The bill amends the Read Act in Minnesota to enhance literacy education by establishing the "Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act," which focuses on evidence-based and science-based reading instruction in public schools. Key provisions include new definitions and requirements for evidence-based instruction, explicitly excluding the three-cueing system. The Department of Education is tasked with providing ongoing support and resources to school districts, including a list of approved literacy intervention models and professional development programs. Additionally, the bill outlines the responsibilities of the Department of Education in partnership with the Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI), which will conclude on June 30, 2025, after which the Department will independently manage its duties.

The bill also introduces new provisions for teacher preparation programs, requiring applicants for Tier 3 and Tier 4 licenses in elementary education to pass assessments focused on the science of reading. It allows applicants who have not passed a required exam after two attempts to retake the exam without additional fees, effective July 1, 2025. Furthermore, the bill amends existing laws regarding appropriations for educational initiatives, changing the availability of funds for various contracts related to the Read Act from June 30, 2026, to June 30, 2025. It mandates the Department of Education to develop culturally responsive materials for literacy curricula and ensures that all instructional materials are reviewed for cultural responsiveness within 90 days, streamlining the timeline for educational funding and initiatives.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 120B.118, 120B.119, 120B.123, 120B.124, 122A.091, 122A.185