SF 2353

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/11/2025 10:02 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to education; establishing a grant program to support community literacy
initiatives; appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS; COMMUNITY LITERACY INITIATIVES.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Department of Education. new text end

new text begin The sums indicated in this section are
appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education in the fiscal years
designated.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Community literacy initiatives. new text end

new text begin (a) For grants to support community literacy
initiatives:
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	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin 1,000,000 new text end	new text begin ..... new text end	new text begin 2026 new text end
	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin 1,000,000 new text end	new text begin ..... new text end	new text begin 2027 new text end

new text begin (b) A grant recipient must use grant money to support community-based public awareness
and family literacy initiatives, including but not limited to the following activities:
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new text begin (1) developing and distributing literacy and grade-level guides to community
organizations, schools, libraries, and other relevant groups that describe the reading
acquisition process, the roles families play in literacy, and suggestions on supportive
activities. Literacy and grade-level guides must reflect best practices in the science of reading
and align with the standards set forth in the Read Act under Minnesota Statutes, sections
120B.118 to 120B.124;
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new text begin (2) developing and distributing public awareness resources, including literacy toolkits
for families; and
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new text begin (3) providing training for schools, community groups, libraries, and other relevant groups
on how to effectively use the literacy and grade-level guides with families, ensuring the
materials are used to their full potential in supporting student literacy development.
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new text begin Schools may facilitate distribution of literacy and grade-level guides and literacy toolkits
to students and families at their discretion, ensuring broad accessibility.
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new text begin (c) The commissioner must establish a competitive grant process to enhance and expand
community-led efforts to provide literacy support to children and families. The competitive
grant process must align with the requirements of the Read Act under Minnesota Statutes,
sections 120B.118 to 120B.124, and must emphasize evidence-based literacy practices. The
commissioner must prioritize grant applications that demonstrate expertise in developing
literacy and grade-level guides and public awareness resources for families.
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new text begin (d) Up to $200,000 of the appropriation in fiscal year 2026 may be used for the
development and delivery of after-school pilot programs. To be eligible to receive pilot
program money, an organization must demonstrate:
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new text begin (1) a proven track record of implementing high-quality, research-based learning curricula
that have led to significant improvements in student achievement in literacy;
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new text begin (2) experience providing professional development and coaching to educators, resulting
in enhanced instructional practices and student outcomes;
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new text begin (3) capacity to deliver multicultural, project-based, and integrated reading and writing
supports tailored to students at risk of not achieving grade-level proficiency in reading; and
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new text begin (4) alignment with evidence-based reading strategies consistent with the Read Act under
Minnesota Statutes, sections 120B.118 to 120B.124.
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new text begin (e) A pilot program receiving grant money under paragraph (d) must effectively support
students at risk of not achieving grade-level proficiency in reading.
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new text begin (f) A grant recipient may use a portion of the grant money for coaching and mentoring
teachers who have received professional development training under the Read Act under
Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.123, subdivision 5, and require ongoing support. Coaching
and mentoring must focus on equipping teachers to support underserved students and
communities and ensure sustained improvement in literacy instruction. Coaching and
mentoring must align with the standards set forth in the Read Act under Minnesota Statutes,
sections 120B.118 to 120B.124.
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new text begin (g) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.
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