HF 1942

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/12/2014 12:38pm

A bill for an act
relating to education; creating the Cultural and Ethnic Leadership Communities
Council for the Department of Education; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 119A.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [119A.60] CULTURAL AND ETHNIC COMMUNITIES LEADERSHIP
COUNCIL.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment; purpose. new text end

new text begin There is hereby established the Cultural
and Ethnic Communities Leadership Council for the Department of Education. The
purpose of the council is to advise the commissioner of education on reducing disparities
that affect racial and ethnic groups.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Members. new text end

new text begin (a) The council must consist of no fewer than 15 and no more
than 25 members appointed by the commissioner of education, in consultation with school
districts; tribal, cultural, and ethnic communities; and diverse program participants and
their parents. The commissioner shall direct the development of guidelines defining
the membership of the council; setting out definitions; and developing duties of the
commissioner, the council, and council members regarding racial and ethnic disparities
reduction. The guidelines must be developed in consultation with:
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new text begin (1) the chairs of relevant committees; and
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new text begin (2) school district, tribal, and cultural communities and program participants from
these communities.
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new text begin (b) Members must be appointed to allow for representation of the following groups:
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new text begin (1) racial and ethnic minority groups;
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new text begin (2) tribal service providers;
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new text begin (3) culturally and linguistically specific advocacy groups and service providers;
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new text begin (4) public and private institutions;
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new text begin (5) parents of education program participants;
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new text begin (6) students;
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new text begin (7) members of the faith community;
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new text begin (8) Department of Education employees;
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new text begin (9) chairs of relevant legislative committees; and
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new text begin (10) any other group the commissioner deems appropriate to facilitate the goals
and duties of the council.
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new text begin (c) Each member of the council must be appointed to either a one-year or two-year
term. The commissioner shall appoint one member as chair.
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new text begin (d) Notwithstanding section 15.059, members of the council shall receive no
compensation for their services.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Duties of commissioner. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of education or the
commissioner's designee shall:
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new text begin (1) maintain the council established in this section;
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new text begin (2) supervise and coordinate policies for persons from racial, ethnic, cultural,
linguistic, and tribal communities who experience disparities in education access and
outcomes;
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new text begin (3) identify education rules or statutes affecting persons from racial, ethnic, cultural,
linguistic, and tribal communities that may need to be revised;
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new text begin (4) investigate and recommend cost-effective models of education services and
strategies for increasing the number of culturally relevant educational services available to
currently underserved populations;
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new text begin (5) based on recommendations of the council, review identified department
policies that maintain racial, ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and tribal disparities, and make
adjustments to ensure those disparities are not perpetuated; and
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new text begin (6) based on recommendations of the council, submit legislation to reduce disparities
affecting racial and ethnic groups, increase access to programs, and promote better
outcomes.
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new text begin (b) The commissioner of education or the commissioner's designee shall consult
with the council and receive recommendations from the council when meeting the
requirements of this section.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Duties of council. new text end

new text begin The Cultural and Ethnic Communities Leadership
Council shall:
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new text begin (1) recommend to the commissioner for review identified policies in the Department
of Education that maintain racial, ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and tribal disparities;
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new text begin (2) identify issues regarding disparities by engaging diverse populations in education
programs;
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new text begin (3) engage in mutual learning essential for achieving education parity for students
and staff;
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new text begin (4) raise awareness about education disparities to the legislature and media;
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new text begin (5) provide technical assistance and consultation support to school districts,
nonpublic schools, private nonprofit agencies, and other service providers to build their
capacity to provide equitable education for students and staff from racial, ethnic, cultural,
linguistic, and tribal communities who experience disparities in access and outcomes;
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new text begin (6) provide technical assistance to promote statewide development of culturally and
linguistically appropriate, accessible, and cost-effective education services and related
policies;
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new text begin (7) provide training and outreach to facilitate access to culturally and linguistically
appropriate, accessible, and cost-effective education services and opportunities to prevent
disparities;
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new text begin (8) form work groups that include, but are not limited to, persons who provide and
receive educational services and representatives of advocacy groups, to help carry out the
duties of the council and provide the work groups with clear guidelines, standardized
parameters, and tasks for the work groups to accomplish; and
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new text begin (9) promote information-sharing in the education community and statewide.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Duties of council members. new text end

new text begin The members of the council shall:
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new text begin (1) attend and participate in scheduled meetings and be prepared by reviewing
meeting notes;
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new text begin (2) maintain open communication channels with respective constituencies;
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new text begin (3) identify and communicate issues and risks that could impact the timely
completion of tasks;
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new text begin (4) collaborate on education disparity reduction efforts;
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new text begin (5) communicate updates of the council's work progress and status on the
Department of Education Web site; and
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new text begin (6) participate in any activities the council or chair deems appropriate and necessary
to facilitate the goals and duties of the council.
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new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding section 15.059, the council does not expire
unless directed by the commissioner.
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