HF 844

Conference Committee Report - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 05/17/2015 07:53pm

1.1CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT ON H. F. No. 844

1.2A bill for an act

1.3relating to education; providing for funding and policy in early childhood,
1.4kindergarten through grade 12, and adult education, including general education,
1.5education excellence, standards and assessments, charter schools, special
1.6education, facilities and technology, nutrition and accounting, libraries, early
1.7childhood education, prevention, self-sufficiency and lifelong learning, state
1.8agencies, and forecast adjustments; requiring rulemaking; appropriating money;
1.9amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 5A.03; 16A.103, subdivision
1.101c; 120A.41; 120B.02, subdivision 2; 120B.021, subdivision 4; 120B.022,
1.11subdivisions 1, 1a, 1b; 120B.024, subdivision 2; 120B.11, subdivision 1a;
1.12120B.12, subdivision 4a; 120B.125; 120B.13, subdivision 4; 120B.30,
1.13subdivisions 1, 1a, 3; 120B.31, subdivision 4; 120B.36, subdivision 1; 121A.17,
1.14subdivision 5; 122A.09, subdivision 4, by adding subdivisions; 122A.14,
1.15subdivisions 3, 9, by adding a subdivision; 122A.18, subdivisions 2, 7c, 8;
1.16122A.20, subdivision 1; 122A.21, subdivisions 1, 2; 122A.23; 122A.245,
1.17subdivisions 1, 3, 7; 122A.25; 122A.30; 122A.31, subdivisions 1, 2; 122A.40,
1.18subdivisions 5, 8, 10, 11, 13; 122A.41, subdivisions 2, 5, 6, 14; 122A.414,
1.19subdivision 2; 122A.60; 122A.61, subdivision 1; 122A.69; 122A.70, subdivision
1.201; 123A.24, subdivision 1; 123A.75, subdivision 1; 123B.045; 123B.59,
1.21subdivisions 6, 7; 123B.77, subdivision 3; 123B.88, subdivision 1, by adding
1.22a subdivision; 124D.041, subdivisions 1, 2; 124D.09, subdivisions 5, 5a, 8, 9,
1.2312; 124D.091, subdivision 1; 124D.10, subdivisions 1, 3, 4, 8, 9, 12, 14, 16,
1.2423, by adding a subdivision; 124D.11, subdivisions 1, 9; 124D.121; 124D.122;
1.25124D.126, subdivision 1; 124D.127; 124D.128, subdivision 1; 124D.13;
1.26124D.135; 124D.16; 124D.165; 124D.531, subdivisions 1, 2, 3; 124D.73,
1.27subdivisions 3, 4; 124D.74, subdivisions 1, 3, 6; 124D.75, subdivisions 1, 3,
1.289; 124D.76; 124D.78; 124D.79, subdivisions 1, 2; 124D.791, subdivision
1.294; 124D.861; 124D.862; 125A.01; 125A.023, subdivisions 3, 4; 125A.027;
1.30125A.03; 125A.08; 125A.085; 125A.0942, subdivision 3; 125A.21; 125A.28;
1.31125A.63, subdivisions 2, 3, 4, 5; 125A.75, subdivision 9; 125A.76, subdivisions
1.321, 2c; 125B.26, subdivision 2; 126C.10, subdivisions 1, 2, 2a, 2e, 3, 13a, 18, 24;
1.33126C.13, subdivision 4; 126C.15, subdivisions 1, 2, 3; 126C.17, subdivisions
1.341, 2; 127A.05, subdivision 6; 127A.49, subdivision 1; 134.355, subdivisions 8,
1.359, 10; 135A.101, by adding a subdivision; 179A.20, by adding a subdivision;
1.36Laws 2013, chapter 116, article 1, section 58, subdivisions 2, as amended, 3, as
1.37amended, 4, as amended, 5, as amended, 6, as amended, 7, as amended, 11, as
1.38amended; article 3, section 37, subdivisions 3, as amended, 4, as amended, 5, as
1.39amended, 20, as amended; article 4, section 9, subdivision 2, as amended; article
1.405, section 31, subdivisions 2, as amended, 3, as amended, 4, as amended; article
1.416, section 12, subdivisions 2, as amended, 6, as amended; article 7, sections 19;
1.4221, subdivisions 2, as amended, 3, as amended, 4, as amended; article 8, section
1.435, subdivisions 3, as amended, 4, as amended, 14, as amended; Laws 2014,
2.1chapter 312, article 16, section 15; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
2.2Statutes, chapters 119A; 121A; 122A; 124D; 125A; repealing Minnesota Statutes
2.32014, sections 120B.128; 122A.40, subdivision 11; 125A.63, subdivision 1;
2.4126C.12, subdivision 6; 126C.13, subdivisions 3a, 3b, 3c; 126C.41, subdivision
2.51; Minnesota Rules, part 3500.1000.
2.6May 17, 2015
2.7The Honorable Kurt L. Daudt
2.8Speaker of the House of Representatives
2.9The Honorable Sandra L. Pappas
2.10President of the Senate
2.11We, the undersigned conferees for H. F. No. 844 report that we have agreed upon the
2.12items in dispute and recommend as follows:
2.13That the Senate recede from its amendments and that H. F. No. 844 be further
2.14amended as follows:
2.15Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

2.16"ARTICLE 1

2.17GENERAL EDUCATION

2.18    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.11, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
2.19    Subdivision 1. General education revenue. (a) General education revenue must
2.20be paid to a charter school as though it were a district. The general education revenue
2.21for each adjusted pupil unit is the state average general education revenue per pupil
2.22unit, plus the referendum equalization aid allowance in the pupil's district of residence,
2.23minus an amount equal to the product of the formula allowance according to section
2.24126C.10, subdivision 2 , times .0466, calculated without declining enrollment revenue,
2.25local optional revenue, basic skills revenue, extended time revenue, pension adjustment
2.26revenue, transition revenue, and transportation sparsity revenue, plus declining enrollment
2.27revenue, basic skills revenue, extended time revenue, pension adjustment revenue, and
2.28transition revenue as though the school were a school district.
2.29(b) For a charter school operating an extended day, extended week, or summer
2.30program, the general education revenue for each extended time pupil unit equals $4,794
2.31in paragraph (a) is increased by an amount equal to 25 percent of the statewide average
2.32extended support revenue per pupil unit.
2.33EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for fiscal year 2016 and later.

2.34    Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.12, is amended to read:
2.35124D.12 PURPOSE OF FLEXIBLE LEARNING YEAR PROGRAMS.
3.1Sections 124D.12 to 124D.127 authorize districts to evaluate, plan and employ
3.2the use of flexible learning year programs. It is anticipated that the open selection of
3.3the type of flexible learning year operation from a variety of alternatives will allow
3.4each district seeking to utilize this concept to suitably fulfill the educational needs of
3.5its pupils. These alternatives must include, but not be limited to, various 45-15 plans,
3.6four-quarter plans, quinmester plans, extended learning year plans, and flexible all-year
3.7plans, and four-day week plans. A school district with an approved four-day week plan
3.8in the 2014-2015 school year may continue under a four-day week plan through the end
3.9of the 2019-2020 school year. Future approvals are contingent upon meeting the school
3.10district's performance goals established in the district's plan under section 120B.11.
3.11The commissioner must give a school district one school year's notice before revoking
3.12approval of their flexible learning year program.
3.13EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

3.14    Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.122, is amended to read:
3.15124D.122 ESTABLISHMENT OF FLEXIBLE LEARNING YEAR PROGRAM.
3.16The board of any district or a consortium of districts, with the approval of the
3.17commissioner, may establish and operate a flexible learning year program in one or more of
3.18the day or residential facilities for children with a disability within the district. Consortiums
3.19may use a single application and evaluation process, though results, public hearings, and
3.20board approvals must be obtained for each district as required under appropriate sections.
3.21The commissioner must approve or disapprove of a flexible learning year application
3.22within 45 business days of receiving the application. If the commissioner disapproves the
3.23application, they must give the district or consortium detailed reasons for the disapproval.

3.24    Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 126C.10, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
3.25    Subdivision 1. General education revenue. (a) For fiscal years 2013 and 2014, the
3.26general education revenue for each district equals the sum of the district's basic revenue,
3.27extended time revenue, gifted and talented revenue, small schools revenue, basic skills
3.28revenue, secondary sparsity revenue, elementary sparsity revenue, transportation sparsity
3.29revenue, total operating capital revenue, equity revenue, alternative teacher compensation
3.30revenue, and transition revenue.
3.31(b) For fiscal year 2015 and later, The general education revenue for each district
3.32equals the sum of the district's basic revenue, extended time revenue, gifted and
3.33talented revenue, declining enrollment revenue, local optional revenue, small schools
4.1revenue, basic skills revenue, secondary sparsity revenue, elementary sparsity revenue,
4.2transportation sparsity revenue, total operating capital revenue, equity revenue, pension
4.3adjustment revenue, and transition revenue.

4.4    Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 126C.10, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
4.5    Subd. 2. Basic revenue. For fiscal year 2014, the basic revenue for each district
4.6equals the formula allowance times the adjusted marginal cost pupil units for the school
4.7year. For fiscal year 2015 and later, The basic revenue for each district equals the formula
4.8allowance times the adjusted pupil units for the school year. The formula allowance for
4.9fiscal year 2013 is $5,224. The formula allowance for fiscal year 2014 is $5,302. The
4.10formula allowance for fiscal year 2015 and later is $5,831. The formula allowance for
4.11fiscal year 2016 is $5,918. The formula allowance for fiscal year 2017 and later is $6,036.

4.12    Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 126C.10, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
4.13    Subd. 2a. Extended time revenue. (a) A school district's extended time revenue for
4.14fiscal year 2014 is equal to the product of $4,601 and the sum of the adjusted marginal
4.15cost pupil units of the district for each pupil in average daily membership in excess of 1.0
4.16and less than 1.2 according to section 126C.05, subdivision 8. A school district's extended
4.17time revenue for fiscal year 2015 and later is equal to the product of $5,017 $5,117 and the
4.18sum of the adjusted pupil units of the district for each pupil in average daily membership
4.19in excess of 1.0 and less than 1.2 according to section 126C.05, subdivision 8.
4.20(b) A school district's extended time revenue may be used for extended day
4.21programs, extended week programs, summer school, vacation break academies such as
4.22spring break academies and summer term academies, and other programming authorized
4.23under the learning year program.
4.24EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for fiscal year 2016 and later.

4.25    Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 126C.10, subdivision 13a, is amended to read:
4.26    Subd. 13a. Operating capital levy. To obtain operating capital revenue for fiscal
4.27year 2015 and later, a district may levy an amount not more than the product of its operating
4.28capital revenue for the fiscal year times the lesser of one or the ratio of its adjusted net tax
4.29capacity per adjusted marginal cost pupil unit to the operating capital equalizing factor. The
4.30operating capital equalizing factor equals $14,500 for fiscal years 2015 and 2016, $14,740
4.31for fiscal year 2017, $17,473 for fiscal year 2018, and $20,510 for fiscal year 2019 and later.
5.1EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2016 and
5.2later.

