MN HF3570

Reorganizes regional centers of excellence to assist school districts and charter schools in implementing research-based educational interventions, with centers led by LETRS-certified reading professionals including at least two literacy specialists and one dyslexia specialist employed by the Department of Education.

Requires regional centers to prioritize reading instruction using scientifically based research including fluency, phonemic awareness, phonics, reading comprehension, vocabulary development, and LETRS training.

Establishes regional literacy support directors as independent contractors (not state employees) who must monitor student reading growth data, oversee professional development, and evaluate implementation of scientifically based reading practices.

Appropriates $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $1,700,000 in fiscal year 2023 for regional centers of excellence, with $700,000 in fiscal year 2023 designated for grants to contract with one full-time equivalent regional literacy support director per center.

Effective date is July 1, 2022, with the fiscal year 2024 and later base funding adjusted to $26,665,000.