Journal of the House - 47th
Day - Friday, April 13, 2007 - Top of Page 3071
STATE OF MINNESOTA
EIGHTY-FIFTH SESSION - 2007
_____________________
FORTY-SEVENTH DAY
Saint Paul, Minnesota, Friday, April 13, 2007
The House of Representatives convened at 3:30 p.m. and was
called to order by Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Speaker of the House.
Prayer was offered by the Reverend Carol Tomer, Pilgrim
Lutheran Church, St. Paul, Minnesota.
The members of the House gave the pledge of allegiance to the
flag of the United States of America.
The roll was called and the following members were present:
Anderson, S.
Atkins
Beard
Benson
Berns
Bigham
Bly
Brod
Brown
Brynaert
Buesgens
Bunn
Carlson
Clark
Cornish
Davnie
Dean
DeLaForest
Demmer
Dettmer
Dill
Dittrich
Dominguez
Doty
Eastlund
Eken
Emmer
Erhardt
Erickson
Faust
Finstad
Fritz
Gardner
Garofalo
Greiling
Gunther
Hackbarth
Hamilton
Hansen
Hausman
Haws
Heidgerken
Hilstrom
Hilty
Holberg
Hoppe
Hornstein
Hortman
Huntley
Jaros
Johnson
Juhnke
Kahn
Kalin
Knuth
Koenen
Kohls
Kranz
Laine
Lanning
Lenczewski
Lesch
Liebling
Lieder
Lillie
Loeffler
Madore
Magnus
Mahoney
Mariani
Marquart
Masin
McFarlane
McNamara
Morgan
Morrow
Mullery
Murphy, E.
Nelson
Nornes
Norton
Olin
Olson
Otremba
Ozment
Paulsen
Paymar
Pelowski
Peppin
Peterson, A.
Peterson, N.
Peterson, S.
Poppe
Rukavina
Ruth
Ruud
Sailer
Scalze
Seifert
Sertich
Severson
Shimanski
Simon
Simpson
Slawik
Slocum
Smith
Solberg
Sviggum
Swails
Thao
Thissen
Tillberry
Tingelstad
Tschumper
Urdahl
Wagenius
Walker
Ward
Wardlow
Welti
Winkler
Wollschlager
Zellers
Spk. Kelliher
A quorum was present.
Abeler; Anderson, B.; Anzelc; Gottwalt; Hosch; Howes; Moe;
Murphy, M., and Westrom were excused.
The Chief Clerk proceeded to read the Journal of the preceding day.
Hamilton moved that further reading of the Journal be suspended and that the
Journal be approved as corrected by the Chief Clerk. The motion prevailed.
Journal of the House - 47th
Day - Friday, April 13, 2007 - Top of Page 3072
REPORTS OF CHIEF CLERK
S. F. No. 493 and H. F. No. 49,
which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and
found to be identical with certain exceptions.
SUSPENSION OF RULES
Lesch moved that the rules be so far suspended that
S. F. No. 493 be substituted for H. F. No. 49 and
that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.
S. F. No. 753 and H. F. No. 965,
which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and
found to be identical with certain exceptions.
SUSPENSION OF RULES
McFarlane moved that the rules be so far suspended that
S. F. No. 753 be substituted for H. F. No. 965
and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.
S. F. No. 837 and H. F. No. 1141,
which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and
found to be identical.
Emmer moved that S. F. No. 837 be substituted
for H. F. No. 1141 and that the House File be indefinitely
postponed. The motion prevailed.
S. F. No. 1048 and H. F. No. 1051,
which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for comparison, were examined and
found to be identical with certain exceptions.
SUSPENSION OF RULES
Hilty moved that the rules be so far suspended that
S. F. No. 1048 be substituted for H. F. No. 1051
and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.
S. F. No. 1236 and
H. F. No. 1267, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for
comparison, were examined and found to be identical with certain exceptions.
SUSPENSION OF RULES
Morgan moved that the rules be so far suspended that
S. F. No. 1236 be substituted for H. F. No. 1267
and that the House File be indefinitely postponed. The motion prevailed.
S. F. No. 1335 and
H. F. No. 1770, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for
comparison, were examined and found to be identical.
Sailer moved that S. F. No. 1335 be substituted
for H. F. No. 1770 and that the House File be indefinitely
postponed. The motion prevailed.
Journal of the House - 47th
Day - Friday, April 13, 2007 - Top of Page 3073
S. F. No. 1696 and
H. F. No. 1645, which had been referred to the Chief Clerk for
comparison, were examined and found to be identical.
Bly moved that S. F. No. 1696 be substituted for
H. F. No. 1645 and that the House File be indefinitely
postponed. The motion prevailed.
REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES AND DIVISIONS
Lenczewski from the
Committee on Taxes to which was referred:
H. F. No. 6, A bill for an
act relating to education; providing for early childhood, family, adult, and prekindergarten
through grade 12 education including general education, education excellence,
special programs, facilities and technology, nutrition and accounting,
libraries, state agencies, forecast adjustments, technical and conforming
amendments, pupil transportation standards, and early childhood and adult
programs; providing for task force and advisory groups; requiring school
districts to give employees who are veterans the option to take personal leave
on Veteran's Day and encouraging private employers to give employees who are
veterans a day off with pay on Veteran's Day; requiring reports; authorizing
rulemaking; funding parenting time centers; funding lead hazard reduction;
appropriating money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 13.32, by adding
a subdivision; 16A.152, subdivision 2; 119A.50, by adding a subdivision;
119A.52; 119A.535; 120A.22, subdivision 7; 120B.021, subdivision 1; 120B.023,
subdivision 2; 120B.024; 120B.11, subdivision 5; 120B.132; 120B.15; 120B.30;
120B.31, subdivision 3; 120B.36, subdivision 1; 121A.22, subdivisions 1, 3, 4;
122A.16; 122A.18, by adding a subdivision; 122A.414, subdivisions 1, 2;
122A.415, subdivision 1; 122A.60, subdivision 3; 122A.61, subdivision 1;
122A.628, subdivision 2; 122A.72, subdivision 5; 123A.73, subdivision 8;
123B.03, subdivision 3, by adding a subdivision; 123B.10, subdivision 1, by
adding a subdivision; 123B.143, subdivision 1; 123B.37, subdivision 1; 123B.53,
subdivisions 1, 4, 5; 123B.54; 123B.57, subdivision 3; 123B.63, subdivision 3;
123B.77, subdivision 4; 123B.79, subdivisions 6, 8, by adding a subdivision;
123B.81, subdivisions 2, 4, 7; 123B.83, subdivision 2; 123B.88, subdivision 12;
123B.90, subdivision 2; 123B.92, subdivisions 1, 3, 5; 124D.095, subdivisions
2, 3, 4, 7; 124D.10, subdivisions 4, 23a, 24; 124D.11, subdivision 1; 124D.111,
subdivision 1; 124D.128, subdivisions 1, 2, 3; 124D.13, subdivisions 1, 2, 11,
by adding a subdivision; 124D.135, subdivisions 1, 3, 5; 124D.16, subdivision
2; 124D.175; 124D.34, subdivision 7; 124D.4531; 124D.454, subdivisions 2, 3;
124D.531, subdivisions 1, 4; 124D.55; 124D.56, subdivisions 1, 2, 3; 124D.59,
subdivision 2; 124D.65, subdivisions 5, 11; 124D.84, subdivision 1; 125A.11,
subdivision 1; 125A.13; 125A.14; 125A.39; 125A.42; 125A.44; 125A.45; 125A.63,
by adding a subdivision; 125A.75, subdivisions 1, 4; 125A.76, subdivisions 1,
2, 4, 5, by adding a subdivision; 125A.79, subdivisions 5, 6, 8; 125B.15;
126C.01, subdivision 9, by adding subdivisions; 126C.05, subdivisions 1, 8, 15;
126C.10, subdivisions 1, 2, 2a, 2b, 4, 13a, 18, 24, 34, by adding a
subdivision; 126C.126; 126C.13, subdivision 4; 126C.15, subdivision 2; 126C.17,
subdivisions 6, 9; 126C.21, subdivisions 3, 5; 126C.41, by adding a
subdivision; 126C.44; 126C.48, subdivisions 2, 7; 127A.441; 127A.47,
subdivisions 7, 8; 127A.48, by adding a subdivision; 127A.49, subdivisions 2,
3; 128D.11, subdivision 3; 134.31, by adding a subdivision; 134.34, subdivision
4; 134.355, subdivision 9; 169.01, subdivision 6, by adding a subdivision; 169.443,
by adding a subdivision; 169.447, subdivision 2; 169.4501, subdivisions 1, 2;
169.4502, subdivision 5; 169.4503, subdivisions 13, 20; 171.02, subdivisions 2,
2a; 171.321, subdivision 4; 205A.03, subdivision 1; 205A.06, subdivision 1a;
272.029, by adding a subdivision; 273.11, subdivision 1a; 273.1393; 275.065,
subdivisions 1, 1a, 3; 275.07, subdivision 2; 275.08, subdivision 1b; 276.04,
subdivision 2; 517.08, subdivision 1c; Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter
5, article 1, sections 50, subdivision 2; 54, subdivisions 2, as amended, 4, 5,
as amended, 6, as amended, 7, as amended, 8, as amended; article 2, sections
81, as amended; 84, subdivisions 2, as amended, 3, as amended, 4, as amended,
6, as amended, 10, as amended; article 3, section 18, subdivisions 2, as
amended, 3, as amended, 4, as amended, 6, as amended; article 4, section 25,
subdivisions 2, as amended, 3, as amended; article 5, section 17, subdivision
3, as amended; article 7, section 20, subdivisions 2, as amended, 3, as
amended, 4, as amended; article 8, section 8, subdivisions 2, as amended, 5, as
amended; article 9, section 4, subdivision 2; Laws 2006, chapter 263, article
3, section 15; Laws 2006, chapter 282,
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Day - Friday, April 13, 2007 - Top of Page 3074
article 2, section 28,
subdivision 4; article 3, section 4, subdivision 2; proposing coding for new
law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 119A; 121A; 122A; 123B; 124D; 135A;
repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 121A.23; 123A.22, subdivision 11; 123B.81,
subdivision 8; 124D.06; 124D.081, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9; 124D.454,
subdivisions 4, 5, 6, 7; 124D.531, subdivision 5; 124D.62; 125A.10; 125A.75,
subdivision 6; 125A.76, subdivision 3; 169.4502, subdivision 15; 169.4503,
subdivisions 17, 18, 26.
Reported the same back with
the following amendments:
Delete everything after the
enacting clause and insert:
"ARTICLE 1
GENERAL EDUCATION
Section 1. Minnesota
Statutes 2006, section 16A.152, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Additional revenues; priority. (a) If
on the basis of a forecast of general fund revenues and expenditures, the
commissioner of finance determines that there will be a positive unrestricted
budgetary general fund balance at the close of the biennium, the commissioner
of finance must allocate money to the following accounts and purposes in
priority order:
(1) the cash flow account
established in subdivision 1 until that account reaches $350,000,000;
(2) the budget reserve
account established in subdivision 1a until that account reaches $653,000,000;
(3) the amount necessary to
increase the aid payment schedule for school district aids and credits payments
in section 127A.45 to not more than 90 percent rounded to the nearest tenth of
a percent without exceeding the amount available and with any remaining funds
deposited in the budget reserve; and
(4) the amount necessary to
restore all or a portion of the net aid reductions under section 127A.441 and
to reduce the property tax revenue recognition shift under section 123B.75,
subdivision 5, paragraph (c) (b), and Laws 2003, First Special
Session chapter 9, article 5, section 34, as amended by Laws 2003, First
Special Session chapter 23, section 20, by the same amount.
(b) The amounts necessary to
meet the requirements of this section are appropriated from the general fund
within two weeks after the forecast is released or, in the case of transfers
under paragraph (a), clauses (3) and (4), as necessary to meet the
appropriations schedules otherwise established in statute.
(c) To the extent that a
positive unrestricted budgetary general fund balance is projected,
appropriations under this section must be made before section 16A.1522 takes
effect.
(d) The commissioner of
finance shall certify the total dollar amount of the reductions under paragraph
(a), clauses (3) and (4), to the commissioner of education. The commissioner of
education shall increase the aid payment percentage and reduce the property tax
shift percentage by these amounts and apply those reductions to the current
fiscal year and thereafter.
Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 124D.11, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. General education revenue. (a) General
education revenue must be paid to a charter school as though it were a
district. The general education revenue for each adjusted marginal cost pupil
unit is the state average general education revenue per pupil unit, plus the
referendum equalization aid allowance in the pupil's
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Day - Friday, April 13, 2007 - Top of Page 3075
district of residence, minus
an amount equal to the product of the formula allowance according to section
126C.10, subdivision 2, times .0485 .0416, calculated without
basic skills revenue, extended time revenue, alternative teacher compensation
revenue, transition revenue, and transportation sparsity revenue, plus basic
skills revenue, extended time revenue, basic alternative teacher compensation
aid according to section 126C.10, subdivision 34, and transition revenue as though
the school were a school district. The general education revenue for each
extended time marginal cost pupil unit equals $4,378 for fiscal year 2007,
$4,542 for fiscal year 2008, and $4,677 for fiscal year 2009 and later.
(b) Notwithstanding
paragraph (a), for charter schools in the first year of operation, general
education revenue shall be computed using the number of adjusted pupil units in
the current fiscal year.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 124D.128, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Program established. A learning year
program provides instruction throughout the year on an extended year
calendar, extended school day calendar, or both. A pupil may participate in
the program and accelerate attainment of grade level requirements or graduation
requirements. A learning year program may begin after the close of the regular
school year in June. The program may be for students in one or more grade
levels from kindergarten through grade 12.
Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 124D.128, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Commissioner designation. (a) An area
learning center designated by the state must be a site. An area learning
center must provide services to students who meet the criteria in section
124D.68 and who are enrolled in:
(1) a district that is
served by the center; or
(2) a charter school located
within the geographic boundaries of a district that is served by the center.
(b) A school district or
charter school may be approved biennially by the state to provide additional
instructional programming that results in grade level acceleration. The program
must be designed so that students make grade progress during the school year
and graduate prior to the students' peers.
(c) To be designated, a district,
charter school, or center must demonstrate to the commissioner that it
will:
(1) provide a program of
instruction that permits pupils to receive instruction throughout the entire
year; and
(2) develop and maintain
a separate record system that, for purposes of section 126C.05, permits
identification of membership attributable to pupils participating in the
program. The record system and identification must ensure that the program will
not have the effect of increasing the total number of pupil units average
daily membership attributable to an individual pupil as a result of a
learning year program. The record system must include the date the pupil
originally enrolled in a learning year program, the pupil's grade level, the
date of each grade promotion, the average daily membership generated in each
grade level, the number of credits or standards earned, and the number needed
to graduate.
(b) (d) A student who
has not completed a school district's graduation requirements may continue to
enroll in courses the student must complete in order to graduate until the
student satisfies the district's graduation requirements or the student is 21
years old, whichever comes first.
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Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 124D.128, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Student planning. A district,
charter school, or area learning center must inform all pupils and their
parents about the learning year program and that participation in the program
is optional. A continual learning plan must be developed at least annually for
each pupil with the participation of the pupil, parent or guardian, teachers,
and other staff; each participant must sign and date the plan. The plan must
specify the learning experiences that must occur during the entire fiscal year
and, are necessary for grade progression, or for secondary
students, for graduation. The plan must include:
(1) the pupil's learning
objectives and experiences, including courses or credits the pupil plans to
complete each year and, for a secondary pupil, the graduation requirements the
student must complete;
(2) the assessment
measurements used to evaluate a pupil's objectives;
(3) requirements for grade
level or other appropriate progression; and
(4) for pupils generating
more than one average daily membership in a given grade, an indication of which
objectives were unmet.
The plan may be modified to
conform to district schedule changes. The district may not modify the plan if
the modification would result in delaying the student's time of graduation.
Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 124D.4531, is amended to read:
124D.4531 CAREER AND TECHNICAL LEVY REVENUE.
Subdivision 1. Career and technical levy. (a) A
district with a career and technical program approved under this section for
the fiscal year in which the levy is certified may levy an amount equal to the
lesser of:
(1) $80 times the district's
average daily membership served in grades 10 through 12 for the fiscal
year in which the levy is certified; or
(2) 25 percent of approved
expenditures in the fiscal year in which the levy is certified for the
following:
(i) salaries paid to
essential, licensed personnel providing direct instructional services to
students in that fiscal year for services rendered in the district's approved
career and technical education programs;
(ii) contracted services
provided by a public or private agency other than a Minnesota school district
or cooperative center under subdivision 7;
(iii) necessary travel
between instructional sites by licensed career and technical education
personnel;
(iv) necessary travel by
licensed career and technical education personnel for vocational student
organization activities held within the state for instructional purposes;
(v) curriculum development
activities that are part of a five-year plan for improvement based on program
assessment;
(vi) necessary travel by
licensed career and technical education personnel for noncollegiate
credit-bearing professional development; and
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(vii) specialized vocational
instructional supplies.
(b) The district must
recognize the full amount of this levy as revenue for the fiscal year in which
it is certified.
Subd. 1a. Career and technical aid. A district with a career and
technical program approved under this section is eligible for career and
technical state aid in an amount equal to 10 percent of approved expenditures
under subdivision 1.
Subd. 1b. Revenue uses. Up to ten percent of a district's career and
technical levy revenue may be spent on equipment purchases.
Districts using the career and technical levy revenue for
equipment purchases must report to the department on the improved learning
opportunities for students that result from the investment in equipment.
(c) The district must
recognize the full amount of this levy as revenue for the fiscal year in which
it is certified.
Subd. 2. Allocation from cooperative centers and
intermediate districts. For purposes of this section, a cooperative center
or an intermediate district must allocate its approved expenditures for career
and technical education programs among participating districts.
Subd. 3. Levy guarantee. Notwithstanding
subdivision 1, the career and technical education levy for a district is not
less than the lesser of:
(1) the district's career
and technical education levy authority for the previous fiscal year; or
(2) 100 percent of the approved
expenditures for career and technical programs included in subdivision 1,
paragraph (b) (a), for the fiscal year in which the levy is
certified.
Subd. 4. District reports. Each district or
cooperative center must report data to the department for all career and
technical education programs as required by the department to implement the
career and technical aid and levy formula formulas.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2009.
Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 124D.59, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Pupil of limited English proficiency.
(a) "Pupil of limited English proficiency" means a pupil in
kindergarten through grade 12 who meets the following requirements:
(1) the pupil, as declared by
a parent or guardian first learned a language other than English, comes from a
home where the language usually spoken is other than English, or usually speaks
a language other than English; and
(2) the pupil is determined
by developmentally appropriate measures, which might include observations,
teacher judgment, parent recommendations, or developmentally appropriate
assessment instruments, to lack the necessary English skills to participate
fully in classes taught in English.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph
(a), a pupil in grades 4 through 12 who was enrolled in a Minnesota public
school on the dates during the previous school year when a commissioner
provided assessment that measures the pupil's emerging academic English was
administered, shall not be counted as a pupil of limited English proficiency in
calculating limited English proficiency pupil units under section 126C.05,
subdivision 17, and shall not generate state limited English proficiency aid
under section 124D.65, subdivision 5, unless the pupil scored below the state
cutoff score on an assessment measuring emerging academic English provided by
the commissioner during the previous school year.
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(c) Notwithstanding paragraphs
(a) and (b), a pupil in kindergarten through grade 12 shall not be counted as a
pupil of limited English proficiency in calculating limited English proficiency
pupil units under section 126C.05, subdivision 17, and shall not generate state
limited English proficiency aid under section 124D.65, subdivision 5, if:
(1) the pupil is not enrolled
during the current fiscal year in an educational program for pupils of limited
English proficiency in accordance with sections 124D.58 to 124D.64; or.
(2) the pupil has generated
five or more years of average daily membership in Minnesota public schools
since July 1, 1996.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006,
section 124D.65, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. School district LEP revenue. (a) The
limited English proficiency allowance equals $700 for fiscal year 2007, and
$815 for fiscal year 2008 and later.
(b) A district's limited English
proficiency programs revenue equals the product of (1) $700 in fiscal year
2004 and later the limited English proficiency allowance times (2)
the greater of 20 or the adjusted marginal cost average daily membership of
eligible pupils of limited English proficiency enrolled in the district during
the current fiscal year.
(b) (c) A pupil ceases
to generate state limited English proficiency aid in the school year following
the school year in which the pupil attains the state cutoff score on a
commissioner-provided assessment that measures the pupil's emerging academic
English.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 3a. Referendum market value equalizing factor. The referendum
market value equalizing factor equals the quotient derived by dividing the
total referendum market value of all school districts in the state for the year
before the year the levy is certified by the total number of resident marginal
cost pupil units in the state for the current school year.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for taxes payable in 2008.
Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.01, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 12. Location equity index. (a) A school district's wage
equity index equals each district's composite wage level divided by the
statewide average wage for the same period. The composite wage level for a
school district equals the sum of 80 percent of the district's county wage
level and 20 percent of the district's economic development region composite
wage level. The composite wage level is computed by using the most recent
three-year weighted wage data with the coefficient weights set at 0.5 for the
most recent year, 0.3 for the prior year, and 0.15 for the second prior year.
(b) A school district's
housing equity index equals the ratio of each district's county median home
value to the statewide median home value.
(c) A school district's
location equity index equals the greater of one, or the sum of (i) 0.65 times
the district's wage equity index, and (ii) 0.35 times the district's housing
equity index.
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(d) The commissioner of
education annually must recalculate the indexes in this section. For purposes
of this subdivision, the commissioner must locate a school district with
boundaries that cross county borders in the county that generates the highest location
equity index for that district.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.05, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Pupil unit. Pupil units for each Minnesota
resident pupil under the age of 21 or who meets the requirements of section
120A.20, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), in average daily membership enrolled in
the district of residence, in another district under sections 123A.05 to
123A.08, 124D.03, 124D.06, 124D.07, 124D.08, or 124D.68; in a charter school
under section 124D.10; or for whom the resident district pays tuition under
section 123A.18, 123A.22, 123A.30, 123A.32, 123A.44, 123A.488, 123B.88,
subdivision 4, 124D.04, 124D.05, 125A.03 to 125A.24, 125A.51, or 125A.65, shall
be counted according to this subdivision.
(a) A prekindergarten pupil
with a disability who is enrolled in a program approved by the commissioner and
has an individual education plan is counted as the ratio of the number of hours
of assessment and education service to 825 times 1.25 with a minimum average
daily membership of 0.28, but not more than 1.25 pupil units.
(b) A prekindergarten pupil
who is assessed but determined not to be disabled is counted as the ratio of
the number of hours of assessment service to 825 times 1.25.
(c) A kindergarten pupil
with a disability who is enrolled in a program approved by the commissioner is
counted as the ratio of the number of hours of assessment and education
services required in the fiscal year by the pupil's individual education
program plan to 875, but not more than one.
(d) A kindergarten pupil who
is not included in paragraph (c) is counted as .557 of a pupil unit for
fiscal year 2000 and thereafter 0.86 pupil units.
(e) A pupil who is in any of
grades 1 to 3 is counted as 1.115 pupil units for fiscal year 2000 and
thereafter.
(f) A pupil who is any of
grades 4 to 6 is counted as 1.06 pupil units for fiscal year 1995 and
thereafter.
(g) A pupil who is in any of
grades 7 to 12 is counted as 1.3 pupil units.
(h) A pupil who is in the
postsecondary enrollment options program is counted as 1.3 pupil units.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2009.
Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.05, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
Subd. 8. Average daily membership. (a)
Membership for pupils in grades kindergarten through 12 and for prekindergarten
pupils with disabilities shall mean the number of pupils on the current roll of
the school, counted from the date of entry until withdrawal. The date of
withdrawal shall mean the day the pupil permanently leaves the school or the
date it is officially known that the pupil has left or has been legally
excused. However, a pupil, regardless of age, who has been absent from school
for 15 consecutive school days during the regular school year or for five
consecutive school days during summer school or intersession classes of
flexible school year programs without receiving instruction in the home or
hospital shall be dropped from the roll and classified as withdrawn. Nothing in
this section shall be construed as waiving the compulsory attendance provisions
cited in section 120A.22. Average daily membership equals the sum for all
pupils of the number of days of the school year each pupil is enrolled in the
district's schools divided by the number of days the schools are in session.
Days of summer school or
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intersession classes of
flexible school year programs are only included in the computation of
membership for pupils with a disability not appropriately served primarily in
the regular classroom. A student must not be counted as more than 1.2 1.5
pupils in average daily membership under this section. When the initial
total average daily membership exceeds 1.2 1.5 for a pupil
enrolled in more than one school district during the fiscal year, each
district's average daily membership must be reduced proportionately.
(b) A student must not be
counted as more than one pupil in average daily membership except for purposes
of section 126C.10, subdivision 2a.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.05, subdivision 15, is amended to read:
Subd. 15. Learning year pupil units. (a) When a
pupil is enrolled in a learning year program under section 124D.128, an area
learning center under sections 123A.05 and 123A.06, an alternative program
approved by the commissioner, or a contract alternative program under section
124D.68, subdivision 3, paragraph (d), or subdivision 3a, for more than 1,020
hours in a school year for a secondary student, more than 935 hours in a school
year for an elementary student more than 850 hours in a school year for a
kindergarten student without a disability enrolled in a full-day kindergarten
program in fiscal year 2009 or later, or more than 425 hours in a school
year for a half-day kindergarten student without a disability, that
pupil may be counted as more than one pupil in average daily membership for
purposes of section 126C.10, subdivision 2a. The amount in excess of one pupil
must be determined by the ratio of the number of hours of instruction provided
to that pupil in excess of: (i) the greater of 1,020 hours or the number of
hours required for a full-time secondary pupil in the district to 1,020 for a
secondary pupil; (ii) the greater of 935 hours or the number of hours required
for a full-time elementary pupil in the district to 935 for an elementary pupil
in grades 1 through 6; and (iii) the greater of 425 850
hours or the number of hours required for a full-time kindergarten student
without a disability in the district to 425 850 for a
kindergarten student without a disability for fiscal years 2009 and later;
and (iv) the greater of 425 hours or the number of hours required for all
kindergarten pupils for fiscal year 2008 and for a half-day kindergarten
student without a disability to 425 for a kindergarten student without a
disability. Hours that occur after the close of the instructional year in
June shall be attributable to the following fiscal year. A kindergarten student
must not be counted as more than 1.2 pupils in average daily membership under
this subdivision. A student in grades 1 through 12 must not be counted as more
than 1.2 1.5 pupils in average daily membership under this
subdivision.
