SF 2807

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/23/2010 10:15am

A bill for an act
relating to early childhood education; creating an early childhood education
program for at-risk four-year-olds; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections
124D.19, by adding a subdivision; 124D.20, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 124D.19, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 15. new text end

new text begin Early childhood program for at-risk four-year-olds. new text end

new text begin (a) A school
board may offer, as part of a community education program, an early childhood program
for at-risk four-year-olds who are at least four years of age by September 1 of the program
year, not yet enrolled in kindergarten, and are:
new text end

new text begin (1) English language learners;
new text end

new text begin (2) eligible for the federal free and reduced-price lunch program; or
new text end

new text begin (3) identified with delays through early childhood screening, but do not qualify for
early childhood special education services.
new text end

new text begin (b) A school board must employ necessary licensed teachers for its early childhood
program for at-risk four-year-olds. The Board of Teaching, at its discretion, may grant an
applicant a variance under this paragraph consistent with sections 122A.09, subdivision
10, and 122A.25 and Board of Teaching rules. An emphasis must be placed on ongoing
professional development, focusing on the areas of teaching English language learners;
cultural, ethnic, and race differences; and encouraging and improving parent involvement.
new text end

new text begin (c) The child-to-adult ratio must not exceed six students to one staff person, with the
first staff person holding a teaching license. The maximum class size is 18 students. The
program must meet for no less than 840 hours per year with no more than a four-week
break in service.
new text end

new text begin (d) While all domains of the Minnesota Early Childhood Indicators of Progress must
be included in the curriculum, a particular emphasis on scientifically researched literacy
curriculum must be a component of the program.
new text end

new text begin (e) The program must include home visits by program staff and parent education in
early literacy activities.
new text end

new text begin (f) Each program must submit to the department a biennial plan describing how the
program addresses program components and assessments. The department must approve
a district's plan for this program before the district receives state aid for the program
under this subdivision.
new text end

new text begin (g) Eligible children must complete early childhood screening before enrolling in
the program. In addition, all domains of the Minnesota Early Childhood Indicators of
Progress must be assessed after program enrollment and again at the time of program
completion. Literacy must be assessed through either the Indicators of Individual Growth
and Development for infants and toddlers or Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening.
new text end

new text begin (h) Beginning in fiscal year 2013, a district is eligible to levy for at-risk
four-year-olds when an approved and current biennial plan and annual report is on file
with the department. Districts do not need to have an approved plan and annual report on
file to levy under section 124D.20, subdivision 4b, in fiscal year 2012.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 124D.20, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 4b. new text end

new text begin Early childhood program for at-risk four-year-olds levy. new text end

new text begin (a)
Beginning in fiscal year 2012, a school district that offers a school readiness program
for at-risk four-year-olds as part of a community education program under section
124D.19, subdivision 15, may levy up to $9,000 multiplied by the at-risk student count.
For fiscal year 2012 only, the at-risk student count equals the total unduplicated count
from the previous year of (1) children in first grade eligible for free or reduced-price
lunches under section 126C.05, subdivision 16, plus (2) children in first grade eligible for
limited English proficiency services under section 126C.05, subdivision 17. For fiscal
year 2013 and later, the at-risk student count equals the number of children served in the
early childhood program for at-risk four-year-olds under section 124D.19, subdivision
15, in the previous year.
new text end

new text begin (b) For fiscal year 2012 only, revenue equals 70 percent of the amount computed in
paragraph (a).
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2012.
new text end