The bill aims to enhance education finance in Minnesota by increasing funding for prekindergarten through grade 12 education and modifying existing provisions related to general education, literacy, special education, and educational innovation. Key amendments include raising the formula allowance for basic revenue to $7,206 for fiscal year 2024 and $7,566 for fiscal year 2025 and later, as well as increasing the pupil transportation adjustment from 18.2 to 40. The safe schools revenue structure will be revised to create a new aid system for school districts and charter schools. Additionally, the bill mandates that public schools adopt instructional practices based on the "science of reading," requiring explicit, systematic, evidence-based reading instruction and interventions for students not reading at grade level by the end of grades K-2.

Furthermore, the legislation establishes a Special Education Teacher Pipeline Program to create a pipeline of trained, licensed special education teachers, with grant funds allocated for tuition assistance and mentoring. It also amends existing laws related to special education funding and introduces provisions for innovation zone partnerships, graduation requirements, and student bullying policies. Notably, the bill allows American Indian students to wear tribal regalia at graduation and mandates that school districts publish a list of courses eligible for weighted grades. The total appropriation for educational funding in 2023 has been increased from $17,922,000 to $19,043,000, with adjustments made to various educational aids. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2023, with specific provisions for fiscal year 2024 and later.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 122A.06, 126C.10, 126C.44, 120B.12, 122A.092, 122A.185, 122A.187, 124D.98, 122A.31, 125A.76, 124D.085, 124D.093, 120B.024, 121A.031, 122A.18, 123B.86, 124D.09, 124E.11, 127A.05, 127A.353, 144.4165