HF 3472

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

A bill for an act
relating to education; providing for a plan to reduce the achievement gap.

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

Section 1. new text begin HIGH ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT FOR ALL STUDENTS.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Academic achievement plan. new text end

new text begin Each school district must develop
a plan to close or dramatically narrow the differences in academic achievement among
students that crosses lines of race, ethnicity, and income. A plan must incorporate
innovative, practical, and measurable practices aimed at improving the quality of education
for all students and to reduce educational disparities. The district's plan must build on and
enhance efforts already in place within the school district and include components of the
No Child Left Behind Act that are currently in progress.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin School district plan. new text end

new text begin (a) The plan must be research-based, measurable, and
should adhere to the essential elements of high-performing educational systems, which are:
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new text begin (1) investment in early childhood education;
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new text begin (2) investment in educator quality;
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new text begin (3) increased academic rigor;
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new text begin (4) family and community involvement;
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new text begin (5) connection and inclusion of multiple cultures in the community;
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new text begin (6) effective use of data and research;
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new text begin (7) sufficient funding;
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new text begin (8) effective use of school schedules and calendars;
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new text begin (9) effective special education services; and
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new text begin (10) parent and stakeholder support of student health and wellness.
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new text begin (b) A school district that does not submit a plan to the commissioner must not receive
additional state funding, over current resources, for implementation of the district plan.
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new text begin (c) The district must include with the plan the amount of expenditures necessary
to implement the plan. The district must indicate how current resources are used to
implement the plan, including, but not limited to, state-limited English proficiency aid
under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.65; integration revenue under Minnesota Statutes,
section 124D.86; early childhood family education revenue under Minnesota Statutes,
section 124D.135; school readiness aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.16; basic
skills revenue under Minnesota Statutes, section 126C.10, subdivision 4; and alternative
compensation revenue under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.415.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Department approval. new text end

new text begin (a) Each school district must submit its plan to
the commissioner by August 15, 2008. The commissioner must develop and disseminate
a process for districts to submit their high academic achievement plans for department
approval. The commissioner must conduct a preliminary review of the plan and determine
if the plan includes the essential elements of high-performing educational systems under
subdivision 2. The commissioner may appoint a working group that includes education
experts and community experts to assist with the preliminary review of the plans. The
commissioner must complete the preliminary review of the school district's plan within 60
days of receipt of the plan.
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new text begin (b) The commissioner of education, in consultation with a committee consisting
of the education policy and education finance committee chairs of the house of
representatives and the senate, and one member of each legislative committee selected
by each committee chair, must approve or disapprove the school district plans in writing
within 60 days after the preliminary review is completed.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin By December 15, 2008, the commissioner must submit a report
on the school district achievement gap plans to the committees of the legislature having
jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education budget issues. The report must
include the amount of additional state funding necessary to implement the approved plans
based on the information submitted by the school district. The report must include a
statewide plan for reducing the educational disparities based on the common denominators
outlined by local district plans. The statewide plan must provide local districts with
flexibility to build on existing efforts.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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