HF3072

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to modify the literacy incentive aid program in Minnesota to better support reading proficiency and growth among students, particularly focusing on early grades and English learners. The bill aims to expand the uses of literacy aid and allocate additional funding for these efforts.

Main Provisions

• Expanded Literacy Aid: The bill redefines literacy incentive aid to now include basic literacy aid, English learner literacy aid, and targeted literacy aid components.
• Proficiency Aid: Schools will receive aid based on the proficiency of third-grade students on reading assessments, encouraging schools to focus on improving reading skills at early levels.
• Growth Aid: Schools are also incented to focus on the growth of fourth-grade students’ reading skills, rewarding progress rather than just proficiency.
• Eligible Uses for Aid: Funds can be used for:
  • Training teachers in evidence-based reading instruction.
  • Employing literacy leads and intervention specialists.
  • Procuring screening and monitoring tools for reading progress.
  • Costs associated with substitute teachers and stipends for teachers undergoing training.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Adjusted Funding Formulas: The bill introduces new formulas for calculating different components of literacy aid, including concentration factors based on the number of English learners and students eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
• Targets for Specific Populations: The bill addresses the needs of English learners and schools with high poverty concentration, providing additional support to these groups.
• New Definitions and Criteria: Introduces new criteria such as medium and high growth measures to more effectively allocate resources where needed.

Relevant Terms

• Literacy incentive aid
• Proficiency aid
• Growth aid
• Evidence-based reading instruction
• English learner
• Targeted literacy aid
• Free and reduced-price meals