(b)(i) To receive general
education revenue for a pupil in an alternative program that has an independent
study component, a district must meet the requirements in this paragraph. The
district must develop, for the pupil, a continual learning plan consistent with
section 124D.128, subdivision 3. Each school district that has a state-approved
public alternative program must reserve revenue in an amount equal to at least
90 percent of the district average general education revenue per pupil unit
less compensatory revenue per pupil unit times the number of pupil units
generated by students attending a state-approved public alternative program.
The amount of reserved revenue available under this subdivision may only be
spent for program costs associated with the state-approved public alternative
program. Compensatory revenue must be allocated according to section 126C.15,
subdivision 2.
(ii) General education
revenue for a pupil in an approved alternative program without an independent
study component must be prorated for a pupil participating for less than a full
year, or its equivalent. The district must develop a continual learning plan
for the pupil, consistent with section 124D.128, subdivision 3. Each school
district that has a state-approved public alternative program must reserve
revenue in an amount equal to at least 90 percent of the district average
general education revenue per pupil unit less compensatory revenue per pupil
unit times the number of pupil units generated by students attending a
state-approved public alternative program. The amount of reserved revenue
available under this subdivision may only be spent for program costs associated
with the state-approved public alternative program. Compensatory revenue must
be allocated according to section 126C.15, subdivision 2.
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(iii) General education
revenue for a pupil in an approved alternative program that has an independent
study component must be paid for each hour of teacher contact time and each
hour of independent study time completed toward a credit or graduation
standards necessary for graduation. Average daily membership for a pupil shall
equal the number of hours of teacher contact time and independent study time
divided by 1,020.
(iv) For an alternative
program having an independent study component, the commissioner shall require a
description of the courses in the program, the kinds of independent study
involved, the expected learning outcomes of the courses, and the means of
measuring student performance against the expected outcomes.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective
for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.10, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. General education revenue. For
fiscal year 2006 and later, The general education revenue for each district
equals the sum of the district's basic revenue, extended time revenue, gifted
and talented revenue, location equity revenue, basic skills revenue,
training and experience revenue, secondary sparsity revenue, elementary
sparsity revenue, transportation sparsity revenue, total operating capital
revenue, equity revenue, alternative teacher compensation revenue, and
transition revenue.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.10, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Basic revenue. The basic revenue for
each district equals the formula allowance times the adjusted marginal cost
pupil units for the school year. The formula allowance for fiscal year 2005
2007 is $4,601 $4,974. The formula allowance for fiscal
year 2006 2008 is $4,783 $5,125. The formula
allowance for fiscal year 2007 2009 and subsequent years is $4,974
$5,280.
Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.10, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
Subd. 2a. Extended time revenue. (a) A school
district's extended time revenue is equal to the product of $4,601 the
extended time allowance and the sum of the adjusted marginal cost pupil
units of the district for each pupil in average daily membership in excess of
1.0 and less than 1.2 1.5 according to section 126C.05,
subdivision 8. The extended time allowance is $4,601 for fiscal year 2007,
$4,740 for fiscal year 2008, and $4,880 for fiscal year 2009 and subsequent
years.
(b) A school district's
extended time revenue may be used for extended day programs, extended week
programs, summer school, and other programming authorized under the
learning year program, and for additional pupil transportation costs
attributable to these programs. Not more than five percent of the extended time
revenue may be used for administrative and oversight services.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.10, subdivision 2b, is amended to read:
Subd. 2b. Gifted and talented revenue. Gifted and
talented revenue for each district equals $4 times the district's
adjusted marginal cost pupil units for fiscal year 2006 and $9 for fiscal
year 2007 and later that school year times $13 for fiscal year 2008 and
later. A school district must reserve gifted and talented revenue and,
consistent with section 120B.15, must spend the revenue only to:
(1) identify gifted and
talented students;
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(2) provide education
programs for gifted and talented students; or
(3) provide staff
development to prepare teachers to best meet the unique needs of gifted and
talented students.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.10, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 2c. Location equity revenue. (a) A school district's location
equity revenue equals the product of:
(1) the basic formula
allowance for that year;
(2) the district's adjusted
marginal cost pupil units for that year; and
(3) the district's location
equity index minus one.
(b) The total annual revenue
for this subdivision must not exceed $500,000.
(c) If the revenue required
under paragraph (b) is insufficient to fund the formula in paragraph (a), the
commissioner of education must proportionately reduce each district's aid
payment.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.10, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Basic skills revenue. A school
district's basic skills revenue equals the sum of:
(1) compensatory revenue
under subdivision 3; plus
(2) limited English
proficiency revenue under section 124D.65, subdivision 5; plus
(3) $250 times the limited
English proficiency pupil units under section 126C.05, subdivision 17.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.10, subdivision 13a, is amended to read:
Subd. 13a. Operating capital levy. To obtain
operating capital revenue for fiscal year 2007 and later, a district may levy
an amount not more than the product of its operating capital revenue for the
fiscal year times the lesser of one or the ratio of its adjusted net tax
capacity per adjusted marginal cost pupil unit to the operating capital
equalizing factor. The operating capital equalizing factor equals $22,222
for fiscal year 2006, and $10,700 for fiscal year 2007 2008 and
$33,000 for fiscal year 2009 and later.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2009.
Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.10, subdivision 18, is amended to read:
Subd. 18. Transportation sparsity revenue allowance.
(a) A district's transportation sparsity allowance equals the greater of zero
or the result of the following computation:
(i) Multiply the formula
allowance according to subdivision 2, by .1469 .1493.
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(ii) Multiply the result in clause (i) by the
district's sparsity index raised to the 26/100 30/100 power.
(iii) Multiply the result in clause (ii) by the district's
density index raised to the 13/100 15/100 power.
(iv) Multiply the formula allowance according to
subdivision 2, by .0485 .0416.
(v) Subtract the result in clause (iv) from the
result in clause (iii).
(b) Transportation sparsity revenue is equal to the
transportation sparsity allowance times the adjusted marginal cost pupil units.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 126C.10,
subdivision 24, is amended to read:
Subd. 24. Equity
revenue. (a) A school district qualifies for equity revenue if:
(1) the school district's adjusted marginal cost
pupil unit amount of basic revenue, supplemental revenue, transition revenue,
and referendum revenue is less than the value of the school district at or
immediately above the 95th percentile of school districts in its equity region
for those revenue categories; and
(2) the school district's administrative offices are
not located in a city of the first class on July 1, 1999.
(b) Equity revenue for a qualifying district that
receives referendum revenue under section 126C.17, subdivision 4, equals the
product of (1) the district's adjusted marginal cost pupil units for that year;
times (2) the sum of (i) $13, plus (ii) $75, times the school district's equity
index computed under subdivision 27.
(c) Equity revenue for a qualifying district that
does not receive referendum revenue under section 126C.17, subdivision 4,
equals the product of the district's adjusted marginal cost pupil units for
that year times $13.
(d) A school district's equity revenue is increased
by the greater of zero or an amount equal to the district's resident marginal
cost pupil units times the difference between ten percent of the statewide
average amount of referendum revenue per resident marginal cost pupil unit for
that year and the district's referendum revenue per resident marginal cost
pupil unit. A school district's revenue under this paragraph must not exceed
$100,000 for that year.
(e) A school district's equity revenue for a school
district located in the metro equity region equals the amount computed in
paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) multiplied by 1.25.
(f) For fiscal year 2007 and later, notwithstanding paragraph
(a), clause (2), a school district that has per pupil referendum revenue below
the 95th percentile qualifies for additional equity revenue equal to $46 times
its adjusted marginal cost pupil unit.
(g) A district that does not qualify for revenue
under paragraph (f) qualifies for equity revenue equal to one-half of the
per pupil allowance in paragraph (f) $46 times its adjusted marginal
cost pupil units.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
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Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.126, is amended to read:
126C.126 REALLOCATING GENERAL EDUCATION REVENUE FOR ALL-DAY
KINDERGARTEN EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
(a) In order to provide
additional revenue for an optional all-day kindergarten program early
education programs including school readiness and early childhood family
education, a district may reallocate general education revenue attributable
to 12th grade students who have graduated early under section 120B.07.
(b) A school district may
spend general education revenue on extended time kindergarten and
prekindergarten programs.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2009.
Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.13, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. General education aid. (a) For
fiscal year 2006, a district's general education aid is the sum of the
following amounts:
(1) general education
revenue, excluding equity revenue, total operating capital, and transition
revenue;
(2) operating capital aid
according to section 126C.10, subdivision 13b;
(3) equity aid according to
section 126C.10, subdivision 30;
(4) transition aid according
to section 126C.10, subdivision 33;
(5) shared time aid
according to section 126C.01, subdivision 7;
(6) referendum aid according
to section 126C.17; and
(7) online learning aid
according to section 124D.096.
(b) For fiscal year 2007
2008 and later, a district's general education aid is the sum of the
following amounts:
(1) general education
revenue, excluding equity revenue, total operating capital revenue, alternative
teacher compensation revenue, and transition revenue;
(2) operating capital aid
under section 126C.10, subdivision 13b;
(3) equity aid under section
126C.10, subdivision 30;
(4) alternative teacher
compensation aid under section 126C.10, subdivision 36;
(5) transition aid under
section 126C.10, subdivision 33;
(6) shared time aid under
section 126C.01, subdivision 7;
(7) referendum aid under
section 126C.17, subdivisions 7 and 7a; and
(8) online learning aid
according to section 124D.096.
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Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.15, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Building allocation. (a) A district
must allocate its compensatory revenue to each school building in the district
where the children who have generated the revenue are served unless the school
district has received permission under Laws 2005, First Special Session
chapter 5, article 1, section 50 to allocate compensatory revenue according
to student performance measures developed by the school board.
(b) Notwithstanding
paragraph (a), a district may allocate up to five percent of the amount of
compensatory revenue that the district receives to school sites according to a
plan adopted by the school board. The money reallocated under this paragraph
must be spent for the purposes listed in subdivision 1, but may be spent on
students in any grade, including students attending school readiness or other
prekindergarten programs.
(c) For the purposes of this
section and section 126C.05, subdivision 3, "building" means education
site as defined in section 123B.04, subdivision 1.
(d) If the pupil is served
at a site other than one owned and operated by the district, the revenue shall
be paid to the district and used for services for pupils who generate the
revenue.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective July 1, 2007.
Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.17, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
Subd. 6. Referendum equalization levy. (a) For
fiscal year 2003 and later, A district's referendum equalization levy
equals the sum of the first tier referendum equalization levy and the second
tier referendum equalization levy.
(b) A district's first tier
referendum equalization levy equals the district's first tier referendum
equalization revenue times the lesser of one or the ratio of the district's
referendum market value per resident marginal cost pupil unit to $476,000
120 percent of the referendum market value equalizing factor.
(c) A district's second tier
referendum equalization levy equals the district's second tier referendum
equalization revenue times the lesser of one or the ratio of the district's
referendum market value per resident marginal cost pupil unit to $270,000
60 percent of the referendum market value equalizing factor.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for taxes payable in 2008.
Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.17, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
Subd. 9. Referendum revenue. (a) The revenue
authorized by section 126C.10, subdivision 1, may be increased in the amount
approved by the voters of the district at a referendum called for the purpose.
The referendum may be called by the board or shall be called by the board upon
written petition of qualified voters of the district. The referendum must be
conducted one or two calendar years before the increased levy authority, if
approved, first becomes payable. Only one election to approve an increase may
be held in a calendar year. Unless the referendum is conducted by mail under
paragraph (g), the referendum must be held on the first Tuesday after the first
Monday in November. The ballot must state the maximum amount of the increased
revenue per resident marginal cost pupil unit. The ballot may state a schedule,
determined by the board, of increased revenue per resident marginal cost pupil
unit that differs from year to year over the number of years for which the
increased revenue is authorized or may state that the amount shall increase
annually by the rate of inflation. For this purpose, the rate of inflation
shall be the annual inflationary increase calculated under subdivision 2,
paragraph (b). The ballot may state that existing referendum levy authority is
expiring. In this case, the ballot may also compare the proposed levy authority
to the existing expiring levy authority, and express the proposed increase as
the amount, if any, over the expiring referendum levy authority. The ballot
must designate the specific number of years, not to
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exceed ten, for which the
referendum authorization applies. The ballot, including a ballot on the
question to revoke or reduce the increased revenue amount under paragraph (c),
must abbreviate the term "per resident marginal cost pupil unit" as
"per pupil." The notice required under section 275.60 may be modified
to read, in cases of renewing existing levies:
"BY VOTING
"YES" ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU MAY BE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY
TAX INCREASE ARE RENEWING AN EXISTING PROPERTY TAX REFERENDUM. YOU ARE
NOT CHANGING YOUR OPERATING REFERENDUM FROM ITS LEVEL IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR."
The ballot may contain a
textual portion with the information required in this subdivision and a
question stating substantially the following:
"Shall the increase in
the revenue proposed by (petition to) the board of ........., School District
No. .., be approved?"
If approved, an amount equal
to the approved revenue per resident marginal cost pupil unit times the
resident marginal cost pupil units for the school year beginning in the year
after the levy is certified shall be authorized for certification for the
number of years approved, if applicable, or until revoked or reduced by the
voters of the district at a subsequent referendum.
(b) The board must prepare and
deliver by first class mail at least 15 days but no more than 30 days before
the day of the referendum to each taxpayer a notice of the referendum and the
proposed revenue increase. The board need not mail more than one notice to any
taxpayer. For the purpose of giving mailed notice under this subdivision,
owners must be those shown to be owners on the records of the county auditor
or, in any county where tax statements are mailed by the county treasurer, on
the records of the county treasurer. Every property owner whose name does not
appear on the records of the county auditor or the county treasurer is deemed
to have waived this mailed notice unless the owner has requested in writing
that the county auditor or county treasurer, as the case may be, include the
name on the records for this purpose. The notice must project the anticipated
amount of tax increase in annual dollars for typical residential homesteads,
agricultural homesteads, apartments, and commercial-industrial property within
the school district.
The notice for a referendum
may state that an existing referendum levy is expiring and project the
anticipated amount of increase over the existing referendum levy in the first
year, if any, in annual dollars for typical residential homesteads, agricultural
homesteads, apartments, and commercial-industrial property within the district.
The notice must include the
following statement: "Passage of this referendum will result in an
increase in your property taxes." However, in cases of renewing existing
levies, the notice may include the following statement: "Passage of this
referendum may result in an increase a change in your property
taxes."
(c) A referendum on the
question of revoking or reducing the increased revenue amount authorized
pursuant to paragraph (a) may be called by the board and shall be called by the
board upon the written petition of qualified voters of the district. A
referendum to revoke or reduce the revenue amount must state the amount per
resident marginal cost pupil unit by which the authority is to be reduced.
Revenue authority approved by the voters of the district pursuant to paragraph
(a) must be available to the school district at least once before it is subject
to a referendum on its revocation or reduction for subsequent years. Only one
revocation or reduction referendum may be held to revoke or reduce referendum
revenue for any specific year and for years thereafter.
(d) A petition authorized by
paragraph (a) or (c) is effective if signed by a number of qualified voters in
excess of 15 percent of the registered voters of the district on the day the
petition is filed with the board. A referendum invoked by petition must be held
on the date specified in paragraph (a).
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(e) The approval of 50 percent plus one of those
voting on the question is required to pass a referendum authorized by this
subdivision.
(f) At least 15 days before the day of the referendum,
the district must submit a copy of the notice required under paragraph (b) to
the commissioner and to the county auditor of each county in which the district
is located. Within 15 days after the results of the referendum have been
certified by the board, or in the case of a recount, the certification of the
results of the recount by the canvassing board, the district must notify the
commissioner of the results of the referendum.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for elections conducted on or after July 1, 2007.
Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 126C.21,
subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. County
apportionment deduction. Each year the amount of money apportioned to a
district for that year pursuant to section sections 127A.34,
subdivision 2, and 272.029, subdivision 6, must be deducted from the
general education aid earned by that district for the same year or from aid
earned from other state sources.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2009.
Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 126C.21,
subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. Adjustment
for failure to meet federal maintenance of effort. (a) The general
education aid paid to a school district or charter school that failed to meet
federal special education maintenance of effort for the previous fiscal year
must be reduced by the amount that must be paid to the federal government due
to the shortfall.
(b) The general education aid paid to school
districts that were members of a cooperative that failed to meet federal
special education maintenance of effort must be reduced by the amount that must
be paid to the federal government due to the shortfall. The commissioner must
apportion the aid reduction amount to the member school districts based on each
district's individual shortfall in maintaining effort, and on each member
district's proportionate share of any shortfall in expenditures made by the
cooperative. Each district's proportionate share of shortfall in expenditures
made by the cooperative must be calculated using the adjusted marginal pupil
units of each member school district.
(c) The amounts recovered under this subdivision shall
be paid to the federal government to meet the state's obligations resulting
from the district's or, charter school's, or cooperative's
failure to meet federal special education maintenance of effort.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 126C.44, is
amended to read:
126C.44 SAFE
SCHOOLS LEVY.
(a) Each district may make a levy on all taxable
property located within the district for the purposes specified in this
section. The maximum amount which may be levied for all costs under this
section shall be equal to $27 $30 multiplied by the district's
adjusted marginal cost pupil units for the school year. The proceeds of the
levy must be reserved and used for directly funding the following purposes or
for reimbursing the cities and counties who contract with the district for the
following purposes: (1) to pay the costs incurred for the salaries, benefits,
and transportation costs of peace officers and sheriffs for liaison in services
in the district's schools; (2) to pay the costs for a drug abuse prevention
program as defined in section 609.101, subdivision 3, paragraph (e), in the
elementary schools; (3) to pay the costs for a gang resistance education
training curriculum in the district's schools; (4) to pay the costs for
security in the district's schools and on school property; or (5) to pay
the costs for other crime prevention, drug abuse, student and staff safety, voluntary
opt-in suicide prevention tools, and violence prevention measures taken by
the school district; or (6) to pay costs for licensed school counselors,
licensed school nurses, licensed school social workers, licensed school
psychologists, and licensed alcohol and chemical dependency counselors to help
provide early responses to problems. For expenditures under clause (1), the
district must initially attempt to contract for
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services to be provided by
peace officers or sheriffs with the police department of each city or the
sheriff's department of the county within the district containing the school
receiving the services. If a local police department or a county sheriff's
department does not wish to provide the necessary services, the district may
contract for these services with any other police or sheriff's department
located entirely or partially within the school district's boundaries.
(b) A school district that is a member of an
intermediate school district may include in its authority under this section
the costs associated with safe schools activities authorized under paragraph
(a) for intermediate school district programs. This authority must not exceed
$5 times the adjusted marginal cost pupil units of the member districts. This
authority is in addition to any other authority authorized under this section.
Revenue raised under this paragraph must be transferred to the intermediate
school district.
(c) If a school district spends safe schools levy
proceeds under paragraph (a), clause (6), the district must annually certify
that its total spending on services provided by the employees listed in
paragraph (a), clause (6), is not less than the sum of its expenditures for
these purposes in the previous year plus the amount spent under this section.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for taxes payable in 2008.
Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 127A.441,
is amended to read:
127A.441 AID
REDUCTION; LEVY REVENUE RECOGNITION CHANGE.
Each year, the state aids payable to any school
district for that fiscal year that are recognized as revenue in the school
district's general and community service funds shall be adjusted by an amount
equal to (1) the amount the district recognized as revenue for the prior fiscal
year pursuant to section 123B.75, subdivision 5, paragraph (b) or (c),
minus (2) the amount the district recognized as revenue for the current fiscal
year pursuant to section 123B.75, subdivision 5, paragraph (c) (b).
For purposes of making the aid adjustments under this section, the amount the
district recognizes as revenue for either the prior fiscal year or the current
fiscal year pursuant to section 123B.75, subdivision 5, paragraph (b) or (c),
shall not include any amount levied pursuant to section 124D.86, subdivision 4,
for school districts receiving revenue under sections 124D.86, subdivision 3,
clauses (1), (2), and (3); 126C.41, subdivisions 1, 2, and 3, paragraphs (b),
(c), and (d); 126C.43, subdivision 2; 126C.457; and 126C.48, subdivision 6.
Payment from the permanent school fund shall not be adjusted pursuant to this
section. The school district shall be notified of the amount of the adjustment
made to each payment pursuant to this section.
Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 127A.47,
subdivision 7, is amended to read:
Subd. 7. Alternative
attendance programs. The general education aid and special education aid
for districts must be adjusted for each pupil attending a nonresident district
under sections 123A.05 to 123A.08, 124D.03, 124D.06, 124D.08, and 124D.68. The
adjustments must be made according to this subdivision.
(a) General education aid paid to a resident
district must be reduced by an amount equal to the referendum equalization aid
attributable to the pupil in the resident district.
(b) General education aid paid to a district serving
a pupil in programs listed in this subdivision must be increased by an amount
equal to the greater of (1) the referendum equalization aid attributable
to the pupil in the nonresident district; or (2) the product of the
district's open enrollment concentration index, the maximum amount of
referendum revenue in the first tier, and the district's net open enrollment
pupil units for that year. A district's open enrollment concentration index
equals the greater of: (i) zero, or (ii) the lesser of 1.0, or the difference
between the district's ratio of open enrollment pupil units served to its
resident pupil units for that year and 0.2. This clause does not apply to a
school district where more than 50 percent of the open enrollment students are
enrolled solely in online learning courses.
(c) If the amount of the reduction to be made from
the general education aid of the resident district is greater than the amount
of general education aid otherwise due the district, the excess reduction must
be made from other state aids due the district.
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(d) For fiscal year 2006, the district of residence
must pay tuition to a district or an area learning center, operated according
to paragraph (f), providing special instruction and services to a pupil with a
disability, as defined in section 125A.02, or a pupil, as defined in section
125A.51, who is enrolled in a program listed in this subdivision. The tuition
must be equal to (1) the actual cost of providing special instruction and
services to the pupil, including a proportionate amount for special
transportation and unreimbursed building lease and debt service costs for
facilities used primarily for special education, minus (2) if the pupil
receives special instruction and services outside the regular classroom for
more than 60 percent of the school day, the amount of general education revenue
and referendum aid attributable to that pupil for the portion of time the pupil
receives special instruction and services outside of the regular classroom,
excluding portions attributable to district and school administration, district
support services, operations and maintenance, capital expenditures, and pupil
transportation, minus (3) special education aid attributable to that pupil,
that is received by the district providing special instruction and services.
For purposes of this paragraph, general education revenue and referendum aid
attributable to a pupil must be calculated using the serving district's average
general education revenue and referendum aid per adjusted pupil unit.
(e) For fiscal year 2007 and later, special
education aid paid to a resident district must be reduced by an amount equal to
(1) the actual cost of providing special instruction and services, including
special transportation and unreimbursed building lease and debt service costs
for facilities used primarily for special education, for a pupil with a
disability, as defined in section 125A.02, or a pupil, as defined in section
125A.51, who is enrolled in a program listed in this subdivision, minus (2) if
the pupil receives special instruction and services outside the regular
classroom for more than 60 percent of the school day, the amount of general
education revenue and referendum aid attributable to that pupil for the portion
of time the pupil receives special instruction and services outside of the
regular classroom, excluding portions attributable to district and school
administration, district support services, operations and maintenance, capital
expenditures, and pupil transportation, minus (3) special education aid
attributable to that pupil, that is received by the district providing special
instruction and services. For purposes of this paragraph, general education
revenue and referendum aid attributable to a pupil must be calculated using the
serving district's average general education revenue and referendum aid per
adjusted pupil unit. Special education aid paid to the district or cooperative
providing special instruction and services for the pupil, or to the fiscal
agent district for a cooperative, must be increased by the amount of the
reduction in the aid paid to the resident district. If the resident district's
special education aid is insufficient to make the full adjustment, the
remaining adjustment shall be made to other state aids due to the district.
(f) An area learning center operated by a service
cooperative, intermediate district, education district, or a joint powers
cooperative may elect through the action of the constituent boards to charge
the resident district tuition for pupils rather than to have the general
education revenue paid to a fiscal agent school district. Except as provided in
paragraph (d) or (e), the district of residence must pay tuition equal to at
least 90 percent of the district average general education revenue per pupil
unit minus an amount equal to the product of the formula allowance according to
section 126C.10, subdivision 2, times .0485, calculated without basic skills
revenue and transportation sparsity revenue, times the number of pupil units
for pupils attending the area learning center, plus the amount of compensatory
revenue generated by pupils attending the area learning center.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 127A.47,
subdivision 8, is amended to read:
Subd. 8. Charter
schools. (a) The general education aid for districts must be adjusted for
each pupil attending a charter school under section 124D.10. The adjustments
must be made according to this subdivision.
(b) General education aid paid to a district in
which a charter school not providing transportation according to section
124D.10, subdivision 16, is located must be increased by an amount equal to the
sum of:
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(1) the product of: (i) the sum of an amount equal
to the product of the formula allowance according to section 126C.10,
subdivision 2, times .0485 .0416, plus the transportation
sparsity allowance for the district; times (ii) the adjusted marginal cost
pupil units attributable to the pupil; plus
(2) the product of $223 and for fiscal
year 2007, $198 for fiscal year 2008, and $203 for fiscal year 2009 and later,
times the extended time marginal cost pupil units attributable to the
pupil.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 127A.49,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Abatements.
Whenever by virtue of chapter 278, sections 270C.86, 375.192, or otherwise, the
net tax capacity or referendum market value of any district for any
taxable year is changed after the taxes for that year have been spread by the
county auditor and the local tax rate as determined by the county auditor based
upon the original net tax capacity is applied upon the changed net tax
capacities, the county auditor shall, prior to February 1 of each year, certify
to the commissioner of education the amount of any resulting net revenue loss
that accrued to the district during the preceding year. Each year, the
commissioner shall pay an abatement adjustment to the district in an amount
calculated according to the provisions of this subdivision. This amount shall
be deducted from the amount of the levy authorized by section 126C.46. The
amount of the abatement adjustment must be the product of:
(1) the net revenue loss as certified by the county
auditor, times
(2) the ratio of:
(i) the sum of the amounts of the district's certified
levy in the third preceding year according to the following:
(A) section 123B.57, if the district received health
and safety aid according to that section for the second preceding year;
(B) section 124D.20, if the district received aid
for community education programs according to that section for the second
preceding year;
(C) section 124D.135, subdivision 3, if the district
received early childhood family education aid according to section 124D.135 for
the second preceding year; and
(D) section 126C.17, subdivision 6, if the district
received referendum equalization aid according to that section for the second
preceding year;
(E) section 126C.10, subdivision 13a, if the
district received operating capital aid according to section 126C.10,
subdivision 13b, in the second preceding year;
(F) section 126C.10, subdivision 29, if the district
received equity aid according to section 126C.10, subdivision 30, in the second
preceding year;
(G) section 126C.10, subdivision 32, if the district
received transition aid according to section 126C.10, subdivision 33, in the
second preceding year;
(H) section 123B.53, subdivision 5, if the district
received debt service equalization aid according to section 123B.53,
subdivision 6, in the second preceding year;
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(I) section 124D.22,
subdivision 3, if the district received school-age care aid according to
section 124D.22, subdivision 4, in the second preceding year;
(J) section 123B.591,
subdivision 3, if the district received deferred maintenance aid according to
section 123B.591, subdivision 4, in the second preceding year; and
(K) section 126C.10,
subdivision 35, if the district received alternative teacher compensation equalization
aid according to section 126C.10, subdivision 36, paragraph (a), in the second
preceding year; to
(ii) the total amount of the
district's certified levy in the third preceding December, plus or minus
auditor's adjustments.
Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 127A.49, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Excess tax increment. (a) If a return
of excess tax increment is made to a district pursuant to sections 469.176,
subdivision 2, and 469.177, subdivision 9, or upon decertification of a tax
increment district, the school district's aid and levy limitations must be
adjusted for the fiscal year in which the excess tax increment is paid under
the provisions of this subdivision.
(b) An amount must be
subtracted from the district's aid for the current fiscal year equal to the
product of:
(1) the amount of the
payment of excess tax increment to the district, times
(2) the ratio of:
(i) the sum of the amounts
of the district's certified levy for the fiscal year in which the excess tax
increment is paid according to the following:
(A) section 123B.57, if the
district received health and safety aid according to that section for the
second preceding year;
(B) section 124D.20, if the
district received aid for community education programs according to that
section for the second preceding year;
(C) section 124D.135,
subdivision 3, if the district received early childhood family education aid
according to section 124D.135 for the second preceding year; and
(D) section 126C.17,
subdivision 6, if the district received referendum equalization aid according
to that section for the second preceding year;
(E) section 126C.10,
subdivision 13a, if the district received operating capital aid according to
section 126C.10, subdivision 13b, in the second preceding year;
(F) section 126C.10,
subdivision 29, if the district received equity aid according to section
126C.10, subdivision 30, in the second preceding year;
(G) section 126C.10,
subdivision 32, if the district received transition aid according to section
126C.10, subdivision 33, in the second preceding year;
(H) section 123B.53,
subdivision 5, if the district received debt service equalization aid according
to section 123B.53, subdivision 6, in the second preceding year;
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(I) section 124D.22, subdivision 3, if the district
received school-age care aid according to section 124D.22, subdivision 4, in
the second preceding year;
(J) section 123B.591, subdivision 3, if the district
received deferred maintenance aid according to section 123B.591, subdivision 4,
in the second preceding year; and
(K) section 126C.10, subdivision 35, if the district
received alternative teacher compensation equalization aid according to section
126C.10, subdivision 36, paragraph (a), in the second preceding year; to
(ii) the total amount of the district's certified
levy for the fiscal year, plus or minus auditor's adjustments.
(c) An amount must be subtracted from the school
district's levy limitation for the next levy certified equal to the difference
between:
(1) the amount of the distribution of excess
increment; and
(2) the amount subtracted from aid pursuant to
clause (a).
If the aid and levy reductions required by this
subdivision cannot be made to the aid for the fiscal year specified or to the
levy specified, the reductions must be made from aid for subsequent fiscal
years, and from subsequent levies. The school district must use the payment of
excess tax increment to replace the aid and levy revenue reduced under this
subdivision.
(d) This subdivision applies only to the total
amount of excess increments received by a district for a calendar year that
exceeds $25,000.
Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 272.029,
is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 6a. Report to
commissioner of education. The county auditor, on the first
Wednesday after such settlement, shall report to the commissioner the amount distributed
to each school district under subdivision 6.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective July 1, 2008, for settlements made during fiscal year
2009.
Sec. 37. Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5,
article 1, section 50, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Application
process. Independent School Districts Nos. 11, Anoka-Hennepin; 279, Osseo;
281, Robbinsdale; 286, Brooklyn Center; 535, Rochester; and 833, South
Washington may submit an application to the commissioner of education by
August 15, 2005, for a plan to allocate compensatory revenue to school
sites based on student performance. The application must include a written
resolution approved by the school board that: (1) identifies the test results
that will be used to assess student performance; (2) describes the method for
distribution of compensatory revenue to the school sites; and (3) summarizes
the evaluation procedure the district will use to determine if the
redistribution of compensatory revenue improves overall student performance.
The application must be submitted in the form and manner specified by the
commissioner. The commissioner must notify the selected school districts by
September 1, 2005 within 90 days of receipt of their application.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 38. Laws 2006, chapter
282, article 3, section 4, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Onetime energy assistance aid. For
onetime energy assistance aid under section 3:
$3,495,000 . . . . . 2007 2006
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment and applies retroactively to fiscal
year 2006.
Sec. 39. SCHOOL FINANCE REFORM; TASK FORCE ESTABLISHED.
Subdivision 1. Task force established. A School Finance Reform Task
Force is established.
Subd. 2. Task force goals. The goals of the School Finance Reform
Task Force include:
(1) creating a standard and
index to ensure that the formula remains adequate over time;
(2) simplifying the
remaining school formulas;
(3) analyzing categorical
funding formulas, including but not limited to pupil transportation,
compensatory revenue, and limited English proficiency revenue;
(4) establishing a schedule
for implementation of the other new formulas; and
(5) examining the role of
the regional delivery structure including the functions performed by
intermediate school districts, service cooperatives, education districts, and
other cooperative organizations.
Subd. 3. Task force members. The task force consists of nine
members. Membership includes the commissioner of education, four members
appointed according to the rules of the senate by the Senate Committee on Rules
and Administration Subcommittee on Committees, and four members appointed by
the speaker of the house.
Subd. 4. Task force recommendations. The task force must submit a
report to the education committees of the legislature by January 15, 2008,
describing the formula recommendations according to the goals it has
established.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 40. CHARTER SCHOOL PUPIL TRANSPORTATION.
The commissioner of
education shall undertake a study and make recommendations to the legislature
on the organization, delivery, and financing of transportation services for
students attending public charter schools. The study must be undertaken with
affected stakeholders including school districts, charter schools, parents of
charter school students, pupil transportation providers and others with
expertise in arranging and financing pupil transportation services. The study
must be completed and reported to the house and senate Education Policy and
Finance Committees no later than December 31, 2007.
Sec. 41. APPROPRIATIONS.
Subdivision 1. Department of Education. The sums indicated in this
section are appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education
for the fiscal years designated.
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Subd. 2. General education aid. For general education aid under
Minnesota Statutes, section 126C.13, subdivision 4:
$5,654,187,000 . . . . . 2008
$5,977,201,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation
includes $531,733,000 for 2007 and $5,122,454,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation
includes $550,550,000 for 2008 and $5,426,651,000 for 2009.
Subd. 3. Referendum tax base replacement aid. For referendum tax
base replacement aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 126C.17, subdivision 7a:
$870,000 . . . . . 2008
The 2008 appropriation
includes $870,000 for 2007 and $0 for 2008.
Subd. 4. Enrollment options transportation. For transportation of
pupils attending postsecondary institutions under Minnesota Statutes, section
124D.09, or for transportation of pupils attending nonresident districts under
Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.03:
$95,000 . . . . . 2008
$97,000 . . . . . 2009
Subd. 5. Abatement revenue. For abatement aid under Minnesota
Statutes, section 127A.49:
$1,343,000 . . . . . 2008
$1,347,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation
includes $76,000 for 2007 and $1,267,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation
includes $140,000 for 2008 and $1,207,000 for 2009.
Subd. 6. Consolidation transition. For districts consolidating
under Minnesota Statutes, section 123A.485:
$565,000 . . . . . 2008
$212,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation
includes $43,000 for 2007 and $522,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation
includes $57,000 for 2008 and $155,000 for 2009.
Subd. 7. Nonpublic pupil education aid. For nonpublic pupil
education aid under Minnesota Statutes, sections 123B.87 and 123B.40 to
123B.43:
$16,349,000 . . . . . 2008
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$16,803,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation includes $1,606,000 for 2007
and $14,743,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation includes $1,638,000 for 2008
and $15,165,000 for 2009.
Subd. 8. Nonpublic
pupil transportation. For nonpublic pupil transportation aid under
Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.92, subdivision 9:
$21,747,000 . . . . . 2008
$21,993,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation includes $2,124,000 for 2007
and $19,623,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation includes $2,180,000 for 2008
and $19,813,000 for 2009.
Subd. 9. One-room
schoolhouse. For a grant to Independent School District No. 690,
Warroad, to operate the Angle Inlet School:
$50,000 . . . . . 2008
$50,000 . . . . . 2009
Subd. 10. Declining
pupil aid; Browns Valley. For declining pupil aid for Independent
School District No. 801, Browns Valley, due to the March 2007 flood:
$120,000 . . . . . 2008
$100,000 . . . . . 2009
Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is
available in the second year.
Subd. 11. Declining
pupil aid McGregor. For declining pupil aid for Independent School
District No. 4, McGregor:
$100,000 . . . . . 2008
Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is
available in the second year.
Subd. 12. Compensatory
revenue pilot project. For grants for participation in the
compensatory revenue pilot program under Laws 2005, First Special Session
chapter 5, article 1, section 50:
$2,175,000 . . . . . 2008
$2,175,000 . . . . . 2009
Of this amount, $1,500,000 in each year is for a
grant to Independent School District No. 11, Anoka-Hennepin; $210,000 in each
year is for a grant to Independent School District No. 279, Osseo; $160,000 in
each year is for a grant to Independent School District No. 281, Robbinsdale;
$75,000 in each year is for a grant to Independent School District No. 286,
Brooklyn Center; $165,000 in each year is for a grant to Independent School
District No. 535, Rochester; and $65,000 in each year is for a grant to
Independent School District No. 833, South Washington.
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If a grant to a specific school district is not
awarded, the commissioner may increase the aid amounts to any of the remaining
participating school districts.
This appropriation is part of the base budget for
subsequent fiscal years.
Subd. 13. School
Finance Reform Task Force. For the school finance reform task force
under section 39:
$100,000 . . . . . 2008
This is a onetime appropriation.
Sec. 42. REVISOR'S
INSTRUCTION.
In Minnesota Statutes, the revisor of statutes shall
correct any incorrect cross references resulting from the repeal of Minnesota
Statutes, section 124D.06.
Sec. 43. REPEALER.
(a) Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.06, is
repealed effective June 30, 2007.
(b) Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.081,
subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 9, are repealed effective for revenue for
fiscal year 2009.
ARTICLE 2
EDUCATION EXCELLENCE
Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 13.32,
is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 8a. Access to
student records; school conferences. (a) A parent or guardian of a
student may designate one "significant individual," defined under paragraph
(c), to participate in a school conference involving the child of the parent or
guardian. The parent or guardian must provide the school with prior written
consent allowing the significant individual to participate in the conference
and to receive any data on the child of the consenting parent or guardian that
is necessary and relevant to the conference discussions. The consenting parent
or guardian may withdraw consent, in writing, at any time.
(b) A school may accept the following form, or another
consent to release student data form, as sufficient to meet the requirements of
this subdivision:
"CONSENT
TO PARTICIPATE IN CONFERENCES AND RECEIVE STUDENT DATA
I, ........................................... (Name
of parent or guardian), as parent or guardian of
........................................... (Name of child), consent to allow
........................................... (Name of significant individual) to
participate in school conferences and receive student data relating to the
above-named child, consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 13.32,
subdivision 8a. I understand that I may withdraw my consent, upon written
request, at any time.
......................................... (Signature of parent or guardian)
......................................... (Date)"
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(c) For purposes of this section, "significant
individual" means one additional adult designated by a child's parent or
guardian to attend school-related activities and conferences. The significant
individual must reside with the child and participate actively in the child's
care and upbringing.
Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 119A.50, is
amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 3. Early
childhood literacy programs. (a) A research-based early childhood
literacy program premised on actively involved parents, ongoing professional
staff development, and high quality early literacy program standards is
established to increase the literacy skills of children participating in Head
Start to prepare them to be successful readers and to increase families'
participation in providing early literacy experiences to their children.
Program providers must:
(1) work to prepare children to be successful
learners;
(2) work to close the achievement gap for at-risk
children;
(3) use an integrated approach to early literacy
that daily offers a literacy-rich classroom learning environment composed of
books, writing materials, writing centers, labels, rhyming, and other related
literacy materials and opportunities;
(4) support children's home language while helping
the children master English and use multiple literacy strategies to provide a
cultural bridge between home and school;
(5) use literacy mentors, ongoing literacy groups,
and other teachers and staff to provide appropriate, extensive professional
development opportunities in early literacy and classroom strategies for
preschool teachers and other preschool staff;
(6) use ongoing data-based assessments that enable preschool
teachers to understand, plan, and implement literacy strategies, activities,
and curriculum that meet children's literacy needs and continuously improve
children's literacy; and
(7) foster participation by parents, community
stakeholders, literacy advisors, and evaluation specialists.
Program providers are
encouraged to collaborate with qualified, community-based early childhood
providers in implementing this program and to seek nonstate funds to supplement
the program.
(b) Program providers under paragraph (a) interested
in extending literacy programs to children in kindergarten through grade 3 may
elect to form a partnership with an eligible organization under section
124D.38, subdivision 2, or 124D.42, subdivision 6, clause (3), schools
enrolling children in kindergarten through grade 3, and other interested and
qualified community-based entities to provide ongoing literacy programs that
offer seamless literacy instruction focused on closing the literacy achievement
gap. To close the literacy achievement gap by the end of third grade,
partnership members must agree to use best efforts and practices and to work
collaboratively to implement a seamless literacy model from age three to grade
3, consistent with paragraph (a). Literacy programs under this paragraph must
collect and use literacy data to:
(1) evaluate children's literacy skills; and
(2) formulate specific intervention strategies to
provide reading instruction to children premised on the outcomes of formative
and summative assessments and research-based indicators of literacy
development.
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The literacy programs under this paragraph also must
train teachers and other providers working with children to use the assessment
outcomes under clause (2) to develop and use effective, long-term literacy
coaching models that are specific to the program providers.
(c) The commissioner must collect and evaluate
literacy data on children from age three to grade 3 who participate in literacy
programs under this section to determine the efficacy of early literacy
programs on children's success in developing the literacy skills that they need
for long-term academic success and the programs' success in closing the
literacy achievement gap. Annually by February 1, the commissioner must report
to the education policy and finance committees of the legislature on the
ongoing impact of these programs.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 120A.22,
subdivision 7, is amended to read:
Subd. 7. Education
records. (a) A district, a charter school, or a nonpublic school that
receives services or aid under sections 123B.40 to 123B.48 from which a
student is transferring must transmit the student's educational records, within
ten business days of a request, to the district, the charter school, or the
nonpublic school in which the student is enrolling. Districts, charter
schools, and nonpublic schools that receive services or aid under sections
123B.40 to 123B.48 must make reasonable efforts to determine the district,
the charter school, or the nonpublic school in which a transferring student
is next enrolling in order to comply with this subdivision.
(b) A closed charter school must transfer the
student's educational records, within ten business days of the school's
closure, to the student's school district of residence where the records must
be retained unless the records are otherwise transferred under this
subdivision.
(c) A school district, a charter school, or a
nonpublic school that receives services or aid under sections 123B.40 to
123B.48 that transmits a student's educational records to another school
district or other educational entity, charter school, or nonpublic school
to which the student is transferring must include in the transmitted records
information about any formal suspension, expulsion, and exclusion
disciplinary action taken as a result of any incident in which the student
possessed or used a dangerous weapon under sections 121A.40 to 121A.56.
The district, the charter school, or the nonpublic school that receives
services or aid under sections 123B.40 to 123B.48 must provide notice to a
student and the student's parent or guardian that formal disciplinary records
will be transferred as part of the student's educational record, in accordance
with data practices under chapter 13 and the Family Educational Rights and
Privacy Act of 1974, United States Code, title 20, section 1232(g).
(c) (d) Notwithstanding section 138.17, a principal or
chief administrative officer must remove from a student's educational record
and destroy a probable cause notice received under section 260B.171,
subdivision 5, or paragraph (d), if one year has elapsed since the date of the
notice and the principal or chief administrative officer has not received a
disposition or court order related to the offense described in the notice. This
paragraph does not apply if the student no longer attends the school when this
one-year period expires.
(d) (e) A principal or chief administrative officer who
receives a probable cause notice under section 260B.171, subdivision 5, or a
disposition or court order, must include a copy of that data in the student's
educational records if they are transmitted to another school, unless the data
are required to be destroyed under paragraph (c) or section 121A.75.
Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 120B.021,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Required
academic standards. The following subject areas are required for statewide
accountability:
(1) language arts;
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(2) mathematics;
(3) science;
(4) social studies,
including history, geography, economics, and government and citizenship;
(5) health and physical
education, for which locally developed health academic standards apply;
and
(6) the arts, for which
statewide or locally developed academic standards apply, as determined by the
school district. Public elementary and middle schools must offer at least three
and require at least two of the following four arts areas: dance; music;
theater; and visual arts. Public high schools must offer at least three and require
at least one of the following five arts areas: media arts; dance; music;
theater; and visual arts.
To satisfy state graduation
requirements under section 120B.024, paragraph (a), clause (6), the physical education
standards under clause (5) must be consistent with either the (i) six physical
education standards developed by the department's quality teaching network or
the (ii) six National Physical Education Standards developed by the National
Association for Sport and Physical Education. To satisfy federal reporting
requirements for continued funding under Title VII of the Physical Education
for Progress Act, a school district, if applicable, must notify the department
by March 15, in the form and manner the department prescribes, of its intent to
comply with the National Physical Education Standards in the next school year.
The commissioner must submit
proposed standards in science and social studies to the legislature by February
1, 2004.
For purposes of applicable
federal law, the academic standards for language arts, mathematics, and science
apply to all public school students, except the very few students with extreme
cognitive or physical impairments for whom an individualized education plan
team has determined that the required academic standards are inappropriate. An
individualized education plan team that makes this determination must establish
alternative standards.
A school district, no later
than the 2007-2008 school year, must adopt graduation requirements that meet or
exceed state graduation requirements established in law or rule. A school
district that incorporates these state graduation requirements before the
2007-2008 school year must provide students who enter the 9th grade in or before
the 2003-2004 school year the opportunity to earn a diploma based on existing
locally established graduation requirements in effect when the students entered
the 9th grade. District efforts to develop, implement, or improve instruction
or curriculum as a result of the provisions of this section must be consistent
with sections 120B.10, 120B.11, and 120B.20.
The commissioner must
include the contributions of Minnesota American Indian tribes and communities
as they relate to each of the academic standards during the review and revision
of the required academic standards.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment, except that clause (5) applies to
students entering the ninth grade in the 2008-2009 school year and later.
Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 120B.023, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Revisions and reviews required. (a) The
commissioner of education must revise and appropriately embed technology and
information literacy standards consistent with recommendations from school
media specialists into the state's academic standards and graduation
requirements and implement a review cycle for state academic standards and
related benchmarks, consistent with this subdivision. During each review cycle,
the commissioner also must examine the alignment of each required academic
standard and related benchmark with the knowledge and skills students need for
college readiness and advanced work in the particular subject area.
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(b) The commissioner in the 2006-2007 school year
must revise and align the state's academic standards and high school graduation
requirements in mathematics to require that students satisfactorily complete
the revised mathematics standards, beginning in the 2010-2011 school year.
Under the revised standards:
(1) students must satisfactorily complete an algebra
I credit by the end of eighth grade; and
(2) students scheduled to graduate in the 2014-2015
school year or later must satisfactorily complete an algebra II credit or its
equivalent.
The commissioner also must
ensure that the statewide mathematics assessments administered to students in grades
3 through 8 and 11 beginning in the 2010-2011 school year are aligned with the
state academic standards in mathematics. The statewide 11th grade mathematics
test administered to students under clause (2) beginning in the 2013-2014
school year must include algebra II test items that are aligned with
corresponding state academic standards in mathematics. The office of
educational accountability under section 120B.31, subdivision 3, in
collaboration with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, must
determine and the commissioner must set a passing score for the statewide 11th
grade mathematics test that represents readiness for college so that a student
who achieves a passing score on this test, upon graduation, is immediately
ready to take college courses for college credit in a two-year or a four-year
institution, consistent with section 135A.104. The commissioner must
implement a review of the academic standards and related benchmarks in
mathematics beginning in the 2015-2016 school year.
(c) The commissioner in the 2007-2008 school year
must revise and align the state's academic standards and high school graduation
requirements in the arts to require that students satisfactorily complete the
revised arts standards beginning in the 2010-2011 school year. The commissioner
must implement a review of the academic standards and related benchmarks in
arts beginning in the 2016-2017 school year.
(d) The commissioner in the 2008-2009 school year
must revise and align the state's academic standards and high school graduation
requirements in science to require that students satisfactorily complete the
revised science standards, beginning in the 2011-2012 school year. Under the
revised standards, students scheduled to graduate in the 2014-2015 school year or
later must satisfactorily complete a chemistry or physics credit. The
commissioner must implement a review of the academic standards and related
benchmarks in science beginning in the 2017-2018 school year.
(e) The commissioner in the 2009-2010 school year
must revise and align the state's academic standards and high school graduation
requirements in language arts to require that students satisfactorily complete
the revised language arts standards beginning in the 2012-2013 school year. The
office of educational accountability under section 120B.31, subdivision 3, in
collaboration with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, must
determine and the commissioner must set a passing score for the statewide tenth
grade reading and language arts test that represents readiness for college so
that a student who achieves a passing score on this test, upon graduation, is
immediately ready to take college courses for college credit in a two-year or a
four-year institution, consistent with section 135A.104. The commissioner
must implement a review of the academic standards and related benchmarks in
language arts beginning in the 2018-2019 school year.
(f) The commissioner in the 2010-2011 school year
must revise and align the state's academic standards and high school graduation
requirements in social studies to require that students satisfactorily complete
the revised social studies standards beginning in the 2013-2014 school year.
The commissioner must implement a review of the academic standards and related benchmarks
in social studies beginning in the 2019-2020 school year.
(g) The commissioner in the 2011-2012 school year
must revise and align the state's standards and high school graduation
requirements in physical education, consistent with the requirements governing
sections 120B.021, subdivision 1, clause (5), and 120B.024, paragraph (a),
clause (6), to require students to satisfactorily complete the revised physical
education standards beginning in the 2014-2015 school year. The commissioner
must implement a review of the standards and related benchmarks in physical
education beginning in the 2020-2021 school year.
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(g) (h) School districts and charter schools
must revise and align local academic standards and high school graduation
requirements in health, physical education, world languages, and career
and technical education to require students to complete the revised standards
beginning in a school year determined by the school district or charter school.
School districts and charter schools must formally establish a periodic review
cycle for the academic standards and related benchmarks in health, physical
education, world languages, and career and technical education.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment and applies to students
entering the ninth grade in the 2008-2009 school year and later.
Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 120B.024,
is amended to read:
120B.024
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS; COURSE CREDITS.
(a) Students beginning 9th grade in the 2004-2005
school year and later must successfully complete the following high school
level course credits for graduation:
(1) four credits of language arts;
(2) three credits of mathematics, encompassing at
least algebra, geometry, statistics, and probability sufficient to satisfy the
academic standard;
(3) three credits of science, including at least one
credit in biology;
(4) three and one-half credits of social studies,
encompassing at least United States history, geography, government and
citizenship, world history, and economics or three credits of social studies
encompassing at least United States history, geography, government and
citizenship, and world history, and one-half credit of economics taught in a
school's social studies, agriculture education, or business department;
(5) one credit in the arts; and
(6) one-half credit in physical education; and
(7) a minimum of seven six elective course
credits.
A course credit is equivalent to a student
successfully completing an academic year of study or a student mastering the
applicable subject matter, as determined by the local school district.
(b) An agriculture science course may fulfill a
science credit requirement in addition to the specified science credits in
biology and chemistry or physics under paragraph (a), clause (3).
(c) The commissioner, in collaboration with the
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, must develop and implement a statewide
plan to communicate with all Minnesota high school students no later than the
beginning of 9th grade the state's expectations for college readiness,
consistent with section 120B.023, subdivision 2, paragraphs (b) and (e), and
section 135A.104.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment. Paragraph (a) applies
to students entering the ninth grade in the 2008-2009 school year and later.
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Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 120B.11,
subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. Report.
(a) By October 1 of each year, the school board shall use standard statewide
reporting procedures the commissioner develops and adopt a report that includes
the following:
(1) student achievement goals for meeting state
academic standards;
(2) results of local assessment data, and any
additional test data;
(3) description of student achievement in subject
areas under section 120B.021, subdivision 1, for which locally developed
academic standards apply and statewide assessments are not developed;
(3) (4) the annual school district improvement plans
including staff development goals under section 122A.60;
(4) (5) information about district and learning site
progress in realizing previously adopted improvement plans; and
(5) (6) the amount and type of revenue attributed to each
education site as defined in section 123B.04.
(b) The school board shall publish the report in the
local newspaper with the largest circulation in the district, by mail, or by
electronic means such as the district Web site. If electronic means are used,
school districts must publish notice of the report in a periodical of general
circulation in the district. School districts must make copies of the report
available to the public on request. The board shall make a copy of the report
available to the public for inspection. The board shall send a copy of the
report to the commissioner of education by October 15 of each year.
(c) The title of the report shall contain the name
and number of the school district and read "Annual Report on Curriculum,
Instruction, and Student Achievement." The report must include at least
the following information about advisory committee membership:
(1) the name of each committee member and the date
when that member's term expires;
(2) the method and criteria the school board uses to
select committee members; and
(3) the date by which a community resident must
apply to next serve on the committee.
Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 120B.132,
is amended to read:
120B.132 RAISED ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT; ADVANCED PLACEMENT AND
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAMS.
Subdivision 1. Establishment;
eligibility. A program is established to raise kindergarten through grade
12 academic achievement through increased student participation in preadvanced
placement and, advanced placement, and international
baccalaureate programs, consistent with section 120B.13. Schools and
charter schools eligible to participate under this section:
(1) must have a three-year plan approved by the
local school board to establish a new international baccalaureate program
leading to international baccalaureate authorization, expand an existing
program that leads to international baccalaureate authorization, or expand an
existing authorized international baccalaureate program; or
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(2) must have a three-year plan approved by the local
school board to create a new or expand an existing program to implement the
college board advanced placement courses and exams or preadvanced placement courses
initiative; and
(2) (3) must propose to further raise students' academic
achievement by:
(i) increasing the availability of and all students'
access to advanced placement or international baccalaureate courses or
programs;
(ii) expanding the breadth of advanced placement or
international baccalaureate courses or programs that are available to
students;
(iii) increasing the number and the diversity of the
students who participate in advanced placement or international
baccalaureate courses or programs and succeed;
(iv) providing low-income and other disadvantaged
students with increased access to advanced placement or international
baccalaureate courses and programs; or
(v) increasing the number of high school students,
including low-income and other disadvantaged students, who receive college
credit by successfully completing advanced placement or international
baccalaureate courses or programs and achieving satisfactory scores on
related exams.
