1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education; establishing an advisory task force to recommend options 
1.3 	for accelerated K-12 technology, science, and mathematics programs throughout 
1.4 	Minnesota. 
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. ADVISORY TASK FORCE ON OPTIONS FOR ACCELERATED 
1.7 	K-12 TECHNOLOGY, SCIENCE, AND MATHEMATICS PROGRAMS 
1.8 	THROUGHOUT MINNESOTA.
 1.9 	(a) An advisory task force on options for accelerated K-12 technology, science, 
1.10 	and mathematics programs throughout Minnesota is established to consider and 
1.11 	recommend to the legislature alternatives for delivering accelerated technology, science, 
1.12 	and mathematics programs to eligible students throughout Minnesota. Recommended 
1.13 	programs must provide accelerated technology, science, and mathematics instruction to 
1.14 	eligible students in grades 6 through 12 and be cost effective and efficiently implemented 
1.15 	and operated. Other recommended programs may offer accelerated technology, science, 
1.16 	and mathematics instruction to other eligible elementary grade students and provide 
1.17 	out-of-school and summer school K-12 technology, science, and mathematics instruction 
1.18 	throughout the state. 
1.19 	(b) The advisory task force at least must:
1.20 	(1) evaluate and compare at least five alternatives for delivering accelerated 
1.21 	technology, science, and mathematics programs to Minnesota students, which may include 
1.22 	online learning, satellite technology, science, and mathematics centers, a consortium of 
1.23 	available accelerated technology, science, and mathematics or accelerated education 
1.24 	programs, and residential and nonresidential accelerated technology, science, and 
2.1 	mathematics academies that may be patterned after the Perpich Center for Arts Education 
2.2 	under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 129C, among other alternatives;
2.3 	(2) identify and evaluate possible members for a science, mathematics, engineering, 
2.4 	and technology leadership consortium composed of representatives of corporations, 
2.5 	organizations, educational institutions, and research facilities to help implement 
2.6 	accelerated K-12 technology, science, and mathematics programs in Minnesota;
2.7 	(3) evaluate and compare at least three alternatives for preparing and assisting 
2.8 	educational leaders who are literate in technology, science, and mathematics to help 
2.9 	implement accelerated K-12 technology, science, and mathematics programs in Minnesota, 
2.10 	which may include gifted education and accelerated technology, science, and mathematics 
2.11 	teacher training programs and residential and nonresidential accelerated technology, 
2.12 	science, and mathematics academies that also provide professional development and 
2.13 	educational outreach programs; and 
2.14 	(4) identify and evaluate postsecondary career and technical education programs 
2.15 	offering or requiring accelerated technology, science, and mathematics instruction.
2.16 	(c) The commissioner of education shall appoint an advisory task force on options for 
2.17 	accelerated K-12 technology, science, and mathematics programs throughout Minnesota 
2.18 	that is composed of the following representatives: a gifted education coordinator, an 
2.19 	educator holding a gifted education certificate or an instructor in a graduate level gifted 
2.20 	education program; a currently licensed or retired high school physical science teacher; a 
2.21 	currently licensed or retired high school mathematics teacher; a faculty member providing 
2.22 	instruction under the Minnesota postsecondary enrollment options program or an educator 
2.23 	providing instruction under the college in the schools program; a faculty member or 
2.24 	educator providing instruction in the Minnesota talented youth mathematics program; a 
2.25 	University of Minnesota mathematics or engineering professor; a University of Minnesota 
2.26 	physical science professor; a manager or director in a high technology field, corporation, 
2.27 	organization, or facility; a manager or director in a medical field or profession; a manager 
2.28 	or director in a research-based field, corporation, organization, or facility; one parent of a 
2.29 	high school student gifted in technology, mathematics, or science from each congressional 
2.30 	district; a physical science teacher and a biology teacher, one of whom is licensed to teach 
2.31 	middle level students and one of whom is licensed to teach high school level students; a 
2.32 	high school career and technical instructor; a faculty member in a postsecondary institution 
2.33 	offering technical two-year degrees who provides career and technical instruction; a 
2.34 	manager or director in a technology, mathematics, or science industry who employs 
2.35 	persons with associate degrees in a technical field; a manager or director in the biosciences 
2.36 	industry; and two at-large members.  Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the 
3.1 	task force may conduct meetings of its members by telephone or other electronic means 
3.2 	where all members can hear one another and all the discussion, at least one member is 
3.3 	physically present at the regular meeting location, and interested members of the public 
3.4 	can hear all the discussion. Task force members' terms and other task force matters are 
3.5 	subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059.  The task force must submit by January 30, 
3.6 	2007, a written report and presentation to the Education Policy and Finance committees of 
3.7 	the legislature that include recommendations on alternatives for delivering accelerated 
3.8 	technology, science, and mathematics programs to eligible students throughout Minnesota.
3.9 	(d) Upon request, the commissioner of education must provide the task force with 
3.10 	technical, fiscal, and other support services.
3.11 	(e) The task force expires February 1, 2007.

3.12 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.