HF 1435

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/13/2013 08:49pm

A bill for an act
relating to education; establishing a Minnesota Learning Commons Consortium;
appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 124D.

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

Section 1.

[124D.99] MINNESOTA LEARNING COMMONS CONSORTIUM.

Subdivision 1.

Citation.

This section may be cited as the "Minnesota Learning
Commons Act."

Subd. 2.

Establishment.

The Minnesota Learning Commons Consortium is
established. The purpose of the consortium is to design, develop, and promote the adoption
of technologies and services to advance the effectiveness and efficacy of school-to-school
and school-to-work transitions for Minnesota students in public and nonpublic schools and
communities. The consortium may form as a joint powers entity or a nonprofit organization.
The membership of the consortium may include, but is not limited to, the Minnesota
Department of Education, the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, the Minnesota Department of
Employment and Economic Development, and other private and public entities.

Subd. 3.

Board of directors.

The board of directors of the consortium consists of
a chair and six additional members selected by the participating consortium members.
The members of the board of directors shall select one member to serve as chair. The
commissioner of education, or the commissioner's designee, may serve as a member of the
board of directors and provide administrative support to the consortium. An executive
committee of the consortium board composed of the board officers and chairs of board
committees may only advise and make recommendations to the consortium board.

Subd. 4.

Programs.

The consortium may develop programs that promote adoption
and efficient delivery of technologies and services to advance the effectiveness of
school-to-school and school-to-work transitions for Minnesota students in public and
nonpublic schools and communities. These programs may include, but are not limited to:

(1) implementation of a portfolio-based individual learning plan solution, including
comprehensive academic and life planning instruments, compliant with national standards
for educational portfolio systems, to support K-12 students in transition from secondary to
postsecondary school and increase college readiness and success;

(2) implementation of a proficiency portfolio application to reduce the skills-gap by
supporting postsecondary students in their transition to the workplace and employers in
their search for qualified and proficient workers;

(3) implementation of a lifelong and life-wide transitions portfolio solution to support
veterans, displaced workers, and others seeking to reenter the workforce in Minnesota;

(4) implementation of training initiatives for educators to increase school adoption
and effectiveness of these portfolio solutions;

(5) evaluation of student, teacher, and institutional users of these solutions in order
to plan for and implement continuous improvement; and

(6) to the extent possible, making these programs and technology applications
available to students and educators in all parts of the state.

Subd. 5.

Powers and duties.

The consortium may:

(1) establish and collect membership fees;

(2) receive money, grants, and in-kind goods or services from nonstate sources for
the purposes of the consortium, without complying with section 16A.013, subdivision 1;

(3) enter into contracts, own and license intellectual property, and conduct
conferences and other events;

(4) expend money for awards and other forms of recognition and appreciation; and

(5) determine procedures and expenditures for awards and recognitions to teachers,
students, donors, and other people who are not employees of the executive branch.

Subd. 6.

Consortium staff.

(a) The consortium board shall appoint the executive
director who shall perform duties and have responsibilities solely related to the consortium.

(b) As part of the annual plan of work, the consortium may appoint up to three
employees. The employees appointed under this paragraph are not state employees under
chapter 43A, but are covered under section 3.736. At the consortium board's discretion,
the employees may participate in the state health and state insurance plans for employees
in unclassified service. The employees shall be supervised by the executive director.

Subd. 7.

Private funding.

The consortium may seek private resources to
supplement the available public money. Individuals, businesses, and other organizations
may contribute to the consortium in any manner specified by the board of directors. All
money received shall be administered by the board of directors.

Subd. 8.

Report.

The board of directors of the consortium shall submit an annual
report to the governor and the legislature on the progress of its activities. The annual
report shall contain a financial report for the preceding year.

Subd. 9.

Appropriations.

(a) There is annually appropriated to the consortium all
amounts received by the consortium under this section.

(b) $....... is appropriated to the Department of Education for the purpose of serving
as fiscal agent for the Minnesota Learning Commons Consortium. This appropriation is
available until expended.