This amendment expands the Early Reading Specialists Initiative to provide funding to additional schools that rank lowest statewide on the third grade reading Standards of Learning Assessment. Funds support the state share of an additional reading specialist, reading coach, or tuition for collegiate programs and instruction for currently employed instructional school personnel to earn the credentials necessary to meet licensure requirements to be endorsed as a reading specialist. These reading specialists are in addition to those required for all school divisions and funded through Basic Aid.