regard to this contract, any other contract with any State department or agency, including any contract for a term commencing prior to the term of this contract, plus any amounts due and owing to the State for any other reason including, without limitation, tax delinquencies, fee delinquencies or monetary penalties relative thereto. The State shall exercise its set-off rights in accordance with normal State practices including, in cases of set-off pursuant to an audit, the finalization of such audit by the State agency, its representatives, or the State Comptroller.

10. RECORDS. The Contractor shall establish and maintain complete and accurate books, records, documents, accounts and other evidence directly pertinent to performance under this contract (hereinafter, collectively, "the Records"). The Records must be kept for the balance of the calendar year in which they were made and for six (6) additional years thereafter. The State Comptroller, the Attorney General and any other person or entity authorized to conduct an examination, as well as the agency or agencies involved in this contract, shall have access to the Records during normal business hours at an office of the Contractor within the State of New York or, if no such office is available, at a mutually agreeable and reasonable venue within the State, for the term specified above for the purposes of inspection, auditing and copying. The State shall take reasonable steps to protect from public disclosure any of the Records which are exempt from disclosure under Section 87 of the Public Officers Law (the "Statute") provided that: (i) the Contractor shall timely inform an appropriate State official, in writing, that said records should not be disclosed; and (ii) said records shall be sufficiently identified; and (iii) designation of said records as exempt under the Statute is reasonable. Nothing contained herein shall diminish, or in any way adversely affect, the State's right to discovery in any pending or future litigation.

11. IDENTIFYING INFORMATION AND PRIVACY NOTIFICATION. (a) FEDERAL EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER and/or FEDERAL SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER. All invoices or New York State standard vouchers submitted for payment for the sale of goods or services or the lease of real or personal property to a New York State agency must include the payee's identification number, i.e., the seller's or lessor's identification number. The number is either the payee's Federal employer identification number or Federal social security number, or both such numbers when the payee has both such numbers. Failure to include this number or numbers may delay payment. Where the payee does not have such number or numbers, the payee, on its invoice or New York State standard voucher, must give the reason or reasons why the payee does not have such number or numbers.

(b) PRIVACY NOTIFICATION. (1) The authority to request the above personal information from a seller of goods or services or a lessor of real or personal property, and the authority to maintain such information, is found in Section 5 of the State Tax Law. Disclosure of this information by the seller or lessor to the State is mandatory. The principal purpose for which the information is collected is to enable the State to identify individuals, businesses and others who have been delinquent in filing tax returns or may have understated their tax liabilities and to generally identify persons affected by the taxes administered by the Commissioner of Taxation and Finance. The information will be used for tax administration purposes and for any other purpose authorized by law.

(2) The personal information is requested by the purchasing unit of the agency contracting to purchase the goods or services or lease the real or personal property covered by this contract or lease. The information is maintained in New York State's Central Accounting System by the Director of Accounting Operations, Office of the State Comptroller, AESOB, Albany, New York 12236.

12. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINORITIES AND WOMEN. In accordance with Section 312 of the Executive Law, if this contract is: (i) a written agreement or purchase order instrument, providing for a total expenditure in excess of $25,000.00, whereby a contracting agency is committed to expend or does expend funds in return for labor, services, supplies, equipment, materials or any combination of the foregoing, to be performed for, or rendered or furnished to the contracting agency; or (ii) a written agreement in excess of $100,000.00 whereby a contracting agency is committed to expend or does expend funds for the acquisition, construction, demolition, replacement, major repair or renovation of real property and improvements thereon; or (iii) a written agreement in excess of $100,000.00 whereby the owner of a State assisted housing project is committed to expend or does expend funds for the acquisition, construction, demolition, replacement, major repair or renovation of real property and improvements thereon for such project, then:

(a) The Contractor will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability or marital status, and will undertake or continue existing programs of affirmative action to ensure that minority group members and women are afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination. Affirmative action shall mean recruitment, employment, job assignment, promotion, upgradings, demotion, transfer, layoff, or termination and rates of pay or other forms of compensation;

(b) at the request of the contracting agency, the Contractor shall request each employment agency, labor union, or authorized representative of workers with which it has a collective bargaining or other agreement or understanding, to furnish a written statement that such employment agency, labor union or representative will not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability or marital status and that such union or representative will affirmatively cooperate in the implementation of the contractor's obligations herein; and

(c) the Contractor shall state, in all solicitations or advertisements for employees, that, in the performance of the State contract, all qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability or marital status.

Contractor will include the provisions of "a", "b", and "c" above, in every subcontract over $25,000.00 for the construction, demolition, replacement, major repair, renovation, planning or design of real property and improvements thereon (the "Work") except where the Work is for the beneficial use of the Contractor. Section 312 does not apply to: (i) work, goods or services unrelated to this contract; or (ii) employment outside New York State; or (iii) banking services, insurance policies or the sale of securities. The State shall consider compliance by a contractor or subcontractor with the requirements of any federal law concerning equal employment opportunity which effectuates the purpose of this section. The contracting agency shall determine whether the imposition of the requirements of the provisions hereof duplicate or conflict with any such federal law and if such duplication or conflict exists, the contracting agency shall waive the applicability of Section 312 to the extent of such duplication or conflict. Contractor will comply with all duly promulgated and lawful rules and regulations of the Governor's Office of Minority and Women's Business Development pertaining hereto.

