2005 Minnesota Statutes

     124D.15 School readiness programs. 

    Subdivision 1.    Establishment; purpose.  A district or 
 a group of districts may establish a school readiness program 
 for children age three to kindergarten entrance.  The purpose of 
 a school readiness program is to prepare children to enter 
 kindergarten. 

    Subd. 2. Repealed, 1Sp2005 c 5 art 7 s 21 

    Subd. 3.    Program requirements.  A school readiness 
 program provider must: 

    (1) assess each child's cognitive skills when the child 
 enters and again before the child leaves the program to inform 
 program planning and promote kindergarten readiness; 

    (2) provide comprehensive program content based on early 
 childhood research and professional practice that is focused on 
 children's cognitive skills and development and prepares 
 children for the transition to kindergarten; 

    (3) arrange for early childhood screening and appropriate 
 referral; 

    (4) involve parents in program planning and decision 
 making; 

    (5) coordinate with relevant community-based services; and 

    (6) cooperate with adult basic education programs and other 
 adult literacy programs. 

    Subd. 3a.    Application and reporting requirements.  
 (a) A school readiness program provider must submit a biennial 
 plan for approval by the commissioner before receiving aid under 
 section 124D.16.  The plan must describe how the program meets 
 the program requirements under subdivision 3.  A school district 
 by April 1 must submit the plan for approval by the commissioner 
 in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner.  One-half 
 the districts must first submit the plan by April 1, 2006, and 
 one-half the districts must first submit the plan by April 1, 
 2007, as determined by the commissioner. 

    (b) Programs receiving school readiness funds annually must 
 submit a report to the department. 

    Subd. 4. Repealed, 1Sp2005 c 5 art 7 s 21 

    Subd. 5.    Services with new or existing providers.  A 
 district may contract with a charter school or community-based 
 organization to provide eligible children developmentally 
 appropriate services that meet the program requirements in 
 subdivision 3.  In the alternative, a district may pay tuition 
 or fees to place an eligible child in an existing program.  A 
 district may establish a new program where no existing, 
 reasonably accessible program meets the program requirements in 
 subdivision 3.  Districts must submit a copy of each contract to 
 the commissioner with the biennial plan. Services may be 
 provided in a site-based program or in the home of the child or 
 a combination of both.  The district may not restrict 
 participation to district residents.  

    Subd. 6. Repealed, 1Sp2005 c 5 art 7 s 21 

    Subd. 7. Repealed, 1Sp2005 c 5 art 7 s 21 

    Subd. 8. Repealed, 1Sp2005 c 5 art 7 s 21 

    Subd. 9. Repealed, 1Sp2005 c 5 art 7 s 21 

    Subd. 10.    Supervision.  A program provided by a board 
 must be supervised by a licensed early childhood teacher, a 
 certified early childhood educator, or a licensed parent 
 educator.  

    Subd. 11. Repealed, 1Sp2005 c 5 art 7 s 21 

    Subd. 12.    Program fees.  A district must adopt a 
 sliding fee schedule based on a family's income but must waive a 
 fee for a participant unable to pay.  

    Subd. 13. Repealed, 1Sp2005 c 5 art 7 s 21 

    Subd. 14.    Assistance.  The department must assist 
 districts, upon request, with programs under this section. 

    HIST: 1991 c 265 art 7 s 6; 1993 c 224 art 4 s 8; 1994 c 647 
 art 4 s 11; 1997 c 162 art 1 s 3,4; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 
 20-27,103; art 11 s 3; 1999 c 205 art 1 s 70; 1Sp2003 c 9 art 7 
 s 8; 1Sp2005 c 5 art 7 s 6-12