5.3    Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 126C.13, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:
5.4    Subd. 3a. Student achievement rate. The commissioner must establish the student
5.5achievement rate by July 1 September 30 of each year for levies payable in the following
5.6year. The student achievement rate must be a rate, rounded up to the nearest hundredth of
5.7a percent, that, when applied to the adjusted net tax capacity for all districts, raises the
5.8amount specified in this subdivision. The student achievement rate must be the rate that
5.9raises $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2015 and later years, 2016, and 2017 and $10,000,000
5.10for fiscal year 2018. The student achievement rate may not be changed due to changes or
5.11corrections made to a district's adjusted net tax capacity after the rate has been established.
5.12EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

5.13    Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 126C.13, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
5.14    Subd. 4. General education aid. (a) For fiscal years 2013 and 2014 only, a district's
5.15general education aid is the sum of the following amounts:
5.16    (1) general education revenue, excluding equity revenue, total operating capital
5.17revenue, alternative teacher compensation revenue, and transition revenue;
5.18    (2) operating capital aid under section 126C.10, subdivision 13b;
5.19    (3) equity aid under section 126C.10, subdivision 30;
5.20    (4) alternative teacher compensation aid under section 126C.10, subdivision 36;
5.21    (5) transition aid under section 126C.10, subdivision 33;
5.22    (6) shared time aid under section 126C.01, subdivision 7;
5.23    (7) referendum aid under section 126C.17, subdivisions 7 and 7a; and
5.24    (8) online learning aid according to section 124D.096.
5.25(b) For fiscal year 2015 and later, a district's general education aid equals:
5.26(1) general education revenue, excluding operating capital revenue, equity revenue,
5.27local optional revenue, and transition revenue, minus the student achievement levy,
5.28multiplied times the ratio of the actual amount of student achievement levy levied to the
5.29permitted student achievement levy; plus
5.30(2) operating capital aid under section 126C.10, subdivision 13b;
5.31(2) (3) equity aid under section 126C.10, subdivision 30; plus
5.32(3) (4) transition aid under section 126C.10, subdivision 33; plus
5.33(4) (5) shared time aid under section 126C.10, subdivision 7; plus
5.34(5) (6) referendum aid under section 126C.17, subdivisions 7 and 7a; plus
6.1(6) (7) online learning aid under section 124D.096; plus
6.2(7) (8) local optional aid according to section 126C.10, subdivision 2d, paragraph (d).
6.3EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for fiscal year 2015 and later.

6.4    Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 126C.15, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
6.5    Subd. 2. Building allocation. (a) A district or cooperative must allocate its
6.6compensatory revenue to each school building in the district or cooperative where
6.7the children who have generated the revenue are served unless the school district or
6.8cooperative has received permission under Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5,
6.9article 1, section 50, to allocate compensatory revenue according to student performance
6.10measures developed by the school board.
6.11    (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), a district or cooperative may allocate up to five
6.1250 percent of the amount of compensatory revenue that the district receives to school
6.13sites according to a plan adopted by the school board, and a district or cooperative may
6.14allocate up to an additional five percent of its compensatory revenue for activities under
6.15subdivision 1, clause (10), according to a plan adopted by the school board. The money
6.16reallocated under this paragraph must be spent for the purposes listed in subdivision 1, but
6.17may be spent on students in any grade, including students attending school readiness or
6.18other prekindergarten programs.
6.19    (c) For the purposes of this section and section 126C.05, subdivision 3, "building"
6.20means education site as defined in section 123B.04, subdivision 1.
6.21    (d) Notwithstanding section 123A.26, subdivision 1, compensatory revenue
6.22generated by students served at a cooperative unit shall be paid to the cooperative unit.
6.23    (e) A district or cooperative with school building openings, school building
6.24closings, changes in attendance area boundaries, or other changes in programs or student
6.25demographics between the prior year and the current year may reallocate compensatory
6.26revenue among sites to reflect these changes. A district or cooperative must report to the
6.27department any adjustments it makes according to this paragraph and the department must
6.28use the adjusted compensatory revenue allocations in preparing the report required under
6.29section 123B.76, subdivision 3, paragraph (c).
6.30EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2015.

6.31    Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 126C.17, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
6.32    Subdivision 1. Referendum allowance. (a) A district's initial referendum allowance
6.33equals the result of the following calculations:
7.1(1) multiply the referendum allowance the district would have received for fiscal
7.2year 2015 under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.17, subdivision 1, based on
7.3elections held before July 1, 2013, by the resident marginal cost pupil units the district
7.4would have counted for fiscal year 2015 under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.05;
7.5(2) add to the result of clause (1) the adjustment the district would have received
7.6under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraphs (a), (b), and
7.7(c), based on elections held before July 1, 2013;
7.8(3) divide the result of clause (2) by the district's adjusted pupil units for fiscal
7.9year 2015;
7.10(4) add to the result of clause (3) any additional referendum allowance per adjusted
7.11pupil unit authorized by elections held between July 1, 2013, and December 31, 2013;
7.12(5) add to the result in clause (4) any additional referendum allowance resulting from
7.13inflation adjustments approved by the voters prior to January 1, 2014;
7.14(6) subtract from the result of clause (5), the sum of a district's actual local optional
7.15levy and local optional aid under section 126C.10, subdivision 2e, divided by the adjusted
7.16pupil units of the district for that school year; and
7.17(7) if the result of clause (6) is less than zero, set the allowance to zero.
7.18(b) A district's referendum allowance equals the sum of the district's initial
7.19referendum allowance, plus any new referendum allowance authorized between July 1,
7.202013, and December 31, 2013, under subdivision 9a, plus any additional referendum
7.21allowance per adjusted pupil unit authorized after December 31, 2013, minus any
7.22allowances expiring in fiscal year 2016 or later, provided that the allowance may not be
7.23less than zero. For a district with more than one referendum allowance for fiscal year
7.242015 under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.17, the allowance calculated under
7.25paragraph (a), clause (3), must be divided into components such that the same percentage
7.26of the district's allowance expires at the same time as the old allowances would have
7.27expired under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.17. For a district with more than one
7.28allowance for fiscal year 2015 that expires in the same year, the reduction under paragraph
7.29(a), clause (6), to offset local optional revenue shall be made first from any allowances that
7.30do not have an inflation adjustment approved by the voters.
7.31EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment for
7.32fiscal year 2015 and later.

7.33    Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 126C.17, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
8.1    Subd. 2. Referendum allowance limit. (a) Notwithstanding subdivision 1, for
8.2fiscal year 2015 and later, a district's referendum allowance must not exceed the annual
8.3inflationary increase as calculated under paragraph (b) times the greatest of:
8.4(1) $1,845;
8.5(2) the sum of the referendum revenue the district would have received for fiscal
8.6year 2015 under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.17, subdivision 4, based on
8.7elections held before July 1, 2013, and the adjustment the district would have received
8.8under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraphs (a), (b), and
8.9(c), based on elections held before July 1, 2013, divided by the district's adjusted pupil
8.10units for fiscal year 2015;
8.11(3) the product of the referendum allowance limit the district would have received
8.12for fiscal year 2015 under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.17, subdivision 2, and
8.13the resident marginal cost pupil units the district would have received for fiscal year 2015
8.14under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.05, subdivision 6, plus the adjustment the
8.15district would have received under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 127A.47, subdivision
8.167 , paragraphs (a), (b), and (c), based on elections held before July 1, 2013, divided by
8.17the district's adjusted pupil units for fiscal year 2015; minus $424 for a district receiving
8.18local optional revenue under section 126C.10, subdivision 2d, paragraph (a), minus
8.19$212 for a district receiving local optional revenue under section 126C.10, subdivision
8.202d , paragraph (b); or
8.21(4) for a newly reorganized district created after July 1, 2013, the referendum
8.22revenue authority for each reorganizing district in the year preceding reorganization
8.23divided by its adjusted pupil units for the year preceding reorganization.
8.24(b) For purposes of this subdivision, for fiscal year 2016 and later, "inflationary
8.25increase" means one plus the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for urban
8.26consumers, as prepared by the United States Bureau of Labor Standards, for the current
8.27fiscal year to fiscal year 2015. For fiscal year 2016 and later, for purposes of paragraph (a),
8.28clause (3), the inflationary increase equals one-fourth of the percentage increase in the
8.29formula allowance for that year compared with the formula allowance for fiscal year 2015.
8.30EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment for
8.31fiscal year 2015 and later.

8.32    Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 126C.48, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
8.33    Subd. 8. Taconite payment and other reductions. (1) Reductions in levies
8.34pursuant to subdivision 1 must be made prior to the reductions in clause (2).
9.1(2) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, districts that have revenue
9.2pursuant to sections 298.018; 298.225; 298.24 to 298.28, except an amount distributed
9.3under sections 298.26; 298.28, subdivision 4, paragraphs (c), clause (ii), and (d); 298.34 to
9.4298.39 ; 298.391 to 298.396; 298.405; 477A.15; and any law imposing a tax upon severed
9.5mineral values must reduce the levies authorized by this chapter and chapters 120B, 122A,
9.6123A, 123B, 124A, 124D, 125A, and 127A, excluding the student achievement levy
9.7under section 126C.13, subdivision 3b, by 95 percent of the sum of the previous year's
9.8revenue specified under this clause and the amount attributable to the same production
9.9year distributed to the cities and townships within the school district under section 298.28,
9.10subdivision 2 , paragraph (c).
9.11(3) The amount of any voter approved referendum, facilities down payment, and
9.12debt levies shall not be reduced by more than 50 percent under this subdivision, except
9.13that payments under section 298.28, subdivision 7a, may reduce the debt service levy by
9.14more than 50 percent. In administering this paragraph, the commissioner shall first reduce
9.15the nonvoter approved levies of a district; then, if any payments, severed mineral value
9.16tax revenue or recognized revenue under paragraph (2) remains, the commissioner shall
9.17reduce any voter approved referendum levies authorized under section 126C.17; then, if
9.18any payments, severed mineral value tax revenue or recognized revenue under paragraph
9.19(2) remains, the commissioner shall reduce any voter approved facilities down payment
9.20levies authorized under section 123B.63 and then, if any payments, severed mineral value
9.21tax revenue or recognized revenue under paragraph (2) remains, the commissioner shall
9.22reduce any voter approved debt levies.
9.23(4) Before computing the reduction pursuant to this subdivision of the health and
9.24safety levy authorized by sections 123B.57 and 126C.40, subdivision 5, the commissioner
9.25shall ascertain from each affected school district the amount it proposes to levy under
9.26each section or subdivision. The reduction shall be computed on the basis of the amount
9.27so ascertained.
9.28(5) To the extent the levy reduction calculated under paragraph (2) exceeds the
9.29limitation in paragraph (3), an amount equal to the excess must be distributed from the
9.30school district's distribution under sections 298.225, 298.28, and 477A.15 in the following
9.31year to the cities and townships within the school district in the proportion that their
9.32taxable net tax capacity within the school district bears to the taxable net tax capacity of
9.33the school district for property taxes payable in the year prior to distribution. No city or
9.34township shall receive a distribution greater than its levy for taxes payable in the year prior
9.35to distribution. The commissioner of revenue shall certify the distributions of cities and
9.36towns under this paragraph to the county auditor by September 30 of the year preceding
10.1distribution. The county auditor shall reduce the proposed and final levies of cities and
10.2towns receiving distributions by the amount of their distribution. Distributions to the cities
10.3and towns shall be made at the times provided under section 298.27.

