1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education; providing for information technology certifications through 
1.3 	public-private partnership; appropriating money.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL; PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.
 1.6 	(a) The commissioner shall contract with a single provider to provide information 
1.7 	technology education opportunities to students in grades 9 through 12. This partnership 
1.8 	must allow participating students and teachers to secure broad-based information 
1.9 	technology certifications.
1.10 	(b) The commissioner shall issue a competitive request for proposals, award the 
1.11 	contract, and make available, through participating school districts, charter schools, and 
1.12 	intermediate districts, instruction on information technology skills and competencies 
1.13 	that are essential for career and college readiness. The request for proposals shall at 
1.14 	least include the following components:
1.15 	(1) a research-based curriculum;
1.16 	(2) online access to the curriculum;
1.17 	(3) instructional software for classroom and student use;
1.18 	(4) certification of skills and competencies in a broad array of information 
1.19 	technology-related skill areas;
1.20 	(5) professional development for teachers; and
1.21 	(6) deployment and program support, including, but not limited to, integration with 
1.22 	academic standards under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.021 or 120B.022.

1.23 	Sec. 2. APPROPRIATIONS.
 2.1 		Subdivision 1.Department. The sums indicated in this section are appropriated 
2.2 	from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years designated.
2.3 		Subd. 2.Information technology certification partnership. For an information 
2.4 	technology certification partnership under section 1.

2.5		$
	340,000
	.....
	2015