HF 4021

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to education; creating a unified administrative structure for early learning
opportunities; amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 124D.02, subdivision
1.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 124D.02, subdivision 1, is amended to
read:

Subdivision 1.

Kindergarten instruction.

new text begin (a) new text end The board may establish and
maintain one or more kindergartens for the instruction of children and after July 1, 1974,
shall provide kindergarten instruction for all eligible children, either in the district or in
another district. All children to be eligible for kindergarten must be at least five years
of age on September 1 of the calendar year in which the school year commences. In
addition all children selected under an early admissions policy established by the school
board may be admitted. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a school district from
establishing Head Start, prekindergarten, or nursery school classes for children below
kindergarten age. Any school board with evidence that providing kindergarten will
cause an extraordinary hardship on the school district may apply to the commissioner of
education for an exception.

new text begin (b) For purposes of demonstrating the efficacy of integrating early childhood
education and care with early elementary grades, the board and any existing
prekindergarten program, including Head Start or any other relevant public or private
entity may, with the approval of the commissioner of education, enter into an agreement to
provide early education and care for children under a unified administrative structure that
establishes an education continuum for children during the prekindergarten, kindergarten,
and postkindergarten years through at least grade three. The agreement shall provide
for the education, support, and empowerment of parents and special education for the
children as needed. To assist in the development of such an early education and care
entity, and notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the commissioners of education and
human services may waive or modify existing rules or requirements in line with research
on best practices demonstrating long-term outcomes for children. To facilitate such a
demonstration, the commissioners may make special allocations or grants.
new text end

new text begin The agreement may provide for a nonprofit corporation or a charter school to
achieve the administrative structure and authorize the payment to such entity of any funds
received for children enrolled in the educational continuum. Tuition, participant fees, or
both may be charged for children not yet in kindergarten.
new text end

new text begin The agreement shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) create a management board that represents the school board, the participating
prekindergarten programs, and other relevant public and private entities;
new text end

new text begin (2) provide for the alignment of curricular approaches, professional development
opportunities, child/student assessment, and evaluation;
new text end

new text begin (3) provide instruction within the framework of research and evaluation of best
practices; and
new text end

new text begin (4) not extend beyond ten years, but shall be renewable.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2006.
new text end