SF 1618

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to education; providing for children's early literacy; appropriating money;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 119A.50, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 119A.50, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Words Work; early childhood literacy program. new text end

new text begin (a) A research-based
early childhood literacy program premised on actively involved parents, ongoing
professional staff development, and high quality early literacy program standards is
established to increase the literacy skills of children participating in Head Start to prepare
them to be successful readers and to increase families' participation in providing early
literacy experiences to their children. Program providers must:
new text end

new text begin (1) work to prepare children to be successful learners;
new text end

new text begin (2) work to close the achievement gap for at-risk children;
new text end

new text begin (3) use an integrated approach to early literacy that daily offers a literacy-rich
classroom learning environment composed of books, writing materials, writing centers,
labels, rhyming, and other related literacy materials and opportunities;
new text end

new text begin (4) support children's home language while helping the children master English and
use multiple literacy strategies to provide a cultural bridge between home and school;
new text end

new text begin (5) use literacy mentors, ongoing literacy groups, and other teachers and staff to
provide appropriate, extensive professional development opportunities in early literacy
and classroom strategies for preschool teachers and other preschool staff;
new text end

new text begin (6) use ongoing data-based assessments that enable preschool teachers to understand,
plan, and implement literacy strategies, activities, and curriculum that meet children's
literacy needs and continuously improve children's literacy; and
new text end

new text begin (7) foster participation by parents, community stakeholders, literacy advisors, and
evaluation specialists.
new text end

new text begin Program providers are encouraged to collaborate with qualified, community-based
early childhood providers in implementing this program and to seek nonstate funds to
supplement the program.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner, in consultation with program providers under paragraph (a),
must collect longitudinal literacy data on children in order to evaluate the impact of the
children's early literacy program on children's success in developing the prereading skills
they need for long-term academic success.
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. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; CHILDREN'S EARLY LITERACY PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2008 and $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2009 are appropriated
from the general fund to the commissioner of education for Words Work as described
under Minnesota Statutes, section 119A.50, subdivision 3. Any balance in fiscal year 2008
does not cancel but is available in fiscal year 2009.
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