Reading, math corps budgets could see bumps

A pair of bills are looking to provide additional funding for Minnesota’s reading and math corps.

Minnesota Reading Corps and Minnesota Math Corps are funded through ServeMinnesota, a statewide program that receives Americorps funds from the federal government and awards grants to program providers on a competitive basis.

“The exciting thing about these programs is that they work. The secret sauce is in the mentoring,” ServeMinnesota CEO Audrey Suker told the House Education Finance Committee Tuesday.

HF646, sponsored by Rep. Peggy Bennett (R-Albert Lea), would increase state funding for the reading corps to $11.925 million annually, from $13.25 million over the current biennium.

Rep. Roz Peterson (R-Lakeville), sponsors HF719 that would increase Minnesota Math Corps annual funding from $250,000 to $2 million.

Both were laid over for inclusion in a possible committee omnibus bill. The Senate companion to HF646 is SF443 sponsored by Sen. Carla J. Nelson (R-Rochester). SF442 is the Senate companion to HF719, sponsored by Sen.  Paul Anderson (R-Plymouth). Both await action by the Senate E-12 Finance Committee.

The funding bumps would be used to increase tutor training and expand outreach services.

“We have a continuous focus on innovation. We’re always looking to engage families more effectively,” Suker said. “We have more demand for teachers than we are able to fill. We have huge sense of urgency, and we really feel a sense of responsibility. That’s why we are excited about the budget in front of you.”

Beyond weekly tutoring, math and reading corps teachers provide students with an additional level of support throughout their early academic careers.

 “They’re not the kids that struggle the most, or the kids who are the high-flyers,” said Michael McCollor, Washington Technology Magnet School principal. “It’s taking kids in the middle and giving them the extra push to succeed. Seeing students have twice the expected growth in a school year is amazing.”

Funding future learners

The reading corps provides early intervention education for young learners, from 3 years old to grade three, by training and placing tutors in different districts. It is estimated to reach around 30,000 students statewide each year through more than 1,500 tutors at over 900 pre-school and elementary school sites.

Funding provides tutors with a living expense, health insurance, childcare or post-service educational award of up to $5,775 for the 2016-17 school year, which may be used for higher education costs or to repay student loans (tutors over 55 can gift the award to a grandchild).

The math corps provides students grades four through eight with 90 minutes of math tutoring per week. Tutors receive the same award as the reading corps.