SF 3534

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

A bill for an act
relating to education finance; providing for an approved special education study
and report; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDY.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of education must contract with an independent consultant that
has extensive experience working with various states on special education finance systems
to evaluate Minnesota's special education funding structure and make recommendations to
improve its effectiveness.
new text end

new text begin (b) The consultant must do the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) conduct an in-depth analysis of the current special education finance system
in Minnesota;
new text end

new text begin (2) convene a task force in Minnesota consisting of superintendents and special
education directors to help formulate recommendations for improvement; and
new text end

new text begin (3) prepare a report to be submitted to the Department of Education and the
legislature.
new text end

new text begin (c) In addition to the requirements in paragraph (b), the consultant must analyze
and report on the effectiveness of the current special education program in educating
Minnesota students. The consultant must use a statistical analysis to help explain
differences in spending across school districts while controlling for student performance.
new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner must report on the findings on the contract to the legislative
committees having jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 finance before
December 15, 2007.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Department of Education. new text end

new text begin The sum indicated in this section is
appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal year
designated.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Improved school finance system contract. new text end

new text begin For a contract to follow up on
the work of the governor's education funding task force:
new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 250,000 new text end

new text begin ..... new text end

new text begin 2007 new text end