The bill seeks to enhance early literacy targeted intervention programs in Montana by revising existing education laws. It allows school districts to partner with community organizations to include children in enrollment counts for Average Number Belonging (ANB) purposes, provided these programs are supervised by the school board and taught by district-employed teachers. A new Early Literacy Targeted Intervention Boost Grant Program is established to support the creation or expansion of classroom-based early literacy programs, with an appropriation of $2 million from the school facility and technology account for grants during the biennium beginning July 1, 2025. The program will provide $1,000 for each increase in ANB count, contingent on legislative appropriation.

Key amendments include provisions for counting students enrolled in early literacy programs and anticipating an increase in ANB due to program expansion, which requires approval from the county superintendent and the superintendent of public instruction. The bill also clarifies that the expansion of half-time kindergarten programs to full-time does not fall under its provisions. The act will take effect upon passage and approval, applying to school district budgeting for fiscal years starting on or after July 1, 2025, and includes a termination clause for the grant program on June 30, 2027.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 20-9-311, 20-9-313, 20-9-516