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 Western region districts had started programs versus about 5–7 percent in parts of the eastern state — and that districts often cannot cover initial teacher hires or retrofit space without upfront support. "It provides a one‑time only grant of $1,000 per kid for retrofitting the room and to purchase supplies," Watson said, summarizing the bill's boost grant provision.

Kaitlyn Jensen, executive director of 0 to 5 Montana, and Kim Popham of the Montana Federation of Public Employees likewise urged passage, saying the bill's flexibility — including allowing certified district teachers to deliver instruction in community facilities such as Head Start sites — could increase capacity without large construction projects. Parent testimony emphasized the practical benefits and limits of existing programs: Alex Du Bois said her 4‑year‑old had benefited from a local classroom program but that the program's partial‑day schedule forced families to pay for afternoon childcare.

Paul Taylor of the Office of Public Instruction provided technical context on funding and implementation. Taylor said the bill contains an appropriation of $2,000,000 "from the state school facilities and technology account," a state special revenue fund generated from state trust lands, to fund classroom improvements and the boost grants. Taylor cautioned that the fund balance varies and he did not have a current balance figure available at the hearing.

Several members pressed witnesses on the bill's fiscal note. Representative Esman noted the fiscal note projects higher total state costs (a figure cited in questions as roughly $5–6 million) and potential local property tax implications related to increased base aid and budget limits; Taylor explained that fiscal notes are typically written to show full funding for formulaic changes and that additional state costs arise from increased enrollment counts rolling into base aid formulas and related personnel costs if the program scales. "The $2,000,000 isn't the cost of the bill," Taylor said; he described that amount as an appropriation line to support facility fixes, distinct from ongoing formula costs if many more students enroll.

Committee members also asked how children are identified and assessed for the program. Witnesses said districts rely on developmentally appropriate, observational assessments (letter‑sound knowledge, basic story comprehension and similar items) rather than a single statewide paper‑and‑pencil instrument; the Board of Public Education did not mandate a single assessment instrument when implementing the 2023 law, the witnesses said.

On rural implementation, witnesses and members agreed upfront money would help but that staffing shortages — particularly on the eastern side of the state — remain a barrier. Some members and witnesses referenced other pending measures (for example, the STARS Act) that could help address workforce shortages over time.

Representative Edwards closed by asking the committee for a due pass. The committee closed the hearing on HB 654; no final committee action on HB 654 was recorded in the transcript excerpt provided.