13. CONFLICTING TERMS. In the event of a conflict between the terms of the contract (including any and all attachments thereto and amendments thereof) and the terms of this Appendix A, the terms of this Appendix A shall control.

14. GOVERNING LAW. This contract shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York except where the Federal supremacy clause requires otherwise.

15. LATE PAYMENT. Timeliness of payment and any interest to be paid to Contractor for late payment shall be governed by Article 11-A of the State Finance Law to the extent required by law.

16. NO ARBITRATION. Disputes involving this contract, including the breach or alleged breach thereof, may not be submitted to binding arbitration (except where statutorily authorized), but must, instead, be heard in a court of competent jurisdiction of the State of New York.

17. SERVICE OF PROCESS. In addition to the methods of service allowed by the State Civil Practice Law & Rules ("CPLR"), Contractor hereby consents to service of process upon it by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested. Service hereunder shall be complete upon Contractor's actual receipt of process or upon the State's receipt of the return thereof by the United States Postal Service as refused or undeliverable. Contractor must promptly notify the State, in writing, of each and every change of address to which service of process can be made. Service by the State to the last known address shall be sufficient. Contractor will have thirty (30) calendar days after service hereunder is complete in which to respond.

18. PROHIBITION ON PURCHASE OF TROPICAL HARDWOODS. The Contractor certifies and warrants that all wood products to be used under this contract award will be in accordance with, but not limited to, the specifications and provisions of State Finance Law §165. (Use of Tropical Hardwoods) which prohibits purchase and use of tropical hardwoods, unless specifically exempted, by the State or any governmental agency or political subdivision or public benefit corporation. Qualification for an exemption under this law will be the responsibility of the contractor to establish to meet with the approval of the State.

In addition, when any portion of this contract involving the use of woods, whether supply or installation, is to be performed by any subcontractor, the prime Contractor will indicate and certify in the submitted bid proposal that the subcontractor has been informed and is in compliance with specifications and provisions regarding use of tropical hardwoods as detailed in §165 State Finance Law. Any such use must meet with the approval of the State; otherwise, the bid may not be considered responsive. Under bidder certifications, proof of qualification for exemption will be the responsibility of the Contractor to meet with the approval of the State.

19. MACBRIDE FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRINCIPLES. In accordance with the MacBride Fair Employment Principles (Chapter 807 of the Laws of 1992), the Contractor hereby stipulates that the Contractor either (a) has no business operations in Northern Ireland, or (b) shall take lawful steps in good faith to conduct any business operations in Northern Ireland in accordance with the MacBride Fair Employment Principles (as described in Section 165 of the New York State Finance Law), and shall permit independent monitoring of compliance with such principles.

20. OMNIBUS PROCUREMENT ACT OF 1992. It is the policy of New York State to maximize opportunities for the participation of New York State business enterprises, including minority and women-owned business enterprises as bidders, subcontractors and suppliers on its procurement contracts.

Information on the availability of New York State subcontractors and suppliers is available from:

A directory of certified minority and women-owned business enterprises is available from:

The Omnibus Procurement Act of 1992 requires that by signing this bid proposal or contract, as applicable, Contractors certify that whenever the total bid amount is greater than $1 million:

(a) The Contractor has made reasonable efforts to encourage the participation of New York State Business Enterprises as suppliers and subcontractors, including certified minority and women-owned business enterprises, on this project, and has retained the documentation of these efforts to be provided upon request to the State;

(b) The Contractor has complied with the Federal Equal Opportunity Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-261), as amended;

(c) The Contractor agrees to make reasonable efforts to provide notification to New York State residents of employment opportunities on this project through listing any such positions with the Job Service Division of the New York State Department of Labor, or providing such notification in such manner as is consistent with existing collective bargaining contracts or agreements. The Contractor agrees to document these efforts and to provide said documentation to the State upon request; and

(d) The Contractor acknowledges notice that the State may seek to obtain offset credits from foreign countries as a result of this contract and agrees to cooperate with the State in these efforts.

21. RECIPROCITY AND SANCTIONS PROVISIONS. Bidders are hereby notified that if their principal place of business is located in a country, nation, province, state or political subdivision that penalizes New York State vendors, and if the goods or services they offer will be substantially produced or performed outside New York State, the Omnibus Procurement Act 1994 and 2000 amendments (Chapter 684 and Chapter 383, respectively) require that they be denied contracts which they would otherwise obtain. NOTE: As of May 15, 2002, the list of discriminatory jurisdictions subject to this provision includes the states of South Carolina, Alaska, West Virginia, Wyoming, Louisiana and Hawaii. Contact NYS Department of Economic Development for a current list of jurisdictions subject to this provision.

