Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to allocate funds for teacher compensation related to training under the Read Act. It is designed to support school districts, charter schools, and cooperative units by providing financial resources aimed at enhancing the instructional capabilities of their teaching staff.

Main Provisions

• Appropriation of Funds: The bill approves funds from the general fund to the Department of Education to cover teacher compensation for Read Act training.
• Calculation of State Aid: Each eligible educational entity, including school districts, charter schools, and cooperative units, is allocated state aid. This amount is determined to be either $2,000 or based on the formula of 40 times the number of students enrolled as of fall 2024, whichever is greater.
• Distribution Timeline: The Department of Education must ensure that all payments are disbursed by October 15, 2025, with the entire process being completed in fiscal year 2026.

Significant Changes

• This bill establishes a new protocol for compensating teachers who undergo training mandated by the Read Act, possibly influencing budget allocations in educational institutions.
• It necessitates memoranda of understanding or agreements between educational institutions and teachers' representatives to formally structure the compensation linked to the training hours.

Relevant Terms

• Read Act
• Teacher compensation
• State aid
• School districts
• Charter schools
• Cooperative units
• Memorandum of understanding
• Exclusive representative of teachers