Bill HF1629

1.1          A bill for an act
1.2          relating to education finance; providing grants for music education programs;
1.3          appropriating money.
1.4          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5          Section 1. APPROPRIATIONS; DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
 1.6                        Subdivision 1.Department of Education. The sums indicated in this section are
1.7          appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years
1.8          designated.
1.9                          Subd. 2.Learning with Music program. (a) For a grant to the MacPhail Center for
1.10       Music to expand the Learning with Music program:

1.13       (b) The MacPhail Center for Music must use the grant funds received under this
1.14       subdivision to:
1.15       (1) expand direct programming to four early childhood center locations in each year of
1.16       the grant, with a focus on meeting the needs of children experiencing economic hardship
1.17       in the Twin Cities metropolitan area; and
1.18       (2) create and deliver professional development training opportunities to early childhood
1.19       educators statewide, both online and in person, that are based on current successful elements
1.20       of the Learning with Music program.
1.21       (c) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.
2.1          (d) The base for fiscal year 2026 is $0.
2.2                          Subd. 3.Online music instruction grant. (a) For a grant to MacPhail Center for Music
2.3          for an online music instruction program:

2.6          (b) The MacPhail Center for Music must use the grant funds received under this
2.7          subdivision to:
2.8          (1) partner with schools and early childhood centers to provide online music instruction
2.9          to students and children for the purpose of increasing student self-confidence, providing
2.10       students with a sense of community, and reducing individual stress. In applying for the
2.11       grant, MacPhail Center for Music must commit to providing at least a 30 percent match of
2.12       the funds allocated. MacPhail Center for Music must also include in the application the
2.13       measurable outcomes the applicant intends to accomplish with the grant funds;
2.14       (2) partner with schools or early childhood centers that are designated Title I schools or
2.15       centers or are located in rural Minnesota, and may use the funds in consultation with the
2.16       music or early childhood educators in each school or early childhood center to provide
2.17       individual or small group music instruction, sectional ensembles or other group music
2.18       activities, music workshops, or early childhood music activities. At least half of the online
2.19       music programs must be in partnership with schools or early childhood centers located in
2.20       rural Minnesota. MacPhail Center for Music may use the grant money to supplement or
2.21       enhance an existing online music program within a school or early childhood center that
2.22       meets the criteria described in this clause; and
2.23       (3) contract with a third-party entity to evaluate the success of the online music program.
2.24       The evaluation must include interviews with the music educators and students at the schools
2.25       and early childhood centers where an online music program was established. The results of
2.26       the evaluation must be submitted to the commissioner of education and to the legislative
2.27       committees with jurisdiction over education policy and finance by December 15, 2026.
2.28       (c) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.
2.29       (d) The base for fiscal year 2026 is $0.