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HF 1639

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 02/23/2017 01:29pm

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.

Current Version - as introduced

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A bill for an act
relating to education; authorizing school districts and charter schools to create
innovation zones; establishing a grant program; 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.

new text begin [124D.99] INNOVATION ZONES.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment; requirements for participation; innovation zone plans.
new text end

new text begin (a) The innovation zone program is established to improve student and school outcomes
consistent with the world's best workforce requirements under section 120B.11. Innovation
zone partnerships allow school districts and charter schools to research and implement
innovative education programming models designed to better prepare students for the world
of the 21st century.
new text end

new text begin (b) One or more school districts or charter schools may join together to form an innovation
zone partnership. The partnership may include other nonschool partners, including
postsecondary institutions, other units of local government, nonprofit organizations, and
for-profit organizations. An innovation zone plan must be collaboratively developed in
concert with the school's instructional staff.
new text end

new text begin (c) An innovation zone partnership must research and implement innovative education
programs and models that are based on proposed hypotheses. An innovation zone plan may
include an emerging practice not yet supported by peer-reviewed research. Examples of
innovation zone research may include, but are not limited to:
new text end

new text begin (1) personalized learning, allowing students to excel at their own pace and according to
their interests, aspirations, and unique needs;
new text end

new text begin (2) new approaches to evaluation and assessment, including reducing duplicative
assessments, using fully adaptive on- and off-grade assessments, and using assessments to
identify early targeted interventions;
new text end

new text begin (3) the use of competency outcomes rather than seat time and course completion to fulfill
standards, credits, and other graduation requirements;
new text end

new text begin (4) multidisciplinary, real-world, inquiry-based, student-directed models designed to
make learning more engaging and relevant, including documenting and validating learning
that takes place beyond the school day and school walls;
new text end

new text begin (5) models of instruction designed to close the achievement gap, including new models
for prekindergarten learners, age three to grade 3 models, English as a second language
models, early identification and prevention of mental health issues, and others;
new text end

new text begin (6) new partnerships between secondary schools and postsecondary institutions,
employers, or career training institutions enabling students to complete industry certifications,
postsecondary education credits, and other credentials;
new text end

new text begin (7) new methods of collaborative leadership including the expansion of schools where
teachers have larger professional roles;
new text end

new text begin (8) new ways to enhance parental and community involvement in learning;
new text end

new text begin (9) new models of professional development for educators including embedded
professional development; or
new text end

new text begin (10) new models in other areas such as whole child instruction, social-emotional skill
development, technology-based or blended learning, parent and community involvement,
professional development and mentoring, and models that increase the return on investment.
new text end

new text begin (d) An innovation zone plan submitted to the commissioner must describe:
new text end

new text begin (1) the role of each partner in the zone;
new text end

new text begin (2) the research methodology used for each proposed action in the plan;
new text end

new text begin (3) the exemptions from statutes and rules in subdivision 2 that the innovation zone
partnership will use;
new text end

new text begin (4) a timeline for implementing the plan; and
new text end

new text begin (5) how results of the plan will be disseminated.
new text end

new text begin The governing board for each partner must approve the innovation zone plan. Innovation
zone partnerships may, but are not required to, submit an implementation grant application
with their plan under subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin (e) Upon unanimous approval of the initial innovation zone partners and approval of the
commissioner of education, the innovation zone partnership may extend membership to
other partners. A new partner's membership is effective 30 days after the innovation zone
partnership notifies the commissioner of the proposed change in membership unless the
commissioner disapproves the new partner's membership.
new text end

new text begin (f) Notwithstanding other law to the contrary, a school district or charter school
participating in an innovation zone partnership under this section continues to receive all
revenue and maintains its taxation authority in the same manner as before its participation
in the innovation zone partnership. The innovation zone school district and charter school
partners remain organized and governed by their respective school boards with general
powers under chapter 123B or 124E, and remain subject to any employment agreements
under chapters 122A and 179A. School district and charter school employees participating
in an innovation zone partnership remain employees of their respective school district or
charter school.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Exemptions from laws and rules. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding any law to the contrary,
an innovation zone partner with an approved plan is exempt from each of the following
state education laws and rules specifically identified in its plan:
new text end

new text begin (1) any law or rule a district-created, site-governed school under section 123B.045 is
exempt from;
new text end

new text begin (2) any statute or rule that the commissioner has granted exemption from to another
district or charter school;
new text end

new text begin (3) teacher and principal evaluations under sections 122A.40, subdivision 8, and 122A.41,
subdivision 5, provided that the innovation zone plan specifies an alternative evaluation
method;
new text end

new text begin (4) student attendance recording requiring more than one count each day;
new text end

new text begin (5) high school curricular or graduation requirements that may be met through the adult
learning programs provided under sections 124D.52, subdivision 9, and 126C.05, subdivision
15, paragraph (b), clause (i);
new text end

new text begin (6) individual course requirements under section 120B.021 for Algebra II for a student
if enrolled in a course in applied mathematics, science, technology, engineering, math, or
other learning experience determined by the innovation zone plan to be equivalent to Algebra
II, and that is aligned with that student's career plans;
new text end

new text begin (7) online learning program approval under section 124D.095, subdivision 7, if the
school district or charter school offers a course or program online combined with direct
access to a teacher for a portion of that course or program;
new text end

new text begin (8) restrictions on extended time revenue under section 126C.10, subdivision 2a, for a
student who meets the criteria of section 124D.68, subdivision 2;
new text end

