HF 3534

1st 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 an advisory task force on options for
accelerated K-12 technology, science, and mathematics programs throughout Minnesota
that is composed of 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 parent of a
high school student gifted in technology, mathematics, or science from each congressional
district; 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. 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, fiscal, and other support services.
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new text begin (e) The task force expires February 1, 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