as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am
A bill for an act
relating to state government; establishing a task force for language immersion
programs for Dakota and Ojibwe language preservation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
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(a) The Minnesota Board of Teaching shall
develop a task force in collaboration with Dakota and Ojibwe language immersion
programs and the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council to identify barriers to teacher
licensing, teacher certification, fluency certification, and licensing for prekindergarten
through grade 12 Dakota and Ojibwe language immersion programs. The task force shall
focus on changes needed in licensure to ensure the continuation and development of
Dakota and Ojibwe language immersion programs in Bureau of Indian Affairs programs,
charter schools, private schools, nonprofit organizations, and public schools in Minnesota.
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(b) Minnesota recognizes the responsibility of the Minnesota tribes to oversee the
revitalization of Dakota and Ojibwe language in the state and shall receive tribal direction
on issues of teacher certification, fluency certification, and licensing of Dakota and Ojibwe
language immersion programs by the Departments of Human Services and Education.
The task force shall also identify strategies to ensure existing funding sources will be used
for Dakota and Ojibwe language immersion programs.
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The task force shall report to the Minnesota Indian Affairs
Council and the legislature by December 15, 2008, on changes needed for licensing and
certification specified in subdivision 1. The task force shall make recommendations to the
legislature on changes required in law to obtain the licensing and certification specified in
subdivision 1.
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This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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