HF 3534

2nd Engrossment - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to education; establishing an advisory task force to recommend options
for accelerated K-12 technology, science, and mathematics programs throughout
Minnesota.

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

Section 1. new text begin ADVISORY TASK FORCE ON OPTIONS FOR ACCELERATED
K-12 TECHNOLOGY, SCIENCE, AND MATHEMATICS PROGRAMS
THROUGHOUT MINNESOTA.
new text end

new text begin (a) An advisory task force on options for accelerated K-12 technology, science,
and mathematics programs throughout Minnesota is established to consider and
recommend to the legislature alternatives for delivering accelerated technology, science,
and mathematics programs to eligible students throughout Minnesota. Recommended
programs must provide accelerated technology, science, and mathematics instruction to
eligible students in grades 6 through 12 and be cost effective and efficiently implemented
and operated. Other recommended programs may offer accelerated technology, science,
and mathematics instruction to other eligible elementary grade students and provide
out-of-school and summer school K-12 technology, science, and mathematics instruction
throughout the state.
new text end

new text begin (b) The advisory task force at least must:
new text end

new text begin (1) evaluate and compare at least five alternatives for delivering accelerated
technology, science, and mathematics programs to Minnesota students, which may include
online learning, satellite technology, science, and mathematics centers, a consortium of
available accelerated technology, science, and mathematics or accelerated education
programs, and residential and nonresidential accelerated technology, science, and
mathematics academies that may be patterned after the Perpich Center for Arts Education
under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 129C, among other alternatives;
new text end

new text begin (2) identify and evaluate possible members for a science, mathematics, engineering,
and technology leadership consortium composed of representatives of corporations,
organizations, educational institutions, and research facilities to help implement
accelerated K-12 technology, science, and mathematics programs in Minnesota;
new text end

new text begin (3) evaluate and compare at least three alternatives for preparing and assisting
educational leaders who are literate in technology, science, and mathematics to help
implement accelerated K-12 technology, science, and mathematics programs in Minnesota,
which may include gifted education and accelerated technology, science, and mathematics
teacher training programs and residential and nonresidential accelerated technology,
science, and mathematics academies that also provide professional development and
educational outreach programs; and
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new text begin (4) identify and evaluate postsecondary career and technical education programs
offering or requiring accelerated technology, science, and mathematics instruction.
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner of education shall appoint a 17-member advisory task force on
options for accelerated K-12 technology, science, and mathematics programs throughout
Minnesota that represents the following representatives: a gifted education coordinator, an
educator holding a gifted education certificate or an instructor in a graduate level gifted
education program; a currently licensed or retired high school physical science teacher; a
currently licensed or retired high school mathematics teacher; a faculty member providing
instruction under the Minnesota postsecondary enrollment options program or an educator
providing instruction under the college in the schools program; a faculty member or
educator providing instruction in the Minnesota talented youth mathematics program; a
University of Minnesota mathematics or engineering professor; a University of Minnesota
physical science professor; a manager or director in a high technology field, corporation,
organization, or facility; a manager or director in a medical field or profession; a manager
or director in a research-based field, corporation, organization, or facility; one or more
parents of high school students gifted in technology, mathematics, or science; a physical
science teacher and a biology teacher, one of whom is licensed to teach middle level
students and one of whom is licensed to teach high school level students; a high school
career and technical instructor; a faculty member in a postsecondary institution offering
technical two-year degrees who provides career and technical instruction; a manager or
director in a technology, mathematics, or science industry who employs persons with
associate degrees in a technical field; a manager or director in the biosciences industry;
and two at-large members. In appointing members, the commissioner must attempt to
ensure geographic balance. Task force members may not receive compensation but
may receive reimbursement for expenses related to serving on the task force. The task
force may receive, for the benefit of the task force, bequests, donations, or gifts for any
proper purpose and apply the bequests, donations, or gifts to the purpose designated.
Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the task force may conduct meetings of
its members by telephone or other electronic means where all members can hear one
another and all the discussion, at least one member is physically present at the regular
meeting location, and interested members of the public can hear all the discussion. Task
force members' terms and other task force matters are subject to Minnesota Statutes,
section 15.059. The task force must submit by January 30, 2007, a written report and
presentation to the Education Policy and Finance committees of the legislature that include
recommendations on alternatives for delivering accelerated technology, science, and
mathematics programs to eligible students throughout Minnesota.
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new text begin (d) Upon request, the commissioner of education must provide the task force with
technical and other support services. The education commissioner must use funds from
the education department's current operating budget to cover any costs the commissioner
incurs in providing services to the task force.
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new text begin (e) The task force expires June 30, 2007.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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