HF 3624

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

A bill for an act
relating to education finance; expanding Minnesota's public education mission
to include a framework to guide future education policy decisions; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 120A.03.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 120A.03, is amended to read:

120A.03 MISSION deleted text begin STATEMENT deleted text end new text begin AND VISION new text end .

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Mission statement. new text end

The mission of public education in Minnesota,
a system for lifelong learning, is to ensure individual academic achievement, an
informed citizenry, and a highly productive work force. This system focuses on the
learner, promotes and values diversity, provides participatory decision making, ensures
accountability, models democratic principles, creates and sustains a climate for change,
provides personalized learning environments, encourages learners to reach their maximum
potential, and integrates and coordinates human services for learners. The public schools
of this state shall serve the needs of the students by cooperating with the students' parents
and legal guardians to develop the students' intellectual capabilities and lifework skills
in a safe and positive environment. It is part of the department's mission that within the
department's resources the commissioner shall endeavor to:

(1) prevent the waste or unnecessary spending of public money;

(2) use innovative fiscal and human resource practices to manage the state's
resources and operate the department as efficiently as possible;

(3) coordinate the department's activities wherever appropriate with the activities
of other governmental agencies;

(4) use technology where appropriate to increase agency productivity, improve
customer service, increase public access to information about government, and increase
public participation in the business of government;

(5) utilize constructive and cooperative labor-management practices to the extent
otherwise required by chapters 43A and 179A;

(6) report to the legislature on the performance of agency operations and the
accomplishment of agency goals in the agency's biennial budget according to section
16A.10, subdivision 1; and

(7) recommend to the legislature appropriate changes in law necessary to carry out
the mission and improve the performance of the department.

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin World-class schools vision statement. new text end

new text begin To improve the mission of public
education in Minnesota, the legislature should pursue policies and school finance reforms
based on the following goals:
new text end

new text begin (1) expand the effectiveness of early education by targeting services to children
from birth to age three, supporting high quality preschool programs, and implementing
universal full-day kindergarten;
new text end

new text begin (2) enhance teacher quality by recruiting exceptional teacher candidates, developing
teacher leadership opportunities, and modifying teacher salary structures to include
incentives for teachers teaching in high-needs schools and in high-need subject areas;
new text end

new text begin (3) raise academic rigor by increasing student expectations and aligning college and
workforce readiness standards;
new text end

new text begin (4) expand family and community involvement by increasing parent involvement
opportunities and encouraging employers to accommodate parents' school involvement
opportunities;
new text end

new text begin (5) enhance multicultural activities by increasing state support for world language
curricula and developing model curricula in other subject areas that promote cultural and
global awareness;
new text end

new text begin (6) improve state and district data systems allowing for an efficient statewide
data repository and creating opportunities for a more rigorous growth-based model of
assessment;
new text end

new text begin (7) define educational adequacy by documenting sufficient levels of educational
funding and enhancing existing school funding formulas;
new text end

new text begin (8) expand educational opportunities for students by lengthening the school year;
new text end

new text begin (9) coordinate special education efforts by streamlining paperwork, sharing best
practices, and emphasizing student outcomes; and
new text end

new text begin (10) promote student health and wellness by funding health care, strengthening
student support services, and implementing best practices.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin WORLD-CLASS SCHOOLS WORKING GROUP.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Creation. new text end

new text begin The world class school working group is established
and consists of the following members:
new text end new text begin new text end

new text begin (1) three senators, including two members from the majority party and one member
from the minority party, appointed by the Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee
on Rules and Administration of the senate;
new text end

new text begin (2) three members of the house of representatives, including two members appointed
by the speaker of the house and one member appointed by the minority leader;
new text end

new text begin (3) the commissioner of education; and
new text end

new text begin (4) two members of the public who have an interest in education, appointed by
the governor.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin The working group must monitor the progress of the state in
meeting the world-class schools goals and propose strategies, recommendations, and
draft legislation to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over education by January
15 of each year.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Administrative provisions. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of education must
convene the initial meeting of the working group. Upon request of the working group, the
commissioner must provide meeting space and administrative services for the working
group. The members of the working group must elect a chair or cochairs from the
legislative members of the working group at the initial meeting.
new text end

new text begin (b) Public members of the working group serve without compensation or payment of
expenses.
new text end

new text begin (c) The working group expires January 15, 2015.
new text end

new text begin (d) The working group may accept gifts and grants, which are accepted on behalf of
the state and constitute donations to the state. Funds received under this paragraph are
appropriated to the commissioner of education for purposes of the working group.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Deadline for appointments and designations. new text end

new text begin The appointments and
designations authorized under this section must be completed by August 1, 2008.
new text end