Committee hears bill to expand classroom‑based early literacy for 4‑year‑olds

The House Education Committee heard extensive testimony on House Bill 654, a measure sponsored by Representative Becky Edwards that would expand access to classroom‑based early literacy intervention for 4‑year‑old children by allowing school districts to partner with community providers, providing one‑time boost grants for facilities and allowing districts to access A and B funding in the first year.

"This is a bill that takes the hard work that legislators achieved in the 2023 session toward more classroom based early literacy intervention for Montana 4 year olds and expands it to address concerns from especially our rural communities," Representative Becky Edwards said when she opened the hearing.

Proponents said the bill addresses three common barriers to starting early literacy classrooms: staffing shortages, lack of upfront financing and limited classroom space. Rob Watson of the Coalition of Advocates for Montana's Public Schools told the committee that regional uptake varies widely — he said about 59 percent of…