SF902 Summary

• Modifies limited English proficiency eligibility criteria for grades 4-12, excluding students who scored above state cutoff on emerging academic English assessments and those enrolled 5+ years in Minnesota schools from generating state aid.

• Establishes all-day kindergarten revenue equal to 0.388 times the formula allowance multiplied by eligible kindergarten pupils, effective for fiscal year 2012-2013.

• Creates Governor's Award for Excellence in Education and Achievement Gap Innovation Fund to provide grants and recognition to schools demonstrating high growth and innovative approaches to closing achievement gaps.

• Modifies reading instruction requirements (120B.12) to emphasize ongoing monitoring through grade 3 and requires comprehensive scientifically based reading instruction using multitiered support models.

• Appropriates over $6.5 billion for general education aid, special education, charter schools, libraries, early childhood programs, and other education services for fiscal years 2012-2013, including $7 million for excellence awards and $3 million for achievement gap innovation grants.