HF 1781

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/04/2021 05:05pm

A bill for an act
relating to education; modifying gifted and talented student programs; encouraging
academic acceleration policies; amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, section
120B.15; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 120B.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 120B.15, is amended to read:

120B.15 GIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENTS PROGRAMS.

(a) School districts may identify students, locally develop programs addressing
instructional and affective needs, provide staff development, and evaluate programs to
provide gifted and talented students with challenging and appropriate educational programs.

(b) School districts must adopt guidelines for assessing and identifying students for
participation in gifted and talented programs consistent with section 120B.11, subdivision
2, clause (2) new text begin , and post the guidelines on the district website new text end . 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. Assessments and procedures new text begin should include statewide assessments
under section 120B.30 and new text end should be sensitive to underrepresented groups, including, but
not limited to, low-income, minority, twice-exceptional, and English learners.

(c) School districts must adopt procedures for the academic acceleration of gifted and
talented students consistent with section 120B.11, subdivision 2, clause (2). These 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.

(d) School districts must adopt procedures consistent with section 124D.02, subdivision
1, for early admission to kindergarten or first grade of gifted and talented learners consistent
with section 120B.11, subdivision 2, clause (2). The procedures must be sensitive to
underrepresented groups.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2021.
new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [120B.152] ACADEMIC ACCELERATION POLICY.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Board policy. new text end

new text begin By the 2023-2024 school year, a school board is strongly
encouraged to adopt an academic acceleration policy to automatically recommend that a
student who demonstrates proficiency in math enroll in advanced coursework in math. A
school district is encouraged to include other academic subjects in the academic acceleration
policy. The district or charter school must post the policy on its website.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Policy requirements. new text end

new text begin (a) The policy must:
new text end

new text begin (1) require that a district recommend that a student in middle school or high school who
demonstrates proficiency in math enroll in an advanced course in math, and inform the
student's parent of the recommendation;
new text end

new text begin (2) allow a parent of a student enrolled in an advanced course to remove the student
from the advanced course;
new text end

new text begin (3) describe how a student demonstrates proficiency in math, in accordance with
paragraph (b); and
new text end

new text begin (4) list the courses that the district has determined are advanced math courses, including
advanced placement courses and concurrent enrollment courses.
new text end

new text begin (b) A school board is encouraged to use objective criteria to determine whether a student
has demonstrated proficiency in math, and to consider how the criteria may affect inequities
among student groups. Criteria may include:
new text end

new text begin (1) a student's performance on statewide assessments under section 120B.30 or another
local assessment;
new text end

new text begin (2) a student's performance on the ACT or SAT; and
new text end

new text begin (3) successful completion of a math course aligned to state standards.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Commissioner duties. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of education must identify best
practices for providing students with opportunities for academic acceleration.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2022.
new text end