HF 4249

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

A bill for an act
relating to education; providing for instruction in competing scientific theories as
part of school curriculum; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 120B.20.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 120B.20, is amended to read:

120B.20 PARENTAL CURRICULUM REVIEW.

new text begin (a) new text end Each school district shall have a procedure for a parent, guardian, or an adult
student, 18 years of age or older, to review the content of the instructional materials to
be provided to a minor child or to an adult student and, if the parent, guardian, or adult
student objects to the content, to make reasonable arrangements with school personnel for
alternative instruction. Alternative instruction may be provided by the parent, guardian,
or adult student if the alternative instruction, if any, offered by the school board does
not meet the concerns of the parent, guardian, or adult student. The school board is not
required to pay for the costs of alternative instruction provided by a parent, guardian, or
adult student. School personnel may not impose an academic or other penalty upon a
student merely for arranging alternative instruction under this section. School personnel
may evaluate and assess the quality of the student's work.

new text begin (b) Each school district must allow teachers to provide instruction in competing
scientific theories as part of the school curriculum. Upon receiving a written statement
from the parent of an enrolled student or a petition signed by at least 50 electors of the
district, the local school board must hold a timely public hearing on whether instruction in
competing scientific theories is present or absent from school curriculum. At the hearing,
the school board must allow all interested parties equal opportunity to present arguments
on the presence or absence of instruction in competing scientific theories in the school
curriculum. The school board decision is final and must: (1) be based on the record;
(2) be in writing; and (3) state the controlling facts on which the decision is made in
sufficient detail to inform the parties and the commissioner of the basis for the board's
decision. The school board must transmit a copy of its decision to the commissioner. A
school board must pay the cost of adding instruction in competing scientific theories to the
school curriculum under this paragraph.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for the 2008-2009 school year and
later.
new text end