Purpose

• The bill aims to fund and expand frameworks and support systems intended to improve student outcomes, with a focus on the MTSS framework and the COMPASS school improvement model, while also addressing teacher retention and educator wellbeing.

Key Provisions

• Amends an existing education finance law to authorize new and continuing funding for MTSS and COMPASS implementation, plus related supports.
• Requires funds to support capacity-building at the Department of Education and Minnesota service cooperatives, and to fund contracted services for evaluation and implementation.
• Establishes targeted grants to school districts, charter schools, tribal contract schools, and cooperative units to implement MTSS, including hiring local MTSS coordinators and supporting professional development and piloting efforts.
• Creates a dedicated regional network focused on mathematics to improve math instruction through trainers, coaches, and an annual standards-based instructional institute.
• Outlines a broad set of MTSS-related supports, including universal screening, data-driven teams, dyslexia screening/interventions, parent notification, at-risk student interventions, and annual reporting on MTSS implementation.
• Requires certain administrative activities and reporting be streamlined by One Plan and related processes.

Funding and Allocation

• Annual funding for MTSS and COMPASS implementation: 5,000,000 (five million) dollars per year.
  • Used to increase capacity at the Department of Education and Minnesota service cooperatives; may be used to contract with the University of Minnesota Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement for implementation and evaluation.
• Grants to districts, charter schools, tribal contract schools, and cooperative units: 5,000,000 per year.
  • Supports MTSS implementation, hiring local MTSS coordinators, participation in cohorts, professional learning, piloting, One Plan consolidation, and streamlined reporting.
  • Notwithstanding other law, up to 5% of this amount may be used for program and grant administration.
• Regional Mathematics Network: 3,000,000 per year.
  • Funds dedicated mathematics trainers/coaches to train regional staff, support leaders and teachers in evidence-based math instruction, and host an annual mathematics standards-based instructional institute.
• Uses of funds may include partnerships with Minnesota Service Cooperatives and alignment with COMPASS to address literacy, math, social-emotional learning, and mental health within MTSS, and other MTSS-related activities such as universal screening and parent communication.
• Fiscal year 2027 expansion: 2,000,000 to expand DOE and Minnesota service cooperatives for sustainable systems that strengthen teacher retention, workplace satisfaction, and educator wellbeing.
  • Requires contracting with an entity experienced in statewide/regional improvements to workplace conditions and educator support; activities may include data-driven initiatives addressing systemic causes of burnout, elevating educator voices, and expanding impact across districts.
• Carryover: any remaining balance from fiscal year 2026 may be used in fiscal year 2027.

MTSS and COMPASS Implementation

• Funds support the development and implementation of MTSS and the COMPASS school improvement model.
• Includes capacity-building and coordination at state and regional levels to implement MTSS consistently.

Regional Mathematics Network

• Establishes a dedicated regional network to advance math instruction through trained math specialists, support staff, and a formal institute for math standards-based instruction.

MTSS Screening, Identification, and Intervention

• Provides guidance and resources for universal screening to identify students at risk for academic, behavioral, or social-emotional difficulties.
• Supports data-informed school-based teams to analyze screening results and plan instruction and interventions.
• Includes dyslexia screening and evidence-based interventions.
• Requires districts to notify parents about screening results and provide related support information.
• Requires interventions for at-risk students and ongoing monitoring of student progress.
• Requires annual reporting on MTSS implementation.

Parental Notification and Transparency

• Mandates notice to parents of screening findings and related supports, and ongoing communication about interventions and student progress.

Teacher Retention and Educator Wellbeing

• Allocates funding in 2027 to improve workplace conditions and educator wellbeing.
• Requires contracting with an entity that has success in improving workplace conditions, capacity to collaborate with state partners, and the ability to address systemic sources of burnout.
• Emphasizes including educator input in decision-making and resource allocation, and scaling practices across diverse schools.

Administration, Reporting, and Carryover

• Allows a portion of funds to be used for administration and program management.
• Includes a carryover provision: any remaining balance from the 2026 fiscal year is available in 2027.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Adds substantial new funding and structure around MTSS and COMPASS, expanding support to district-level, school-level, and cooperative-level implementations.
• Creates or strengthens funding streams for a regional mathematics network and a formal institute for mathematics instruction.
• Broadens required MTSS activities (screenings, data teams, dyslexia interventions, parent communication, progress monitoring, annual reporting).
• Introduces a performance-focused contract for improving teacher retention and workplace conditions, with an emphasis on evidence-based, systemic improvements.
• Allows carryover and adjusts administrative allowances within the MTSS/COMPASS funding framework.

Implementation Timeline

• Initial allocations and programs begin in the current or upcoming fiscal years, with continued funding through 2027 for defined initiatives and a targeted expansion of capacity in 2027.

Stakeholders Affected

• Students and families (through MTSS supports, screenings, interventions, and parent communication).
• Teachers and school staff (through professional development, MTSS roles, and workplace wellbeing initiatives).
• School districts, charter schools, tribal contract schools, and cooperative units (through grants and implementation support).
• Department of Education and Minnesota service cooperatives (as core implementing partners).
• Educational researchers and contracted evaluators (via University of Minnesota Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement).

Relevant Terms - MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) - COMPASS (Collaborative Minnesota Partnerships to Advance Student Success) - Minnesota Service Cooperatives - Department of Education - One Plan - universal screening - dyslexia screening - evidence-based interventions - regional mathematics network - mathematics standards-based instructional institute - MTSS framework - grants/administration cap (up to 5%) - teacher retention and educator wellbeing - culturally responsive and data-driven improvement - cooperative units - tribal contract schools - Professional learning and cohort activities - data-driven decision making - progress monitoring