Purpose of the Bill

This legislative bill seeks to allocate funds to the Minnesota Department of Education to support the Read Act training for educators. The goal is to ensure that teachers receive necessary training to improve instructional practices in literacy and reading education.

Main Provisions

• Funding Allocation: The bill appropriates funds from the general fund specifically for the purpose of compensating teachers who undergo Read Act training.

• State Aid Calculation: Each school district, charter school, and cooperative unit offering direct instructional services will receive state aid. The amount is the greater of either $2,000 or 40 times the number of students enrolled in the fall of 2024.

• Payment Schedule: The allocated payments must be distributed by the Minnesota Department of Education to the respective education providers by October 15, 2025. These funds are intended to be fully utilized in the fiscal year 2026.

• Teacher Compensation: Schools must use the allocated funds to compensate teachers for time spent on Read Act training. This compensation should align with existing laws (specifically, Laws 2024, chapter 115, article 3, section 7) or through an agreement with the teachers' union regarding payment for training time.

Significant Changes

• The bill introduces a new state aid structure specifically aimed at supporting teacher training under the Read Act, which could enhance literacy instruction by ensuring that educators are well-equipped with the appropriate skills and knowledge.

Relevant Terms

education finance, Read Act, teacher compensation, state aid, school districts, charter schools, cooperative units, Department of Education, literacy training, enrollment count