HF 2023

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

A bill for an act
relating to education; directing the commissioner of education to convene an
advisory task force to consider and recommend a redesign of middle schools;
appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin ADVISORY TASK FORCE TO CONSIDER AND RECOMMEND A
REDESIGN OF MIDDLE SCHOOLS.
new text end

new text begin (a) An advisory task force of qualified experts is established to consider and
recommend to the legislature a redesign of middle schools that at least addresses how
best to:
new text end

new text begin (1) restructure middle school to successfully promote the intellectual and social
development of young adolescent students;
new text end

new text begin (2) maximize the relationships between teachers and young adolescent students
and among young adolescent students to effectively support young adolescent student
achievement;
new text end

new text begin (3) provide world-class mathematics, science, and technology instruction and
curriculum that capitalizes on community-based resources and reflects the learning
characteristics of young adolescent students;
new text end

new text begin (4) implement a research-based educational structure and system that allows all
young adolescent students to succeed;
new text end

new text begin (5) restructure the school calendar to accommodate the needs of all young adolescent
students in meeting applicable academic standards and personal and institutional
expectations; and
new text end

new text begin (6) emphasize the personalization of learning that, among other possibilities, extends
learning opportunities in career and technical and other fields and allows young adolescent
students flexibility in how they complete rigorous academic requirements.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner of education shall appoint members to an advisory task force
on the redesign of middle schools from each of the following entities: school principals;
school administrators; school teachers including teachers teaching career and technical
courses and programs; school counselors; parents of currently enrolled public middle
school students; the state Board of Teaching; the Minnesota School Boards Association;
the Minnesota Education Department; community-based businesses and industries;
and any other representatives of entities the commissioner determines are qualified to
participate. Advisory task force members' terms and other advisory task force matters
are subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059. The advisory task force must submit
its written recommendations under paragraph (a) to the education policy and finance
committees of the legislature by February 15, 2008. The Department of Education must
provide technical and other assistance to the advisory task force upon request.
new text end

new text begin (c) The task force expires February 16, 2008.
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 APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $20,000 in fiscal year 2008 is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of education for the purposes of the advisory task force to recommend a
redesign of middle schools under section 1.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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