End of Session Update

This past legislative session came with some wins and some disappointments. We are grateful for the additional money given to teachers for their time to take the required training, but disappointed the $35 million intended for curriculum reimbursement last year is now reallocated to literacy incentive aid for schools. Theoretically, schools could use part of that to go toward new curriculum, but there is no longer an incentive to pick from the approved list at this point. Here’s a summary of key legislative changes for education based on bills HF3782/SF3567 and HF5237/SF5252: 

1. Screening Frequency: Screening for students K-3 changed from twice a year to three times a year: “(1) within the first six weeks of the school year; (2) by February 15 each year; and (3) within the last six weeks of the school year.” 
2. Reallocation of $35 million from 2023 READ Act Funds: Curriculum funding, previously $35 million, has been reallocated to literacy incentive aid for districts to use to support implementation of evidence-based reading instruction. The eligible uses are:
   “(1) training for kindergarten through grade 3 teachers, early childhood educators, special education teachers, reading intervention teachers working with students in kindergarten through grade 12, curriculum directors, and instructional support staff that provide reading instruction, on using evidence-based screening and progress monitoring tools; 
   (2) evidence-based training using a training program approved by the Department of Education under the Read Act; 
   (3) employing or contracting with a literacy lead, as defined in section 120B.119; 
   (4) employing an intervention specialist; 
   (5) approved screeners, materials, training, and ongoing coaching to ensure reading interventions under section 125A.56, subdivision 1, are evidence-based;  
   (6) costs of substitute teachers to allow teachers to complete required training during the teachers’ contract day; and 
   (7) stipends for teachers completing training required under section 120B.12.” 
3. Teacher Training Funding: $31.375 million in new funding provided to compensate teachers for taking the approved, required training. This is allocated to districts under literacy incentive aid. Teacher stipends will be given to schools based on a per-pupil formula. Districts have the authority to determine the amount per teacher. An additional $4 million in new funding allocated to the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) will be added to the teacher training fund to provide training to 4-5 grade classroom teachers and literacy professors from Minnesota colleges and universities.
4. Paraprofessional and Volunteer Training: Starting in the 2026-27 school year, in order to provide Tier 2 literacy intervention, a paraprofessional or other unlicensed person (including a volunteer), must be supervised by a licensed teacher who has completed training in evidence-based reading instruction approved by MDE, and has completed evidence-based training developed under the READ Act by Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI) or the regional literacy networks….or a training that the department has determined meets or exceeds the requirements. 
5. Curriculum Reconsideration: MDE and CAREI must conduct a final review of previously submitted curriculum by March 3, 2025, to review curriculum that is available to districts at no cost. 
6. Interventions: MDE and CAREI must publish a list of 15 recommended evidence-based interventions by November 1, 2025. Starting in the 2025-26 school year, a district must use evidence-based literacy interventions. Districts are strongly encouraged to use intervention materials approved by MDE under the READ Act. 
7. Reporting Requirements: MDE is mandated to report back to the legislature twice on their observations and findings.
8. Training Timeline Extension: Teachers in phase 1 of training, their deadline has been extended from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2026. No change to training deadlines for teachers in phase 2.
9. School Year Reduction: Schools are allowed to reduce the school year by one day for students (5 hours) to accommodate additional professional development focused on literacy.
10. PELSB Audit: An audit of the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) is mandated to evaluate how approved teacher training programs meet subject matter standards for reading.
11. Culturally Responsive Contractor: $1 million in new funding allocated to MDE to hire a contractor for guidance on curriculum cultural responsiveness. 
12. Regional Literacy Networks: $375,000 each in new funding allocated to regional literacy networks and CAREI to develop training for volunteer tier 2 interventions.
13. Deaf and Hard of Hearing Support: A working group for the deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing community is included in the READ Act, receiving a one-time appropriation of $100,000 in new funding.