Subd. 2. Application
and review process; funding priority. (a) Charter schools and school districts
in which eligible schools under subdivision 1 are located may apply to the
commissioner, in the form and manner the commissioner determines, for
competitive funding to further raise students' academic achievement. The
application must detail the specific efforts the applicant intends to undertake
in further raising students' academic achievement, consistent with subdivision
1, and a proposed budget detailing the district or charter school's current and
proposed expenditures for advanced placement or, preadvanced
placement, and international baccalaureate courses and programs. The
proposed budget must demonstrate that the applicant's efforts will supplement
but not supplant any expenditures for advanced placement and preadvanced
placement courses and programs the applicant currently makes available to
students support implementation of advanced placement, preadvanced
placement, and international baccalaureate courses and programs.
Expenditures for administration must not exceed five percent of the proposed
budget. The commissioner may require an applicant to provide additional
information.
(b) When reviewing applications, the commissioner
must determine whether the applicant satisfied all the requirements in this
subdivision and subdivision 1. The commissioner may give funding priority to an
otherwise qualified applicant that demonstrates:
(1) a focus on developing or expanding preadvanced
placement, advanced placement, or international baccalaureate
courses and or programs or increasing students' participation in,
access to, or success with the courses or programs, including the
participation, access, or success of low-income and other disadvantaged
students;
(2) a compelling need for access to preadvanced
placement, advanced placement, or international baccalaureate courses or
programs;
(3) an effective ability to actively involve local
business and community organizations in student activities that are integral to
preadvanced placement, advanced placement, or international
baccalaureate courses and or programs;
(4) access to additional public or nonpublic funds
or in-kind contributions that are available for preadvanced placement, advanced
placement, or international baccalaureate courses or programs; or
(5) an intent to implement activities that target
low-income and other disadvantaged students.
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Subd. 3. Funding; permissible funding uses. (a)
The commissioner shall award grants to applicant school districts and charter
schools that meet the requirements of subdivisions 1 and 2. The commissioner
must award grants on an equitable geographical basis to the extent feasible and
consistent with this section. Grant awards must not exceed the lesser of:
(1) $85 times the number of
pupils enrolled at the participating sites on October 1 of the previous fiscal
year; or
(2) the approved
supplemental expenditures based on the budget submitted under subdivision 2.
For charter schools in their first year of operation, the maximum grant
funding award must be calculated using the number of pupils enrolled on
October 1 of the current fiscal year. The commissioner may adjust the maximum grant
funding award computed using prior year data for changes in enrollment
attributable to school closings, school openings, grade level reconfigurations,
or school district reorganizations between the prior fiscal year and the
current fiscal year.
(b) School districts and
charter schools that submit an application and receive funding under this
section must use the funding, consistent with the application, to:
(1) provide teacher training
and instruction to more effectively serve students, including low-income and
other disadvantaged students, who participate in preadvanced and placement,
advanced placement, or international baccalaureate courses or
programs;
(2) further develop preadvanced
placement, advanced placement, or international baccalaureate
courses or programs;
(3) improve the transition
between grade levels to better prepare students, including low-income and other
disadvantaged students, for succeeding in preadvanced placement, advanced
placement, or international baccalaureate courses or programs;
(4) purchase books and
supplies;
(5) pay course or program
fees;
(6) increase students'
participation in and success with preadvanced placement, advanced
placement, or international baccalaureate courses or programs;
(7) expand students' access
to preadvanced placement or, advanced placement, or
international baccalaureate courses or programs through online learning;
(8) hire appropriately
licensed personnel to teach additional advanced placement or international
baccalaureate courses or programs; or
(9) engage in other activity
directly related to expanding students' access to, participation in, and
success with preadvanced placement or, advanced placement, or
international baccalaureate courses and or programs,
including low-income and other disadvantaged students.
Subd. 4. Annual reports. (a) Each school
district and charter school that receives a grant under this section annually
must collect demographic and other student data to demonstrate and measure the
extent to which the district or charter school raised students' academic
achievement under this program and must report the data to the commissioner in
the form and manner the commissioner determines. The commissioner annually by
February 15 must make summary data about this program available to the
education policy and finance committees of the legislature.
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(b) Each school district and charter school that
receives a grant under this section annually must report to the commissioner,
consistent with the Uniform Financial Accounting and Reporting Standards, its
actual expenditures for advanced placement and, preadvanced
placement, and international baccalaureate courses and programs. The
report must demonstrate that the school district or charter school has
maintained its effort from other sources for advanced placement and,
preadvanced placement, and international baccalaureate courses and
programs compared with the previous fiscal year, and the district or charter
school has expended all grant funds, consistent with its approved budget.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment and applies to the
2007-2008 school year and later.
Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 120B.15, is
amended to read:
120B.15 GIFTED
AND TALENTED STUDENTS PROGRAMS.
(a) School districts may identify students, locally
develop programs, provide staff development, and evaluate programs to provide
gifted and talented students with challenging educational programs.
(b) School districts may adopt guidelines for assessing
and identifying students for participation in gifted and talented programs. The
guidelines should include the use of:
(1) multiple and objective criteria; and
(2) assessments and procedures that are valid and
reliable, fair, and based on current theory and research.
(c) School districts must adopt policies and
procedures for the academic acceleration of gifted and talented students. These
policies and procedures must include how the district will:
(1) assess a student's readiness and motivation for
acceleration; and
(2) match the level, complexity, and pace of the
curriculum to a student to achieve the best type of academic acceleration for
that student.
Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 120B.30,
is amended to read:
120B.30
STATEWIDE TESTING AND REPORTING SYSTEM.
Subdivision 1. Statewide
testing. (a) The commissioner, with advice from experts with appropriate
technical qualifications and experience and stakeholders, consistent with subdivision
1a, shall include in the comprehensive assessment system, for each grade level
to be tested, state-constructed tests developed from and aligned with the
state's required academic standards under section 120B.021 and administered
annually to all students in grades 3 through 8 and at the high school level. A
state-developed test in a subject other than writing, developed after the
2002-2003 school year, must include both machine-scoreable and constructed
response questions. The commissioner shall establish one or more months during
which schools shall administer the tests to students each school year. For
students enrolled in grade 8 before the 2005-2006 school year, only Minnesota
basic skills tests in reading, mathematics, and writing shall fulfill students'
basic skills testing requirements for a passing state notation. The passing
scores of the state basic skills tests in reading and mathematics
are the equivalent of:
(1) 70 percent correct for students entering grade 9
in 1996; and
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(2) 75 percent correct for students entering grade 9 in
1997 and thereafter, as based on the first uniform test administration of
February 1998.
(b) For students enrolled in grade 8 in the 2005-2006
school year and later, only the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments Second
Edition (MCA-IIs) in reading, mathematics, and writing following options
shall fulfill students' academic standard state graduation test
requirements.:
(1) for reading and mathematics:
(i) obtaining an achievement level equivalent to or
greater than proficient as determined through a standard setting process on the
Minnesota comprehensive assessments in grade 10 for reading and grade 11 for
mathematics or achieving a passing score as determined through a standard
setting process on the graduation-required assessment for diploma in grade 10
for reading and grade 11 for mathematics or subsequent retests;
(ii) achieving a passing score as determined through
a standard setting process on the state-identified language proficiency test in
reading and the mathematics test for English language learners or the
graduation-required assessment for diploma equivalent of those assessments for
students designated as English language learners;
(iii) achieving an individual passing score on the
graduation-required assessment for diploma as determined by appropriate state
guidelines for students with an individual education plan or 504 plan;
(iv) obtaining achievement level equivalent to or
greater than proficient as determined through a standard setting process on the
state-identified alternate assessment or assessments in grade 10 for reading
and grade 11 for mathematics for students with an individual education plan; or
(v) achieving an individual passing score on the
state-identified alternate assessment or assessments as determined by
appropriate state guidelines for students with an individual education plan;
and
(2) for writing:
(i) achieving a passing score on the graduation-required
assessment for diploma;
(ii) achieving a passing score as determined through
a standard setting process on the state-identified language proficiency test in
writing for students designated as English language learners;
(iii) achieving an individual passing score on the
graduation-required assessment for diploma as determined by appropriate state
guidelines for students with an individual education plan or 504 plan; or
(iv) achieving an individual passing score on the state-identified
alternate assessment or assessments as determined by appropriate state
guidelines for students with an individual education plan.
(b) (c) The third 3rd through 8th grade and
high school level test results shall be available to districts for diagnostic
purposes affecting student learning and district instruction and curriculum,
and for establishing educational accountability. The commissioner must
disseminate to the public the test results upon receiving those results.
(c) (d) State tests must be constructed and aligned with
state academic standards. The testing process and the order of administration
shall be determined by the commissioner. The statewide results shall be
aggregated at the site and district level, consistent with subdivision 1a.
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(d) (e) In addition to the testing
and reporting requirements under this section, the commissioner shall include
the following components in the statewide public reporting system:
(1) uniform statewide
testing of all students in grades 3 through 8 and at the high school level that
provides appropriate, technically sound accommodations, alternate
assessments, or exemptions consistent with applicable federal law,
only with parent or guardian approval, for those very few students for whom the
student's individual education plan team under sections 125A.05 and 125A.06,
determines that the general statewide test is inappropriate for a student
is incapable of taking a statewide test, or for a limited English
proficiency student under section 124D.59, subdivision 2, if the student has
been in the United States for fewer than three years;
(2) educational indicators
that can be aggregated and compared across school districts and across time on
a statewide basis, including average daily attendance, high school graduation
rates, and high school drop-out rates by age and grade level;
(3) students' scores
state results on the American College Test; and
(4) state results from
participation in the National Assessment of Educational Progress so that the
state can benchmark its performance against the nation and other states, and,
where possible, against other countries, and contribute to the national effort
to monitor achievement.
(e) Districts must report
exemptions under paragraph (d), clause (1), to the commissioner consistent with
a format provided by the commissioner.
Subd. 1a. Statewide and local assessments; results.
(a) The commissioner must develop reading, mathematics, and science assessments
aligned with state academic standards that districts and sites must use to
monitor student growth toward achieving those standards. The commissioner must
not develop statewide assessments for academic standards in social studies,
health and physical education, and the arts. The commissioner must require:
(1) annual reading and
mathematics assessments in grades 3 through 8 and at the high school level for
the 2005-2006 school year and later; and
(2) annual science assessments
in one grade in the grades 3 through 5 span, the grades 6 through 9 span, and a
life sciences assessment in the grades 10 through 12 span for the 2007-2008
school year and later.
(b) The commissioner must
ensure that all statewide tests administered to elementary and secondary
students measure students' academic knowledge and skills and not students'
values, attitudes, and beliefs.
(c) Reporting of assessment
results must:
(1) provide timely, useful,
and understandable information on the performance of individual students,
schools, school districts, and the state;
(2) include, by the
2006-2007 no later than the 2008-2009 school year, a value-added
component to that is in addition to a measure for student
achievement growth over time; and
(3)(i) for students enrolled
in grade 8 before the 2005-2006 school year, determine whether students have
met the state's basic skills requirements; and
(ii) for students enrolled
in grade 8 in the 2005-2006 school year and later, determine whether students have
met the state's academic standards.
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(d) Consistent with applicable federal law and
subdivision 1, paragraph (d), clause (1), the commissioner must include appropriate,
technically sound accommodations or alternative assessments for the very
few students with disabilities for whom statewide assessments are inappropriate
and for students with limited English proficiency.
(e) A school, school district, and charter school
must administer statewide assessments under this section, as the assessments
become available, to evaluate student progress in achieving the academic
standards. If a state assessment is not available, a school, school district,
and charter school must determine locally if a student has met the required
academic standards. A school, school district, or charter school may use a
student's performance on a statewide assessment as one of multiple criteria to
determine grade promotion or retention. A school, school district, or charter
school may use a high school student's performance on a statewide assessment as
a percentage of the student's final grade in a course, or place a student's
assessment score on the student's transcript except as required under paragraph
(f).
(f) A school district or charter school must place a
student's assessment score for 9th grade writing, 10th grade language arts, and
11th grade mathematics on the student's transcript.
Subd. 2. Department
of Education assistance. The Department of Education shall contract for
professional and technical services according to competitive bidding procedures
under chapter 16C for purposes of this section.
Subd. 3. Reporting.
The commissioner shall report test data publicly and to stakeholders, including
the three performance baselines performance achievement levels
developed from students' unweighted mean test scores in each tested
subject and a listing of demographic factors that strongly correlate with
student performance. The commissioner shall also report data that compares
performance results among school sites, school districts, Minnesota and other
states, and Minnesota and other nations. The commissioner shall disseminate to
schools and school districts a more comprehensive report containing testing
information that meets local needs for evaluating instruction and curriculum.
Subd. 4. Access
to tests. The commissioner must adopt and publish a policy to provide
public and parental access for review of basic skills tests, Minnesota
Comprehensive Assessments, or any other such statewide test and assessment.
Upon receiving a written request, the commissioner must make available to
parents or guardians a copy of their student's actual answer sheet responses
to the test questions to be reviewed by the parent.
Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 120B.31,
subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Educational
accountability. (a) The Independent Office of Educational Accountability,
as authorized by Laws 1997, First Special Session chapter 4, article 5, section
28, subdivision 2, is established, and shall be funded through the Board of
Regents of the University of Minnesota. The office shall advise the
education committees of the legislature and the commissioner of education, at
least on a biennial basis, on the degree to which the statewide educational
accountability and reporting system includes a comprehensive assessment
framework that measures school accountability for students achieving the goals
described in the state's results-oriented graduation rule. The office shall consider
determine and annually report to the legislature whether and how
effectively:
(1) the statewide system of educational accountability
utilizes multiple indicators to provide valid and reliable comparative and
contextual data on students, schools, districts, and the state, and if not,
recommend ways to improve the accountability reporting system.;
(2) the commissioner makes statistical adjustments
when reporting student data over time, consistent with clause (4);
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(3) the commissioner uses
indicators of student achievement growth over time and a value-added assessment
model that estimates the effects of the school and school district on student
achievement to measure school performance, consistent with section 120B.36,
subdivision 1; and
(4) the commissioner makes
data available on students who do not pass one or more of the state's required
GRAD tests and do not receive a diploma as a consequence, and categorizes these
data according to gender, race, eligibility for free or reduced lunch, and
English language proficiency.
(b) When the office reviews
the statewide educational accountability and reporting system, it shall also
consider:
(1) the objectivity and
neutrality of the state's educational accountability system; and
(2) the impact of a testing
program on school curriculum and student learning.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 120B.36, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. School performance report cards. (a)
The commissioner shall use objective criteria based on levels of student
performance to identify four to six designations applicable to high and low
performing public schools. The objective criteria shall include report
at least student academic performance, school safety, student-to-teacher
ratios that clearly indicate the definition of teacher for purposes of
determining these ratios, and staff characteristics, with a value-added growth
component added by the 2006-2007 no later than the 2008-2009
school year. The report must indicate a school's adequate yearly progress
status.
(b) The commissioner shall
develop, annually update, and post on the department Web site school
performance report cards. A school's designation must be clearly stated on
each school performance report card.
(c) The commissioner must
make available the first school designations and school performance
report cards by November 2003, and during the beginning of each school year
thereafter.
(d) A school or district may
appeal its adequate yearly progress status in writing a designation
under this section to the commissioner within 30 days of receiving the designation
notice of its status. The commissioner's decision to uphold or deny an
appeal is final.
(e) School performance
report cards data are nonpublic data under section 13.02, subdivision 9,
until not later than ten days after the appeal procedure described in paragraph
(d) concludes. The department shall annually post school performance report
cards to its public Web site no later than September 1.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment and applies to the school
performance report cards for the 2006-2007 school year and later.
Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 121A.22, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Applicability. (a) This section
applies only:
(1) when the parent of a
pupil requests school personnel to administer drugs or medicine, including
physician-prescribed naturopathic medicine, to the pupil; or
(2) when administration is
allowed by the individual education plan of a child with a disability.
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The request of a parent may
be oral or in writing. An oral request must be reduced to writing within two
school days, provided that the district may rely on an oral request until a
written request is received.
(b)
"Physician-prescribed naturopathic medicine" under this section means
naturopathic medicine, as defined by the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act,
that is prescribed by a licensed physician in consultation with a
board-certified naturopathic physician.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 121A.22, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Labeling. Drugs or medicine subject to
this section, except physician-prescribed and labeled naturopathic medicine,
must be in a container with a label prepared by a pharmacist according to
section 151.212 and applicable rules.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 121A.22, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Administration. (a) Drugs and
medicine subject to this section, except physician-prescribed naturopathic
medicine, must be administered in a manner consistent with instructions on
the label. Physician-prescribed naturopathic medicine must be administered
according to the order of the prescribing physician.
(b) Drugs and medicine subject
to this section must be administered, to the extent possible, according to school
board procedures that must be developed in consultation:
(1) with a school nurse, in
a district that employs a school nurse;
(2) with a licensed school
nurse, in a district that employs a licensed school nurse;
(3) with a public or private
health or health-related organization, in a district that contracts with a
public or private health or health-related organization, according to section
121A.21; or
(4) with the appropriate
party, in a district that has an arrangement approved by the commissioner of
education, according to section 121A.21.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 16. [121A.231] RESPONSIBLE FAMILY LIFE AND
SEXUALITY EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) "Responsible family life and
sexuality education" means education in grades 7 through 12 that:
(1) respects community
values and encourages family communication;
(2) develops skills in
communication, decision making, and conflict resolution;
(3) contributes to healthy
relationships;
(4) provides human
development and sexuality education that is age appropriate and medically
accurate;
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(5) includes an abstinence-first approach to
delaying initiation of sexual activity that emphasizes abstinence while also
including education about the use of protection and contraception; and
(6) promotes individual responsibility.
(b) "Age appropriate" refers to topics,
messages, and teaching methods suitable to particular ages or age groups of
children and adolescents, based on developing cognitive, emotional, and
behavioral capacity typical for the age or age group.
(c) "Medically accurate" means verified or
supported by research conducted in compliance with scientific methods and
published in peer-reviewed journals, where appropriate, and recognized as
accurate and objective by professional organizations and agencies in the
relevant field, such as the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
the American Public Health Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, or
the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Subd. 2. Curriculum
requirements. (a) A school district must offer and may independently
establish policies, procedures, curriculum, and services for providing
responsible family life and sexuality education that is age appropriate and
medically accurate for grades 7 through 12.
(b) A school district must consult with parents or
guardians of enrolled students when establishing policies, procedures,
curriculum, and services under this subdivision.
Subd. 3. Notice
and parental options. (a) It is the legislature's intent to
encourage pupils to communicate with their parents or guardians about human
sexuality and to respect rights of parents or guardians to supervise their
children's education on these subjects.
(b) Parents or guardians may excuse their children
from all or part of a responsible family life and sexuality education program.
(c) A school district must establish policies and
procedures consistent with paragraph (e) and this section for providing parents
or guardians reasonable notice with the following information:
(1) if the district is offering a responsible family
life and sexuality education program to the parents' or guardians' child during
the course of the year;
(2) how the parents or guardians may inspect the
written and audio/visual educational materials used in the program and the
process for inspection;
(3) if the program is presented by school district
personnel or outside consultants, and if outside consultants are used, who they
may be; and
(4) parents' or guardians' right to choose not to
have their child participate in the program and the procedure for exercising that
right.
(d) A school district must establish policies and
procedures for reasonably restricting the availability of written and
audio/visual educational materials from public view of students who have been
excused from all or part of a responsible family life and sexuality education
program at the request of a parent or guardian, consistent with paragraph (e)
and this section.
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(e) A school district may offer a responsible family
life and sexuality education program under this section to a pupil only with
the prior written consent of the pupil's parent or guardian. A school district
must make reasonable arrangements with school personnel for alternative
instruction for those pupils whose parents or guardians refuse to give their
consent, and must not impose an academic or other penalty upon a pupil merely
for arranging the alternative instruction. School personnel may evaluate and
assess the quality of the pupil's work completed as part of the alternative
instruction.
Subd. 4. Assistance
to school districts. (a) The Department of Education may offer
services to school districts to help them implement effective responsible
family life and sexuality education programs. In making these services
available the department may provide:
(1) training for teachers, parents, and community
members in the development of responsible family life and sexuality education
curriculum or services and in planning for monitoring and evaluation activities;
(2) resource staff persons to provide expert
training, curriculum development and implementation, and evaluation services;
(3) technical assistance to promote and coordinate
community, parent, and youth forums in communities identified as having high
needs for responsible family life and sexuality education;
(4) technical assistance for issue management and
policy development training for school boards, superintendents, principals, and
administrators across the state; and
(b) Technical assistance in accordance with National
Health Education Standards provided by the department to school districts may:
(1) promote instruction and use of materials that
are age appropriate;
(2) provide information that is medically accurate and
objective;
(3) provide instruction and promote use of materials
that are respectful of marriage and commitments in relationships;
(4) provide instruction and promote use of materials
that are appropriate for use with pupils and family experiences based on race,
gender, sexual orientation, ethnic and cultural background, and appropriately
accommodate alternative learning based on language or disability;
(5) provide instruction and promote use of materials
that encourage pupils to communicate with their parents or guardians about
human sexuality;
(6) provide instruction and promote use of
age-appropriate materials that teach abstinence from sexual intercourse as the
only certain way to prevent unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted
infections, including HIV and HPV, and provide information about the role and
value of abstinence while also providing medically accurate information on
other methods of preventing and reducing risk for unintended pregnancy and
sexually transmitted infections;
(7) provide instruction and promote use of
age-appropriate materials that are medically accurate in explaining
transmission modes, risks, symptoms, and treatments for sexually transmitted
infections, including HIV and HPV;
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(8) provide instruction and
promote use of age-appropriate materials that address varied societal views on
sexuality, sexual behaviors, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections,
including HIV and HPV, in an age-appropriate manner;
(9) provide instruction and
promote use of age-appropriate materials that provide information about the
effectiveness and safety of all FDA-approved methods for preventing and
reducing risk for unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections,
including HIV and HPV;
(10) provide instruction and
promote use of age-appropriate materials that provide instruction in skills for
making and implementing responsible decisions about sexuality;
(11) provide instruction and
promote use of age-appropriate materials that provide instruction in skills for
making and implementing responsible decisions about finding and using health
services; and
(12) provide instruction and
promote use of age-appropriate materials that do not teach or promote religious
doctrine or bias against a religion or reflect or promote bias against any
person on the basis of any category protected under the Minnesota Human Rights
Act, chapter 363A.
Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 122A.16, is amended to read:
122A.16 HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEACHER DEFINED.
(a) A qualified teacher is
one holding a valid license, under this chapter, to perform the particular
service for which the teacher is employed in a public school.
(b) For the purposes of the
federal No Child Left Behind Act, a highly qualified teacher is one who
holds a valid license under this chapter to perform the particular service for
which the teacher is employed in a public school or who meets the requirements
of a highly objective uniform state standard of evaluation (HOUSSE)
means a teacher who:
(1) has obtained full state
certification or passed the state teacher licensing examination and holds a
license to teach in the state;
(2) does not have
certification or licensure requirements waived on an emergency, temporary, or
provisional basis;
(3) holds a minimum of a
bachelor's degree; and
(4) has demonstrated subject
matter competency in core academic subjects.
All Minnesota teachers
teaching in a core academic subject area, as defined by the federal No Child
Left Behind Act, in which they are not fully licensed may complete the
following HOUSSE process in the core subject area for which the teacher is
requesting highly qualified status by completing an application, in the form
and manner described by the commissioner, that includes:
(1) documentation of student
achievement as evidenced by norm-referenced test results that are objective and
psychometrically valid and reliable;
(2) evidence of local,
state, or national activities, recognition, or awards for professional
contribution to achievement;
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(3) description of teaching experience in the
teachers' core subject area in a public school under a waiver, variance,
limited license or other exception; nonpublic school; and postsecondary
institution;
(4) test results from the Praxis II content test;
(5) evidence of advanced certification from the
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards;
(6) evidence of the successful completion of course
work or pedagogy courses; and
(7) evidence of the successful completion of high
quality professional development activities.
Districts must assign a school administrator to
serve as a HOUSSE reviewer to meet with teachers under this paragraph and,
where appropriate, certify the teachers' applications. Teachers satisfy the
definition of highly qualified when the teachers receive at least 100 of the
total number of points used to measure the teachers' content expertise under
clauses (1) to (7). Teachers may acquire up to 50 points only in any one clause
(1) to (7). Teachers may use the HOUSSE process to satisfy the definition of
highly qualified for more than one subject area.
(c) Achievement of the HOUSSE criteria is not
equivalent to a license. A teacher must obtain permission from the Board of
Teaching in order to teach in a public school Subject matter competency
to meet federal highly qualified teacher requirements is determined by the
state.
Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 122A.18,
is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 2c. Determining
passing scores. The passing score on the examination of skills in
reading, writing, and mathematics required as a condition of granting an initial
teaching license under subdivision 2, paragraph (b), is the passing score in
effect at the time the person takes the examination and not the time the person
applies for the initial teaching license.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment and applies to all
persons enrolled in a teacher preparation program on that date and later.
Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 122A.20,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Grounds
for revocation, suspension, or denial. (a) The Board of Teaching or Board
of School Administrators, whichever has jurisdiction over a teacher's
licensure, may, on the written complaint of the school board employing a
teacher, a teacher organization, or any other interested person, refuse to
issue, refuse to renew, suspend, or revoke a teacher's license to teach for any
of the following causes:
(1) immoral character or conduct;
(2) failure, without justifiable cause, to teach for
the term of the teacher's contract;
(3) gross inefficiency or willful neglect of duty;
(4) failure to meet licensure requirements; or
(5) fraud or misrepresentation in obtaining a
license.
The written complaint must specify the nature and
character of the charges.
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(b) The Board of Teaching or
Board of School Administrators, whichever has jurisdiction over a teacher's
licensure, shall refuse to issue, refuse to renew, or automatically revoke a
teacher's license to teach without the right to a hearing upon receiving a
certified copy of a conviction showing that the teacher has been convicted of
child abuse, as defined in section 609.185, or sexual abuse under
section 609.342, 609.343, 609.344, 609.345, 609.3451, subdivision 3, or 617.23,
subdivision 3, or using minors in a sexual performance under section
617.246, or possessing pornographic works involving a minor under section
617.247, or under a similar law of another state or the United States. The
board shall send notice of this licensing action to the district in which the
teacher is currently employed.