new text begin (9) calendar and credit restrictions under section 120B.024 and related rules if the student
meets the graduation standards described in the innovation zone plan and the student
completes either a career certification or one or more years of postsecondary education; and
new text end

new text begin (10) any required hours of instruction in any class or subject area, measured by Carnegie
units or otherwise, for a student who is meeting all competencies consistent with the
graduation standards described in the innovation zone plan.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Planning and implementation grants. new text end

new text begin (a) An innovation zone partnership
may submit an application for approval of the innovation zone plan, a planning grant, or an
implementation grant.
new text end

new text begin (b) An innovation zone partnership may submit its plan at any time to the commissioner
in the form and manner specified by the commissioner. The commissioner must approve
or reject the plan after reviewing the recommendation of the Innovation Zone Advisory
Panel. An initial innovation zone plan that has been rejected by the commissioner may be
resubmitted to the commissioner after the innovation zone partnership has modified the
plan to meet each individually identified objection.
new text end

new text begin (c) An application for an innovation zone planning grant may be submitted to the
commissioner at any time in the form and manner specified by the commissioner. The
planning grant application must:
new text end

new text begin (1) name each member of the partnership;
new text end

new text begin (2) identify the hypotheses or practices the innovation zone will implement based upon
the research and methodology design cited in the plan;
new text end

new text begin (3) describe how teachers and other educational staff from the affected school sites will
be included in the planning and implementation process;
new text end

new text begin (4) propose a timeline of activities to develop an implementation plan; and
new text end

new text begin (5) describe the planning process budget.
new text end

new text begin In any year in which funds are available, the commissioner must approve or reject the
planning grant application based on the recommendations of the Innovation Zone Advisory
Panel. A planning grant may be awarded for up to two years.
new text end

new text begin (d) An application for an implementation grant must be submitted by April 1 of any year
in the form and manner specified by the commissioner. An application for an implementation
grant must include all of the information included in the planning grant, describe how the
plan will be implemented, and include a detailed budget. By May 1 of each year, the
commissioner must approve or reject the grant application based on the recommendation
of the Innovation Zone Advisory Panel and the availability of funds. An implementation
grant may be awarded for up to four years and may be renewed. An innovation zone
partnership may apply for an implementation grant without having first applied for a planning
grant.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Innovation Zone Advisory Panel. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner must establish and
convene an Innovation Zone Advisory Panel.
new text end

new text begin (b) The panel must be composed of 14 members. One member must be appointed by
each of the following organizations: Education Minnesota, Minnesota Association of
Secondary School Principals, Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association,
Minnesota Association of School Administrators, Minnesota School Boards Association,
Minnesota Association of Charter Schools, Center for Applied Research and Educational
Improvement at the University of Minnesota, and the Office of Higher Education. Six
members must be appointed by the commissioner of education, three of whom must have
expertise in innovation and three must have expertise in evaluation and research.
new text end

new text begin (c) The panel must:
new text end

new text begin (1) review all innovation zone plans submitted for approval; and
new text end

new text begin (2) recommend planning and implementation grant amounts for each qualifying applicant.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Commissioner approval. new text end

new text begin Upon review of the evidence submitted, the
commissioner may approve an innovation zone plan. Upon recommendation of the Innovation
Zone Advisory Panel, and subject to available appropriations, the commissioner shall award
planning and implementation grants to qualifying applicants. The commissioner shall
consider geographical distribution when awarding grants. Upon recommendation of the
Innovation Zone Advisory Panel, the commissioner may suspend or terminate an innovation
zone plan that fails to effectively implement the goals and objectives contained in its
application and according to its stated timeline.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Project evaluation, dissemination, and report to legislature. new text end

new text begin Each innovation
zone partnership must submit project data to the commissioner in the form and manner
provided for in the approved application. At least once every two years, the commissioner
must analyze each innovation zone's progress in realizing the objectives of the innovation
zone partnership's plan. The commissioner must summarize and categorize innovation zone
plans and submit a report to the education committees of the legislature by February 1 of
each odd-numbered year. The report may include recommendations for improving this
section and describe additional statutes and rules from which innovation zone partnerships
may be exempt.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS; INNOVATION ZONES.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Commissioner of education. new text end

new text begin The sums indicated in this section are
appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of education for the fiscal years
designated.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Planning grants. new text end

new text begin (a) For innovation zone planning grants to school districts
and charter 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 2018
new text end
new text begin $
new text end
new text begin .......
new text end
new text begin .......
new text end
new text begin 2019
new text end

new text begin (b) Each planning grant must not exceed $.......
new text end

new text begin (c) Any balances under paragraph (a) are available until June 30, 2020.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Implementation grants. new text end

new text begin (a) For innovation zone implementation grants:
new text end

new text begin $
new text end
new text begin .......
new text end
new text begin .......
new text end
new text begin 2018
new text end
new text begin $
new text end
new text begin .......
new text end
new text begin .......
new text end
new text begin 2019
new text end

new text begin (b) Each implementation grant must not exceed $.......
new text end

new text begin (c) Any balances under paragraph (a) are available until June 30, 2020.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Administrative costs. new text end

new text begin For Department of Education administrative costs,
including the application review and approval process:
new text end

new text begin $
new text end
new text begin .......
new text end
new text begin .......
new text end
new text begin 2018
new text end
new text begin $
new text end
new text begin .......
new text end
new text begin .......
new text end
new text begin 2019
new text end

new text begin Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.
new text end