H.F. 739 - Education Finance Bill

• Establishes universal preschool program for four-year-olds with phased funding caps: $75 million (FY 2016), $150 million (FY 2017), and $225 million (FY 2018).

• Requires qualifying preschool programs to maintain 9:1 child-to-adult ratio, operate minimum 2.5 hours per day four days per week, and have 50% of teachers licensed in early childhood education by January 1, 2017.

• Prioritizes preschool admission for children from families qualifying for free or reduced-price meals through fiscal year 2018.

• Increases special education aid increase limits to $200 (FY 2016), $400 (FY 2017), and $200 annually thereafter; and increases excess cost aid reimbursement from 56% to 100% for nonfederal expenses and from 62% to 100% for old formula expenses.

• Changes English learner classification to require seven years (instead of six) of average daily membership in Minnesota schools since July 1, 1996 to exclude students from English learner counting.