10.4    Sec. 14. [136D.41] LISTED DISTRICTS MAY FORM INTERMEDIATE
10.5DISTRICT.
10.6Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, two or more of the Independent School
10.7Districts Nos. 108, 110, 111, and 112 of Carver County, Independent School Districts Nos.
10.8716, 717, 719, 720, and 721 of Scott County, and Independent School District No. 2905 of
10.9Le Sueur County, whether or not contiguous, may enter into agreements to accomplish
10.10jointly and cooperatively the acquisition, betterment, construction, maintenance, and
10.11operation of facilities for, and instruction in, special education, career and technical
10.12education, adult basic education, and alternative education. Each school district that
10.13becomes a party to such an agreement is a "participating school district" for purposes
10.14of sections 136D.41 to 136D.49. The agreement may provide for the exercise of these
10.15powers by a joint school board created as set forth in sections 136D.41 to 136D.49.

10.16    Sec. 15. [136D.42] JOINT SCHOOL BOARD; MEMBERS; BYLAWS.
10.17    Subdivision 1. Board. The agreement shall provide for a joint school board
10.18representing the parties to the agreement. The agreement shall specify the name of the
10.19board, the number and manner of election or appointment of its members, their terms and
10.20qualifications, and other necessary and desirable provisions.
10.21    Subd. 2. Bylaws. The board may adopt bylaws specifying the duties and powers of
10.22its officers and the meeting dates of the board, and containing such other provisions as
10.23may be usual and necessary for the efficient conduct of the business of the board.

10.24    Sec. 16. [136D.43] STATUS OF JOINT SCHOOL BOARD.
10.25    Subdivision 1. Public agency. The joint school board shall be a public agency of the
10.26participating school districts and may receive and disburse federal and state funds made
10.27available to it or to the participating school districts.
10.28    Subd. 2. Liability. No participating school district shall have individual liability
10.29for the debts and obligations of the board, nor shall any individual serving as a member
10.30of the board have such liability.
10.31    Subd. 3. Tax exempt. Any properties, real or personal, acquired, owned, leased,
10.32controlled, used, or occupied by the board for its purposes shall be exempt from taxation
10.33by the state or any of its political subdivisions.

11.1    Sec. 17. [136D.44] JOINT BOARD HAS ALL POWERS OF MEMBER
11.2DISTRICTS.
11.3To effectuate the agreement, the joint school board shall have all the powers granted
11.4by law to any or all of the participating school districts.

11.5    Sec. 18. [136D.45] AGREEMENT APPROVAL; NOTICE; PETITION;
11.6REFERENDUM.
11.7    Subdivision 1. Resolution. The agreement shall, before it becomes effective, be
11.8approved by a resolution adopted by the school board of each school district named therein.
11.9    Subd. 2. When effective. Each resolution shall be published once in a newspaper
11.10published in the district, if there is one, or in a newspaper having general circulation in the
11.11district, and shall become effective 30 days after publication, unless within the 30-day
11.12period a petition for referendum on the resolution is filed with the school board, signed by
11.13qualified voters of the school district equal in number to five percent of the number of
11.14voters voting at the last annual school district election. In such case, the resolution shall
11.15not become effective until approved by a majority of the voters voting thereon at a regular
11.16or special election. The agreement may provide conditions under which it shall become
11.17effective even though it may not be approved in all districts.

11.18    Sec. 19. [136D.46] DISTRICT CONTRIBUTIONS, DISBURSEMENTS,
11.19CONTRACTS.
11.20The participating school districts may contribute funds to the board. Disbursements
11.21shall be made by the board in accordance with sections 123B.14, 123B.143, and 123B.147.
11.22The board shall be subject to section 123B.52, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, and 5.

11.23    Sec. 20. [136D.47] TERM OF AGREEMENT.
11.24The agreement shall state the term of its duration and may provide for the method of
11.25termination and distribution of assets after payment of all liabilities of the joint school
11.26board.

11.27    Sec. 21. [136D.48] NON-POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS; LICENSED
11.28DIRECTION.
11.29The board may also provide any other educational programs or other services
11.30requested by a participating district. However, these programs and services may not be
11.31postsecondary programs or services. Academic offerings shall be provided only under the
11.32direction of properly licensed academic supervisory personnel.

12.1    Sec. 22. [136D.49] OTHER MEMBERSHIP AND POWERS.
12.2In addition to the districts listed in sections 136D.21, 136D.41, 136D.71, and
12.3136D.81, the agreement of an intermediate school district established under this chapter
12.4may provide for the membership of other school districts and cities, counties, and other
12.5governmental units as defined in section 471.59. In addition to the powers listed in
12.6sections 136D.25, 136D.73, and 136D.84, an intermediate school board may provide the
12.7services defined in section 123A.21, subdivisions 7 and 8.

12.8    Sec. 23. COMPENSATORY REVENUE; INTERMEDIATE DISTRICT.
12.9For the 2015-2016 school year only, for an intermediate district formed under
12.10Minnesota Statutes, section 136D.41, the department must calculate compensatory
12.11revenue based on the October 1, 2014, enrollment counts for the South Metro Educational
12.12Cooperative.

12.13    Sec. 24. SCHOOL DISTRICT LEVY ADJUSTMENTS.
12.14    Subdivision 1. Tax rate adjustment. The commissioner of education must adjust
12.15each school district tax rate established under Minnesota Statutes, chapters 120B to 127A,
12.16by multiplying the rate by the ratio of the statewide total tax capacity for assessment year
12.172014, as it existed prior to the passage of Regular Session 2015, House File No. 848, or
12.18a similarly styled bill passed in a special session to the statewide total tax capacity for
12.19assessment year 2014.
12.20    Subd. 2. Equalizing factors. The commissioner of education must adjust each
12.21school district equalizing factor established under Minnesota Statutes, chapters 120B to
12.22127A, by dividing the equalizing factor by the ratio of the statewide total tax capacity for
12.23assessment year 2014, as it existed prior to the passage of Regular Session 2015, House
12.24File No. 848, or a similarly styled bill passed in a special session, to the statewide total tax
12.25capacity for assessment year 2014.

12.26    Sec. 25. APPROPRIATIONS.
12.27    Subdivision 1. Department of Education. The sums indicated in this section are
12.28appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years
12.29designated.
12.30    Subd. 2. General education aid. For general education aid under Minnesota
12.31Statutes, section 126C.13, subdivision 4:

13.1		$	6,595,541,000	.....	2016
13.2		$	6,723,884,000	.....	2017

13.3The 2016 appropriation includes $622,908,000 for 2015 and $5,972,634,000 for
13.42016.
13.5The 2017 appropriation includes $635,618,000 for 2016 and $6,088,266,000 for
13.62017.
13.7    Subd. 3. Enrollment options transportation. For transportation of pupils attending
13.8postsecondary institutions under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.09, or for transportation
13.9of pupils attending nonresident districts under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.03:

13.10		$	39,000	.....	2016
13.11		$	42,000	.....	2017

13.12    Subd. 4. Abatement revenue. For abatement aid under Minnesota Statutes, section
13.13127A.49:

13.14		$	2,740,000	.....	2016
13.15		$	2,932,000	.....	2017

13.16The 2016 appropriation includes $278,000 for 2015 and $2,462,000 for 2016.
13.17The 2017 appropriation includes $273,000 for 2016 and $2,659,000 for 2017.
13.18    Subd. 5. Consolidation transition. For districts consolidating under Minnesota
13.19Statutes, section 123A.485:

13.20		$	292,000	.....	2016
13.21		$	165,000	.....	2017

13.22The 2016 appropriation includes $22,000 for 2015 and $270,000 for 2016.
13.23The 2017 appropriation includes $30,000 for 2016 and $135,000 for 2017.
13.24    Subd. 6. Nonpublic pupil education aid. For nonpublic pupil education aid under
13.25Minnesota Statutes, sections 123B.40 to 123B.43 and 123B.87:

13.26		$	16,756,000	.....	2016
13.27		$	17,309,000	.....	2017

13.28The 2016 appropriation includes $1,575,000 for 2015 and $15,181,000 for 2016.
13.29The 2017 appropriation includes $1,686,000 for 2016 and $15,623,000 for 2017.
13.30    Subd. 7. Nonpublic pupil transportation. For nonpublic pupil transportation aid
13.31under Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.92, subdivision 9:

13.32		$	17,322,000	.....	2016
13.33		$	17,228,000	.....	2017

14.1The 2016 appropriation includes $1,816,000 for 2015 and $15,506,000 for 2016.
14.2The 2017 appropriation includes $1,722,000 for 2016 and $15,506,000 for 2017.
14.3    Subd. 8. One-room schoolhouse. For a grant to Independent School District No.
14.4690, Warroad, to operate the Angle Inlet School:

14.5		$	65,000	.....	2016
14.6		$	65,000	.....	2017

14.7    Subd. 9. Compensatory revenue pilot project. For grants for participation in the
14.8compensatory revenue pilot program under Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5,
14.9article 1, section 50, as amended by Laws 2007, chapter 146, article 1, section 21:

14.10		$	2,325,000	.....	2016
14.11		$	2,325,000	.....	2017

14.12Of this amount, $1,500,000 in each year is for a grant to Independent School District
14.13No. 11, Anoka-Hennepin; $75,000 in each year is for a grant to Independent School
14.14District No. 286, Brooklyn Center; $210,000 in each year is for a grant to Independent
14.15School District No. 279, Osseo; $150,000 in each year is for a grant to Independent
14.16School District No. 281, Robbinsdale; $160,000 in each year is for a grant to Independent
14.17School District No. 535, Rochester; $65,000 in each year is for a grant to Independent
14.18School District No. 833, South Washington; and $150,000 in each year is for a grant to
14.19Independent School District No. 241, Albert Lea.
14.20If a grant to a specific school district is not awarded, the commissioner may increase
14.21the aid amounts to any of the remaining participating school districts.
14.22    Subd. 10. Career and technical aid. For career and technical aid under Minnesota
14.23Statutes, section 124D.4531, subdivision 1b:

14.24		$	5,420,000	.....	2016
14.25		$	4,405,000	.....	2017

14.26The 2016 appropriation includes $574,000 for 2015 and $4,846,000 for 2016.
14.27The 2017 appropriation includes $538,000 for 2016 and $3,867,000 for 2017.

14.28    Sec. 26. REPEALER.
14.29(a) Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 126C.12, subdivision 6; and 126C.41,
14.30subdivision 1, are repealed.
14.31(b) Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 126C.13, subdivisions 3a, 3b, and 3c, are
14.32repealed for taxes payable in 2018.

