SF 853

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

A bill for an act
relating to education finance; authorizing certain students over the age of 21 who
attend a contract alternative program to continue to receive instruction at that
school until graduation; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.68,
subdivisions 2, 3.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.68, subdivision 2, is amended to
read:

Subd. 2.

Eligible pupils.

new text begin (a) new text end A pupil under the age of 21 or who meets the
requirements of section 120A.20, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), is eligible to participate in
the graduation incentives program, if the pupil:

(1) performs substantially below the performance level for pupils of the same age
in a locally determined achievement test;

(2) is at least one year behind in satisfactorily completing coursework or obtaining
credits for graduation;

(3) is pregnant or is a parent;

(4) has been assessed as chemically dependent;

(5) has been excluded or expelled according to sections 121A.40 to 121A.56;

(6) has been referred by a school district for enrollment in an eligible program or
a program pursuant to section 124D.69;

(7) is a victim of physical or sexual abuse;

(8) has experienced mental health problems;

(9) has experienced homelessness sometime within six months before requesting a
transfer to an eligible program;

(10) speaks English as a second language or has limited English proficiency; or

(11) has withdrawn from school or has been chronically truant; or

(12) is being treated in a hospital in the seven-county metropolitan area for cancer or
other life threatening illness or is the sibling of an eligible pupil who is being currently
treated, and resides with the pupil's family at least 60 miles beyond the outside boundary
of the seven-county metropolitan area.

new text begin (b) any person who is between 21 and 22 years of age during fiscal years 2008
and 2009, and any person who is between 21 and 23 years of age for fiscal years 2010
and later, who:
new text end

new text begin (1) speaks English as a second language or has limited English proficiency;
new text end

new text begin (2) has received less than eight years of public education or nonpublic education,
beginning at age five;
new text end

new text begin (3) has not completed the requirements for a high school diploma; and
new text end

new text begin (4) can be expected to complete the requirements for graduation by the end of the
school year in which they turn age 23.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 124D.68, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Eligible programs.

(a) A pupil who is eligible according to subdivision
2 new text begin , except paragraph (b), new text end may enroll in area learning centers under sections 123A.05 to
123A.08.

(b) A pupil who is eligible according to subdivision 2 and who is between the ages
of 16 and 21 may enroll in postsecondary courses under section 124D.09.

(c) A pupil who is eligible under subdivision 2, new text begin except paragraph (b), new text end may enroll in
any public elementary or secondary education program.

(d) A pupil who is eligible under subdivision 2, may enroll in any nonpublic,
nonsectarian school that has contracted with the serving school district to provide
educational services. However, notwithstanding other provisions of this section, only a
pupil who is eligible under subdivision 2, clause (12), may enroll in a contract alternative
school that is specifically structured to provide educational services to such a pupil.

(e) A pupil who is between the ages of 16 and 21 may enroll in any adult basic
education programs approved under section 124D.52 and operated under the community
education program contained in section 124D.19.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2008.
new text end