(c) A person whose license
to teach has been revoked, not issued, or not renewed under paragraph (b), may
petition the board to reconsider the licensing action if the person's
conviction for child abuse or sexual abuse is reversed by a final decision of
the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court or if the person has received a
pardon for the offense. The petitioner shall attach a certified copy of the
appellate court's final decision or the pardon to the petition. Upon receiving
the petition and its attachment, the board shall schedule and hold a
disciplinary hearing on the matter under section 214.10, subdivision 2, unless
the petitioner waives the right to a hearing. If the board finds that,
notwithstanding the reversal of the petitioner's criminal conviction or the
issuance of a pardon, the petitioner is disqualified from teaching under
paragraph (a), clause (1), the board shall affirm its previous licensing
action. If the board finds that the petitioner is not disqualified from
teaching under paragraph (a), clause (1), it shall reverse its previous
licensing action.
(d) For purposes of this
subdivision, the Board of Teaching is delegated the authority to suspend or
revoke coaching licenses.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 122A.414, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Restructured pay system. A restructured
alternative teacher professional pay system that may include experience and
educational credits is established under subdivision 2 to provide
incentives to encourage teachers to improve their knowledge and instructional
skills in order to improve student learning and for school districts,
intermediate school districts, and charter schools to recruit and retain highly
qualified teachers, encourage highly qualified teachers to undertake challenging
assignments, and support teachers' roles in improving students' educational
achievement.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for the 2007-2008 school year and later.
Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 122A.414, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Alternative teacher professional pay
system. (a) To participate in this program, a school district, intermediate
school district, school site, or charter school must have an educational
improvement plan under section 122A.413 and an alternative teacher professional
pay system agreement under paragraph (b). A charter school participant also
must comply with subdivision 2a.
(b) The alternative teacher
professional pay system agreement must:
(1) describe how teachers
can achieve career advancement and additional compensation;
(2) describe how the school
district, intermediate school district, school site, or charter school will
provide teachers with career advancement options that allow teachers to retain
primary roles in student instruction and facilitate site-focused professional
development that helps other teachers improve their skills;
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(3) reform the "steps and lanes" salary
schedule, prevent any teacher's compensation paid before implementing the pay
system from being reduced as a result of participating in this system, and base
at least 60 percent of any compensation increase funded by alternative
compensation revenue on teacher performance using:
(i) schoolwide student achievement gains under
section 120B.35 or locally selected standardized assessment outcomes, or both;
(ii) measures of student achievement; and
(iii) an objective evaluation program that includes:
(A) individual teacher evaluations aligned with the
educational improvement plan under section 122A.413 and the staff development
plan under section 122A.60; and
(B) objective evaluations using multiple criteria
conducted by a locally selected and periodically trained evaluation team that
understands teaching and learning;
(4) provide integrated ongoing site-based
professional development activities to improve instructional skills and
learning that are aligned with student needs under section 122A.413, consistent
with the staff development plan under section 122A.60 and led during the school
day by trained teacher leaders such as master or mentor teachers;
(5) allow any teacher in a participating school
district, intermediate school district, school site, or charter school that
implements an alternative pay system to participate in that system without any
quota or other limit; and
(6) encourage collaboration rather than competition
among teachers.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for the 2007-2008 school year and later.
Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 122A.415,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Revenue
amount. (a) A school district, intermediate school district, school site,
or charter school that meets the conditions of section 122A.414 and submits an
application approved by the commissioner is eligible for alternative teacher
compensation revenue.
(b) For school district and intermediate school
district applications, the commissioner must consider only those applications
to participate that are submitted jointly by a district and the exclusive
representative of the teachers. The application must contain an alternative
teacher professional pay system agreement that:
(1) implements an alternative teacher professional
pay system consistent with section 122A.414; and
(2) is negotiated and adopted according to the
Public Employment Labor Relations Act under chapter 179A, except that
notwithstanding section 179A.20, subdivision 3, a district may enter into a
contract for a term of two or four years.
Alternative teacher compensation revenue for a
qualifying school district or site in which the school board and the exclusive
representative of the teachers agree to place teachers in the district or at
the site on the alternative teacher professional pay system equals $260 times
the number of pupils enrolled at the district or site on October 1 of the
previous fiscal year. Alternative teacher compensation revenue for a qualifying
intermediate school district must be calculated under section 126C.10, subdivision
34, paragraphs (a) and (b) paragraph (c).
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(c) For a newly combined or
consolidated district, the revenue shall be computed using the sum of pupils
enrolled on October 1 of the previous year in the districts entering into the
combination or consolidation. The commissioner may adjust the revenue computed
for a site using prior year data to reflect changes attributable to school
closings, school openings, or grade level reconfigurations between the prior
year and the current year.
(d) The revenue is available
only to school districts, intermediate school districts, school sites, and
charter schools that fully implement an alternative teacher professional pay
system by October 1 of the current school year.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 122A.60, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Staff development outcomes. The
advisory staff development committee must adopt a staff development plan for
improving student achievement. The plan must be consistent with education
outcomes that the school board determines. The plan must include ongoing staff
development activities that contribute toward continuous improvement in
achievement of the following goals:
(1) improve student
achievement of state and local education standards in all areas of the
curriculum by using best practices methods;
(2) effectively meet the
needs of a diverse student population, including at-risk children, children
with disabilities, and gifted children, within the regular classroom and other
settings;
(3) provide an inclusive
curriculum for a racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse student
population that is consistent with the state education diversity rule and the
district's education diversity plan;
(4) improve staff
collaboration and develop mentoring and peer coaching programs for teachers new
to the school or district;
(5) effectively teach and model
violence prevention policy and curriculum that address early intervention
alternatives, issues of harassment, and teach nonviolent alternatives for
conflict resolution; and
(6) provide teachers and
other members of site-based management teams with appropriate management and
financial management skills; and
(7) improve and increase
teachers' knowledge of the academic subjects they teach.
Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 122A.61, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Staff development revenue. A district
is required to reserve an amount equal to at least two percent of the basic
revenue under section 126C.10, subdivision 2, for in-service education for
programs under section 120B.22, subdivision 2, for staff development plans, including
plans for challenging instructional activities and experiences under section
122A.60, and for curriculum development and programs, other in-service
education, teachers' workshops, teacher conferences, the cost of substitute
teachers staff development purposes, preservice and in-service education for
special education professionals and paraprofessionals, higher education
courses and programs in teachers' areas of licensure, and other related
costs for staff development efforts. A district may annually waive the
requirement to reserve their basic revenue under this section if a majority
vote of the licensed teachers in the district and a majority vote of the school
board agree to a resolution to waive the requirement. A district in statutory
operating debt is exempt from reserving basic revenue according to this
section. Districts may expend an additional amount of unreserved revenue for
staff development based on their needs. With the exception of amounts reserved
for staff development from revenues allocated directly to school sites, the
board must initially
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allocate 50 percent of the
reserved revenue to each school site in the district on a per teacher basis,
which must be retained by the school site until used. The board may retain 25
percent to be used for district wide staff development efforts. The remaining
25 percent of the revenue must be used to make grants to school sites for best
practices methods. A grant may be used for any purpose authorized under section
120B.22, subdivision 2, 122A.60, or for the costs of curriculum development and
programs, other in-service education, teachers' workshops, teacher conferences,
substitute teachers for staff development purposes, and other staff development
efforts, and determined by the site professional development team. The site
professional development team must demonstrate to the school board the extent to
which that staff at the site have met the outcomes of the program.
The board may withhold a portion of initial allocation of revenue if the staff
development outcomes are not being met.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 25. [122A.633] SCHOLAR LOANS TO PREPARE
TEACHERS OF COLOR.
Subdivision 1. Establishment; definitions. (a) A scholar loan program is
established to encourage academically talented postsecondary students of color
to become teachers of early childhood, elementary, or secondary education.
(b) For the purposes of this
section, the following terms have the meanings given them:
(1) "student of
color" means a student who is African American, American Indian, Alaskan
native, Asian American or Pacific Islander, or Hispanic; and
(2) "director"
means the director of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.
Subd. 2. Eligibility. To be eligible for a scholar loan, a student
of color must:
(1) be an American citizen
residing in Minnesota;
(2) be registered as a junior
or senior in a Minnesota public or private postsecondary institution and
enrolled in a teacher preparation program approved by the Board of Teaching at
that postsecondary institution;
(3) be making satisfactory
progress towards a baccalaureate degree with a major in education;
(4) agree to teach in a
Minnesota school district with a student of color population of at least 15
percent or a desegregation/integration plan approved by the commissioner of
education; and
(5) meet academic criteria
specified by the director in consultation with the commissioner.
Subd. 3. Application process; awarding scholar loans. (a) The
director, in consultation with the commissioner of education, shall award
scholar loans to eligible students of color. A student of color must submit an
application for a scholar loan to the director in the form and manner
determined by the director in consultation with the commissioner. The
application must include the criteria in subdivision 2 and any other
information required by the director.
(b) A student of color may
receive scholar loans for two consecutive academic years if the student of
color remains enrolled full time in a teacher preparation program and continues
to make satisfactory progress toward the baccalaureate degree. For each
academic year, a loan may not exceed the lesser of the cost of tuition, fees,
books, and on-campus housing, if applicable, or a maximum amount of $10,000.
The director must award ten percent of the scholar loans to students of color
who transfer from a Minnesota public community or technical college to a
Minnesota public or private college or university with an approved teacher
preparation program.
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(c) The director must spend
up to five percent of any appropriation for promotion of the scholar loan
program, recruitment of students of color to the program, and retention and
mentoring of students of color while attending a teacher preparation program and
teaching in an eligible Minnesota public school under subdivision 2, clause
(4). The director must consult with the commissioner to consider the use of
existing state programs, as appropriate, to provide the services under this
paragraph.
Subd. 4. Loan forgiveness; deferral; repayment. (a) A scholar loan
may be forgiven if a recipient is employed as a teacher under section 122A.40
or 122A.41 in an eligible school under subdivision 2, clause (4). The director
shall forgive up to $2,500 of the principal of the outstanding loan amount for
successful completion of each school year of full-time teaching up to four
school years of teaching in an eligible school or a pro rata amount of the
principal for eligible employment during part of a school year, part-time
employment as a substitute, or other part-time teaching.
(b) If there is no eligible
employment available, the director may grant an exemption from the 15 percent
district student of color teaching requirement or a deferral from payment of
principal and interest on the loan. The director may also grant a deferral of
payment of principal and interest on the loan during any time period the
recipient is enrolled at least one-half time in an advanced degree program in a
field that leads to employment by a school district. The recipient shall apply
for a loan deferral by submitting written notification to the director in a
form and manner established by the director.
(c) A recipient with an
outstanding scholar loan amount who is not having the loan forgiven under
paragraph (a) or deferred under paragraph (b) must repay the principal of the
loan plus interest at the rate of six percent. The interest rate must begin
accruing the first day of the first month following the last month of the
period of forgiveness or deferral. Interest does not accrue during the period
of forgiveness or deferral.
(d) The director shall
establish repayment procedures for scholar loans including, at least, variable repayment
schedules consistent with the need and anticipated income streams of loan
recipients. The repayment period begins the first day of the first month after:
(1) the recipient terminates
full-time enrollment in an approved teacher preparation program;
(2) the recipient completes
an approved teacher preparation program and does not teach in an eligible
school under subdivision 2, clause (4), or have an exemption under paragraph
(b);
(3) the period of
forgiveness under paragraph (a) ends; or
(4) the period of deferral
under paragraph (b) ends.
Subd. 5. Revolving fund. The scholar loan repayment revolving
account is established in the state treasury. Any amounts repaid by a loan
recipient shall be deposited in the account. All money in the account is
annually appropriated to the director for the purposes of the scholar loan
program under this section.
Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 122A.72, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. Center functions. (a) A teacher
center shall perform functions according to this subdivision. The center shall
assist teachers, diagnose learning needs, experiment with the use of multiple
instructional approaches, assess pupil outcomes, assess staff development needs
and plans, and teach school personnel about effective pedagogical approaches.
The center shall develop and produce curricula and curricular materials
designed to meet the educational needs of pupils being served, by applying
educational research and new and improved methods, practices, and techniques.
The center shall provide programs to improve the skills of teachers to meet the
special educational needs of pupils. The center shall provide programs to
familiarize teachers with developments in
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curriculum formulation and
educational research, including how research can be used to improve teaching
skills. The center shall facilitate sharing of resources, ideas, methods, and
approaches directly related to classroom instruction and improve teachers'
familiarity with current teaching materials and products for use in their
classrooms. The center shall provide in-service programs.
(b) Each teacher center must provide a professional
development program to train interested and highly qualified elementary,
middle, and secondary teachers, selected by the employing school district, to
assist other teachers in that district with mathematics and science curriculum,
standards, and instruction so that all teachers have access to:
(1) high quality professional development programs
in mathematics and science that address curriculum, instructional methods,
alignment of standards, and performance measurements, enhance teacher and
student learning, and support state mathematics and science standards; and
(2) research-based mathematics and science programs
and instructional models premised on best practices that inspire teachers and
students and have practical classroom application.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for the 2007-2008 school year and later.
Sec. 27. [122A.95]
VETERAN'S DAY RECOGNITION.
(a) Every independent, special, and common school
district and every charter school shall honor the federal Veteran's Day holiday
by:
(1) granting to each staff member who is a veteran
the option of using Veteran's Day as a personal leave day; and
(2) if the school district or school is open and
providing instruction on Veteran's Day, instructing the students about
Veteran's Day and the significance to our nation of the service provided by
veterans. The instruction must be given in each school for at least 30 minutes
or one school period, whichever is longer.
(b) In recognition of the educational value of
observing Veteran's Day and honoring the service provided by all our veterans,
Minnesota institutions, organizations, and other entities are encouraged to
honor the federal Veteran's Day holiday by granting to each employee who is a
veteran a day off with pay on that holiday.
Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.02,
is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 16a. Membership
in economic development, community, and civic organizations. The
board may authorize payment of a district administrator's membership fee to
local economic development associations or other community or civic
organizations.
Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.03,
subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Definitions.
For purposes of this section:
(a) "School" means a school as defined in
section 120A.22, subdivision 4, except a home school, and includes a school
receiving tribal contract or grant school aid under section 124D.83; school,
for the purposes of this section, also means a service cooperative, a special
education cooperative, or an education district under Minnesota Statutes 1997
Supplement, section 123.35, a charter school under section 124D.10, and a joint
powers district under section 471.59.
(b) "School hiring authority" means the
school principal or other person having general control and supervision of the
school.
(c) "Security violations" means the
failure to prevent or failure to institute safeguards to prevent access, use,
retention, or dissemination of information in violation of the security and management
control outsourcing standard.
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Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.03,
is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 4. Third-party
handling of criminal history record information. (a) For purposes of
this section, a school hiring authority may contract with a third party to
conduct background checks required in subdivision 1. Prior to engaging in the
contract the school hiring authority shall:
(1) request and receive written permission from the
state compact officer as defined in section 299C.58, article I, paragraph (2),
item (B);
(2) provide the state compact officer a copy of the
contract; and
(3) inquire of the state compact officer whether a
prospective contractor has any security violations.
(b) The contract shall specifically describe the
purposes for which the background check information may be made available,
consistent with applicable data practices law, and shall incorporate by
reference a security and management control outsourcing standard approved by
the state compact officer.
Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.37,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Boards
shall not charge certain fees. (a) A board is not authorized to charge fees
in the following areas:
(1) textbooks, workbooks, art materials, laboratory
supplies, towels;
(2) supplies necessary for participation in any
instructional course except as authorized in sections 123B.36 and 123B.38;
(3) field trips that are required as a part of a
basic education program or course;
(4) graduation caps, gowns, any specific form of
dress necessary for any educational program, and diplomas;
(5) instructional costs for necessary school
personnel employed in any course or educational program required for
graduation;
(6) library books required to be utilized for any
educational course or program;
(7) admission fees, dues, or fees for any activity
the pupil is required to attend;
(8) any admission or examination cost for any
required educational course or program;
(9) locker rentals;
(10) transportation to and from school of pupils
living two miles or more from school.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), clauses (1) and
(6), a board may charge fees for textbooks, workbooks, and library books, lost
or destroyed by students. The board must annually notify parents or guardians
and students about its policy to charge a fee under this paragraph.
(c) A school board must not charge a fee to a person
serving in active military service under section 190.05, subdivision 5, who
requests that the school district or charter school transmit a copy of the
person's transcript to a postsecondary institution or prospective employer. The
school district or charter school may request reasonable proof of the service
member's current military duty status.
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Sec. 32. [123B.485]
NONPUBLIC SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS.
A nonpublic school that receives services or aid
under sections 123B.40 to 123B.48 must not charge a fee to a person serving in
active military service under section 190.05, subdivision 5, who requests that
the nonpublic school transmit a copy of the person's transcript to a
postsecondary institution or prospective employer. The nonpublic school may
request reasonable proof of the service member's current military status.
Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.92,
subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Alternative
attendance programs. (a) A district that enrolls nonresident pupils
in programs under sections 124D.03, 124D.06, 124D.08, 123A.05 to 123A.08, and
124D.68, must provide authorized transportation to the pupil within the attendance
area for the school that the pupil attends at the same level of service that is
provided to resident pupils within the attendance area. The resident district
need not provide or pay for transportation between the pupil's residence and
the district's border.
(b) A district may provide transportation to allow a
student who attends a high-need English language learner program and who
resides within the transportation attendance area of the program to continue in
the program until the student completes the highest grade level offered by the
program.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 34. [124D.091]
CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT PROGRAM AID.
Subdivision 1. Accreditation.
To establish a uniform standard by which concurrent enrollment courses and
professional development activities may be measured, postsecondary institutions
are encouraged to apply for accreditation by the National Alliance of
Concurrent Enrollment Partnership.
Subd. 2. Eligibility.
A district that offers a concurrent enrollment course according to an
agreement under section 124D.09, subdivision 10, is eligible to receive aid for
the costs of providing postsecondary courses at the high school. Beginning in
fiscal year 2011, districts only are eligible for aid if the college or
university concurrent enrollment courses offered by the district are accredited
by the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnership, in the process
of being accredited, or are shown by clear evidence to be of comparable
standard to accredited courses.
Subd. 3. Aid.
An eligible district shall receive $150 per pupil enrolled in a concurrent
enrollment course. The money must be used to defray the cost of delivering the
course at the high school. The commissioner shall establish application
procedures and deadlines for receipt of aid payments.
Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.095,
subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Definitions.
For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given them.
(a) "Online learning" is an interactive
course or program that delivers instruction from a teacher to a student by
computer; is combined with other traditional delivery methods that include
frequent student assessment and may include actual teacher contact time; and
meets or exceeds state academic standards.
(b) "Online learning provider" is a school
district, an intermediate school district, an organization of two or more
school districts operating under a joint powers agreement, or a charter school
located in Minnesota that provides online learning to students.
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(c) "Student" is a
Minnesota resident enrolled in a school under section 120A.22, subdivision 4,
in kindergarten through grade 12.
(d) "Online learning
student" is a student enrolled in an online learning course or program
delivered by an online provider under paragraph (b).
(e) "Enrolling district"
means the school district or charter school in which a student is enrolled
under section 120A.22, subdivision 4, for purposes of compulsory attendance.
(f) "Supplemental
online learning" means an online course taken in place of a course period
during the regular school day at a local district school.
(g) "Full-time online
provider" means an enrolling school authorized by the department to
deliver comprehensive public education at any or all of the elementary, middle,
or high school levels.
Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 124D.095, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Authorization; notice; limitations on
enrollment. (a) A student may apply to an online learning provider to
enroll in online learning for full-time enrollment in an approved online
learning program under section 124D.03, 124D.08 or 124D.10, or for supplemental
online learning. Notwithstanding sections 124D.03, 124D.08, and 124D.10,
procedures for enrolling in online learning shall be as provided in this
subdivision. A student age 17 or younger must have the written consent of a
parent or guardian to apply. No school district or charter school may prohibit
a student from applying to enroll in online learning. An online learning
provider that accepts a student under this section must, within ten days,
notify the student and the enrolling district if the enrolling district is not
the online learning provider. The notice must report the student's course or
program and hours of instruction. In order that a student may enroll in
online learning, the student and the student's parents must submit an
application to the online learning provider and identify the reason for
enrolling in online learning. The online learning provider that accepts a
student under this section must within ten days notify the student and the
enrolling district in writing if the enrolling district is not the online
learning provider. The student and family must notify the online learning
provider of their intent to enroll in online learning within ten days of
acceptance, at which time the student and parent must sign a statement of
assurance that they have reviewed the online course or program and understand
the expectations of online learning enrollment. The online learning provider
must notify the enrolling district of the student's enrollment in online
learning in writing on a form provided by the department.
(b) Supplemental online
learning notification to the enrolling district upon student enrollment in the
online learning program will include the courses or program, credits to be
awarded, the start date of online enrollment, and confirmation that the courses
will meet the student's graduation plan. A student may enroll in supplemental
online learning courses up to the midpoint of the enrolling district's term.
The enrolling district may waive this requirement for special circumstances and
upon acceptance by the online provider.
(b) An online learning
student must notify the enrolling district at least 30 days before taking an
online learning course or program if the enrolling district is not providing
the online learning. (c)
An online learning provider must notify the commissioner that it is delivering
online learning and report the number of online learning students it is
accepting and the online learning courses and programs it is delivering.
(c) (d) An online learning provider
may limit enrollment if the provider's school board or board of directors
adopts by resolution specific standards for accepting and rejecting students'
applications.
(d) (e) An enrolling district may
reduce an online learning student's regular classroom instructional membership
in proportion to the student's membership in online learning courses.
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Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 124D.095, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Online learning parameters. (a) An
online learning student must receive academic credit for completing the
requirements of an online learning course or program. Secondary credits granted
to an online learning student must be counted toward the graduation and credit
requirements of the enrolling district. An online learning provider must
make available to the enrolling district the course syllabus, standard alignment,
content outline, assessment requirements, and contact information for
supplemental online courses taken by students in the enrolling district. The
enrolling district must apply the same graduation requirements to all students,
including online learning students, and must continue to provide nonacademic
services to online learning students. If a student completes an online learning
course or program that meets or exceeds a graduation standard or grade
progression requirement at the enrolling district, that standard or requirement
is met. The enrolling district must use the same criteria for accepting online
learning credits or courses as it does for accepting credits or courses for
transfer students under section 124D.03, subdivision 9. The enrolling district
may reduce the teacher contact time course schedule of an online
learning student in proportion to the number of online learning courses the
student takes from an online learning provider that is not the enrolling
district.
(b) An online learning student
may:
(1) enroll in
supplemental online learning courses during a single school year in a
maximum of 12 semester-long courses or their equivalent delivered by an online
learning provider or the enrolling district to a maximum of 50 percent
of the student's full schedule of courses per term. A student may exceed the
supplemental online learning registration limit if the enrolling district
grants permission for supplemental online learning enrollment above the limit,
or if an agreement is made between the enrolling district and the online
learning provider for instructional services;
(2) complete course work at
a grade level that is different from the student's current grade level; and
(3) enroll in additional
courses with the online learning provider under a separate agreement that
includes terms for payment of any tuition or course fees.
(c) An online learning
student has the same access to the computer hardware and education software
available in a school as all other students in the enrolling district. An
online learning provider must assist an online learning student whose family
qualifies for the education tax credit under section 290.0674 to acquire
computer hardware and educational software for online learning purposes.
(d) An enrolling district
may offer online learning to its enrolled students. Such online learning does
not generate online learning funds under this section. An enrolling district
that offers online learning only to its enrolled students is not subject to the
reporting requirements or review criteria under subdivision 7. A teacher with a
Minnesota license must assemble and deliver instruction to enrolled students
receiving online learning from an enrolling district. The delivery of
instruction occurs when the student interacts with the computer or the teacher
and receives ongoing assistance and assessment of learning. The instruction may
include curriculum developed by persons other than a teacher with a Minnesota
license.
(e) An online learning
provider that is not the enrolling district is subject to the reporting
requirements and review criteria under subdivision 7. A teacher with a
Minnesota license must assemble and deliver instruction to online learning
students. The delivery of instruction occurs when the student interacts with
the computer or the teacher and receives ongoing assistance and assessment of
learning. The instruction may include curriculum developed by persons other
than a teacher with a Minnesota license. Unless the commissioner grants a
waiver, a teacher providing online learning instruction must not instruct more
than 40 students in any one online learning course or program.
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(f) To enroll in more than
50 percent of the student's full schedule of courses per term in online
learning, the student must qualify to exceed the supplemental online learning
registration limit under paragraph (b) or apply for enrollment to an approved
full-time online learning program following appropriate procedures in
subdivision 3, paragraph (a). Full-time online learning students may enroll in
classes at a local school per contract for instructional services between the
online learning provider and the school district.
Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 124D.095, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
Subd. 7. Department of Education. (a) The
department must review and certify online learning providers. The online
learning courses and programs must be rigorous, aligned with state academic
standards, and contribute to grade progression in a single subject. Online
learning providers must affirm demonstrate to the commissioner
that online learning courses have equivalent standards or instruction,
curriculum, and assessment requirements as other courses offered to enrolled
students. The online learning provider must also demonstrate expectations for
actual teacher contact time or other student-to-teacher communication. Once an
online learning provider is approved under this paragraph, all of its online
learning course offerings are eligible for payment under this section unless a
course is successfully challenged by an enrolling district or the department
under paragraph (b).
(b) An enrolling district
may challenge the validity of a course offered by an online learning provider.
The department must review such challenges based on the certification
procedures under paragraph (a). The department may initiate its own review of
the validity of an online learning course offered by an online learning
provider.
(c) The department may
collect a fee not to exceed $250 for certifying online learning providers or
$50 per course for reviewing a challenge by an enrolling district.
(d) The department must
develop, publish, and maintain a list of approved online learning providers and
online learning courses and programs that it has reviewed and certified.
Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 124D.10, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Formation of school. (a) A sponsor may
authorize one or more licensed teachers under section 122A.18, subdivision 1,
to operate a charter school subject to approval by the commissioner. A board
must vote on charter school application for sponsorship no later than 90 days
after receiving the application. After 90 days, the applicant may apply to
the commissioner. If a board elects not to sponsor a charter school, the
applicant may appeal the board's decision to the commissioner who may elect to
assist the applicant in finding an eligible sponsor. The school must be
organized and operated as a cooperative under chapter 308A or nonprofit
corporation under chapter 317A and the provisions under the applicable chapter
shall apply to the school except as provided in this section. Notwithstanding
sections 465.717 and 465.719, a school district may create a corporation for
the purpose of creating a charter school.