15.1ARTICLE 2

15.2EDUCATION EXCELLENCE

15.3    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 13.32, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
15.4    Subd. 5. Directory information. Information designated as directory information
15.5pursuant to the provisions of United States Code, title 20, section 1232g and Code of
15.6Federal Regulations, title 34, section 99.37 which are in effect on January 1, 2007 3,
15.72012, is public data on individuals, to the extent required under federal law. When
15.8conducting the directory information designation and notice process required by federal
15.9law, an educational agency or institution shall give parents and students notice of the
15.10right to refuse to let the agency or institution designate any or all data about the student
15.11as directory information. This notice may be given by any means reasonably likely to
15.12inform the parents and students of the right.
15.13EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

15.14    Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 120B.022, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
15.15    Subd. 1a. Foreign language and culture; proficiency certificates. (a) World
15.16languages teachers and other school staff should develop and implement world languages
15.17programs that acknowledge and reinforce the language proficiency and cultural awareness
15.18that non-English language speakers already possess, and encourage students' proficiency
15.19in multiple world languages. Programs under this section must encompass indigenous
15.20American Indian languages and cultures, among other world languages and cultures. The
15.21department shall consult with postsecondary institutions in developing related professional
15.22development opportunities for purposes of this section.
15.23(b) Any Minnesota public, charter, or nonpublic school may award Minnesota
15.24World Language Proficiency Certificates or Minnesota World Language Proficiency High
15.25Achievement Certificates, consistent with this subdivision.
15.26(c) The Minnesota World Language Proficiency Certificate recognizes students who
15.27demonstrate listening, speaking, reading, and writing language skills at the American
15.28Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages' Intermediate-Low level on a valid and
15.29reliable assessment tool. For languages listed as Category 3 by the United States Foreign
15.30Service Institute or Category 4 by the United States Defense Language Institute, the
15.31standard is Intermediate-Low for listening and speaking and Novice-High for reading
15.32and writing.
15.33(d) The Minnesota World Language Proficiency High Achievement Certificate
15.34recognizes students who demonstrate listening, speaking, reading, and writing language
16.1skills at the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages' Pre-Advanced level
16.2for K-12 learners on a valid and reliable assessment tool. For languages listed as Category
16.33 by the United States Foreign Service Institute or Category 4 by the United States
16.4Defense Language Institute, the standard is Pre-Advanced for listening and speaking and
16.5Intermediate-Mid for reading and writing.

16.6    Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 120B.022, subdivision 1b, is amended to read:
16.7    Subd. 1b. State bilingual and multilingual seals. (a) Consistent with efforts to
16.8strive for the world's best workforce under sections 120B.11 and 124D.10, subdivision 8,
16.9paragraph (u), and close the academic achievement and opportunity gap under sections
16.10124D.861 and 124D.862, voluntary state bilingual and multilingual seals are established
16.11to recognize high school graduates students who demonstrate level 3 an advanced low
16.12level or an intermediate high level of functional native proficiency in listening, speaking,
16.13reading, and writing on either the Foreign Services Institute language assessments aligned
16.14with American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages' (ACTFL) proficiency
16.15tests guidelines or on equivalent valid and reliable assessments in one or more languages
16.16in addition to English. American Sign Language is a language other than English for
16.17purposes of this subdivision and a world language for purposes of subdivision 1a.
16.18(b) In addition to paragraph (a), to be eligible to receive a seal:
16.19(1) students must satisfactorily complete all required English language arts credits;
16.20and
16.21(2) students whose primary language is other than English must demonstrate mastery
16.22of Minnesota's English language proficiency standards.
16.23(c) Consistent with this subdivision, a high school graduate student who
16.24demonstrates an intermediate high ACTFL level of functional native proficiency in one
16.25language in addition to English is eligible to receive the state bilingual gold seal. A high
16.26school graduate student who demonstrates an intermediate high ACTFL level of functional
16.27native proficiency in more than one language in addition to English is eligible to receive
16.28the state multilingual gold seal. A high school student who demonstrates an advanced low
16.29ACTFL level of functional proficiency in one language in addition to English is eligible
16.30to receive the state bilingual platinum seal. A high school student who demonstrates
16.31an advanced-low ACTFL level of functional proficiency in more than one language in
16.32addition to English is eligible to receive the state multilingual platinum seal.
16.33(d) School districts and charter schools, in consultation with regional centers of
16.34excellence under section 120B.115, must may give students periodic opportunities to
16.35demonstrate their level of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in a
17.1language in addition to English. Where valid and reliable assessments are unavailable,
17.2a school district or charter school may rely on a licensed foreign language immersion
17.3teacher or a nonlicensed community expert under section 122A.25 evaluators trained in
17.4assessing under ACTFL proficiency guidelines to assess a student's level of foreign,
17.5heritage, or indigenous language proficiency under this section. School districts and
17.6charter schools must maintain appropriate records to identify high school graduates
17.7students eligible to receive the state bilingual or multilingual seal gold and platinum seals.
17.8The school district or charter school must affix the appropriate seal to the transcript of
17.9each high school graduate student who meets the requirements of this subdivision and
17.10may affix the seal to the student's diploma. A school district or charter school must not
17.11charge the high school graduate student a fee for this seal.
17.12(e) A school district or charter school may award elective course credits in world
17.13languages to a student who demonstrates the requisite proficiency in a language other
17.14than English under this section.
17.15(f) A school district or charter school may award community service credit to a
17.16student who demonstrates level 3 an intermediate high or advanced low ACTFL level of
17.17functional native proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in a language
17.18other than English and who participates in community service activities that are integrated
17.19into the curriculum, involve the participation of teachers, and support biliteracy in the
17.20school or local community.
17.21(g) The commissioner must develop a Web page for the electronic delivery of these
17.22seals. The commissioner must list on the Web page those assessments that are equivalent
17.23to the Foreign Services Institute language aligned to ACTFL proficiency tests guidelines.
17.24(h) By August 1, 2015, the colleges and universities of the Minnesota State Colleges
17.25and Universities system must award foreign language credits to a student who receives a
17.26state bilingual seal or a state multilingual seal under this subdivision and may establish
17.27criteria to translate the seals into college credits based on the world language course
17.28equivalencies identified by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities faculty and
17.29staff and, upon request from an enrolled student, the Minnesota State Colleges and
17.30Universities may award foreign language credits to a student who receives a Minnesota
17.31World Language Proficiency Certificate or a Minnesota World Language Proficiency
17.32High Achievement Certificate under subdivision 1a. A student who demonstrated the
17.33requisite level of language proficiency in grade 10, 11, or 12 to receive a seal or certificate
17.34and is enrolled in a Minnesota State Colleges and Universities institution must request
17.35college credits for the student's seal or proficiency certificate within three academic years
18.1after graduating from high school. The University of Minnesota is encouraged to award
18.2students foreign language academic credits consistent with this paragraph.
18.3EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment and
18.4applies beginning with students graduating in the 2014-2015 school year who demonstrate
18.5the requisite language proficiency in grade 10, 11, or 12.

18.6    Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 120B.12, subdivision 4a, is amended to read:
18.7    Subd. 4a. Local literacy plan. (a) Consistent with this section, a school district
18.8must adopt a local literacy plan to have every child reading at or above grade level no
18.9later than the end of grade 3, including English learners. The plan must be consistent with
18.10section 122A.06, subdivision 4, and include the following:
18.11(1) a process to assess students' level of reading proficiency, and data to support the
18.12effectiveness of an assessment used to screen and identify a student's level of reading
18.13proficiency;
18.14(2) a process to notify and involve parents, intervene with;
18.15(3) a description of how schools in the district will determine the proper reading
18.16intervention strategy for a student and the process for intensifying or modifying the
18.17reading strategy in order to obtain measurable reading progress;
18.18(4) evidence-based intervention methods for students who are not reading at or
18.19above grade level, and identify and meet and progress monitoring to provide information
18.20on the effectiveness of the intervention; and
18.21(5) identification of staff development needs, including a program to meet those
18.22needs.
18.23(b) The district must post its literacy plan on the official school district Web site.
18.24EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for fiscal year 2016 and later.

18.25    Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 120B.13, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
18.26    Subd. 4. Rigorous course taking information; AP, IB, and PSEO. The
18.27commissioner shall submit the following information on rigorous course taking,
18.28disaggregated by student subgroup, school district, and postsecondary institution, to the
18.29education committees of the legislature each year by February 1:
18.30(1) the number of pupils enrolled in postsecondary enrollment options under section
18.31124D.09 , including concurrent enrollment, career and technical education courses offered
18.32as a concurrent enrollment course, advanced placement, and international baccalaureate
18.33courses in each school district;
19.1(2) the number of teachers in each district attending training programs offered by the
19.2college board, International Baccalaureate North America, Inc., or Minnesota concurrent
19.3enrollment programs;
19.4(3) the number of teachers in each district participating in support programs;
19.5(4) recent trends in the field of postsecondary enrollment options under section
19.6124D.09 , including concurrent enrollment, advanced placement, and international
19.7baccalaureate programs;
19.8(5) expenditures for each category in this section and under sections 124D.09 and
19.9124D.091, including career and technical education courses offered as a concurrent
19.10enrollment course ; and
19.11(6) other recommendations for the state program or the postsecondary enrollment
19.12options under section 124D.09, including concurrent enrollment.

19.13    Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 120B.30, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
19.14    Subd. 3. Reporting. The commissioner shall report test results publicly and to
19.15stakeholders, including the performance achievement levels developed from students'
19.16unweighted test scores in each tested subject and a listing of demographic factors that
19.17strongly correlate with student performance, including student homelessness, as data are
19.18available, among other factors. The test results must not include personally identifiable
19.19information as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 34, section 99.3. The
19.20commissioner shall also report data that compares performance results among school
19.21sites, school districts, Minnesota and other states, and Minnesota and other nations. The
19.22commissioner shall disseminate to schools and school districts a more comprehensive
19.23report containing testing information that meets local needs for evaluating instruction and
19.24curriculum. The commissioner shall disseminate to charter school authorizers a more
19.25comprehensive report containing testing information that contains anonymized data where
19.26cell count data are sufficient to protect student identity and that meets the authorizer's
19.27needs in fulfilling its obligations under section 124D.10.
19.28EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment
19.29and applies to school year reports for the 2015-2016 school year and later.

19.30    Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 120B.31, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
19.31    Subd. 4. Student performance data. In developing policies and assessment
19.32processes to hold schools and districts accountable for high levels of academic standards
19.33under section 120B.021, the commissioner shall aggregate student data over time to
19.34report student performance and growth levels measured at the school, school district, and
20.1statewide level. When collecting and reporting the performance data, the commissioner
20.2shall organize and report the data so that state and local policy makers can understand the
20.3educational implications of changes in districts' demographic profiles over time, including
20.4student homelessness, as data are available, among other demographic factors. Any report
20.5the commissioner disseminates containing summary data on student performance must
20.6integrate student performance and the demographic factors that strongly correlate with
20.7that performance.
20.8EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment
20.9and applies to school year reports for the 2015-2016 school year and later.

