Bozeman Public Schools plans to offer new early childhood programming this summer to help kids learn to read at their grade level.

The district started offering its Running Start Kindergarten program in 2015, aimed towards students whose household income is below federal thresholds. Funding for the classes was partially supported by state law that helped schools to enroll students in early kindergarten programs.

House Bill 352, passed in the spring, eliminates the provision that allowed Running Start to serve students based on financial need. District officials said they are excited because the law also expands program funding to more students based on their literacy needs.

“I’ve been telling everyone I know that House Bill 352 is the most exciting thing done by the Montana Legislature in a long time,” Bertram said while presenting the new programs.

The new summer program will be offered to students entering grades K-3, Bertram said. The sessions will run Monday through Thursday for five hours each day, starting July 8, he said. The summer classes can take up to 160 total students between Emily Dickinson and Meadowlark Elementary Schools, he said. One goal of the summer program is to have one teacher for every eight students, Bertram said.

The district is also planning to offer additional reading support in classrooms during the school year for 4-year-olds. The capacity of the program will be 72 students, Bertram said, with the goal of having one teacher and a paraprofessional for every 18 students.

Bozeman Chronicle: Bozeman schools to begin new early literacy programs this summer