1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to education; establishing a grant program to support community literacy
1.3 initiatives; appropriating money.
1.4BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.5 Section 1. APPROPRIATIONS; COMMUNITY LITERACY INITIATIVES.
1.6 Subdivision 1.Department of Education.The sums indicated in this section are
1.7appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education in the fiscal years
1.8designated.
1.9 Subd. 2.Community literacy initiatives.(a) For grants to support community literacy
1.10initiatives:
2026.....1,000,0001.11 $
2027.....1,000,0001.12 $
1.13 (b) A grant recipient must use grant money to support community-based public awareness
1.14and family literacy initiatives, including but not limited to the following activities:
1.15 (1) developing and distributing literacy and grade-level guides to community
1.16organizations, schools, libraries, and other relevant groups that describe the reading
1.17acquisition process, the roles families play in literacy, and suggestions on supportive
1.18activities. Literacy and grade-level guides must reflect best practices in the science of reading
1.19and align with the standards set forth in the Read Act under Minnesota Statutes, sections
1.20120B.118 to 120B.124;
1.21 (2) developing and distributing public awareness resources, including literacy toolkits
1.22for families; and
1Section 1.
REVISOR CR/KR 25-0197001/28/25
State of Minnesota
This Document can be made available
in alternative formats upon request
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H. F. No. 1408
NINETY-FOURTH SESSION 2.1 (3) providing training for schools, community groups, libraries, and other relevant groups
2.2on how to effectively use the literacy and grade-level guides with families, ensuring the
2.3materials are used to their full potential in supporting student literacy development.
2.4Schools may facilitate distribution of literacy and grade-level guides and literacy toolkits
2.5to students and families at their discretion, ensuring broad accessibility.
2.6 (c) The commissioner must establish a competitive grant process to enhance and expand
2.7community-led efforts to provide literacy support to children and families. The competitive
2.8grant process must align with the requirements of the Read Act under Minnesota Statutes,
2.9sections 120B.118 to 120B.124, and must emphasize evidence-based literacy practices. The
2.10commissioner must prioritize grant applications that demonstrate expertise in developing
2.11literacy and grade-level guides and public awareness resources for families.
2.12 (d) Up to $200,000 of the appropriation in fiscal year 2026 may be used for the
2.13development and delivery of after-school pilot programs. To be eligible to receive pilot
2.14program money, an organization must demonstrate:
2.15 (1) a proven track record of implementing high-quality, research-based learning curricula
2.16that have led to significant improvements in student achievement in literacy;
2.17 (2) experience providing professional development and coaching to educators, resulting
2.18in enhanced instructional practices and student outcomes;
2.19 (3) capacity to deliver multicultural, project-based, and integrated reading and writing
2.20supports tailored to students at risk of not achieving grade-level proficiency in reading; and
2.21 (4) alignment with evidence-based reading strategies consistent with the Read Act under
2.22Minnesota Statutes, sections 120B.118 to 120B.124.
2.23 (e) A pilot program receiving grant money under paragraph (d) must effectively support
2.24students at risk of not achieving grade-level proficiency in reading.
2.25 (f) A grant recipient may use a portion of the grant money for coaching and mentoring
2.26teachers who have received professional development training under the Read Act under
2.27Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.123, subdivision 5, and require ongoing support. Coaching
2.28and mentoring must focus on equipping teachers to support underserved students and
2.29communities and ensure sustained improvement in literacy instruction. Coaching and
2.30mentoring must align with the standards set forth in the Read Act under Minnesota Statutes,
2.31sections 120B.118 to 120B.124.
2.32 (g) This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.
2Section 1.
REVISOR CR/KR 25-0197001/28/25