20.10    Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 120B.36, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
20.11    Subdivision 1. School performance reports. (a) The commissioner shall report
20.12student academic performance under section 120B.35, subdivision 2; the percentages of
20.13students showing low, medium, and high growth under section 120B.35, subdivision
20.143 , paragraph (b); school safety and student engagement and connection under section
20.15120B.35 , subdivision 3, paragraph (d); rigorous coursework under section 120B.35,
20.16subdivision 3 , paragraph (c); the percentage of students under section 120B.35,
20.17subdivision 3 , paragraph (b), clause (2), whose progress and performance levels are
20.18meeting career and college readiness benchmarks under sections 120B.30, subdivision 1,
20.19and 120B.35, subdivision 3, paragraph (e); longitudinal data on the progress of eligible
20.20districts in reducing disparities in students' academic achievement and realizing racial
20.21and economic integration under section 124D.861; the acquisition of English, and
20.22where practicable, native language academic literacy, including oral academic language,
20.23and the academic progress of English learners under section 124D.59, subdivisions
20.242 and 2a; two separate student-to-teacher ratios that clearly indicate the definition of
20.25teacher consistent with sections 122A.06 and 122A.15 for purposes of determining these
20.26ratios; staff characteristics excluding salaries; student enrollment demographics; student
20.27homelessness and district mobility; and extracurricular activities. The report also must
20.28indicate a school's adequate yearly progress status under applicable federal law, and must
20.29not set any designations applicable to high- and low-performing schools due solely to
20.30adequate yearly progress status.
20.31    (b) The commissioner shall develop, annually update, and post on the department
20.32Web site school performance reports.
20.33    (c) The commissioner must make available performance reports by the beginning
20.34of each school year.
21.1    (d) A school or district may appeal its adequate yearly progress status in writing to
21.2the commissioner within 30 days of receiving the notice of its status. The commissioner's
21.3decision to uphold or deny an appeal is final.
21.4    (e) School performance data are nonpublic data under section 13.02, subdivision 9,
21.5until the commissioner publicly releases the data. The commissioner shall annually post
21.6school performance reports to the department's public Web site no later than September 1,
21.7except that in years when the reports reflect new performance standards, the commissioner
21.8shall post the school performance reports no later than October 1.
21.9EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment
21.10and applies to school year reports for the 2015-2016 school year and later.

21.11    Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.09, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
21.12    Subd. 4. License and rules. (a) The board must adopt rules to license public school
21.13teachers and interns subject to chapter 14.
21.14(b) The board must adopt rules requiring a person require all candidates for teacher
21.15licensure to pass demonstrate a passing score on a board-adopted skills examination
21.16in reading, writing, and mathematics or attain either a composite score composed of
21.17the average of the scores in English and writing, reading, and mathematics on the ACT
21.18Plus Writing recommended by the board, or an equivalent composite score composed
21.19of the average of the scores in critical reading, mathematics, and writing on the SAT
21.20recommended by the board, as a requirement for initial teacher licensure, except that the
21.21board may issue up to two four temporary, one-year teaching licenses to an otherwise
21.22qualified candidate who has not yet passed the board-adopted skills exam or attained the
21.23requisite composite score on the ACT Plus Writing or SAT. Such rules The board must
21.24require college and universities offering a board-approved teacher preparation program
21.25to provide remedial assistance to persons who did not achieve a qualifying score on the
21.26board-adopted skills examination or attain the requisite composite score on the ACT Plus
21.27Writing or SAT, including those for whom English is a second language. The requirement
21.28to pass a board-adopted reading, writing, and mathematics skills examination or attain the
21.29requisite composite score on the ACT Plus Writing or SAT does not apply to nonnative
21.30English speakers, as verified by qualified Minnesota school district personnel or Minnesota
21.31higher education faculty, who, after meeting the content and pedagogy requirements
21.32under this subdivision, apply for a teaching license to provide direct instruction in their
21.33native language or world language instruction under section 120B.022, subdivision 1. A
21.34teacher candidate's official ACT Plus Writing or SAT composite score report to the board
21.35must not be more than ten years old at the time of licensure The Board of Teaching and
22.1the entity administering the content, pedagogy, and skills examinations must allow any
22.2individual who produces documentation of a disability in the form of an evaluation, 504
22.3plan, or individual education program (IEP) to receive the same testing accommodations
22.4on the content, pedagogy, and skills examinations that the applicant received during their
22.5secondary or postsecondary education.
22.6(c) The board must adopt rules to approve teacher preparation programs. The board,
22.7upon the request of a postsecondary student preparing for teacher licensure or a licensed
22.8graduate of a teacher preparation program, shall assist in resolving a dispute between the
22.9person and a postsecondary institution providing a teacher preparation program when the
22.10dispute involves an institution's recommendation for licensure affecting the person or the
22.11person's credentials. At the board's discretion, assistance may include the application
22.12of chapter 14.
22.13(d) The board must provide the leadership and adopt rules for the redesign of teacher
22.14education programs to implement a research based, results-oriented curriculum that
22.15focuses on the skills teachers need in order to be effective. Among other components,
22.16teacher preparation programs are encouraged to provide a school-year-long student
22.17teaching program that combines clinical opportunities with academic coursework and
22.18in-depth student teaching experiences to offer students ongoing mentorship, coaching,
22.19and assessment, help to prepare a professional development plan, and structured
22.20learning experiences. The board shall implement new systems of teacher preparation
22.21program evaluation to assure program effectiveness based on proficiency of graduates in
22.22demonstrating attainment of program outcomes. Teacher preparation programs including
22.23alternative teacher preparation programs under section 122A.245, among other programs,
22.24must include a content-specific, board-approved, performance-based assessment that
22.25measures teacher candidates in three areas: planning for instruction and assessment;
22.26engaging students and supporting learning; and assessing student learning. The board's
22.27redesign rules must include creating flexible, specialized teaching licenses, credentials,
22.28and other endorsement forms to increase students' participation in language immersion
22.29programs, world language instruction, career development opportunities, work-based
22.30learning, early college courses and careers, career and technical programs, Montessori
22.31schools, and project and place-based learning, among other career and college ready
22.32learning offerings.
22.33(e) The board must adopt rules requiring candidates for initial licenses to pass an
22.34examination of general pedagogical knowledge and examinations of licensure-specific
22.35teaching skills. The rules shall be effective by September 1, 2001. The rules under this
22.36paragraph also must require candidates for initial licenses to teach prekindergarten or
23.1elementary students to pass, as part of the examination of licensure-specific teaching
23.2skills, test items assessing the candidates' knowledge, skill, and ability in comprehensive,
23.3scientifically based reading instruction under section 122A.06, subdivision 4, and their
23.4knowledge and understanding of the foundations of reading development, the development
23.5of reading comprehension, and reading assessment and instruction, and their ability to
23.6integrate that knowledge and understanding.
23.7(f) The board must adopt rules requiring teacher educators to work directly with
23.8elementary or secondary school teachers in elementary or secondary schools to obtain
23.9periodic exposure to the elementary or secondary teaching environment.
23.10(g) The board must grant licenses to interns and to candidates for initial licenses
23.11based on appropriate professional competencies that are aligned with the board's licensing
23.12system and students' diverse learning needs. All teacher candidates must have preparation
23.13in English language development and content instruction for English learners in order to be
23.14able to effectively instruct the English learners in their classrooms. The board must include
23.15these licenses in a statewide differentiated licensing system that creates new leadership
23.16roles for successful experienced teachers premised on a collaborative professional culture
23.17dedicated to meeting students' diverse learning needs in the 21st century, recognizes the
23.18importance of cultural and linguistic competencies, including the ability to teach and
23.19communicate in culturally competent and aware ways, and formalizes mentoring and
23.20induction for newly licensed teachers provided through a teacher support framework.
23.21(h) The board must design and implement an assessment system which requires a
23.22candidate for an initial license and first continuing license to demonstrate the abilities
23.23necessary to perform selected, representative teaching tasks at appropriate levels.
23.24(i) The board must receive recommendations from local committees as established
23.25by the board for the renewal of teaching licenses. The board must require licensed teachers
23.26who are renewing a continuing license to include in the renewal requirements further
23.27preparation in English language development and specially designed content instruction
23.28in English for English learners.
23.29(j) The board must grant life licenses to those who qualify according to requirements
23.30established by the board, and suspend or revoke licenses pursuant to sections 122A.20 and
23.31214.10 . The board must not establish any expiration date for application for life licenses.
23.32(k) The board must adopt rules that require all licensed teachers who are renewing
23.33their continuing license to include in their renewal requirements further preparation in
23.34the areas of using positive behavior interventions and in accommodating, modifying, and
23.35adapting curricula, materials, and strategies to appropriately meet the needs of individual
23.36students and ensure adequate progress toward the state's graduation rule.
24.1(l) In adopting rules to license public school teachers who provide health-related
24.2services for disabled children, the board shall adopt rules consistent with license or
24.3registration requirements of the commissioner of health and the health-related boards who
24.4license personnel who perform similar services outside of the school.
24.5(m) The board must adopt rules that require all licensed teachers who are renewing
24.6their continuing license to include in their renewal requirements further reading
24.7preparation, consistent with section 122A.06, subdivision 4. The rules do not take effect
24.8until they are approved by law. Teachers who do not provide direct instruction including, at
24.9least, counselors, school psychologists, school nurses, school social workers, audiovisual
24.10directors and coordinators, and recreation personnel are exempt from this section.
24.11(n) The board must adopt rules that require all licensed teachers who are renewing
24.12their continuing license to include in their renewal requirements further preparation,
24.13first, in understanding the key warning signs of early-onset mental illness in children
24.14and adolescents and then, during subsequent licensure renewal periods, preparation may
24.15include providing a more in-depth understanding of students' mental illness trauma,
24.16accommodations for students' mental illness, parents' role in addressing students' mental
24.17illness, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, autism, the requirements of section 125A.0942
24.18governing restrictive procedures, and de-escalation methods, among other similar topics.
24.19(o) The board must adopt rules by January 1, 2016, to license applicants under
24.20sections 122A.23 and 122A.245. The rules must permit applicants to demonstrate their
24.21qualifications through the board's recognition of a teaching license from another state
24.22in a similar content field, completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program,
24.23teaching experience as the teacher of record in a similar licensure field, depth of content
24.24knowledge, depth of content methods or general pedagogy, subject-specific professional
24.25development and contribution to the field, or classroom performance as determined by
24.26documented student growth on normed assessments or documented effectiveness on
24.27evaluations. The rules must adopt criteria for determining a "similar content field" and
24.28"similar licensure area."
24.29EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment
24.30and applies to all candidates seeking initial teacher licensure, including those holding a
24.31temporary, one-year teaching license.

