124D.15 SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAMS.
    Subdivision 1. Establishment; purpose. A district or a group of districts may establish a
school readiness program for children age three to kindergarten entrance. The purpose of a school
readiness program is to prepare children to enter kindergarten.
    Subd. 2.[Repealed, 1Sp2005 c 5 art 7 s 21]
    Subd. 3. Program requirements. A school readiness program provider must:
(1) assess each child's cognitive skills when the child enters and again before the child leaves
the program to inform program planning and promote kindergarten readiness;
(2) provide comprehensive program content based on early childhood research and
professional practice that is focused on children's cognitive skills and development and prepares
children for the transition to kindergarten;
(3) arrange for early childhood screening and appropriate referral;
(4) involve parents in program planning and decision making;
(5) coordinate with relevant community-based services; and
(6) cooperate with adult basic education programs and other adult literacy programs.
    Subd. 3a. Application and reporting requirements. (a) A school readiness program
provider must submit a biennial plan for approval by the commissioner before receiving aid under
section 124D.16. The plan must describe how the program meets the program requirements under
subdivision 3. A school district by April 1 must submit the plan for approval by the commissioner
in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner. One-half the districts must first submit
the plan by April 1, 2006, and one-half the districts must first submit the plan by April 1, 2007, as
determined by the commissioner.
(b) Programs receiving school readiness funds annually must submit a report to the
department.
    Subd. 4.[Repealed, 1Sp2005 c 5 art 7 s 21]
    Subd. 5. Services with new or existing providers. A district may contract with a charter
school or community-based organization to provide eligible children developmentally appropriate
services that meet the program requirements in subdivision 3. In the alternative, a district may
pay tuition or fees to place an eligible child in an existing program. A district may establish a
new program where no existing, reasonably accessible program meets the program requirements
in subdivision 3. Districts must submit a copy of each contract to the commissioner with the
biennial plan. Services may be provided in a site-based program or in the home of the child or a
combination of both. The district may not restrict participation to district residents.
    Subd. 6.[Repealed, 1Sp2005 c 5 art 7 s 21]
    Subd. 7.[Repealed, 1Sp2005 c 5 art 7 s 21]
    Subd. 8.[Repealed, 1Sp2005 c 5 art 7 s 21]
    Subd. 9.[Repealed, 1Sp2005 c 5 art 7 s 21]
    Subd. 10. Supervision. A program provided by a board must be supervised by a licensed
early childhood teacher, a certified early childhood educator, or a licensed parent educator.
    Subd. 11.[Repealed, 1Sp2005 c 5 art 7 s 21]
    Subd. 12. Program fees. A district must adopt a sliding fee schedule based on a family's
income but must waive a fee for a participant unable to pay.
    Subd. 13.[Repealed, 1Sp2005 c 5 art 7 s 21]
    Subd. 14. Assistance. The department must assist districts, upon request, with programs
under this section.
History: 1991 c 265 art 7 s 6; 1993 c 224 art 4 s 8; 1994 c 647 art 4 s 11; 1997 c 162 art
1 s 3,4; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 20-27,103; art 11 s 3; 1999 c 205 art 1 s 70; 1Sp2003 c 9 art 7 s
8; 1Sp2005 c 5 art 7 s 6-12