MN SF3978

Divides voluntary prekindergarten program applications into five regional groups (Minneapolis, St. Paul, metropolitan equity region, rural equity region, and charter schools) instead of four, effective upon enactment.

Creates a new seat allocation process beginning July 1, 2024, that first allocates seats to school sites and mixed delivery sites approved in the previous year, then distributes remaining seats to each regional group based on their percentage share of statewide kindergarten enrollment.

Establishes participation limits of 7,160 participants for fiscal years 2023-2025 and 12,360 participants for fiscal year 2026 and later for voluntary prekindergarten and school readiness plus programs combined.

Requires the Commissioner of Education to retroactively adjust seat allocations for fiscal year 2025 if the legislature increases the participation limit before July 1, 2024, with new allocations completed by June 1, 2024.

Maintains priority ranking criteria based on concentration of kindergarten students eligible for free or reduced-price meals, presence of three- or four-star Parent Aware rated programs, and implementation of mixed delivery systems.