Education Policy

This bill modifies deadlines for professional development training related to Minnesota's Read Act. It requires school districts to provide evidence-based training to specific educators by July 1, 2026 (including K-3 classroom teachers and reading intervention staff) and by July 1, 2027 (for grades 4-12 reading teachers). The bill also allows districts to reduce elementary students' instructional hours by 5.5 hours during the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years if teachers receive required training on days when other students are learning. This change applies to all public and charter schools meeting the training agreement requirements.

HF 3067 defines new qualifications for paraprofessionals working in Minnesota public schools, effective for the 2025-2026 school year. It requires paraprofessionals to meet one of three standards: earn two years of college credits or an associate’s degree, score 440+ on the ParaPro assessment, or demonstrate 17 specific competencies. These competencies cover understanding school roles, following teacher instructions, promoting student safety, supporting diverse learners, and maintaining ethical communication. The bill directly affects paraprofessionals employed in Minnesota K-12 schools, aligning their qualifications with federal requirements under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

HF 744 modifies professional development requirements under Minnesota's Read Act by setting new deadlines for educators to complete evidence-based literacy training. It requires K-3 classroom teachers, reading intervention staff, special education teachers, and others to complete training by July 1, 2026, with additional training for grades 4-12 teachers by July 1, 2027. School districts can reduce elementary school instructional hours by 5.5 hours per year if they schedule this training during regular school days, provided teachers complete the required training. The bill directly affects Minnesota public school districts, their teachers, and instructional staff implementing the state's literacy initiative.

This bill allows high school students in Minnesota's International Baccalaureate programs to skip certain graduation credit requirements if those classes conflict with their IB curriculum. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, schools must grant this waiver to students who are on track for an IB diploma or career-related program by the start of their 11th grade and would otherwise be unable to participate in the program. The waiver remains in effect only as long as the student stays on track; if they fall behind by the beginning of their 12th grade, the school can require them to complete the missed credits to graduate.

This bill modifies Minnesota's school calendar rules to allow districts to start the school year before Labor Day for specific construction projects. The change raises the minimum project cost threshold from $400,000 to $500,000 and clarifies that the expense must apply to a single school facility. Additionally, the law requires that any qualifying construction or remodeling work be completed only when students are not present on the site. These provisions directly affect school districts in Minnesota that are planning major facility improvements.