HF 2011

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to education finance; authorizing funding for the expansion of the rites
of passage program as a way to narrow the racial achievement gap; requiring a
program evaluation; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin NARROWING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP; RITES OF PASSAGE
PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Public purpose; goals. new text end

new text begin The legislature finds that the racial
achievement gap is a widely documented and chronic problem in Minnesota. The
legislature recognizes that unique cultural programs that address key factors leading to
the achievement gap, including parental involvement, truancy, and disciplinary actions,
have the potential to substantially narrow the achievement gap. Therefore, to ensure
an equal educational opportunity to each student in Minnesota, it is the purpose of this
section to provide grants for programs specially designed to meet the unique educational
and culturally related academic needs of these students.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Grants authorized. new text end

new text begin The Department of Education may make grants to
programs designed to narrow the racial achievement gap.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Program evaluation. new text end

new text begin A program evaluation must be conducted on the
effectiveness of the programs instituted under this section. The evaluation must measure
changes in targeted behavior, including truancy, dropping out, expulsion, suspension, and
other disciplinary matters. The evaluation must also measure the change in participating
students' academic performance. The results of the program evaluation must be submitted
to the education committees of the legislature by January 15, 2010.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2007.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Department of Education. new text end

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

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Rites of passage program. new text end

new text begin (a) For a grant to the We-Win Institute for
intensive intervention activities and program evaluation:
new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 580,000 new text end

new text begin ..... new text end

new text begin 2008 new text end

new text begin (b) Of the appropriation in paragraph (a), $530,000 is to extend the rites of passage
program to five additional sites, including two sites in Minneapolis, and one school site
each in a western suburban school district, an eastern suburban school district, and St.
Paul, and $50,000 is for costs associated with a program evaluation.
new text end

new text begin (c) This appropriation is available until June 30, 2009.
new text end