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Nearly 50% of kids in Minnesota are not prepared to enter kindergarten and statistics show that children who are not fully prepared are 25% more likely to drop out of school and 60% more likely to never attend college. Proponents of the increases believe these investments will have a major impact on closing the state’s achievement gap and improving Minnesota’s future workforce and economy.
Narrowing the Achievement Gap
Early Learning Scholarships: Senator Melisa Franzen carried legislation to expand Minnesota’s Early Learning Scholarship program. WATCH: Our Kids, Our Future, Our Investment
Early Childhood Family Education Program: The Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) is a program for all Minnesota families with children between the ages of birth to kindergarten entrance. Offered through Minnesota public school districts, ECFE is based on the idea that the family provides a child’s first and most significant learning environment and parents are a child’s first and most important teachers. ECFE works to strengthen families and enhance the ability of all parents and other family members to provide the best possible environment for their child’s learning and growth. Related: Early Childhood Family Education
School Readiness Aid: Kindergarten is an important time of transition for children and parents. School Readiness is a public school program available to Minnesota children, age 3 years to kindergarten to help preschoolers enter school with the skills and behaviors necessary to be successful in future learning. Related: School Readiness Program
Investing in Proven Programs
Minnesota Reading Corps: The Senate DFL passed legislation this session to provide an additional $2 million to help the Reading Corps deploy an additional 90 members and serve 2,700 more students. A total of 30,300 Minnesota students could benefit as soon as next year. WATCH: Is Minnesota Reading Corps Worth the Investment?
Promise Neighborhood Program:
Northside Achievement Zones:
English Language Learner Program: The Senate DFL passed legislation this session to encourage school districts to teach reading and writing in students’ native languages and English at the same time.
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