Purpose

• To provide funding and support for developing and implementing the MTSS framework (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) and the COMPASS school improvement model (Collaborative Minnesota Partnerships to Advance Student Success), with additional emphasis on improving teacher retention, workplace conditions, and educator wellbeing.

Main Provisions

• Funding and scope

  • Creates ongoing funding to support MTSS and COMPASS implementation, including capacity-building at the Department of Education and Minnesota service cooperatives.
  • Allows contracts with external entities (e.g., the University of Minnesota Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement) to support implementation and evaluation of MTSS.

• Grants and district-level support

  • Sets aside a portion of funds for grants to school districts, charter schools, tribal contract schools, and cooperative units to implement MTSS.
  • Eligible uses include hiring local MTSS coordinators, deferring costs for cohort participation and professional learning, piloting the One Plan, and consolidating reporting structures to streamline district and charter school submissions.
  • Includes administration of grants (up to five percent of the total amount) for program and grant administration.

• Regional Mathematics Network

  • Allocates $3,000,000 each year to create a regional network focused on mathematics.
  • Provides dedicated mathematics trainers and coaches to train regional staff from Minnesota service cooperatives and to support school leaders and teachers in using evidence-based math instructional strategies.
  • May be used to host an annual mathematics standards-based instructional institute.

• Broad MTSS and COMPASS supports

  • Partners with Minnesota Service Cooperatives to support districts in implementing COMPASS and MTSS in literacy, mathematics, social-emotional learning, and mental health.
  • Supports efforts to streamline applications, reports, and submissions to the Department of Education through the One Plan.
  • Provides training, guidance, and implementation resources for MTSS, including a universal screening process to identify students at risk for academic, behavioral, or social-emotional difficulties.
  • Includes guidance for school-based teams to analyze screening data and implement related instruction and intervention methods.
  • Includes dyslexia screening and evidence-based interventions.
  • Requires districts and charter schools to notify parents of screening findings and provide related support information.
  • Requires providing interventions for at-risk students and monitoring their progress, with annual reporting on MTSS implementation.

• Focus on teacher retention and educator wellbeing (long-term capacity expansion)

  • In fiscal year 2027, at least $2,000,000 is dedicated to expanding capacity at the Department of Education and Minnesota service cooperatives to strengthen teacher retention, workplace satisfaction, and educator wellbeing.
  • Requires contracting with an entity that has demonstrated success in statewide or regional initiatives to improve workplace conditions and organizational culture.
  • Activities may include data-driven efforts addressing systemic causes of teacher burnout, elevating educators’ voices in decision-making, and guiding resource allocation to sustain impact across diverse communities.
  • Any balance remaining from fiscal year 2026 may be used in fiscal year 2027.

• Administration and carryover

  • Up to five percent of the total appropriation may be used for program and grant administration.
  • Any remaining balance from FY 2026 is available in FY 2027.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends existing statutory language to:
  • Specifically designate funding for MTSS and the COMPASS model within the established education funding framework.
  • Establish and fund a regional mathematics network with dedicated trainers and coaches.
  • Require universal screening, dyslexia screening, and data-driven MTSS decision-making, with required parent notice and ongoing progress monitoring.
  • Consolidate reporting structures (One Plan) to streamline district and charter school submissions.
  • Expand support for literacy, mathematics, social-emotional learning, and mental health under MTSS/COMPASS.
  • Create targeted grants to a broader set of educational entities (districts, charter schools, tribal contract schools, cooperative units).
  • Introduce a dedicated long-term funding line (FY2027) aimed at improving teacher retention and educator wellbeing, including contracting with experienced external partners and data-driven burnout reduction strategies.

Implementation & Administration Notes

• Implementing entities: Department of Education, Minnesota service cooperatives, and contracted external organizations (e.g., CAREI).
• Key program components: MTSS framework, COMPASS model, universal screening, dyslexia screening, data analytics, professional learning, and reporting through One Plan.
• Reporting: Annual findings on MTSS implementation are required.

Relevant dates and fiscal context included in the bill indicate funding and activities span multiple fiscal years, with a notable shift in FY2027 to emphasize teacher retention and educator wellbeing.

Relevant Terms - MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) - COMPASS (Collaborative Minnesota Partnerships to Advance Student Success) - COMPASS school improvement model - MTSS framework - Minnesota Service Cooperatives - One Plan - Universal screening - Dyslexia screening - Evidence-based instructional strategies - Regional mathematics network - Mathematics trainers and coaches - Literacy, math, social-emotional learning, mental health - Teacher retention - Educator wellbeing - Workplace conditions - Professional learning - Data-driven initiatives - Districts, charter schools, tribal contract schools, cooperative units - CAREI (Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement) - Administrative funding cap (up to 5%)