22. PURCHASES OF APPAREL. In accordance with State Finance Law 162 (4-a), the State shall not purchase any apparel from any vendor unable or unwilling to certify that: (i) such apparel was manufactured in compliance with all applicable labor and occupational safety laws, including, but not limited to, child labor laws, wage and hours laws and workplace safety laws, and (ii) vendor will supply, with its bid (or, if not a bid situation, prior to or at the time of signing a contract with the State), if known, the names and addresses of each subcontractor and a list of all manufacturing plants to be utilized by the bidder.

The Department has a long-standing and continuing commitment to the goal of encouraging minority and women-owned business enterprises to be providers of goods and services and to be vendors for construction and other projects. This is an integral part of our affirmative action/equal opportunity program. As an organization, we recognize the need to actively pursue affirmative action as a means to promote employment of minority group persons and women and to assure that minority and women-owned businesses are provided the opportunity to participate, to the fullest extent possible, in all of the State’s procurement programs.

Under the auspices of Executive Order 21, and in accordance with the provisions of Article 15-A of the Executive Law and the State Finance Law, the Department maintains an active and successful program of locating, identifying, and purchasing from minority and women-owned vendors and providers of services and encourages their participation in our procurement programs. The Department’s long-term goal is to continue to increase our percentage of discretionary purchases and contracts from among minority and women-owned vendors and providers of service.

It is anticipated that the contractor embraces the voluntary policy of the Department on affirmative action and minority/woman owned business and will make efforts to assist the Department in meeting its long-term goals.

The New York State Education Department has undertaken a number of reading initiatives that are focused on scientifically based reading research. Publications such as the Report of the National Reading Panel (2000), Preventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children (Burns, Griffin & Snow, 1999), and research supported by the National Institute for Child Health and Child Development (Fletcher & Lyon, 1998) were the foundation for the New York State Education Department 2002 publication Early Literacy Guidance: Prekindergarten–Grade 3. This publication, distributed to all New York State public and private schools and available on the New York State Education Department website, provides guidance related to early literacy competencies and evidence-based instructional practices by emphasizing five essential components of reading:

Phonemic Awareness

Word recognition, including phonics

Background knowledge and vocabulary development

Fluency, including oral reading skills

Reading comprehension strategies

This proposal for a statewide Reading First program describes how New York State will build a coordinated cohesive system for improving reading achievement in grades K-3 that is based on the five essential components of reading. Through a competitive sub-grant process, approximately 135 New York State schools will be funded to implement Reading First programs that are grounded in scientifically based reading research. New York State will utilize an existing regional infrastructure that currently provides technical assistance and support to low-performing schools in the state. Seven Regional School Support Centers will expand their services to provide substantive technical assistance and professional development that will also be provided in the form of the New York State Reading Academy, a web-based program of learning modules that covers the critical components of scientifically based reading instruction, and involves coaching and mentoring by reading specialists who have training and experience in applying scientifically based reading research in the classroom.

New York will also establish the New York State Reading Resource Center (NYSRRC) to serve as a centralized source for research information, to support Regional School Support Centers, Tier 1 Regional Coach and to provide training for instructional leadership. NYSRRC will expand the New York State Virtual Learning Space to incorporate scientifically based reading research and to disseminate information that can be used to improve reading instruction in all New York State schools, including non-funded schools.

Local Education Agencies (LEAs) that are Reading First sub-grant recipients will be responsible for oversight of the implementation of Reading First in their funded schools, and for the alignment of core reading programs and supplemental and intervention programs, instructional strategies and materials, assessments, technical assistance, and professional development with scientifically based reading research. Student Data Systems will be established by the LEAs for the collection and interpretation of screening, diagnostic, progress monitoring, and outcomes assessments that have been selected by the New York State Education Department because they are valid and reliable and grounded in scientifically based reading research. LEAs will also be responsible for establishing Evaluation Plans for monitoring student progress and the status of the Reading First programs in their funded schools.

Technical assistance and instructional leadership will be provided by LEAs and Reading First schools through school-based reading specialists who are trained and experienced in scientifically-based reading research (Tier II Building-Based Coaches), as well as reading and assessment specialists (Tier I Regional Coach) from the Regional School Support Centers. Reading First school principals and other LEA/school administrators will be required to complete training in classroom applications of scientifically based reading research.

Scientifically based reading research will be the under printing of all components of the Reading First Management Plan that will guide the New York State Education Department in establishing professional development and technical assistance for Reading First LEAs. The Management Plan will also include specifics about required professional development for instructional leaders; selection of reading programs and materials; implementation and interpretation of assessments; establishment of Reading First classrooms and reading libraries; collaborations with literacy groups and higher education; responsibilities of the external evaluator; and responses to assessment and evaluation results.

The New York State Reading First program will be monitored by administrative staff in the New York State Education Department Office of Early Education and Reading Initiatives (EERI), with guidance from the New York State Reading and Literacy Partnership.

Agency Name _____________________________________________________

Location of Video Connection__________________________________________

Name of Contact for Video Connection ___________________________________

Phone Number of Contact _____________________________________________

Phone Number for Actual Video Connection ________________________________

Number of People Attending in Person _____________

Names of Those Attending in Person _____________________________________

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