Bill > HF1736

This bill establishes a comprehensive approach to improving early childhood literacy in Minnesota through several key provisions. The legislation modifies the existing kindergarten entry assessment process by requiring the education commissioner to identify valid and reliable measurement tools aligned with state early learning standards and screening requirements. Additionally, the bill creates a new early childhood literacy pilot program initiative, which begins by convening an expert panel of state and national literacy researchers, educators, and child development professionals to review literacy research and recommend evidence-based practices. The expert panel will focus on areas including family engagement, curricula, professional development, instructional practices, and assessment strategies. The commissioner will then implement pilot programs across various early learning settings such as public school prekindergarten, Head Start, licensed child care, and home environments. An independent research organization will evaluate these pilot programs to measure children's prereading skills and literacy outcomes. The bill requires annual public meetings to review program successes, barriers, and evaluation results, with a mandate to submit recommendations to legislative committees by February 1, 2029, about potentially scaling up successful approaches. To support this initiative, the bill appropriates $3.5 million as a one-time funding allocation available through June 30, 2029, and directs the education commissioner to coordinate with the commissioner of children, youth, and families throughout the process.

Education

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF1736&ssn=0&y=2025