(b) Before the operators may
form and operate a school, the sponsor must file an affidavit with the
commissioner stating its intent to authorize a charter school. The affidavit
must state the terms and conditions under which the sponsor would authorize a
charter school and how the sponsor intends to oversee the fiscal and student
performance of the charter school and to comply with the terms of the written
contract between the sponsor and the charter school board of directors under
subdivision 6. The commissioner must approve or disapprove the sponsor's
proposed authorization within 90 days of receipt of the affidavit. Failure to
obtain commissioner approval precludes a sponsor from authorizing the charter
school that was the subject of the affidavit.
(c) The operators authorized
to organize and operate a school, before entering into a contract or other
agreement for professional or other services, goods, or facilities, must incorporate
as a cooperative under chapter 308A or as a nonprofit corporation under chapter
317A and must establish a board of directors composed of at least five members
until a timely election for members of the charter school board of directors is
held according to the school's articles
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and bylaws. A charter school
board of directors must be composed of at least five members. Any staff members
who are employed at the school, including teachers providing instruction under
a contract with a cooperative, and all parents of children enrolled in the
school may participate in the election for members of the school's board of
directors. Licensed teachers employed at the school, including teachers
providing instruction under a contract with a cooperative, must be a majority
of the members of the board of directors before the school completes its third
year of operation, unless the commissioner waives the requirement for a
majority of licensed teachers on the board. Board of director meetings must
comply with chapter 13D.
(d) The granting or renewal
of a charter by a sponsoring entity must not be conditioned upon the bargaining
unit status of the employees of the school.
(e) A sponsor may authorize
the operators of a charter school to expand the operation of the charter school
to additional sites or to add additional grades at the school beyond those
described in the sponsor's application as approved by the commissioner only
after submitting a supplemental application to the commissioner in a form and
manner prescribed by the commissioner. The supplemental application must
provide evidence that:
(1) the expansion of the
charter school is supported by need and projected enrollment;
(2) the charter school is
fiscally sound;
(3) the sponsor supports the
expansion; and
(4) the building of the
additional site meets all health and safety requirements to be eligible for
lease aid.
(f) The commissioner annually
must provide timely financial management training to newly elected members of a
charter school board of directors and ongoing training to other members of a
charter school board of directors. Training must address ways to:
(1) proactively assess opportunities
for a charter school to maximize all available revenue sources;
(2) establish and maintain
complete, auditable records for the charter school;
(3) establish proper filing
techniques;
(4) document formal actions
of the charter school, including meetings of the charter school board of
directors;
(5) properly manage and
retain charter school and student records;
(6) comply with state and
federal payroll record-keeping requirements; and
(7) address other similar
factors that facilitate establishing and maintaining complete records on the
charter school's operations.
Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 124D.10, subdivision 23a, is amended to read:
Subd. 23a. Related party lease costs. (a) A
charter school is prohibited from entering a lease of real property with a
related party as defined in this subdivision 26, unless the
lessor is a nonprofit corporation under chapter 317A or a cooperative under
chapter 308A, and the lease cost is reasonable under section 124D.11, subdivision
4, clause (1).
(b) For purposes of this subdivision
section and section 124D.11:
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(1) A "related
party" is an affiliate or close relative of the other party in question,
an affiliate of a close relative, or a close relative of an affiliate.
(2) "Affiliate"
means a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries,
controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, another person.
(3) "Close
relative" means an individual whose relationship by blood, marriage, or
adoption to another individual is no more remote than first cousin.
(4) "Person" means
an individual or entity of any kind.
(5) "Control"
includes the terms "controlling," "controlled by," and
"under common control with" and means the possession, direct or
indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management,
operations, or policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting
securities, by contract, or otherwise.
(c) A lease of real property
to be used for a charter school, not excluded in paragraph (b) (a),
must contain the following statement: "This lease is subject to Minnesota
Statutes, section 124D.10, subdivision 23a."
(d) If a charter school
enters into as lessee a lease with a related party and the charter school
subsequently closes, the commissioner has the right to recover from the lessor
any lease payments in excess of those that are reasonable under section
124D.11, subdivision 4, clause (1).
Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 124D.10, subdivision 24, is amended to read:
Subd. 24. Pupil enrollment upon nonrenewal or
termination of charter school contract. If a contract is not renewed or is
terminated according to subdivision 23, a pupil who attended the school,
siblings of the pupil, or another pupil who resides in the same place as the
pupil may enroll in the resident district or may submit an application to a
nonresident district according to section 124D.03 at any time. Applications and
notices required by section 124D.03 must be processed and provided in a prompt
manner. The application and notice deadlines in section 124D.03 do not apply
under these circumstances. The closed charter school must transfer the
student's educational records within ten business days of closure to the
student's school district of residence where the records must be retained or
transferred under section 120A.22, subdivision 7.
Sec. 42. [124D.645] MULTIRACIAL DIVERSITY.
(a) Notwithstanding other
law or rule to the contrary and in order to effectively meet students'
educational needs and foster parents' meaningful participation in their
children's education, a school district may apply to the commissioner for a
waiver from the requirement to maintain racial balance within a district school
if the racial imbalance in that school results from:
(1) the enrollment of
protected multiracial students and the proportion of enrolled multiracial
students reflects the proportion of multiracial students who reside in the
school attendance area or who are enrolled in the grade levels served by the
district; or
(2) the enrollment of
limited English proficiency students in a transition program that includes an
intensive English component.
The commissioner must grant
the waiver if the district in which the school is located offers the
multiracial students or the limited English proficiency students, as
appropriate, the option of enrolling in another school with the requisite racial
balance, and the students' parents choose not to pursue that option.
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(b) This section is
effective for the 2006-2007 through 2010-2011 school years or until amended
rules are adopted under Minnesota Rules, chapter 3535, pertaining to racial
diversity, whichever comes first.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 124D.84, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Awards. The commissioner may award
shall establish procedures for the distribution of scholarships to any
Minnesota resident student who is of one-fourth or more Indian ancestry, who
has applied for other existing state and federal scholarship and grant
programs, and who, in the opinion of the commissioner, based upon
postsecondary institution recommendations, has the capabilities to benefit
from further education. Scholarships must be for accredited degree programs in
accredited Minnesota colleges or universities or for courses in accredited
Minnesota business, technical, or vocational schools. Scholarships may also be
given to students attending Minnesota colleges that are in candidacy status for
obtaining full accreditation, and are eligible for and receiving federal
financial aid programs. Students are also eligible for scholarships when
enrolled as students in Minnesota higher education institutions that have joint
programs with other accredited higher education institutions. Scholarships
shall be used to defray the total cost of education including tuition,
incidental fees, books, supplies, transportation, other related school costs
and the cost of board and room and shall be paid directly to the college or
school concerned where the student receives federal financial aid. The total
cost of education includes all tuition and fees for each student enrolling in a
public institution and the portion of tuition and fees for each student
enrolling in a private institution that does not exceed the tuition and fees at
a comparable public institution. Each student shall be awarded a
scholarship based on the total cost of the student's education and a
federal standardized need analysis after application of federal Pell money,
state grant money, and other scholarships. Depending upon students' unmet
needs, the Minnesota Indian scholarship program may award up to the current
federal Pell grant allowable maximum student award per school year.
Applicants are encouraged to apply for all other sources of financial aid.
When an Indian student
satisfactorily completes the work required by a certain college or school in a
school year the student is eligible for additional scholarships, if additional
training is necessary to reach the student's educational and vocational
objective. Scholarships may not be given to any Indian student for more than
five years of study at the undergraduate level and five years at the
graduate level. Students may acquire only one degree per level and one terminal
degree.
Sec. 44. [124D.8955] PARENT AND FAMILY
INVOLVEMENT POLICY.
(a) In order to promote and
support student achievement, a local school board must formally adopt and
implement a parent and family involvement policy that promotes and supports:
(1) communication between
home and school that is regular, two-way, and meaningful;
(2) parenting skills;
(3) parents and caregivers
who play an integral role in assisting student learning and learn about fostering
students' academic success and learning at home and school;
(4) welcoming parents in the
school and seeking their support and assistance;
(5) partnerships with
parents in the decisions that affect children and families in the schools; and
(6) providing community
resources to strengthen schools, families, and student learning.
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(b) The school board must
convene an advisory committee composed of an equal number of resident parents
who are not district employees and school staff to make recommendations to the
board on developing and evaluating the board's parent and family involvement
policy. If possible, the advisory committee must represent the diversity of the
district. The advisory committee must consider the district's demographic
diversity and barriers to parent involvement when developing its
recommendations. The advisory committee must present its recommendations to the
board for board consideration.
(c) The board must consider
best practices when implementing this policy.
(d) The board periodically
must review this policy to determine whether it is aligned with the most
current research findings on parent involvement policies and practices and how
effective the policy is in supporting increased student achievement.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective January 1, 2008, and later.
Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 126C.10, subdivision 34, is amended to read:
Subd. 34. Basic alternative teacher compensation aid.
(a) For fiscal year 2006, the basic alternative teacher compensation aid for
a school district or an intermediate school district with a plan approved under
section 122A.414, subdivision 2b, equals the alternative teacher compensation
revenue under section 122A.415, subdivision 1. The basic alternative teacher
compensation aid for a charter school with an approved plan under section
122A.414, subdivision 2b, equals $260 times the number of pupils enrolled in
the school on October 1 of the previous school year, or on October 1 of the
current fiscal year for a charter school in the first year of operation.
(b) For fiscal year 2007 and
later, the basic alternative teacher compensation aid for a school district
with a plan approved under section 122A.414, subdivision 2b, equals 73.1
percent of the alternative teacher compensation revenue under section 122A.415,
subdivision 1. The basic alternative teacher compensation aid for an
intermediate school district or a charter school with a plan
approved under section 122A.414, subdivisions 2a and 2b, if the recipient is
a charter school, equals $260 times the number of pupils enrolled in the
school on October 1 of the previous fiscal year, or on October 1 of the current
fiscal year for a charter school in the first year of operation, times the
ratio of the sum of the alternative teacher compensation aid and alternative
teacher compensation levy for all participating school districts to the maximum
alternative teacher compensation revenue for those districts under section
122A.415, subdivision 1.
(b) The basic alternative
teacher compensation aid for an intermediate school district with a plan
approved under section 122A.414, subdivision 2b, equals $3,800 times the number
of licensed teachers teaching in the school on October 1 of the previous fiscal
year.
(c) Notwithstanding
paragraphs (a) and (b), and section 122A.415, subdivision 1, the state
total basic alternative teacher compensation aid entitlement must not exceed
$19,329,000 for fiscal year 2006 and $75,636,000 for fiscal year 2007 and
later. The commissioner must limit the amount of alternative teacher
compensation aid approved under section 122A.415 so as not to exceed these
limits.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective
for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 46. [135A.104] COLLEGE READINESS.
(a) The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
must collaborate with the office of educational accountability under section 120B.31,
subdivision 3, in determining passing scores on the Minnesota comprehensive
assessments in reading and language arts for grade 10 and in mathematics for
grade 11 under section 120B.30 so that "passing score" performances
on those two assessments represent a student's college readiness. For purposes
of this section
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and chapter 120B,
"college readiness" means that a student who graduates from a public
high school is immediately ready to take college courses for college credit in
a two-year or a four-year institution within the Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities system. The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities also must
collaborate with the commissioner of education to develop and implement a
statewide plan to communicate the state's expectations for college readiness to
all Minnesota high school students no later than the beginning of ninth grade.
(b) The entrance and admission materials that the
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities provide to prospective students must
clearly indicate the level of academic preparation that students must have in
order to be ready to immediately take college courses for college credit in
two-year and four-year institutions.
Sec. 47. Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5,
article 2, section 81, as amended by Laws 2006, chapter 263, article 2, section
20, is amended to read:
Sec. 81. BOARD
OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS; RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.
On or before June 30, 2007 2008, the
Board of School Administrators may adopt rules to reflect the changes in
duties, responsibilities, and roles of school administrators under sections
121A.035, 121A.037 and 299F.30, and to make technical revisions and
clarifications to Minnesota Rules, chapter 3512.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 48. GRANT
PROGRAM TO PROMOTE PROFESSIONAL TEACHING STANDARDS.
Subdivision 1. Establishment.
A grant program to promote professional teaching standards through the
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is established to provide
teachers with the opportunity to receive National Board for Professional
Teaching Standards certification and to reward teachers who have already
received this certification.
Subd. 2. Eligibility.
An applicant for a grant must:
(1) be a licensed teacher employed in a Minnesota
public school;
(2) have a minimum of five school years' classroom
teaching experience; and
(3) demonstrate acceptance by the National Board for
Professional Teaching Standards as a candidate for board certification or as a
recipient of board certification.
Subd. 3. Application
process. To obtain a grant to participate in the National Board for
Professional Teaching Standards certification process or to receive a reward
for already completing the board certification process, a teacher must submit
an application to the commissioner of education in the form and manner
established by the commissioner. The commissioner shall consult with the Board
of Teaching when reviewing the applications. The commissioner shall also
provide program support to assist applicants during the national board
certification process.
Subd. 4. Grant
awards; proceeds. (a) The commissioner may award grants of $1,000 to
eligible teachers accepted as candidates for the National Board for
Professional Teaching Standards certification or for national board
certification renewal for partial payment of the teacher's candidate
application fee.
(b) The commissioner shall award grants of $3,000 to
all eligible teacher applicants who hold certification from the National Board
for Professional Teaching Standards and $2,000 for renewal of their national
board certification.
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(c) The commissioner shall also award grants to
eligible teachers who have received National Board for Professional Teaching
Standards certification within one year prior to the date of the teacher's
application for a grant to use for educational purposes, including purchasing
instructional materials, equipment, or supplies, and pursuing professional
development opportunities. The commissioner, under this paragraph, may award
grants not to exceed $1,000 after consulting with interested stakeholders
regarding the grant amount.
Sec. 49. EXPERIENCE
REQUIREMENTS.
Any rules adopted by the Board of School
Administrators governing principal licensure must require that a person
applying for a principal license have at least three years of successful teaching
experience gained while holding a classroom teaching license valid for the
positions in which the applicant taught.
Sec. 50. RULEMAKING
AUTHORITY.
The commissioner of education shall adopt rules for
implementing and administering the graduation-required assessment for diploma
(GRAD) in reading and mathematics and in writing, consistent with Minnesota
Statutes, section 120B.30, subdivision 1, and for public review of the GRAD
test. The rules must specify the GRAD requirements that apply to students in
unique circumstances including dual enrolled students, English language
learners, foreign exchange students, home school students, open enrollment
students, Minnesota postsecondary enrollment options students, shared-time
students, transfer students from other states, and district-placed students and
students attending school under a tuition agreement. The rules must establish
the criteria for determining individualized GRAD passing scores for students
with an individual education plan or a Section 504 plan and for using an
alternative assessment when a student's individual education plan team decides
to replace the GRAD test.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 51. RULEMAKING
REQUIRED.
(a) Notwithstanding the time limit in Minnesota
Statutes, section 14.125, the Board of Teaching must adopt the rules it was
mandated to adopt under Laws 2003, chapter 129, article 1, section 10. The
board must publish a notice of intent to adopt rules or a notice of hearing for
rules subject to this section before January 1, 2008.
(b) The failure of a board member to comply with
paragraph (a) is a willful failure to perform a specific act that is a required
part of the duties of a public official and is cause for removal under
Minnesota Statutes, section 15.0575, subdivision 4.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 52. RULEMAKING
AUTHORIZED; SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATION SERVICE PROVIDERS.
The commissioner of education must amend Minnesota
Rules, part 3512.5400, consistent with the requirements under Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 14, to include specifications that provide the basis for
withdrawing Department of Education approval from supplemental education
service providers that fail to increase students' academic proficiency for two
consecutive school years. The amended rule also must clearly indicate:
(1) how the Department of Education will disentangle
the impact of supplemental education from the impact of regular school
instruction on students' academic performance; and
(2) whether the Department of Education will assess
effectiveness of the supplemental education service providers using an absolute
measure, such as percent of "proficient" students or measure individual
students' growth toward proficiency over time.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 53. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.
(a) The commissioner of
education shall adopt rules under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 14, for physical
education standards required for high school graduation, consistent with
requirements governing Minnesota Statutes, sections 120B.021, subdivision 1, clause
(5)(i), and 120B.024, paragraph (a), clause (6), after reviewing the six
physical education standards developed by the Department of Education's health
and physical education quality teaching network and consulting with interested
and qualified stakeholders and members of the public about the proposed
substance of the physical education standards.
(b) Consistent with the
requirements governing Minnesota Statutes, sections 120B.021, subdivision 1,
clause (5)(ii), and 120B.024, paragraph (a), clause (6), the commissioner of
education must use the expedited rulemaking process under Minnesota Statutes,
section 14.389, to adopt a rule governing physical education standards that
contains the six National Physical Education Standards developed by the National
Association for Sport and Physical Education requiring a physically educated
person to:
(1) demonstrate competency
in motor skills and movement patterns needed to perform a variety of physical
activities;
(2) demonstrate
understanding of movement concepts, principles, strategies, and tactics as they
apply to learning and performance of physical activities;
(3) participate regularly in
physical education;
(4) achieve and maintain a
health-enhancing level of physical fitness;
(5) exhibit responsible personal
and social behavior that respects one's self and others in physical activity
settings; and
(6) value physical activity
for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and social interaction.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 54. WORLD LANGUAGES RESOURCES.
(a) The commissioner of
education shall employ a full-time state coordinator for world languages
education within the department by July 1, 2007. The commissioner shall seek
advice from the quality teaching network before assigning or hiring the
coordinator. The coordinator, at a minimum, shall:
(1) assist charter schools
and school districts in planning to develop or enhance their capacity to offer
world languages courses and programs;
(2) collaborate with
Minnesota world languages professionals and charter schools and school
districts and continuously seek their advice in developing all aspects of world
languages programs;
(3) survey Minnesota charter
schools and school districts to (i) determine the types of existing world
languages programs including, among others, those that use information
technology to provide high-quality world languages instruction, (ii) identify
exemplary model world languages programs, and (iii) identify and address staff
development needs of current world languages teachers, preservice teachers, and
teacher preparation programs;
(4) identify successful
world languages programs in other states;
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(5) consult with interested stakeholders to prepare
a report for the commissioner of education to submit by February 15, 2008, to
the education policy and finance committees of the legislature assessing the
feasibility and structure of a statewide world languages graduation requirement
under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.021, subdivision 1; and
(6) beginning February 1, 2008, and until February
1, 2012, report annually to the education policy and finance committees of the
legislature on the status of world languages in Minnesota and the programmatic
needs identified by charter school and school district surveys, and make
recommendations on how to address the identified needs.
(b) After carefully examining existing world languages
assessments, including among other considerations the ease or difficulty with
which the assessments may be adapted to world languages not currently assessed,
the commissioner, by July 1, 2009, shall recommend an assessment tool for
charter schools and school districts to use in measuring student progress in
acquiring proficiency in world languages.
(c) Beginning July 1, 2008, the department shall
assist world languages teachers and other school staff in developing and
implementing world languages programs that acknowledge and reinforce the
language proficiency and cultural awareness that non-English language speakers
already possess, and encourage students' proficiency in multiple world
languages. Programs under this paragraph must encompass indigenous American
Indian languages and cultures, among other world languages and cultures. The
department shall consult with postsecondary institutions in developing related
professional development opportunities
(d) The commissioner, upon request, must evaluate
the plans of charter schools and school districts to develop or enhance their
capacity to offer world languages courses and programs and continue to offer
technical assistance to districts in developing or enhancing world languages
programs. The department shall assist districts in monitoring local assessment
results.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 55. WORLD
LANGUAGES PILOT PROGRAM GRANTS.
(a) A pilot program awarding five world languages
grants of $50,000 per grant to interested and qualified school sites and school
districts is established for fiscal year 2009 to develop and implement
sustainable, high-quality model world languages programs and to enhance
existing world languages programs at various grade levels for students in
kindergarten through grade 12. Program participants must simultaneously support
both non-English language learners in maintaining their native language while
mastering English and native English speakers in learning other languages.
(b) Interested school sites and school districts
must apply to the commissioner of education in the form and manner the
commissioner determines. The application must indicate whether the applicant
intends to develop a new world languages program or expand an existing world
languages program and whether the applicant intends to offer more intensive
programs or programs that are readily accessible to larger numbers of students.
Applicants must agree to disseminate information about their programs to interested
school sites and school districts.
(c) The commissioner must award grants to qualified
applicants that satisfy the requirements in paragraphs (a) and (b). To the
extent there are qualified applicants, the commissioner must award grants to qualified
applicants on an equitable geographic basis to the extent feasible. The
commissioner must award three grants to kindergarten through grade 8 sites, one
grant to a qualified site interested in developing or enhancing a sustainable
Mandarin Chinese program, and one grant to an indigenous American Indian world
languages program. Grantees must expend the grant consistent with the content
of their application and this section.
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(d) The commissioner shall provide for an evaluation
of the grantees to identify exemplary model world languages programs and the
staff development needs of world languages teachers and report the findings of
the evaluation to the education policy and finance committees of the
legislature by February 15, 2010.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for the 2007-2008 school year.
Sec. 56. BILINGUAL
AND MULTILINGUAL CERTIFICATES; DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
The Department of Education, in consultation with
interested stakeholders, must develop and recommend to the legislature by
February 15, 2008, the standards and process for awarding bilingual and
multilingual certificates to those kindergarten through grade 12 students who
demonstrate and maintain a requisite level of proficiency in multiple
languages.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 57. MASTER
TEACHER TRAINING IN ECONOMICS AND PERSONAL FINANCE.
The commissioner of education must contract with the
Minnesota Council on Economic Education to allow 20 highly qualified economics
and personal finance teachers throughout the state to participate in a
week-long summer training program that offers content, skills for teaching
adults, mentoring, and workshop planning and delivery. The program must enable
participants, as master teachers, to provide professional development to other
teachers interested in improving their teaching of economics and personal
finance. Successful master teachers may co-teach teacher workshops with members
of the statewide network of centers for economic education and provide
professional development workshops as part of school districts' professional
development programs.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 58. SCHOOL
PERFORMANCE REPORT CARDS; ADVISORY GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS.
(a) To sustain equity and excellence in education,
the Independent Office of Educational Accountability under Minnesota Statutes,
section 120B.31, subdivision 3, must convene and facilitate an advisory group
of measurement experts to consider and recommend how to structure school
performance data and school performance report cards under Minnesota Statutes,
section 120B.36, subdivision 1, to fully, fairly, and accurately report student
achievement and emphasize school excellence under Minnesota's system of
educational accountability and public reporting. The advisory group at least
must consider and recommend how to: evaluate student achievement using multiple
measures of growth that take into account student demographic characteristics,
consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.31, subdivision 4; and
identify outstanding schools based on student achievement and achievement
growth and using multiple performance measures that are objective and
consistent with the highest standards in the field of educational measurements
and accountability. The advisory group, at its discretion, may also consider
and make recommendations on other related statewide accountability and
reporting matters.
(b) Advisory group members
under paragraph (a) include: two qualified experts in measurement in education
selected by the State Council on Measurement in Education; three regionally diverse
school district research and evaluation directors selected by the Minnesota
Assessment Group; one school superintendent selected by the Minnesota
Association of School Administrators; one University of Minnesota faculty
selected by the dean of the College of Education and Human Development; one
licensed teacher selected by Education Minnesota; two parents selected by the
Minnesota Parent Teachers Association with expertise in measurement in
education; and the director of evaluation and testing at the Minnesota
Department of Education. Advisory group members' terms and other
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advisory group matters are
subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 6. The Independent
Office of Educational Accountability must present the advisory group's
recommendations under paragraph (a) to the education policy and finance
committees of the legislature by February 15, 2008. The advisory group expires
February 16, 2008.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 59. ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL CALENDAR PILOT
PROGRAM.
Subdivision 1. Establishment. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes,
section 120A.41 or 120A.415, or other law to the contrary, but consistent with
Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.128, an alternative school calendar pilot
program is established to examine the impact of school calendar arrangements on
student learning by comparing students' academic gains in school districts and
charter schools that use traditional and nontraditional school calendars. The
commissioner of education must structure the program and select elementary and
secondary program participants with the purpose of comparing the impact of
traditional and nontraditional school calendars on:
(1) the amount of
educational material students retain after school vacations;
(2) the educational
enrichment opportunities and remedial help available to students throughout the
school year;
(3) the impact of the
calendar on student attendance, student disciplinary actions, and student
achievement test scores; and
(4) the amount of time
available to students and school staff for out-of-school learning, vacations,
and recreation.
Subd. 2. Eligibility; application. An interested school district,
charter school, or groups of school districts or charter schools that
participate for a particular purpose may apply to the commissioner of education
to participate in the pilot program in the form and manner the commissioner
determines. An applicant must identify in its application the internal and
external factors that it anticipates may determine its preference for a
traditional or nontraditional school calendar, including the impact of the
school calendar on: costs related to employee compensation, transportation,
food, facility use throughout the calendar year, and facility maintenance;
needs of at-risk students; number of instructional and staff development days;
and the availability of extracurricular activities, community resources, and before-
and after-school care and child care. The commissioner may require an applicant
to provide additional information.
Subd. 3. Application review; grant awards. When reviewing an
application, the commissioner must determine whether the applicant met the
requirements in subdivisions 1 and 2, and only an applicant that satisfies all
the requirements is eligible to receive a grant under this section. The
commissioner must equitably distribute grant awards, to the extent feasible, on
the basis of geography and must consider grant applications from existing and
proposed flexible learning year programs under Minnesota Statutes, section
124D.12. The commissioner must base the amount of the grant award on the number
of students the grantee has enrolled in school and the length and structure of
the grantee's school calendar. Grant expenditures must be consistent with
budget information the grantee periodically submits to the commissioner.
Subd. 4. Evaluation. The commissioner must provide for an ongoing annual
evaluation of the impact of school calendar arrangements on student learning
under subdivision 1, clauses (1) to (4). Within 180 days of when the pilot
program terminates, the commissioner must recommend to the education policy and
finance committees of the legislature preferred school calendars based upon
demonstrated student achievement and the criteria listed in subdivision 1.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 60. AMERICAN INDIAN SCHOLARSHIP.
Administration of the
American Indian scholarship program under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.84,
is transferred from the Department of Education to the Minnesota Office of
Higher Education. The Minnesota Office of Higher Education must maintain an
office at no cost to the scholarship program that employs at least one person
in the Bemidji area for distributing scholarships under this section. Office
space and support may be provided by Bemidji State University at no cost to the
scholarship program.