24.32    Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.09, is amended by adding a
24.33subdivision to read:
24.34    Subd. 4a. Teacher and administrator preparation and performance data;
24.35report. (a) The Board of Teaching and the Board of School Administrators, in cooperation
25.1with the Minnesota Association of Colleges of Teacher Education and Minnesota colleges
25.2and universities offering board-adopted teacher or administrator preparation programs,
25.3annually must collect and report summary data on teacher and administrator preparation
25.4and performance outcomes, consistent with this subdivision. The Board of Teaching
25.5and the Board of School Administrators annually by June 1 must update and post the
25.6reported summary preparation and performance data on teachers and administrators from
25.7the preceding school years on a Web site hosted jointly by the boards.
25.8(b) Publicly reported summary data on teacher preparation programs must include:
25.9student entrance requirements for each Board of Teaching-approved program, including
25.10grade point average for enrolling students in the preceding year; the average board-adopted
25.11skills examination or ACT or SAT scores of students entering the program in the preceding
25.12year; summary data on faculty qualifications, including at least the content areas of faculty
25.13undergraduate and graduate degrees and their years of experience either as kindergarten
25.14through grade 12 classroom teachers or school administrators; the average time resident
25.15and nonresident program graduates in the preceding year needed to complete the program;
25.16the current number and percent of students by program who graduated, received a standard
25.17Minnesota teaching license, and were hired to teach full time in their licensure field in a
25.18Minnesota district or school in the preceding year; the number of content area credits and
25.19other credits by undergraduate program that students in the preceding school year needed
25.20to complete to graduate; students' pass rates on skills and subject matter exams required for
25.21graduation in each program and licensure area in the preceding school year; survey results
25.22measuring student and graduate satisfaction with the program in the preceding school
25.23year; a standard measure of the satisfaction of school principals or supervising teachers
25.24with the student teachers assigned to a school or supervising teacher; and information
25.25under paragraphs (d) and (e). Program reporting must be consistent with subdivision 11.
25.26(c) Publicly reported summary data on administrator preparation programs
25.27approved by the Board of School Administrators must include: summary data on faculty
25.28qualifications, including at least the content areas of faculty undergraduate and graduate
25.29degrees and their years of experience either as kindergarten through grade 12 classroom
25.30teachers or school administrators; the average time program graduates in the preceding
25.31year needed to complete the program; the current number and percent of students who
25.32graduated, received a standard Minnesota administrator license, and were employed as an
25.33administrator in a Minnesota school district or school in the preceding year; the number of
25.34credits by graduate program that students in the preceding school year needed to complete
25.35to graduate; survey results measuring student, graduate, and employer satisfaction with
26.1the program in the preceding school year; and information under paragraphs (f) and (g).
26.2Program reporting must be consistent with section 122A.14, subdivision 10.
26.3(d) School districts annually by October 1 must report to the Board of Teaching
26.4the following information for all teachers who finished the probationary period and
26.5accepted a continuing contract position with the district from September 1 of the previous
26.6year through August 31 of the current year: the effectiveness category or rating of the
26.7teacher on the summative evaluation under section 122A.40, subdivision 8, or 122A.41,
26.8subdivision 5; the licensure area in which the teacher primarily taught during the
26.9three-year evaluation cycle; and the teacher preparation program preparing the teacher in
26.10the teacher's primary areas of instruction and licensure.
26.11(e) School districts annually by October 1 must report to the Board of Teaching the
26.12following information for all probationary teachers in the district who were released or
26.13whose contracts were not renewed from September 1 of the previous year through August
26.1431 of the current year: the licensure areas in which the probationary teacher taught; and
26.15the teacher preparation program preparing the teacher in the teacher's primary areas of
26.16instruction and licensure.
26.17(f) School districts annually by October 1 must report to the Board of School
26.18Administrators the following information for all school principals and assistant principals
26.19who finished the probationary period and accepted a continuing contract position with the
26.20district from September 1 of the previous year through August 31 of the current year: the
26.21effectiveness category or rating of the principal or assistant principal on the summative
26.22evaluation under section 123B.147, subdivision 3; and the principal preparation program
26.23providing instruction to the principal or assistant principal.
26.24(g) School districts annually by October 1 must report to the Board of School
26.25Administrators all probationary school principals and assistant principals in the district
26.26who were released or whose contracts were not renewed from September 1 of the previous
26.27year through August 31 of the current year.
26.28EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2016.

26.29    Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.09, is amended by adding a
26.30subdivision to read:
26.31    Subd. 11. Teacher preparation program reporting. By December 31, 2018, and
26.32annually thereafter, the Board of Teaching shall report and publish on its Web site the
26.33cumulative summary results of at least three consecutive years of data reported to the board
26.34under subdivision 4a, paragraph (b). Where the data are sufficient to yield statistically
27.1reliable information and the results would not reveal personally identifiable information
27.2about an individual teacher, the board shall report the data by teacher preparation program.

27.3    Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.14, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
27.4    Subd. 3. Rules for continuing education requirements. The board shall
27.5adopt rules establishing continuing education requirements that promote continuous
27.6improvement and acquisition of new and relevant skills by school administrators.
27.7Continuing education programs, among other things, must provide school administrators
27.8with information and training about building coherent and effective English learner
27.9strategies that include relevant professional development, accountability for student
27.10progress, students' access to the general curriculum, and sufficient staff capacity to effect
27.11these strategies. A retired school principal who serves as a substitute principal or assistant
27.12principal for the same person on a day-to-day basis for no more than 15 consecutive
27.13school days is not subject to continuing education requirements as a condition of serving
27.14as a substitute principal or assistant principal.
27.15EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

27.16    Sec. 13. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.14, is amended by adding a
27.17subdivision to read:
27.18    Subd. 10. Principal preparation program reporting. By December 31, 2018, and
27.19annually thereafter, the Board of School Administrators shall report and publish on its
27.20Web site the cumulative summary results of three years of data reported to the board under
27.21section 122A.09, subdivision 4a, paragraph (c), for each principal preparation program.

27.22    Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.18, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
27.23    Subd. 2. Teacher and support personnel qualifications. (a) The Board of Teaching
27.24must issue licenses under its jurisdiction to persons the board finds to be qualified and
27.25competent for their respective positions, including those meeting the standards adopted
27.26under section 122A.09, subdivision 4, paragraph (o).
27.27(b) The board must require a person to pass an candidate for teacher licensure to
27.28demonstrate a passing score on a board-adopted examination of skills in reading, writing,
27.29and mathematics or attain either a composite score composed of the average of the scores in
27.30English and writing, reading, and mathematics on the ACT Plus Writing recommended by
27.31the board, or an equivalent composite score composed of the average of the scores in critical
27.32reading, mathematics, and writing on the SAT recommended by the board, before being
27.33granted an initial teaching license to provide direct instruction to pupils in prekindergarten,
28.1elementary, secondary, or special education programs, except that the board may issue up
28.2to two four temporary, one-year teaching licenses to an otherwise qualified candidate who
28.3has not yet passed the a board-adopted skills exam or attained the requisite composite score
28.4on the ACT Plus Writing or SAT. At the request of the employing school district or charter
28.5school, the Board of Teaching may issue a restricted license to an otherwise qualified
28.6teacher not passing or demonstrating a passing score on a board-adopted skills examination
28.7in reading, writing, and math. For purposes of this section, the restricted license issued by
28.8the board is limited to the current subject or content matter the teacher is employed to teach
28.9and limited to the district or charter school requesting the restricted license. If the board
28.10denies the request, it must provide a detailed response to the school administrator as to the
28.11reasons for the denial. The board must require colleges and universities offering a board
28.12approved teacher preparation program to make available upon request remedial assistance
28.13that includes a formal diagnostic component to persons enrolled in their institution who
28.14did not achieve a qualifying score on the a board-adopted skills examination or attain the
28.15requisite composite ACT Plus Writing or SAT score, including those for whom English is
28.16a second language. The colleges and universities must make available assistance in the
28.17specific academic areas of candidates' deficiency. School districts may make available
28.18upon request similar, appropriate, and timely remedial assistance that includes a formal
28.19diagnostic component to those persons employed by the district who completed their
28.20teacher education program, who did not achieve a qualifying score on the a board-adopted
28.21skills examination, or attain the requisite composite ACT Plus Writing or SAT score,
28.22and who received a temporary license to teach in Minnesota. The Board of Teaching
28.23shall report annually to the education committees of the legislature on the total number
28.24of teacher candidates during the most recent school year taking the a board-adopted
28.25skills examination, the number who achieve a qualifying score on the examination, the
28.26number who do not achieve a qualifying score on the examination, the distribution of all
28.27candidates' scores, the number of candidates who have taken the examination at least once
28.28before, and the number of candidates who have taken the examination at least once before
28.29and achieve a qualifying score, and the candidates who have not attained the requisite
28.30composite ACT Plus Writing or SAT score or have not passed a content or pedagogy
28.31exam, disaggregated by categories of race, ethnicity, and eligibility for financial aid.
28.32(c) The Board of Teaching must grant continuing licenses only to those persons who
28.33have met board criteria for granting a continuing license, which includes passing the a
28.34board-adopted skills examination in reading, writing, and mathematics or attaining the
28.35requisite composite ACT Plus Writing or SAT score consistent with paragraph (b), and the
28.36exceptions in section 122A.09, subdivision 4, paragraph (b), that are consistent with this
29.1paragraph. The requirement to pass a board-adopted reading, writing, and mathematics
29.2skills examination, or attain the requisite composite score on the ACT Plus Writing or SAT
29.3does not apply to nonnative English speakers, as verified by qualified Minnesota school
29.4district personnel or Minnesota higher education faculty, who, after meeting the content and
29.5pedagogy requirements under this subdivision, apply for a teaching license to provide direct
29.6instruction in their native language or world language instruction under section 120B.022,
29.7subdivision 1 . A teacher candidate's official ACT Plus Writing or SAT composite score
29.8report to the board must not be more than ten years old at the time of licensure.
29.9(d) All colleges and universities approved by the board of teaching to prepare persons
29.10for teacher licensure must include in their teacher preparation programs a common core
29.11of teaching knowledge and skills to be acquired by all persons recommended for teacher
29.12licensure. Among other requirements, teacher candidates must demonstrate the knowledge
29.13and skills needed to provide appropriate instruction to English learners to support and
29.14accelerate their academic literacy, including oral academic language, and achievement in
29.15content areas in a regular classroom setting. This common core shall meet the standards
29.16developed by the interstate new teacher assessment and support consortium in its 1992
29.17"model standards for beginning teacher licensing and development." Amendments to
29.18standards adopted under this paragraph are covered by chapter 14. The board of teaching
29.19shall report annually to the education committees of the legislature on the performance
29.20of teacher candidates on common core assessments of knowledge and skills under this
29.21paragraph during the most recent school year.

29.22    Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.18, is amended by adding a
29.23subdivision to read:
29.24    Subd. 4a. Limited provisional licenses. The board may grant two-year provisional
29.25licenses to a licensure candidate in a field in which they were not previously licensed or in a
29.26field in which a shortage of licensed teachers exists. A shortage is defined as an inadequate
29.27supply of licensed personnel in a given licensure area as determined by the commissioner.

