The bill amends sections of the Montana Code Annotated to clarify the funding and enrollment counts for children participating in early literacy jumpstart programs, particularly when these programs are offered outside of the child's resident school district. Key provisions state that eligible children in jumpstart programs will be counted as quarter-time enrollment by the district providing the program, eliminating the need for an out-of-district attendance agreement and exempting them from certain tuition laws. Additionally, the bill mandates that the superintendent of public instruction will monitor these programs and report on their effectiveness, including metrics related to student progress and performance.

Furthermore, the bill revises the calculation of the average number belonging (ANB) for funding purposes, allowing districts to include a quarter enrollment for students who participated in their early literacy jumpstart program in their regular enrollment counts. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with a retroactive applicability date for early literacy jumpstart programs conducted after the end of the 2025 school calendar year. This legislative effort aims to enhance educational opportunities for young learners and streamline the administrative processes associated with their enrollment in early literacy programs.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 20-7-1804, 20-9-311
SB0035_1(1): 20-7-1804, 20-9-311
SB0035_1(2): 20-7-1804, 20-9-311
SB0035_1(3): 20-7-1804, 20-9-311
SB0035_1(4): 20-7-1804, 20-9-311
SB0035_1(5): 20-7-1804, 20-9-311
SB0035_1(6): 20-7-1804, 20-9-311
SB0035_1(7): 20-7-1804, 20-9-311
SB0035_1(8): 20-7-1804, 20-9-311
SB0035_1(9): 20-7-1804, 20-9-311
SB0035_1: 20-7-1804, 20-9-311
SB0035_X(1): 20-7-1804, 20-9-311
SB0035_X(2): 20-7-1804, 20-9-311
SB0035_X(3): 20-7-1804, 20-9-311
SB0035_X(4): 20-7-1804, 20-9-311
SB0035_X(5): 20-7-1804, 20-9-311
SB0035_X: 20-7-1804, 20-9-311