Sec. 61. TEACHER TRAINING TO INTEGRATE LEARNING
TECHNOLOGIES INTO K-12 CLASSROOMS.
(a) The commissioner of
education must contract with the University of Minnesota for qualified experts
to provide teacher training in effectively using computers and related
technologies in kindergarten through grade 12 classrooms. The experts must
provide professional development opportunities to teachers throughout the state
and enable participants to successfully use technology-related instructional
resources to help diverse students meet state and local academic standards and
graduation requirements and achieve educational excellence, and enhance
teachers' learning and curriculum content and instruction. The experts also
must enable participants to serve as master teachers to provide professional
development to other teachers interested in better integrating the use of
learning technologies into kindergarten through grade 12 classrooms.
Participants who serve as master teachers may co-teach teacher workshops with
other qualified professional development providers and participate in
professional development workshops as part of school districts' professional
development programs.
(b) The commissioner of
education must provide for an evaluation of the effectiveness of the teacher
training program under paragraph (a) and recommend to the education policy and
finance committees of the legislature by February 15, 2010, whether or not to
make the program available statewide.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 62. ADVISORY TASK FORCE ON MINNESOTA
AMERICAN INDIAN TRIBES AND COMMUNITIES AND K-12 STANDARDS-BASED REFORM.
(a) The commissioner of
education shall appoint an advisory task force on Minnesota American Indian
tribes and communities and kindergarten through grade 12 standards-based reform
that is composed of the following representatives: Department of Education
staff experienced in working with American Indian students and programs;
Minnesota American Indian tribes and communities; Minnesota School Board
Association; school administrators; Education Minnesota; the state Board of
Teaching; the Minnesota Council on Indian Affairs; postsecondary faculty who serve
as instructors in teacher preparation programs; local community service
providers who work with Minnesota American Indian tribes and communities; and
other representatives recommended by task force members. Task force members'
terms and other task force matters are subject to Minnesota Statutes, section
15.059, subject to the limits of available appropriations. The task force must
submit a written report to the education policy and finance committees of the
legislature by February 15, 2008, that includes any recommended changes to the
state's performance standards, content requirements, assessments measures, and
teacher preparation programs to most effectively meet the educational needs of
American Indian students enrolled in Minnesota schools.
(b) Upon request, the
commissioner of education must provide the task force with technical, fiscal,
and other support.
(c) The task force expires
on February 16, 2008.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 63. REVISOR'S
INSTRUCTION.
The revisor of statutes shall renumber Minnesota
Statutes, section 124D.84 to section 136A.126, correct cross-references, and
make other necessary corrections to implement section 58.
Sec. 64. APPROPRIATIONS.
Subdivision 1. Minnesota
Office of Higher Education. The sums indicated in this section are
appropriated from the general fund to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education
for the fiscal years designated.
Subd. 2. American
Indian scholarships. For American Indian scholarships under
Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.84:
$1,950,000 . . . . . 2008
$1,950,000 . . . . . 2009
Of this appropriation, $75,000 per year is for administration
under section 58.
Sec. 65. APPROPRIATIONS.
Subdivision 1. Board
of Regents of the University of Minnesota. The sums indicated in
this section are appropriated from the general fund to the Board of Regents of the
University of Minnesota for the fiscal years designated.
Subd. 2. Independent
Office of Educational Accountability. For the Independent Office of
Educational Accountability under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.31,
subdivision 3:
$200,000 . . . . . 2008
$200,000 . . . . . 2009
This is a onetime appropriation.
Sec. 66. APPROPRIATIONS.
Subdivision 1. Department.
The sums indicated in this section are appropriated from the general fund to
the Department of Education for the fiscal years designated.
Subd. 2. Charter
school building lease aid. For building lease aid under Minnesota
Statutes, section 124D.11, subdivision 4:
$31,875,000 . . . . . 2008
$36,193,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation includes $2,814,000 for 2007
and $29,061,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation includes $3,229,000 for 2008
and $32,964,000 for 2009.
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Subd. 3. Charter school startup cost aid. For charter school startup
cost aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.11:
$1,896,000 . . . . . 2008
$2,161,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation
includes $241,000 for 2007 and $1,655,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation includes
$183,000 for 2008 and $1,978,000 for 2009.
Subd. 4. Integration aid. For integration aid under Minnesota
Statutes, section 124D.86, subdivision 5:
$61,769,000 . . . . . 2008
$61,000,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation
includes $5,824,000 for 2007 and $55,945,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation
includes $6,216,000 for 2008 and $54,784,000 for 2009.
Subd. 5. Magnet school program grants. For magnet school program
grants:
$750,000 . . . . . 2008
$750,000 . . . . . 2009
These amounts may be used
for magnet school programs under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.88.
Up to $100,000 each year is
available for site-based decision-making grants under Minnesota Statutes,
section 123B.04, subdivision 2, clause (g).
Any balance in the first
year does not cancel but is available in the second year.
Subd. 6. Interdistrict desegregation or integration transportation grants.
For interdistrict desegregation or integration transportation grants under
Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.87:
$9,639,000 . . . . . 2008
$11,567,000 . . . . . 2009
Subd. 7. Success for the future. For American Indian success for
the future grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.81:
$2,137,000 . . . . . 2008
$2,137,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation
includes $213,000 for 2007 and $1,924,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation
includes $213,000 for 2008 and $1,924,000 for 2009.
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Subd. 8. American Indian
teacher preparation grants. For joint grants to assist American
Indians to become teachers under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.63:
$190,000 . . . . . 2008
$190,000 . . . . . 2009
Subd. 9. Tribal
contract schools. For tribal contract school aid under Minnesota
Statutes, section 124D.83:
$2,251,000 . . . . . 2008
$2,463,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation includes $204,000 for 2007
and $2,047,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation includes $227,000 for 2008
and $2,236,000 for 2009.
Subd. 10. Early
childhood family education programs at tribal contract schools. For
early childhood family education programs at tribal contract schools under
Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.83, subdivision 4:
$68,000 . . . . . 2008
$68,000 . . . . . 2009
Subd. 11. Statewide
testing and reporting system. For the statewide testing and
reporting system under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.30:
$12,650,000 . . . . . 2008
$12,650,000 . . . . . 2009
$11,500,000 each year is to continue the general administration
and reporting of the statewide testing program.
$1,150,000 each year is for the value-added index
assessment model.
Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is
available in the second year.
The base for this program in fiscal year 2010 and
later is $12,650,000.
Subd. 12. First
grade preparedness. For first grade preparedness grants under
Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.081:
$7,250,000 . . . . . 2008
Subd. 13. Examination
fees; teacher training and support programs. (a) For students'
advanced placement and international baccalaureate examination fees under
Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.13, subdivision 3, and the training and
related costs for teachers and other interested educators under Minnesota
Statutes, section 120B.13, subdivision 1:
$4,500,000 . . . . . 2008
$4,500,000 . . . . . 2009
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(b) The advanced placement
program shall receive 75 percent of the appropriation each year and the
international baccalaureate program shall receive 25 percent of the
appropriation each year. The department, in consultation with representatives
of the advanced placement and international baccalaureate programs selected by
the Advanced Placement Advisory Council and IBMN, respectively, shall determine
the amounts of the expenditures each year for examination fees and training and
support programs for each program.
(c) Notwithstanding Minnesota
Statutes, section 120B.13, subdivision 1, at least $500,000 each year is for
teachers to attend subject matter summer training programs and follow-up
support workshops approved by the advanced placement or international
baccalaureate programs. The amount of the subsidy for each teacher attending an
advanced placement or international baccalaureate summer training program or
workshop shall be the same. The commissioner shall determine the payment
process and the amount of the subsidy.
(d) The commissioner shall
pay all examination fees for all students of low-income families under
Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.13, subdivision 3, and to the extent of
available appropriations shall also pay examination fees for students sitting
for an advanced placement examination, international baccalaureate examination,
or both.
Any balance in the first
year does not cancel but is available in the second year.
Subd. 14. Preadvanced placement, advanced placement, international
baccalaureate, and concurrent enrollment programs. For preadvanced
placement, advanced placement, international baccalaureate, and concurrent
enrollment programs under Minnesota Statutes, sections 120B.132 and 124D.091:
$7,740,000 . . . . . 2008
$8,600,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation
includes $0 for fiscal year 2007 and $7,740,000 for fiscal year 2008. The 2009
appropriation includes $860,000 for fiscal year 2008 and $7,740,000 for fiscal
year 2009.
Of this amount, $2,500,000
each year is for concurrent enrollment program aid under Minnesota Statutes,
section 124D.091. If the appropriation is insufficient, the commissioner must
proportionately reduce the aid payment to each district.
Subd. 15. Collaborative urban educator. For collaborative urban
educator grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.641:
$1,301,000 . . . . . 2008
$1,301,000 . . . . . 2009
$500,000 each year is for
the Southeast Asian teacher program at Concordia University, St. Paul; $400,000
each year is for the collaborative urban educator program at the University of
St. Thomas; and $400,000 each year is for the Center for Excellence in Urban
Teaching at Hamline University. Grant recipients must collaborate with urban
and nonurban school districts.
Any balance in the first
year does not cancel but is available in the second year.
Subd. 16. Youth works program. For funding youth works programs
under Minnesota Statutes, sections 124D.37 to 124D.45:
$900,000 . . . . . 2008
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$900,000 . . . . . 2009
A grantee organization may provide health and child
care coverage to the dependents of each participant enrolled in a full-time
youth works program to the extent the coverage is not otherwise available.
Subd. 17. Early childhood
literacy programs. For early childhood literacy programs under
Minnesota Statutes, section 119A.50, subdivision 3:
$1,500,000 . . . . . 2008
$1,500,000 . . . . . 2009
$1,000,000 each year is for leveraging federal and
private funding to support AmeriCorps members serving in the Minnesota Reading
Corps program established by Serve Minnesota, including costs associated with
the training and teaching of early literacy skills to children age three to
grade 3 and the evaluation of the impact of the program under Minnesota
Statutes, section 124D.42, subdivision 8.
$500,000 each year is for grants for early childhood
literacy programs under Minnesota Statutes, section 119A.50, subdivision 3,
paragraph (a).
Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is
available in the second year.
Subd. 18. St. Croix
River Education District. For a grant to the St. Croix River
Education District:
$500,000 . . . . . 2008
$500,000 . . . . . 2009
These funds must be used to:
(1) deliver standardized research-based professional
development in problem-solving, including response to intervention,
scientifically based reading instruction, and standards-aligned instruction and
assessment;
(2) provide coaching to targeted districts
throughout the state;
(3) deliver large scale training throughout the
state;
(4) provide ongoing technical assistance to schools;
(5) assist with implementing professional
development content into higher education instructional curricula; and
(6) evaluate the effectiveness of project
activities.
This is a onetime appropriation.
Subd. 19. Student
organizations. For student organizations:
$725,000 . . . . . 2008
$725,000 . . . . . 2009
Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is
available in the second year.
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Subd. 20. College level examination program (CLEP). For the college
level examination program (CLEP) under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.131:
$1,650,000 . . . . . 2008
$1,650,000 . . . . . 2009
Any balance in the first
year does not cancel but is available in the second year.
Subd. 21. Education planning and assessment (EPAS) program. For the
educational planning and assessment (EPAS) program under Minnesota Statutes,
section 120B.128:
$829,000 . . . . . 2008
$829,000 . . . . . 2009
Any balance in the first
year does not cancel but is available in the second year.
The base for this program in
fiscal year 2010 and later is $829,000.
Subd. 22. 21st century high schools. (a) For 21st century high
schools:
$1,920,000 . . . . . 2008
$6,843,000 . . . . . 2009
(b) $1,000,000 in fiscal year
2008 is for grants for alternative school calendar pilot programs under section
59. Grant funds may be used for pupil transportation costs.
(c) $6,443,000 in fiscal
year 2009 is for Career and Technical Aid under Minnesota Statutes, section
124D.4531. The 2009 appropriation includes $0 for fiscal year 2008 and
$6,443,000 for fiscal year 2009.
(d) $500,000 in fiscal year
2008 is for professional teacher licensure.
(e) $150,000 each year is
for the quantum opportunities program.
(f) $250,000 each year is
for world languages resources for developing and implementing world languages
programs.
(g) $20,000 in fiscal year
2008 is for the committee on American Indian education under Minnesota
Statutes, section 124D.805.
Any balance in the first
year does not cancel but is available in the second year.
The base for this
appropriation for fiscal year 2010 is $7,352,000 and $7,572,000 for fiscal year
2011.
Subd. 23. Minnesota
teacher development. (a) Effective, well prepared, fully engaged,
and adequately supported kindergarten through grade 12 classroom teachers,
along with parents, are critical partners in helping the many diverse student
populations realize meaningful academic achievement. To afford students needed
opportunities to learn effectively without remediation; to acknowledge and
reinforce the language proficiency and
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cultural awareness that
diverse language speakers possess; to encourage students' proficiency in
science, technology, mathematics, engineering, economics, civics, and foreign
languages; and to provide new and experienced teachers with sufficient staff
development resources and support to effectively work to close the student
achievement gap, the following resources are provided:
$4,950,000 . . . . . 2008
$4,000,000 . . . . . 2009
(b) $400,000 each year is for a grant to the
Minnesota Humanities Commission under Minnesota Statutes, section 138.911.
(c) $150,000 each year is for a grant to the
Minnesota Historical Society.
(d) $400,000 each year is for the Principals'
Leadership Institute under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.74. Any balance in
the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.
(e) $1,300,000 each year is for teachers of color
scholarships under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.633.
(f) $2,600,000 in fiscal year 2008 and $1,750,000 in
fiscal year 2009 are for professional development programs. Of this amount: $1,667,000
in fiscal year 2008 and $1,125,000 in fiscal year 2009 are for grants for up to
five teacher centers under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.72, subdivision 5,
for the science, technology, engineering and mathematics initiative including
teacher workshops and expanded outreach programs in classrooms; $333,000 in
fiscal year 2008 and $225,000 in fiscal year 2009 are for a grant to the
Science Museum of Minnesota for the science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics initiative; $200,000 in fiscal year 2008 is for a grant to the
Minnesota Council on Economic Education for master teacher training in
economics and personal finance; and $400,000 each year is for teacher
technology training grants under section 61.
(g) $100,000 in fiscal year 2008 is for a grant to
the commissioner of education for a grant to the Learning Law and Democracy
Foundation for the development and electronic collection, review, and
distribution of educational materials supporting Minnesota's kindergarten
through grade 12 education standards for civics and government.
Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is
available in the second year.
The base for the appropriations contained in this
subdivision for fiscal year 2010 and later is $800,000 per year.
Sec. 67. REPEALER.
Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 121A.23; and
124D.62, are repealed.
ARTICLE 3
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 123B.92,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Definitions.
For purposes of this section and section 125A.76, the terms defined in this
subdivision have the meanings given to them.
(a) "Actual expenditure per pupil transported
in the regular and excess transportation categories" means the quotient
obtained by dividing:
(1) the sum of:
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(i) all expenditures for
transportation in the regular category, as defined in paragraph (b), clause
(1), and the excess category, as defined in paragraph (b), clause (2), plus
(ii) an amount equal to one
year's depreciation on the district's school bus fleet and mobile units
computed on a straight line basis at the rate of 15 percent per year for
districts operating a program under section 124D.128 for grades 1 to 12 for all
students in the district and 12-1/2 percent per year for other districts of the
cost of the fleet, plus
(iii) an amount equal to one
year's depreciation on the district's type three school buses, as defined in
section 169.01, subdivision 6, clause (5), which must be used a majority of the
time for pupil transportation purposes, computed on a straight line basis at
the rate of 20 percent per year of the cost of the type three school buses by:
(2) the number of pupils
eligible for transportation in the regular category, as defined in paragraph
(b), clause (1), and the excess category, as defined in paragraph (b), clause
(2).
(b) "Transportation
category" means a category of transportation service provided to pupils as
follows:
(1) Regular transportation
is:
(i) transportation to and
from school during the regular school year for resident elementary pupils
residing one mile or more from the public or nonpublic school they attend, and
resident secondary pupils residing two miles or more from the public or
nonpublic school they attend, excluding desegregation transportation and noon
kindergarten transportation; but with respect to transportation of pupils to
and from nonpublic schools, only to the extent permitted by sections 123B.84 to
123B.87;
(ii) transportation of
resident pupils to and from language immersion programs;
(iii) transportation of a
pupil who is a custodial parent and that pupil's child between the pupil's home
and the child care provider and between the provider and the school, if the
home and provider are within the attendance area of the school;
(iv) transportation to and
from or board and lodging in another district, of resident pupils of a district
without a secondary school; and
(v) transportation to and
from school during the regular school year required under subdivision 3 for
nonresident elementary pupils when the distance from the attendance area border
to the public school is one mile or more, and for nonresident secondary pupils
when the distance from the attendance area border to the public school is two
miles or more, excluding desegregation transportation and noon kindergarten
transportation.
For the purposes of this
paragraph, a district may designate a licensed day care facility, school day
care facility, respite care facility, the residence of a relative, or the
residence of a person chosen by the pupil's parent or guardian as the home of a
pupil for part or all of the day, if requested by the pupil's parent or guardian,
and if that facility or residence is within the attendance area of the school
the pupil attends.
(2) Excess transportation
is:
(i) transportation to and
from school during the regular school year for resident secondary pupils
residing at least one mile but less than two miles from the public or nonpublic
school they attend, and transportation to and from school for resident pupils
residing less than one mile from school who are transported because of
extraordinary traffic, drug, or crime hazards; and
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(ii) transportation to and from school during the
regular school year required under subdivision 3 for nonresident secondary pupils
when the distance from the attendance area border to the school is at least one
mile but less than two miles from the public school they attend, and for
nonresident pupils when the distance from the attendance area border to the
school is less than one mile from the school and who are transported because of
extraordinary traffic, drug, or crime hazards.
(3) Desegregation transportation is transportation
within and outside of the district during the regular school year of pupils to
and from schools located outside their normal attendance areas under a plan for
desegregation mandated by the commissioner or under court order.
(4) "Transportation services for pupils with
disabilities" is:
(i) transportation of pupils with disabilities who
cannot be transported on a regular school bus between home or a respite care
facility and school;
(ii) necessary transportation of pupils with
disabilities from home or from school to other buildings, including centers
such as developmental achievement centers, hospitals, and treatment centers
where special instruction or services required by sections 125A.03 to 125A.24,
125A.26 to 125A.48, and 125A.65 are provided, within or outside the district
where services are provided;
(iii) necessary transportation for resident pupils
with disabilities required by sections 125A.12, and 125A.26 to 125A.48;
(iv) board and lodging for pupils with disabilities
in a district maintaining special classes;
(v) transportation from one educational facility to
another within the district for resident pupils enrolled on a shared-time basis
in educational programs, and necessary transportation required by sections
125A.18, and 125A.26 to 125A.48, for resident pupils with disabilities who are
provided special instruction and services on a shared-time basis or if resident
pupils are not transported, the costs of necessary travel between public and
private schools or neutral instructional sites by essential personnel employed
by the district's program for children with a disability;
(vi) transportation for resident pupils with
disabilities to and from board and lodging facilities when the pupil is boarded
and lodged for educational purposes; and
(vii) services described in clauses (i) to (vi),
when provided for pupils with disabilities in conjunction with a summer
instructional program that relates to the pupil's individual education plan or
in conjunction with a learning year program established under section 124D.128.
For purposes of computing special education base
revenue initial aid under section 125A.76, subdivision 2, the cost
of providing transportation for children with disabilities includes (A) the
additional cost of transporting a homeless student from a temporary nonshelter
home in another district to the school of origin, or a formerly homeless
student from a permanent home in another district to the school of origin but
only through the end of the academic year; and (B) depreciation on
district-owned school buses purchased after July 1, 2005, and used primarily
for transportation of pupils with disabilities, calculated according to
paragraph (a), clauses (ii) and (iii). Depreciation costs included in the
disabled transportation category must be excluded in calculating the actual
expenditure per pupil transported in the regular and excess transportation
categories according to paragraph (a).
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(5) "Nonpublic
nonregular transportation" is:
(i) transportation from one
educational facility to another within the district for resident pupils
enrolled on a shared-time basis in educational programs, excluding
transportation for nonpublic pupils with disabilities under clause (4);
(ii) transportation within
district boundaries between a nonpublic school and a public school or a neutral
site for nonpublic school pupils who are provided pupil support services
pursuant to section 123B.44; and
(iii) late transportation
home from school or between schools within a district for nonpublic school
pupils involved in after-school activities.
(c) "Mobile unit"
means a vehicle or trailer designed to provide facilities for educational
programs and services, including diagnostic testing, guidance and counseling
services, and health services. A mobile unit located off nonpublic school
premises is a neutral site as defined in section 123B.41, subdivision 13.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 124D.454, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Definitions. For the purposes of this
section, the definitions in this subdivision apply.
(a) "Base year"
means the second fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which aid will be
paid.
(b) "Basic revenue"
has the meaning given it in section 126C.10, subdivision 2. For the purposes of
computing basic revenue pursuant to this section, each child with a disability
shall be counted as prescribed in section 126C.05, subdivision 1.
(c) "Average daily
membership" has the meaning given it in section 126C.05.
(d) "Program growth
factor" means 1.00 for fiscal year 1998 and later.
(e) "Aid percentage
factor" means 100 percent for fiscal year 2000 and later.
(f) (b) "Essential
personnel" means a licensed teacher, licensed support services staff
person, paraprofessional providing direct services to students, or licensed
personnel under subdivision 12. This definition is not intended to change or
modify the definition of essential employee in chapter 179A.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 124D.454, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
Subd. 3. Base revenue Initial aid.
(a) The transition-disabled program base revenue initial aid
equals the sum of the following amounts computed using base current
year data:
(1) 68 percent of the salary
of each essential licensed person or approved paraprofessional who provides
direct instructional services to students employed during that fiscal year for
services rendered in that district's transition program for children with a
disability;
(2) 47 percent of the costs
of necessary equipment for transition programs for children with a disability;
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(3) 47 percent of the costs of necessary travel
between instructional sites by transition program teachers of children with a
disability but not including travel to and from local, regional, district,
state, or national career and technical student organization meetings;
(4) 47 percent of the costs of necessary supplies
for transition programs for children with a disability but not to exceed an
average of $47 in any one school year for each child with a disability
receiving these services;
(5) for transition programs for children with
disabilities provided by a contract approved by the commissioner with public,
private, or voluntary agencies other than a Minnesota school district or
cooperative center, in place of programs provided by the district, 52 percent
of the difference between the amount of the contract and the basic revenue of
the district for that pupil for the fraction of the school day the pupil
receives services under the contract;
(6) for transition programs for children with disabilities
provided by a contract approved by the commissioner with public, private, or
voluntary agencies other than a Minnesota school district or cooperative
center, that are supplementary to a full educational program provided by the
school district, 52 percent of the amount of the contract; and
(7) for a contract approved by the commissioner with
another Minnesota school district or cooperative center for vocational
evaluation services for children with a disability for children that are not
yet enrolled in grade 12, 52 percent of the amount of the contract.
(b) If requested by a school district for transition
programs during the base year for less than the full school year, the
commissioner may adjust the base revenue to reflect the expenditures that would
have occurred during the base year had the program been operated for the full
year.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 125A.11,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Nonresident
tuition rate; other costs. (a) For fiscal year 2006, when a school district
provides instruction and services outside the district of residence, board and
lodging, and any tuition to be paid, shall be paid by the district of residence.
The tuition rate to be charged for any child with a disability, excluding a
pupil for whom tuition is calculated according to section 127A.47, subdivision
7, paragraph (d), must be the sum of (1) the actual cost of providing special
instruction and services to the child including a proportionate amount for
special transportation and unreimbursed building lease and debt service costs
for facilities used primarily for special education, plus (2) the amount of
general education revenue and referendum aid attributable to the pupil, minus
(3) the amount of special education aid for children with a disability received
on behalf of that child, minus (4) if the pupil receives special instruction
and services outside the regular classroom for more than 60 percent of the
school day, the amount of general education revenue and referendum aid,
excluding portions attributable to district and school administration, district
support services, operations and maintenance, capital expenditures, and pupil
transportation, attributable to that pupil for the portion of time the pupil
receives special instruction and services outside of the regular classroom. If
the boards involved do not agree upon the tuition rate, either board may apply
to the commissioner to fix the rate. Notwithstanding chapter 14, the
commissioner must then set a date for a hearing or request a written statement
from each board, giving each board at least ten days' notice, and after the
hearing or review of the written statements the commissioner must make an order
fixing the tuition rate, which is binding on both school districts. General
education revenue and referendum equalization aid attributable to a
pupil must be calculated using the resident district's average general
education revenue and referendum revenue equalization aid
per adjusted pupil unit.
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(b) For fiscal year 2007 and later, when a school
district provides special instruction and services for a pupil with a disability
as defined in section 125A.02 outside the district of residence, excluding a
pupil for whom an adjustment to special education aid is calculated according
to section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraph (e), special education aid paid to
the resident district must be reduced by an amount equal to (1) the actual cost
of providing special instruction and services to the pupil, including a
proportionate amount for special transportation and unreimbursed building lease
and debt service costs for facilities used primarily for special education,
plus (2) the amount of general education revenue and referendum equalization
aid attributable to that pupil, calculated using the resident district's
average general education revenue and referendum equalization aid per adjusted
pupil unit excluding basic skills revenue, elementary sparsity revenue and
secondary sparsity revenue, minus (3) the amount of special education aid
for children with a disability received on behalf of that child, minus (4) if
the pupil receives special instruction and services outside the regular
classroom for more than 60 percent of the school day, the amount of general
education revenue and referendum equalization aid, excluding portions
attributable to district and school administration, district support services,
operations and maintenance, capital expenditures, and pupil transportation,
attributable to that pupil for the portion of time the pupil receives special
instruction and services outside of the regular classroom. General education
revenue and referendum aid attributable to a pupil must be calculated using the
resident district's average general education revenue and referendum aid per
adjusted pupil unit excluding basic skills revenue, elementary sparsity
revenue and secondary sparsity revenue and the serving district's basic skills
revenue, elementary sparsity revenue and secondary sparsity revenue per
adjusted pupil unit. Notwithstanding clauses (1) and (4), for pupils served by
a cooperative unit without a fiscal agent school district, the general
education revenue and referendum equalization aid attributable to a pupil must
be calculated using the resident district's average general education revenue
and referendum equalization aid excluding elementary sparsity revenue and
secondary sparsity revenue. Special education aid paid to the district or
cooperative providing special instruction and services for the pupil must be
increased by the amount of the reduction in the aid paid to the resident district.