29.28    Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.20, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
29.29    Subdivision 1. Grounds for revocation, suspension, or denial. (a) The Board of
29.30Teaching or Board of School Administrators, whichever has jurisdiction over a teacher's
29.31licensure, may, on the written complaint of the school board employing a teacher, a teacher
29.32organization, or any other interested person, refuse to issue, refuse to renew, suspend, or
29.33revoke a teacher's license to teach for any of the following causes:
29.34    (1) immoral character or conduct;
30.1    (2) failure, without justifiable cause, to teach for the term of the teacher's contract;
30.2    (3) gross inefficiency or willful neglect of duty;
30.3    (4) failure to meet licensure requirements; or
30.4    (5) fraud or misrepresentation in obtaining a license.
30.5    The written complaint must specify the nature and character of the charges.
30.6    (b) The Board of Teaching or Board of School Administrators, whichever
30.7has jurisdiction over a teacher's licensure, shall refuse to issue, refuse to renew, or
30.8automatically revoke a teacher's license to teach without the right to a hearing upon
30.9receiving a certified copy of a conviction showing that the teacher has been convicted
30.10of child abuse, as defined in section 609.185, sex trafficking in the first degree under
30.11section 609.322, subdivision 1, sex trafficking in the second degree under section 609.322,
30.12subdivision 1a, engaging in hiring, or agreeing to hire a minor to engage in prostitution
30.13under section 609.324, subdivision 1, sexual abuse under section 609.342, 609.343,
30.14609.344 , 609.345, 609.3451, subdivision 3, or 617.23, subdivision 3, solicitation of
30.15children to engage in sexual conduct or communication of sexually explicit materials
30.16to children under section 609.352, interference with privacy under section 609.746 or
30.17stalking under section 609.749 and the victim was a minor, using minors in a sexual
30.18performance under section 617.246, or possessing pornographic works involving a minor
30.19under section 617.247, or any other offense not listed in this paragraph that requires the
30.20person to register as a predatory offender under section 243.166, or a crime under a similar
30.21law of another state or the United States. The board shall send notice of this licensing
30.22action to the district in which the teacher is currently employed.
30.23    (c) A person whose license to teach has been revoked, not issued, or not renewed
30.24under paragraph (b), may petition the board to reconsider the licensing action if the
30.25person's conviction for child abuse or sexual abuse is reversed by a final decision of the
30.26Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court or if the person has received a pardon for the
30.27offense. The petitioner shall attach a certified copy of the appellate court's final decision or
30.28the pardon to the petition. Upon receiving the petition and its attachment, the board shall
30.29schedule and hold a disciplinary hearing on the matter under section 214.10, subdivision 2,
30.30unless the petitioner waives the right to a hearing. If the board finds that, notwithstanding
30.31the reversal of the petitioner's criminal conviction or the issuance of a pardon, the
30.32petitioner is disqualified from teaching under paragraph (a), clause (1), the board shall
30.33affirm its previous licensing action. If the board finds that the petitioner is not disqualified
30.34from teaching under paragraph (a), clause (1), it shall reverse its previous licensing action.
30.35    (d) For purposes of this subdivision, the Board of Teaching is delegated the authority
30.36to suspend or revoke coaching licenses.

31.1    Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.21, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
31.2    Subd. 2. Licensure via portfolio. (a) An eligible candidate may use licensure
31.3via portfolio to obtain an initial licensure or to add a licensure field, consistent with the
31.4applicable Board of Teaching licensure rules.
31.5    (b) A candidate for initial licensure must submit to the Educator Licensing Division
31.6at the department one portfolio demonstrating pedagogical competence and one portfolio
31.7demonstrating content competence.
31.8    (c) A candidate seeking to add a licensure field must submit to the Educator
31.9Licensing Division at the department one portfolio demonstrating content competence.
31.10    (d) The Board of Teaching must notify a candidate who submits a portfolio under
31.11paragraph (b) or (c) within 90 calendar days after the portfolio is received whether or not
31.12the portfolio was approved. If the portfolio was not approved, the board must immediately
31.13inform the candidate how to revise the portfolio to successfully demonstrate the requisite
31.14competence. The candidate may resubmit a revised portfolio at any time and the Educator
31.15Licensing Division at the department must approve or disapprove the portfolio within
31.1660 calendar days of receiving it.
31.17    (e) A candidate must pay to the executive secretary of the Board of Teaching a
31.18$300 fee for the first portfolio submitted for review and a $200 fee for any portfolio
31.19submitted subsequently. The fees must be paid to the executive secretary of the Board of
31.20Teaching. The revenue generated from the fee must be deposited in an education licensure
31.21portfolio account in the special revenue fund. The fees set by the Board of Teaching are
31.22nonrefundable for applicants not qualifying for a license. The Board of Teaching may
31.23waive or reduce fees for candidates based on financial need.
31.24EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment and
31.25applies to all portfolios submitted to the Educator Licensing Division at the department
31.26after that date.

31.27    Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.23, is amended to read:
31.28122A.23 APPLICANTS TRAINED IN OTHER STATES.
31.29    Subdivision 1. Preparation equivalency. When a license to teach is authorized to
31.30be issued to any holder of a diploma or a degree of a Minnesota state university, or of the
31.31University of Minnesota, or of a liberal arts university, or a technical training institution,
31.32such license may also, in the discretion of the Board of Teaching or the commissioner of
31.33education, whichever has jurisdiction, be issued to any holder of a diploma or a degree
31.34of a teacher training institution of equivalent rank and standing of any other state. The
32.1diploma or degree must be granted by virtue of completing a course coursework in teacher
32.2preparation essentially equivalent in content to that required by such Minnesota state
32.3university or the University of Minnesota or a liberal arts university in Minnesota or a
32.4technical training institution as preliminary to the granting of a diploma or a degree of the
32.5same rank and class. For purposes of granting a Minnesota teaching license to a person
32.6who receives a diploma or degree from a state-accredited, out-of-state teacher training
32.7program leading to licensure, the Board of Teaching must establish criteria and streamlined
32.8procedures by January 1, 2016, to recognize the experience and professional credentials of
32.9the person holding the out-of-state diploma or degree and allow that person to demonstrate
32.10to the board the person's qualifications for receiving a Minnesota teaching license based
32.11on performance measures the board adopts by January 1, 2016, under this section.
32.12    Subd. 2. Applicants licensed in other states. (a) Subject to the requirements
32.13of sections 122A.18, subdivision 8, and 123B.03, the Board of Teaching must issue a
32.14teaching license or a temporary teaching license under paragraphs (b) (c) to (e) (f) to an
32.15applicant who holds at least a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college
32.16or university and holds or held a similar an out-of-state teaching license that requires the
32.17applicant to successfully complete a teacher preparation program approved by the issuing
32.18state, which includes either (1) field-specific teaching methods and, student teaching, or
32.19essentially equivalent experience, or (2) at least two years of teaching experience as the
32.20teacher of record in a similar licensure field.
32.21(b) The Board of Teaching may issue a standard license on the basis of teaching
32.22experience and examination requirements only.
32.23(c) The Board of Teaching must issue a teaching license to an applicant who:
32.24(1) successfully completed all exams and human relations preparation components
32.25required by the Board of Teaching; and
32.26(2) holds or held an out-of-state teaching license to teach the same a similar content
32.27field and grade levels if the scope of the out-of-state license is no more than two grade
32.28levels less than a similar Minnesota license, and either (i) has completed field-specific
32.29teaching methods, student teaching, or equivalent experience, or (ii) has at least two years
32.30of teaching experience as the teacher of record in a similar licensure field.
32.31(c) (d) The Board of Teaching, consistent with board rules and paragraph (h) (i),
32.32must issue up to three four one-year temporary teaching licenses to an applicant who holds
32.33or held an out-of-state teaching license to teach the same a similar content field and grade
32.34levels, where the scope of the out-of-state license is no more than two grade levels less
32.35than a similar Minnesota license, but has not successfully completed all exams and human
32.36relations preparation components required by the Board of Teaching.
33.1(d) (e) The Board of Teaching, consistent with board rules, must issue up to three
33.2four one-year temporary teaching licenses to an applicant who:
33.3(1) successfully completed all exams and human relations preparation components
33.4required by the Board of Teaching; and
33.5(2) holds or held an out-of-state teaching license to teach the same a similar content
33.6field and grade levels, where the scope of the out-of-state license is no more than two
33.7grade levels less than a similar Minnesota license, but has not completed field-specific
33.8teaching methods or student teaching or equivalent experience.
33.9The applicant may complete field-specific teaching methods and student teaching
33.10or equivalent experience by successfully participating in a one-year school district
33.11mentorship program consistent with board-adopted standards of effective practice and
33.12Minnesota graduation requirements.
33.13(e) (f) The Board of Teaching must issue a temporary restricted teaching license
33.14for a term of up to three years only in the content field or grade levels specified in the
33.15out-of-state license to an applicant who:
33.16(1) successfully completed all exams and human relations preparation components
33.17required by the Board of Teaching; and
33.18(2) holds or held an out-of-state teaching license where the out-of-state license is
33.19more limited in the content field or grade levels than a similar Minnesota license.
33.20(f) (g) The Board of Teaching must not issue to an applicant more than three
33.21one-year temporary teaching licenses under this subdivision may issue a two-year limited
33.22provisional license to an applicant under this subdivision to teach in a shortage area,
33.23consistent with section 122A.18, subdivision 4a.
33.24(g) (h) The Board of Teaching must not may issue a license under this subdivision if
33.25the applicant has not attained the additional degrees, credentials, or licenses required in
33.26a particular licensure field and the applicant can demonstrate competency by obtaining
33.27qualifying scores on the board-adopted skills examination in reading, writing, and
33.28mathematics, and on applicable board-adopted rigorous content area and pedagogy
33.29examinations under section 122A.09, subdivision 4, paragraphs (a) and (e).
33.30(h) (i) The Board of Teaching must require an applicant for a teaching license
33.31or a temporary teaching license under this subdivision to pass a board-adopted skills
33.32examination in reading, writing, and mathematics or demonstrate, consistent with section
33.33122A.09, subdivision 4, the applicant's attainment of either the requisite composite ACT
33.34Plus Writing or SAT score before the board issues the license unless, notwithstanding
33.35other provisions of this subdivision, an applicable board-approved National Association of
34.1State Directors of Teacher Education interstate reciprocity agreement exists to allow fully
34.2certified teachers from other states to transfer their certification to Minnesota.
34.3    Subd. 3. Teacher licensure agreements with adjoining states. (a) Notwithstanding
34.4any other law to the contrary, the Board of Teaching must enter into a National Association
34.5of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) interstate
34.6agreement and other interstate agreements for teacher licensure to allow fully certified
34.7teachers from adjoining states to transfer their certification to Minnesota. The board must
34.8enter into these interstate agreements only after determining that the rigor of the teacher
34.9licensure or certification requirements in the adjoining state is commensurate with the
34.10rigor of Minnesota's teacher licensure requirements. The board may limit an interstate
34.11agreement to particular content fields or grade levels based on established priorities or
34.12identified shortages. This subdivision does not apply to out-of-state applicants holding
34.13only a provisional teaching license.
34.14(b) The Board of Teaching must work with designated authorities in adjoining states
34.15to establish interstate teacher licensure agreements under this section.
34.16EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective August 1, 2015.

