HF 3034

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/22/2023 08:13am

A bill for an act
relating to education; requiring reading instruction to be based on the science of
reading; establishing a reading reset account in the special revenue fund;
appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter
120B.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [120B.116] SCIENCE OF READING.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Policy. new text end

new text begin It is the intent of the legislature that public schools promote
foundational literacy and grade-level reading proficiency through the use of curriculum,
textbooks, instructional materials, instructional practices, interventions, and teacher
development and training based solely on the science of reading.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Science of reading defined. new text end

new text begin (a) "Science of reading" means explicit, systematic,
evidence-based reading instruction using reliable, trustworthy, and valid evidence consistent
with science-based reading research. This includes developing foundational reading skills
relying on phonemic or phonological awareness, phonics and decoding, fluency, vocabulary,
and comprehension that can be differentiated to meet the needs of individual students.
new text end

new text begin (b) The science of reading does not include using visual memory as the primary basis
for teaching word recognition and does not include the use of the three-cueing system model,
based on meaning, structure or syntax, and visual cues, also known as MSV, as a method
to teach students to read.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Other definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section, the terms defined in
this subdivision have the meanings given.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Comprehension" is the purpose of reading, including the ability to understand,
remember, and make meaning of what has been read.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Fluency" is the ability to read text with speed, accuracy, and proper expression,
either to oneself or aloud.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Phonemic or phonological awareness" is the ability of students to hear, identify,
manipulate, and substitute individual sounds, word parts, and syllables in spoken words.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Phonics" is the understanding that there are systematic and predictable relationships
between phonemes and graphemes and the ability to apply that knowledge to decode
unfamiliar printed words. "Phonemes" means sounds and "graphemes" means the letters
that represent those sounds in written language, commonly known as "sounding out" words.
new text end

new text begin (f) "Science-based reading research" means research that:
new text end

new text begin (1) applies rigorous, systematic, and objective observational or experimental procedures
to obtain knowledge relevant to reading development, reading instruction, and reading and
writing difficulties; and
new text end

new text begin (2) explains how proficient reading and writing develop, why some children have
difficulties developing key literacy skills, and how schools can best assess and instruct early
literacy, including the use of evidence-based literacy instruction practices to promote reading
and writing achievement.
new text end

new text begin (g) "Vocabulary" is the process of acquiring new words that students understand and
use in their conversation (oral vocabulary) and recognize in print (reading vocabulary)
through direct and indirect instruction.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin READING RESET FUNDING.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Reading reset account. new text end

new text begin An account is established in the special revenue
fund known as the reading reset account. Funds appropriated under this section must be
transferred to the reset account in the special revenue fund.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Curriculum and materials. new text end

new text begin A school district, charter school, or cooperative
may request reimbursement from the commissioner of education for curriculum, instructional
materials, and books aligned with the science of reading, as defined in section 120B.116,
that were purchased on or after July 1, 2020. The application for reimbursement must require
an applicant to agree that it will stop using instructional practices, curriculum, or materials
that are based on or otherwise use whole-language, balanced literacy, or the three-cueing
system model, including discontinuing use or agreeing not to use in the future any literacy
curriculum or other materials published by Heinemann Publishing, or written in whole or
in part by Irene Fountas and Gay Su Pinnell.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Teacher training. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of education must provide funding to
school districts, charter schools, and cooperatives to provide teachers with training in the
science of reading through intensive workshops, academies, and other professional
development opportunities. In addition, the commissioner must provide school districts,
charter schools, and cooperatives funding to provide teachers paid time to attend training
on the science of reading.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Tutoring. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must establish a process for parents to receive
reimbursement for literacy tutoring for students enrolled in school districts, charter schools,
or cooperatives who are not reading at grade level.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2023.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin TEACHER PREPARATION IN READING INSTRUCTION.
new text end

new text begin A teacher preparation program approved by the Professional Educator Licensing and
Standards Board for teachers of elementary education must require instruction in
understanding and applying the science of reading. The board must complete audits of all
approved teacher preparation programs by September 1, 2023, and must place a program
not in compliance on immediate probation. A program placed on probation must develop
and implement an action plan to comply with this section.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin APPROPRIATION; READING RESET.
new text end

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 year
designated.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Reading reset. new text end

new text begin (a) For the reading reset account under section 2:
new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 250,000,000 new text end

new text begin ..... new text end

new text begin 2024 new text end

new text begin (b) Of these amounts, $125,000,000 is for curriculum and materials in accordance with
section 2, subdivision 2; $100,000,000 is for teacher training in accordance with section 2,
subdivision 3; and $25,000 is to reimburse parents for tutoring in accordance with section
2, subdivision 4.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner may retain up to $250,000 of the appropriation to administer the
funds under this subdivision.
new text end