Amounts paid to cooperatives under this subdivision and section 127A.47,
subdivision 7, shall be recognized and reported as revenues and expenditures on
the resident school district's books of account under sections 123B.75 and
123B.76. If the resident district's special education aid is insufficient to
make the full adjustment, the remaining adjustment shall be made to other state
aid due to the district.
(c) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b) and
section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraphs (d) and (e), a charter school where
more than 30 percent of enrolled students receive special education and related
services, a site approved under section 125A.515, an intermediate
district, a special education cooperative, or a school district that served as
the applicant agency for a group of school districts for federal special
education aids for fiscal year 2006 may apply to the commissioner for authority
to charge the resident district an additional amount to recover any remaining
unreimbursed costs of serving pupils with a disability. The application must
include a description of the costs and the calculations used to determine the
unreimbursed portion to be charged to the resident district. Amounts approved
by the commissioner under this paragraph must be included in the tuition
billings or aid adjustments under paragraph (a) or (b), or section 127A.47,
subdivision 7, paragraph (d) or (e), as applicable.
(d) For purposes of this subdivision and section
127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraphs (d) and (e), "general education revenue
and referendum equalization aid" means the sum of the general
education revenue according to section 126C.10, subdivision 1, excluding
alternative teacher compensation revenue, plus the referendum equalization
aid according to section 126C.17, subdivision 7, as adjusted according to
section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraphs (a) to (c).
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 125A.13, is
amended to read:
125A.13 SCHOOL
OF PARENTS' CHOICE.
(a) Nothing in this chapter must be construed as
preventing parents of a child with a disability from sending the child to a school
of their choice, if they so elect, subject to admission standards and policies
adopted according to sections 125A.62 to 125A.64 and 125A.66 to 125A.73, and
all other provisions of chapters 120A to 129C.
(b) The parent of a student with a disability not
yet enrolled in kindergarten and not open enrolled in a nonresident district
may request that the resident district enter into a tuition agreement with the
nonresident district if:
(1) the child is enrolled in a Head Start program or
a licensed child care setting in the nonresident district; and
(2) the child can be served in the same setting as
other children in the nonresident district with the same level of disability.
Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 125A.14, is
amended to read:
125A.14 SUMMER
PROGRAMS EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR.
A district may provide summer programs extended
school year services for children with a disability living within the
district and nonresident children temporarily placed in the district pursuant
to section 125A.15 or 125A.16. Prior to March 31 or 30 days after the child
with a disability is placed in the district, whichever is later, the providing
district shall give notice to the district of residence of any nonresident
children temporarily placed in the district pursuant to section 125A.15 or
125A.16, of its intention to provide these programs. Notwithstanding any
contrary provisions in sections 125A.15 and 125A.16, the district providing the
special instruction and services must apply for special education aid for the summer
program extended school year services. The unreimbursed actual cost
of providing the program for nonresident children with a disability, including
the cost of board and lodging, may be billed to the district of the child's
residence and must be paid by the resident district. Transportation costs must
be paid by the district responsible for providing transportation pursuant to
section 125A.15 or 125A.16 and transportation aid must be paid to that
district.
Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 125A.63, is
amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 5. Statewide
hearing loss early education intervention coordinator. (a) The
coordinator shall:
(1) collaborate with the early hearing detection and
intervention coordinator for the Department of Health, the director of the
Department of Education Resource Center for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, and the
Department of Health Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Advisory Council;
(2) coordinate and support Department of Education
early hearing detection and intervention teams;
(3) leverage resources by serving as a liaison
between interagency early intervention committees; part C coordinators from the
Departments of Education, Health, and Human Services; Department of Education
regional low-incidence facilitators; service coordinators from school
districts; Minnesota children with special health needs in the Department of
Health; public health nurses; child find; Department of Human Services Deaf and
Hard-of-Hearing Services Division; and others as appropriate;
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(4) identify, support, and
promote culturally appropriate and evidence-based early intervention practices
for infants with hearing loss, and provide training, outreach, and use of
technology to increase consistency in statewide service provision;
(5) identify culturally
appropriate specialized reliable and valid instruments to assess and track the
progress of children with hearing loss and promote their use;
(6) ensure that early
childhood providers, parents, and members of the individual family service and
intervention plan are provided with child progress data resulting from
specialized assessments;
(7) educate early childhood
providers and teachers of the deaf and hard-of-hearing to use developmental
data from specialized assessments to plan and adjust individual family service
plans; and
(8) make recommendations
that would improve educational outcomes to the early hearing detection and
intervention committee, the commissioners of education and health, the
Minnesota Commission Serving Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing People, and the advisory
council of the Minnesota Department of Education Resource Center for the Deaf
and Hard-of-Hearing.
(b) The Department of
Education must provide aggregate data regarding outcomes of deaf and
hard-of-hearing children who receive early intervention services within the
state in accordance with the state performance plan.
Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 125A.75, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Travel aid. The state must pay each
district one-half of the sum actually expended by a district, based on mileage,
for necessary travel of essential personnel providing home-based or
community-based services to children with a disability under age five and
their families.
Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 125A.75, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. Program
and aid approval. Before June 1 of each year, each district providing
special instruction and services to children with a disability, including
children eligible for Part C, as defined in sections 125A.02, subdivision 1,
and 125A.27, subdivision 8, must submit to the commissioner an application
for approval of these programs and their budgets for the next fiscal year. The
application must include an enumeration of the costs proposed as eligible for
state aid pursuant to this section and of the estimated number and grade level
of children with a disability in the district who will receive special
instruction and services during the regular school year and in summer school
programs during the next fiscal year. The application must also include any
other information deemed necessary by the commissioner for the calculation of
state aid and for the evaluation of the necessity of the program, the necessity
of the personnel to be employed in the program, for determining the amount
which the program will receive from grants from federal funds, or special
grants from other state sources, and the program's compliance with the rules
and standards of the Department of Education. The commissioner shall review
each application to determine whether the program and the personnel to be
employed in the program are actually necessary and essential to meet the
district's obligation to provide special instruction and services to children
with a disability pursuant to sections 125A.03 to 125A.24, 125A.259 to 125A.48,
and 125A.65. The commissioner shall not approve aid pursuant to this section
for any program or for the salary of any personnel determined to be unnecessary
or unessential on the basis of this review. The commissioner may withhold all
or any portion of the aid for programs which receive grants from federal funds,
or special grants from other state sources. By August 31 the commissioner shall
approve, disapprove, or modify each application, and notify each applying
district of the action and of the estimated amount of aid for the programs. The
commissioner shall provide procedures for districts to submit additional
applications for program and budget approval during the fiscal year, for
programs needed to meet any substantial changes in the needs of children with a
disability in the district. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 127A.42,
the commissioner may modify or withdraw the program or aid approval and
withhold aid pursuant
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to this section without
proceeding according to section 127A.42 at any time the commissioner determines
that the program does not comply with rules of the Department of Education or
that any facts concerning the program or its budget differ from the facts in
the district's approved application.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 125A.76, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Definitions. For the purposes of this
section, the definitions in this subdivision apply.
(a) "Base year"
for fiscal year 1998 and later fiscal years means the second fiscal year
preceding the fiscal year for which aid will be paid.
(b) "Basic revenue"
has the meaning given it in section 126C.10, subdivision 2. For the purposes of
computing basic revenue pursuant to this section, each child with a disability
shall be counted as prescribed in section 126C.05, subdivision 1.
(c) (b) "Essential
personnel" means teachers, cultural liaisons, related services, and support
services staff providing direct services to students. Essential personnel may
also include special education paraprofessionals or clericals providing support
to teachers and students by preparing paperwork and making arrangements related
to special education compliance requirements, including parent meetings and
individual education plans.
(d) (c) "Average daily
membership" has the meaning given it in section 126C.05.
(e) (d) "Program growth
factor" means 1.046 for fiscal year 2003, and 1.0 for fiscal year 2004 and
later.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 125A.76, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
Subd. 2. Special education base revenue
initial aid. (a) The special education base revenue
initial aid equals the sum of the following amounts computed using base
current year data:
(1) 68 percent of the salary
of each essential person employed in the district's program for children with a
disability during the fiscal year, whether the person is employed by one or
more districts or a Minnesota correctional facility operating on a
fee-for-service basis;
(2) for the Minnesota State
Academy for the Deaf or the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind, 68 percent
of the salary of each instructional aide assigned to a child attending the
academy, if that aide is required by the child's individual education plan;
(3) for special instruction
and services provided to any pupil by contracting with public, private, or
voluntary agencies other than school districts, in place of special instruction
and services provided by the district, 52 percent of the difference between the
amount of the contract and the amount of the basic revenue, as defined in
section 126C.10, subdivision 2, special education aid, and any other aid earned
on behalf of the child the general education revenue, excluding basic
skills revenue and alternative teacher compensation revenue, and referendum
equalization aid attributable to a pupil, calculated using the resident
district's average general education revenue and referendum equalization aid
per adjusted pupil unit for the fraction of the school day the pupil
receives services under the contract. This includes children who are residents
of the state, receive services under section 125A.76, subdivisions 1 and 2, and
are placed in a care and treatment facility by court action in a state that
does not have a reciprocity agreement with the commissioner under section
125A.155 as provided for in section 125A.79, subdivision 8;
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(4) for special instruction and services provided to
any pupil by contracting for services with public, private, or voluntary
agencies other than school districts, that are supplementary to a full
educational program provided by the school district, 52 percent of the amount
of the contract for that pupil;
(5) for supplies and equipment purchased or rented
for use in the instruction of children with a disability, an amount equal to 47
percent of the sum actually expended by the district, or a Minnesota
correctional facility operating on a fee-for-service basis, but not to exceed
an average of $47 in any one school year for each child with a disability
receiving instruction;
(6) for fiscal years 1997 and later, special
education base revenue shall include amounts under clauses (1) to (5) for
special education summer programs provided during the base year for that fiscal
year; and
(7) for fiscal years 1999 and later, the cost
of providing transportation services for children with disabilities under
section 123B.92, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), clause (4).
The department shall establish procedures through
the uniform financial accounting and reporting system to identify and track all
revenues generated from third-party billings as special education revenue at
the school district level; include revenue generated from third-party billings
as special education revenue in the annual cross-subsidy report; and exclude
third-party revenue from calculation of excess cost aid to the districts;
and
(8) the district's transition-disabled program
initial aid according to section 124D.454, subdivision 3.
(b) If requested by a school district operating a
special education program during the base year for less than the full fiscal
year, or a school district in which is located a Minnesota correctional
facility operating on a fee-for-service basis for less than the full fiscal
year, the commissioner may adjust the base revenue to reflect the expenditures
that would have occurred during the base year had the program been operated for
the full fiscal year.
(c) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b), the portion
of a school district's base revenue attributable to a Minnesota correctional
facility operating on a fee-for-service basis during the facility's first year
of operating on a fee-for-service basis shall be computed using current year
data.
Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 125A.76,
subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4. State
total special education aid. The state total special education aid for
fiscal year 2004 equals $530,642,000. The state total special education aid
for fiscal year 2005 equals $529,164,000 $572,297,000 for
fiscal year 2008, $573,122,000 for fiscal year 2009, $574,696,000 for fiscal
year 2010, and $576,653,000 for fiscal year 2011. The state total special
education aid for later fiscal years equals:
(1) the state total special education aid for the
preceding fiscal year; times
(2) the program growth factor; times
(3) the greater of one, or the ratio of the state
total average daily membership for the current fiscal year to the state total
average daily membership for the preceding fiscal year.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 125A.76,
subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. School
district special education aid. (a) A school district's special
education aid for fiscal year 2000 2008 and later equals the
state total special education aid, minus the amount determined under
paragraphs (b) and (c), times the ratio of the district's adjusted
initial special education base revenue aid to the state total
adjusted initial special education base revenue aid.
If the commissioner of education modifies its rules for special education in
a
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manner that increases a
district's special education obligations or service requirements, the
commissioner shall annually increase each district's special education aid by
the amount necessary to compensate for the increased service requirements. The
additional aid equals the cost in the current year attributable to rule changes
not reflected in the computation of special education base revenue, multiplied
by the appropriate percentages from subdivision 2.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), if the special
education base revenue for a district equals zero, the special education aid
equals the amount computed according to subdivision 2 using current year data.
(c) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b), if the special
education base revenue for a district is greater than zero, and the base year
amount for the district under subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (7), equals
zero, the special education aid equals the sum of the amount computed according
to paragraph (a), plus the amount computed according to subdivision 2,
paragraph (a), clause (7), using current year data.
(d) A charter school under section 124D.10 shall
generate state special education aid based on current year expenditures for its
first four years of operation and only in its fifth and later years shall
paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) apply.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 125A.76,
is amended by adding a subdivision to read:
Subd. 8. Special
education forecast maintenance of effort. (a) If, on the basis of a
forecast of general fund revenues and expenditures under section 16A.103, the
state's expenditures for special education and related services for children with
disabilities from nonfederal sources for a fiscal year, including special
education aid under section 125A.76; special education excess cost aid under
section 125A.76, subdivision 7; travel for home-based services under section
125A.75, subdivision 1; aid for students with disabilities under section
125A.75, subdivision 3; court-placed special education under section 125A.79,
subdivision 4; out-of-state tuition under section 125A.79, subdivision 8; and
direct expenditures by state agencies are projected to be less than the amount
required to meet federal special education maintenance of effort, the
additional amount required to meet federal special education maintenance of
effort is added to the state total special education aid in section 125A.76,
subdivision 4.
(b) If, on the basis of a forecast of general fund
revenues and expenditures under section 16A.103, expenditures in the programs
in paragraph (a) are projected to be greater than previously forecast for an
enacted budget, and an addition to state total special education aid has been
made under paragraph (a), the state total special education aid must be reduced
by the lesser of the amount of the expenditure increase or the amount
previously added to state total special education aid in section 125A.76,
subdivision 4.
(c) For the purpose of this section,
"previously forecast for an enacted budget" means the allocation of
funding for these programs in the most recent forecast of general fund revenues
and expenditures or the act appropriating money for these programs, whichever
occurred most recently. It does not include planning estimates for a future
biennium.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 125A.79,
subdivision 1, is amended to read:
Subdivision 1. Definitions.
For the purposes of this section, the definitions in this subdivision apply.
(a) "Unreimbursed special education cost"
means the sum of the following:
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(1) expenditures for
teachers' salaries, contracted services, supplies, equipment, and
transportation services eligible for revenue under section 125A.76; plus
(2) expenditures for tuition
bills received under sections 125A.03 to 125A.24 and 125A.65 for services
eligible for revenue under section 125A.76, subdivision 2; minus
(3) revenue for teachers'
salaries, contracted services, supplies, and equipment, and
transportation services under section 125A.76; minus
(4) tuition receipts under
sections 125A.03 to 125A.24 and 125A.65 for services eligible for revenue under
section 125A.76, subdivision 2.
(b) "General
revenue" means the sum of the general education revenue according to
section 126C.10, subdivision 1, excluding alternative teacher compensation
revenue, plus the total qualifying referendum revenue specified in paragraph
(e) minus transportation sparsity revenue minus total operating capital
revenue.
(c) "Average daily
membership" has the meaning given it in section 126C.05.
(d) "Program growth
factor" means 1.02 for fiscal year 2003, and 1.0 for fiscal year 2004 and
later.
(e) "Total qualifying
referendum revenue" means two-thirds of the district's total referendum
revenue as adjusted according to section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraphs (a)
to (c), for fiscal year 2006, one-third of the district's total referendum
revenue for fiscal year 2007, and none of the district's total referendum
revenue for fiscal year 2008 and later.
Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 125A.79, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
Subd. 5. Initial excess cost aid. For fiscal
years 2002 2008 and later, a district's initial excess cost aid
equals the greatest greater of:
(1) 75 percent of the
difference between (i) the district's unreimbursed special education cost and
(ii) 4.36 percent of the district's general revenue; or
(2) 70 percent of the
difference between (i) the increase in the district's unreimbursed special
education cost between the base year as defined in section 125A.76, subdivision
1, and the current year and (ii) 1.6 percent of the district's general revenue;
or
(3) zero.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 125A.79, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
Subd. 6. State total special education excess cost
aid. The state total special education excess cost aid for fiscal year
2005 equals $91,811,000 $128,341,000 for fiscal year 2008,
$129,523,000 for fiscal year 2009, $129,801,000 for fiscal year 2010, and
$130,193,000 for fiscal year 2011. The state total special education
excess cost aid equals $103,600,000 for fiscal year 2006 and $104,700,000 for
fiscal year 2007. The state total special education excess cost aid for fiscal
year 2008 and later fiscal years equals:
(1) the state total special
education excess cost aid for the preceding fiscal year; times
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(2) the program growth
factor; times
(3) the greater of one, or
the ratio of the state total average daily membership for the current fiscal
year to the state total average daily membership for the preceding fiscal year.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 125A.79, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
Subd. 8. Out-of-state tuition. For children who
are residents of the state, receive services under section 125A.76,
subdivisions 1 and 2, and are placed in a care and treatment facility by court
action in a state that does not have a reciprocity agreement with the
commissioner under section 125A.155, the resident school district shall submit
the balance of the tuition bills, minus the amount of the basic revenue, as defined
by section 126C.10, subdivision 2, of the district for the child and
general education revenue, excluding basic skills revenue and alternative
teacher compensation revenue, and referendum equalization aid attributable to
the pupil, calculated using the resident district's average general education
revenue and referendum equalization aid per adjusted pupil unit minus the
special education aid, and any other aid earned on behalf of the child
contracted services initial aid attributable to the pupil.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes
2006, section 127A.47, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
Subd. 7. Alternative attendance programs. The
general education aid and special education aid for districts must be adjusted
for each pupil attending a nonresident district under sections 123A.05 to
123A.08, 124D.03, 124D.06, 124D.08, and 124D.68. The adjustments must be made
according to this subdivision.
(a) General education aid paid
to a resident district must be reduced by an amount equal to the referendum
equalization aid attributable to the pupil in the resident district.
(b) General education aid
paid to a district serving a pupil in programs listed in this subdivision must be
increased by an amount equal to the referendum equalization aid attributable to
the pupil in the nonresident district.
(c) If the amount of the
reduction to be made from the general education aid of the resident district is
greater than the amount of general education aid otherwise due the district,
the excess reduction must be made from other state aids due the district.
(d) For fiscal year 2006,
the district of residence must pay tuition to a district or an area learning
center, operated according to paragraph (f), providing special instruction and
services to a pupil with a disability, as defined in section 125A.02, or a
pupil, as defined in section 125A.51, who is enrolled in a program listed in
this subdivision. The tuition must be equal to (1) the actual cost of providing
special instruction and services to the pupil, including a proportionate amount
for special transportation and unreimbursed building lease and debt service
costs for facilities used primarily for special education, minus (2) if the
pupil receives special instruction and services outside the regular classroom
for more than 60 percent of the school day, the amount of general education
revenue and referendum equalization aid attributable to that pupil for
the portion of time the pupil receives special instruction and services outside
of the regular classroom, excluding portions attributable to district and
school administration, district support services, operations and maintenance,
capital expenditures, and pupil transportation, minus (3) special education aid
attributable to that pupil, that is received by the district providing special
instruction and services. For purposes of this paragraph, general education
revenue and referendum equalization aid attributable to a pupil must be
calculated using the serving district's average general education revenue and
referendum equalization aid per adjusted pupil unit.
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(e) For fiscal year 2007 and
later, special education aid paid to a resident district must be reduced by an
amount equal to (1) the actual cost of providing special instruction and
services, including special transportation and unreimbursed building lease and
debt service costs for facilities used primarily for special education, for a
pupil with a disability, as defined in section 125A.02, or a pupil, as defined
in section 125A.51, who is enrolled in a program listed in this subdivision,
minus (2) if the pupil receives special instruction and services outside the
regular classroom for more than 60 percent of the school day, the amount of
general education revenue and referendum equalization aid attributable
to that pupil for the portion of time the pupil receives special instruction
and services outside of the regular classroom, excluding portions attributable
to district and school administration, district support services, operations
and maintenance, capital expenditures, and pupil transportation, minus (3)
special education aid attributable to that pupil, that is received by the
district providing special instruction and services. For purposes of this
paragraph, general education revenue and referendum equalization aid
attributable to a pupil must be calculated using the serving district's average
general education revenue and referendum equalization aid per adjusted
pupil unit. Special education aid paid to the district or cooperative providing
special instruction and services for the pupil, or to the fiscal agent district
for a cooperative, must be increased by the amount of the reduction in the aid
paid to the resident district. If the resident district's special education aid
is insufficient to make the full adjustment, the remaining adjustment shall be
made to other state aids due to the district.
(f) An area learning center
operated by a service cooperative, intermediate district, education district,
or a joint powers cooperative may elect through the action of the constituent
boards to charge the resident district tuition for pupils rather than to have
the general education revenue paid to a fiscal agent school district. Except as
provided in paragraph (d) or (e), the district of residence must pay tuition
equal to at least 90 percent of the district average general education revenue
per pupil unit minus an amount equal to the product of the formula allowance
according to section 126C.10, subdivision 2, times .0485, calculated without
basic skills revenue and transportation sparsity revenue, times the number of
pupil units for pupils attending the area learning center, plus the amount of
compensatory revenue generated by pupils attending the area learning center.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is
effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 20. Laws 2006, chapter
263, article 3, section 15, is amended to read:
Sec. 15. SPECIAL EDUCATION TUITION BILLING FOR
FISCAL YEARS 2006 AND, 2007, AND 2008.
(a) Notwithstanding
Minnesota Statutes, sections 125A.11, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), and
127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraph (d), for fiscal year 2006 an intermediate
district, special education cooperative, or school district that served as an
applicant agency for a group of school districts for federal special education
aids for fiscal year 2006 is not subject to the uniform special education tuition
billing calculations, but may instead continue to bill the resident school
districts for the actual unreimbursed costs of serving pupils with a disability
as determined by the intermediate district, special education cooperative,
or school district.
(b) Notwithstanding
Minnesota Statutes, section 125A.11, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), for fiscal
year 2007 only, an applicant district agency exempted from the
uniform special education tuition billing calculations for fiscal year 2006
under paragraph (a) may apply to the commissioner for a waiver an
exemption from the uniform special education tuition calculations and aid
adjustments under Minnesota Statutes, sections 125A.11, subdivision 1,
paragraph (b), and 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraph (e). The commissioner must
grant the waiver exemption within 30 days of receiving the
following information from the intermediate district, special education
cooperative, or school district:
(1) a detailed description
of the applicant district's methodology for calculating special education
tuition for fiscal years 2006 and 2007, as required by the applicant district
to recover the full cost of serving pupils with a disability;
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(2) sufficient data to determine the total amount of
special education tuition actually charged for each student with a disability,
as required by the applicant district to recover the full cost of serving
pupils with a disability in fiscal year 2006; and
(3) sufficient data to determine the amount that
would have been charged for each student for fiscal year 2006 using the uniform
tuition billing methodology according to Minnesota Statutes, sections 125A.11,
subdivision 1, or 127A.47, subdivision 7, as applicable.
(c) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
125A.11, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), for fiscal year 2008 only, an agency
granted an exemption from the uniform special education tuition billing
calculations and aid adjustments for fiscal year 2007 under paragraph (b) may
apply to the commissioner for a one-year extension of the exemption granted
under paragraph (b). The commissioner must grant the extension within 30 days
of receiving the request.
(d) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section
125A.11, subdivision 1, paragraphs (a) and (b), and section 127A.47,
subdivision 7, paragraphs (d) and (e), for fiscal year 2007 only, a school
district or charter school not eligible for a waiver under Minnesota Statutes,
section 125A.11, subdivision 1, paragraph (d), may apply to the commissioner
for authority to charge the resident district an additional amount to recover
any remaining unreimbursed costs of serving pupils with a disability. The
application must include a description of the costs and the calculations used
to determine the unreimbursed portion to be charged to the resident district.
Amounts approved by the commissioner under this paragraph must be included in
the tuition billings or aid adjustments under paragraph (a) or (b), or Minnesota
Statutes, section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraph (d) or (e), as applicable.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
Sec. 21. TASK
FORCE TO COMPARE FEDERAL AND STATE SPECIAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS.
Subdivision 1. Establishment;
duties. A task force is established to recommend which state laws
and rules that exceed or expand upon minimum federal special education
requirements for providing special education programs and services to eligible
students should be amended to conform with minimum federal requirements. The
commissioner of the Bureau of Mediation Services under Minnesota Statutes,
section 179.02, after consulting with interested stakeholders, shall appoint a
ten-member task force composed of equal numbers of providers, advocates,
regulators, consumers of special education services, lawyers who practice in
the field of special education and represent either parents or school
districts, special education teachers, and school officials. The commissioner
must convene the task force by August 1, 2007, which shall meet regularly and
shall review the January 25, 2006, report prepared by the Minnesota Department
of Education Office of Compliance and Assistance and other relevant studies and
resources analyzing differences between federal and state special education
requirements. The terms and compensation of task force members are governed by
Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 6.
Subd. 2. Report.
The task force must submit to the education policy and finance committees of
the legislature by February 15, 2008, a report that identifies and clearly and
concisely explains each provision in state law or rule that exceeds or expands
upon a minimum federal requirement contained in law or regulation for providing
special education programs and services to eligible students. The report also
must recommend which state provisions that exceed or expand upon a minimum
federal requirement may be amended to conform with minimum federal
requirements. The task force expires when it submits its report to the
legislature.
EFFECTIVE
DATE. This
section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 22. APPROPRIATIONS.
Subdivision 1. Department
of Education. The sums indicated in this section are appropriated
from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years
designated.
Subd. 2. Special
education; regular. For special education aid under Minnesota
Statutes, section 125A.75:
$568,034,000 . . . . . 2008
$573,040,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation includes $52,965,000 for 2007
and $515,069,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation includes $57,228,000 for 2008
and $515,812,000 for 2009.
Subd. 3. Aid for children
with disabilities. For aid under Minnesota Statutes, section
125A.75, subdivision 3, for children with disabilities placed in residential
facilities within the district boundaries for whom no district of residence can
be determined:
$1,538,000 . . . . . 2008
$1,729,000 . . . . . 2009
If the appropriation for either year is
insufficient, the appropriation for the other year is available.
Subd. 4. Travel
for home-based services. For aid for teacher travel for home-based
services under Minnesota Statutes, section 125A.75, subdivision 1:
$254,000 . . . . . 2008
$284,000 . . . . . 2009
The 2008 appropriation includes $22,000 for 2007 and
$232,000 for 2008.
The 2009 appropriation includes $26,000 for 2008 and
$258,000 for 2009.
Subd. 5. Special
education; excess costs. For excess cost aid under Minnesota
Statutes, section 125A.79, subdivision 7: