HF 2982

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

A bill for an act
relating to education; establishing a five-year pilot program allowing alternative
learning centers and charter schools to identify systemic improvement measures
to best serve eligible students; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin FIVE-YEAR PILOT PROGRAM FOR IDENTIFYING SYSTEMIC
IMPROVEMENT MEASURES TO BEST SERVE STUDENTS ENROLLED IN
ALTERNATIVE LEARNING CENTERS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) The definitions in this subdivision apply to this
section.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Systemic improvement measures" means methods that yield data and
information showing the progress of a well-ordered and repeatable process directed at
organizational and student learning; for example, management, services, curriculum,
resources, and overall organization.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Process" means a linked activity with the purpose of producing a school
program, resource, or service for students to support learning.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Sustainability" means the ability of the organization to stay current in addressing
the educational needs of students and society. Sustainability includes the ability and
strategic management to prepare for the future.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Establishment; eligibility. new text end

new text begin A five-year pilot program is established to
allow alternative learning centers and charter schools to identify systemic improvement
measures to best serve eligible students. Interested alternative learning centers and
charter schools must serve eligible students under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.68,
subdivision 2, to participate in this program.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Application and selection process. new text end

new text begin Interested alternative learning centers
and charter schools serving eligible students under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.68,
subdivision 2, may apply to the commissioner of education to participate in this program in
the form and manner the commissioner determines, in consultation with the advisory board
under subdivision 4, and consistent with this section. The applicant must demonstrate
the applicant's interest and ability to implement systemic improvement measures, the
sustainability of those measures, and the process the applicant proposes to use to ensure
that sustainability. The commissioner, after consulting with the advisory board under
subdivision 4, shall select by September 1, 2008, up to a total of 20 program participants.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Advisory board. new text end

new text begin A Pilot Program Advisory Board is established to make
recommendations to the commissioner about program oversight, including selecting
program participants, coordinating program activities, training program participants,
managing program budgets, and making periodic program reports to the legislature.
The board members include: four Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs
members selected by the Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs; two Minnesota
Association of Charter Schools members selected by the Minnesota Association of
Charter Schools; two Metropolitan Federation of Alternative Schools members selected
by the Metropolitan Federation of Alternative Schools; one Minnesota K-12 Online
Learning Alliance member selected by the Minnesota K-12 Online Learning Alliance;
two Minnesota Department of Education staff selected by the commissioner of education;
two higher education representatives from teacher and administrator training programs
selected by the training programs, one of which shall represent Hamline University;
one Minnesota Council for Quality member selected by the council; one member of the
Minnesota House of Representatives selected by the house speaker and one member of the
Minnesota House of Representatives selected by the house minority leader; and one state
senator selected by the senate majority leader and one state senator selected by the senate
minority leader. Advisory board members' terms and other board matters are subject to
Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059. The commissioner may reimburse board members
from the Department of Education's current operating budget but may not compensate
board members for board activities. The Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs
president, or the president's designee, must convene the first advisory board meeting
before September 1, 2008. Advisory board members are expected to meet at least one
time per month. The advisory board expires on March 1, 2014.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Annual reports; evaluation. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner, after consulting with
the advisory board under subdivision 4, annually must submit to the education policy
and finance committees of the legislature no later than February 1 of the proximate
school year, a longitudinal report detailing the efforts and success of program participants
to implement systemic improvement measures to best serve eligible students under
Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.68, subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must contract with a qualified expert at the University of
Minnesota College of Education and Human Development to evaluate and report on short-
and long-term program efficacy throughout the term of the program. The commissioner
must immediately convey the expert's reports to the education policy and finance
committees of the legislature upon receipt.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Waivers. new text end

new text begin (a) Consistent with the substance of the applications submitted by
program participants, the commissioner of education must petition the federal Department
of Education for waivers from No Child Left Behind requirements to allow program
participants to use alternative forms of assessment. Also consistent with the substance of
the applications submitted by program participants, the commissioner must waive those
state education rules that interfere with the ability of program participants to implement
systemic improvement measures.
new text end

new text begin (b) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 120A.41, or other law to the
contrary, program participants must allocate five days of student instruction for staff
development in systemic improvement measures.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for the 2008-2009 through 2012-2013
school years.
new text end

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

new text begin $....... is appropriated from the general fund in fiscal year 2009 to the commissioner
of education for purposes of section 1 and is contingent upon a program participant
obtaining a dollar-for-dollar nonstate match. The commissioner must allocate the
appropriation on a per student basis to eligible program participants for costs related
to participating in the program.
new text end