HF 3594

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to education; creating grants for pilot programs to reduce achievement
and opportunity gaps; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin ACHIEVEMENT AND OPPORTUNITY GAP REDUCTION PILOT
PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin Any school district or charter school may apply to the
Department of Education for schools to participate in a three-year achievement and
opportunity gap reduction pilot program as a pilot site. The Department of Education shall
develop criteria to evaluate school districts and charter schools that are most able to act
as pilot sites to reduce the opportunity gap. The criteria must include, at a minimum,
the proposal's likelihood of narrowing the difference in academic achievement and
opportunities among students that crosses lines of race, ethnicity, and income.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Grants. new text end

new text begin The Department of Education shall award grants to schools
selected as opportunity gap reduction pilot sites. The Department of Education shall
award opportunity reduction pilot sites to ensure geographic representation throughout the
state. The Department of Education shall distribute the appropriation for this program
equally in fiscal years 2009, 2010, and 2011.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Evaluations. new text end

new text begin The Department of Education must report to the education
committees of the Minnesota house of representatives and senate by January 15, 2012,
on the effects of the pilot program on the opportunity gap.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Department of Education. new text end

new text begin The sum indicated in this section is
appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal year
designated.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Opportunity gap reduction pilot program. new text end

new text begin For creating a grant program
under section 1 to provide for programs designed to reduce the opportunity gap in schools.
new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin ....... new text end

new text begin ..... new text end

new text begin 2009 new text end

new text begin The appropriation shall be available until expended.
new text end