HF3905

Purpose

• Update the Read Act to create an ongoing process for reviewing reading curricula and professional development programs used by Minnesota school districts.
• Ensure reviewed curricula include evidence-based methods and structured literacy components, and add culturally responsive criteria to the review.
• Provide options for alternative curricula and interventions for students who cannot access sound-based (phonics-based) approaches.

Main Provisions

• Districts can request the department to add a specific curriculum or professional development program to the list of approved options. The department must publish the reconsideration procedure on its website. A request must show the curriculum meets the Read Act’s evidence-based and structured literacy requirements.
• The review process uses the same rubric as the existing approval process, with the addition of culturally responsive criteria determined by the department.
• Alternative curricula and intervention programs for students who cannot access sound-based approaches must be reviewed on the same review cycle as traditional programs.
• The department and CAREI must conduct a final curriculum review of curricula that were previously submitted by March 3, 2025, to review curricula available to districts at no cost.
• After March 3, 2025, districts or curriculum publishers may request that the department add a specific curriculum to the list. The district or publisher must pay the department for the curriculum review. The fee cannot exceed actual review costs or $3,500, whichever is less.

Timeline and Costs

• March 3, 2025: Deadline for the department/CAREI to complete a final review of no-cost curricula currently available to districts.
• After March 3, 2025: New curriculum reviews require payment from districts or publishers; the fee is capped at actual costs or $3,500, whichever is less.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement section 120B.124 subdivision 2 to require an ongoing curriculum review process instead of the prior, possibly limited review framework.
• Requires publication of the reconsideration procedure and adds a formal path for districts to request additions to the approved list.
• Adds culturally responsive criteria to the curriculum review rubric.
• Establishes a separate review path (with cost) for curricula added after March 3, 2025.
• Introduces collaboration with CAREI for the final no-cost curriculum review by a specified deadline.

Impact Considerations

• Emphasizes evidence-based and structured literacy approaches across reviewed curricula.
• Seeks to ensure equitable access by including alternative, non-sound-based options and reviewing them on the same cycle as traditional programs.
• Introduces a cost-sharing model for future curriculum reviews, potentially affecting publishers and districts.

Relevant Terms - Read Act - evidence-based - structured literacy components - culturally responsive criteria - alternative curriculum - intervention programs - sound-based approaches - department - CAREI - district - curriculum publisher - rubric - review cycle - reconsideration procedure - March 3, 2025 - no-cost curricula - curriculum review costs - $3,500 cap - Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement section 120B.124 subdivision 2