34.17    Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.245, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
34.18    Subdivision 1. Requirements. (a) To improve academic excellence, improve ethnic
34.19and cultural diversity in the classroom, and close the academic achievement gap, the
34.20Board of Teaching must approve qualified teacher preparation programs under this section
34.21that are a means to acquire a two-year limited-term license, which the board may renew
34.22one time for an additional one-year term, and to prepare for acquiring a standard license.
34.23The following entities are eligible to participate under this section:
34.24(1) a school district or, charter school, or nonprofit corporation organized under
34.25chapter 317A for an education-related purpose that forms a partnership with a college or
34.26university that has a board-approved alternative teacher preparation program; or
34.27(2) a school district or charter school, after consulting with a college or university
34.28with a board-approved teacher preparation program, that forms a partnership with a
34.29nonprofit corporation organized under chapter 317A for an education-related purpose that
34.30has a board-approved teacher preparation program.
34.31(b) Before participating in this program becoming a teacher of record, a candidate
34.32must:
34.33(1) have a bachelor's degree with a 3.0 or higher grade point average unless the
34.34board waives the grade point average requirement based on board-adopted criteria adopted
34.35by January 1, 2016;
35.1(2) pass the demonstrate a passing score on a board-adopted reading, writing, and
35.2mathematics skills examination under section 122A.09, subdivision 4, paragraph (b); and
35.3(3) obtain qualifying scores on applicable board-approved rigorous content area and
35.4pedagogy examinations under section 122A.09, subdivision 4, paragraph (e).
35.5(c) The Board of Teaching must issue a two-year limited-term license to a person
35.6who enrolls in an alternative teacher preparation program.
35.7EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

35.8    Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.245, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
35.9    Subd. 3. Program approval; disapproval. (a) The Board of Teaching must approve
35.10alternative teacher preparation programs under this section based on board-adopted
35.11criteria that reflect best practices for alternative teacher preparation programs, consistent
35.12with this section.
35.13(b) The board must permit teacher candidates to demonstrate mastery of pedagogy
35.14and content standards in school-based settings and through other nontraditional means.
35.15"Nontraditional means" must include a portfolio of previous experiences, teaching
35.16experience, educator evaluations, certifications marking the completion of education
35.17training programs, and essentially equivalent demonstrations.
35.18(c) The board must use nontraditional criteria to determine the qualifications of
35.19program instructors.
35.20(d) The board may permit instructors to hold a baccalaureate degree only.
35.21(b) (e) If the Board of Teaching determines that a teacher preparation program under
35.22this section does not meet the requirements of this section, it may revoke its approval
35.23of the program after it notifies the program provider of any deficiencies and gives the
35.24program provider an opportunity to remedy the deficiencies.

35.25    Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.245, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
35.26    Subd. 7. Standard license. The Board of Teaching must issue a standard license
35.27to an otherwise qualified teacher candidate under this section who successfully performs
35.28throughout a program under this section, successfully completes all required obtains
35.29qualifying scores on applicable board-adopted rigorous skills, pedagogy, and content
35.30area examinations under section 122A.09, subdivision 4, paragraphs (a) and (e), and is
35.31recommended for licensure under subdivision 5 or successfully demonstrates to the board
35.32qualifications for licensure under subdivision 6.

35.33    Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.30, is amended to read:
36.1122A.30 EXEMPTION FOR TECHNICAL COLLEGE EDUCATION
36.2INSTRUCTORS.
36.3(a) Notwithstanding section 122A.15, subdivision 1, and upon approval of the local
36.4employer school board, a person who teaches in a part-time vocational or career and
36.5technical education program not more than 61 hours per fiscal year is exempt from a
36.6license requirement. Nothing in this section shall exclude licensed career and technical
36.7educators from the definition of "teacher" in section 122A.40, 122A.41, or 179A.03.
36.8(b) This section expires June 30, 2020.
36.9EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment
36.10and applies to all technical education instructors hired after that date.

36.11    Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.40, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
36.12    Subd. 8. Development, evaluation, and peer coaching for continuing contract
36.13teachers. (a) To improve student learning and success, a school board and an exclusive
36.14representative of the teachers in the district, consistent with paragraph (b), may develop
36.15a teacher evaluation and peer review process for probationary and continuing contract
36.16teachers through joint agreement. If a school board and the exclusive representative of the
36.17teachers do not agree to an annual teacher evaluation and peer review process, then the
36.18school board and the exclusive representative of the teachers must implement the state
36.19teacher evaluation plan under paragraph (c). The process must include having trained
36.20observers serve as peer coaches or having teachers participate in professional learning
36.21communities, consistent with paragraph (b).
36.22    (b) To develop, improve, and support qualified teachers and effective teaching
36.23practices and improve student learning and success, the annual evaluation process for
36.24teachers:
36.25    (1) must, for probationary teachers, provide for all evaluations required under
36.26subdivision 5;
36.27    (2) must establish a three-year professional review cycle for each teacher that
36.28includes an individual growth and development plan, a peer review process, and at least
36.29one summative evaluation performed by a qualified and trained evaluator such as a school
36.30administrator. For the years when a tenured teacher is not evaluated by a qualified and
36.31trained evaluator, the teacher must be evaluated by a peer review;
36.32    (3) must be based on professional teaching standards established in rule;
36.33    (4) must coordinate staff development activities under sections 122A.60 and
36.34122A.61 with this evaluation process and teachers' evaluation outcomes;
37.1    (5) may provide time during the school day and school year for peer coaching and
37.2teacher collaboration;
37.3    (6) may include job-embedded learning opportunities such as professional learning
37.4communities;
37.5    (7) may include mentoring and induction programs;
37.6    (8) must include an option for teachers to develop and present a portfolio
37.7demonstrating evidence of reflection and professional growth, consistent with section
37.8122A.18, subdivision 4 , paragraph (b), and include teachers' own performance assessment
37.9based on student work samples and examples of teachers' work, which may include video
37.10among other activities for the summative evaluation;
37.11    (9) must use data from valid and reliable assessments aligned to state and local
37.12academic standards and must use state and local measures of student growth and literacy
37.13that may include value-added models or student learning goals to determine 35 percent of
37.14teacher evaluation results;
37.15    (10) must use longitudinal data on student engagement and connection, and other
37.16student outcome measures explicitly aligned with the elements of curriculum for which
37.17teachers are responsible, including academic literacy, oral academic language, and
37.18achievement of content areas of English learners;
37.19    (11) must require qualified and trained evaluators such as school administrators to
37.20perform summative evaluations and ensure school districts and charter schools provide for
37.21effective evaluator training specific to teacher development and evaluation;
37.22    (12) must give teachers not meeting professional teaching standards under clauses
37.23(3) through (11) support to improve through a teacher improvement process that includes
37.24established goals and timelines; and
37.25    (13) must discipline a teacher for not making adequate progress in the teacher
37.26improvement process under clause (12) that may include a last chance warning,
37.27termination, discharge, nonrenewal, transfer to a different position, a leave of absence, or
37.28other discipline a school administrator determines is appropriate.
37.29    Data on individual teachers generated under this subdivision are personnel data
37.30under section 13.43. The observation and interview notes of peer coaches may only be
37.31disclosed to other school officials with the consent of the teacher being coached.
37.32    (c) The department, in consultation with parents who may represent parent
37.33organizations and teacher and administrator representatives appointed by their respective
37.34organizations, representing the Board of Teaching, the Minnesota Association of School
37.35Administrators, the Minnesota School Boards Association, the Minnesota Elementary
37.36and Secondary Principals Associations, Education Minnesota, and representatives of
38.1the Minnesota Assessment Group, the Minnesota Business Partnership, the Minnesota
38.2Chamber of Commerce, and Minnesota postsecondary institutions with research expertise
38.3in teacher evaluation, must create and publish a teacher evaluation process that complies
38.4with the requirements in paragraph (b) and applies to all teachers under this section and
38.5section 122A.41 for whom no agreement exists under paragraph (a) for an annual teacher
38.6evaluation and peer review process. The teacher evaluation process created under this
38.7subdivision does not create additional due process rights for probationary teachers under
38.8subdivision 5.
38.9(d) Consistent with the measures of teacher effectiveness under this subdivision:
38.10(1) for students in kindergarten through grade 4, a school administrator must not
38.11place or approve the placement of a student in the classroom of a teacher who is in the
38.12improvement process referenced in paragraph (b), clause (12), or has not had a summative
38.13evaluation if, in the prior year, that student was in the classroom of a teacher who received
38.14discipline pursuant to paragraph (b), clause (13), unless no other teacher at the school
38.15teaches that grade; and
38.16(2) for students in grades 5 through 12, a school administrator must not place
38.17or approve the placement of a student in the classroom of a teacher who is in the
38.18improvement process referenced in paragraph (b), clause (12), or has not had a summative
38.19evaluation if, in the prior year, that student was in the classroom of a teacher who received
38.20discipline pursuant to paragraph (b), clause (13), unless no other teacher at the school
38.21teaches that subject area and grade.
38.22All data created and used under this paragraph retains its classification under chapter 13.

38.23    Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.40, subdivision 13, is amended to read:
38.24    Subd. 13. Immediate discharge. (a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph
38.25(b), a board may discharge a continuing-contract teacher, effective immediately, upon any
38.26of the following grounds:
38.27(1) immoral conduct, insubordination, or conviction of a felony;
38.28(2) conduct unbecoming a teacher which requires the immediate removal of the
38.29teacher from classroom or other duties;
38.30(3) failure without justifiable cause to teach without first securing the written release
38.31of the school board;
38.32(4) gross inefficiency which the teacher has failed to correct after reasonable written
38.33notice;
38.34(5) willful neglect of duty; or
39.1(6) continuing physical or mental disability subsequent to a 12 months leave of
39.2absence and inability to qualify for reinstatement in accordance with subdivision 12.
39.3For purposes of this paragraph, conduct unbecoming a teacher includes an unfair
39.4discriminatory practice described in section 363A.13.
39.5Prior to discharging a teacher under this paragraph, the board must notify the teacher
39.6in writing and state its ground for the proposed discharge in reasonable detail. Within
39.7ten days after receipt of this notification the teacher may make a written request for a
39.8hearing before the board and it shall be granted before final action is taken. The board
39.9may suspend a teacher with pay pending the conclusion of the hearing and determination
39.10of the issues raised in the hearing after charges have been filed which constitute ground for
39.11discharge. If a teacher has been charged with a felony and the underlying conduct that
39.12is the subject of the felony charge is a ground for a proposed immediate discharge, the
39.13suspension pending the conclusion of the hearing and determination of the issues may be
39.14without pay. If a hearing under this paragraph is held, the board must reimburse the teacher
39.15for any salary or compensation withheld if the final decision of the board or the arbitrator
39.16does not result in a penalty to or suspension, termination, or discharge of the teacher.
39.17(b) A board must discharge a continuing-contract teacher, effective immediately,
39.18upon receipt of notice under section 122A.20, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), that the
39.19teacher's license has been revoked due to a conviction for child abuse or, as defined in
39.20section 609.185; sex trafficking in the first degree under section 609.322, subdivision 1;
39.21sex trafficking in the second degree under section 609.322, subdivision 1a; engaging
39.22in hiring or agreeing to hire a minor to engage in prostitution under section 609.324,
39.23subdivision 1; sexual abuse under section 609.342, 609.343, 609.344, 609.345, 609.3451,
39.24subdivision 3 , or 617.23, subdivision 3; solicitation of children to engage in sexual
39.25conduct or communication of sexually explicit materials to children under section
39.26609.352; interference with privacy under section 609.746 or stalking under section
39.27609.749 and the victim was a minor; using minors in a sexual performance under section
39.28617.246; possessing pornographic works involving a minor under section 617.247; or
39.29any other offense not listed in this paragraph that requires the person to register as a
39.30predatory offender under section 243.166, or a crime under a similar law of another state
39.31or the United States.
39.32(c) When a teacher is discharged under paragraph (b) or when the commissioner
39.33makes a final determination of child maltreatment involving a teacher under section
39.34626.556, subdivision 11 , the school principal or other person having administrative
39.35control of the school must include in the teacher's employment record the information
39.36contained in the record of the disciplinary action or the final maltreatment determination,
40.1consistent with the definition of public data under section 13.41, subdivision 5, and must
40.2provide the Board of Teaching and the licensing division at the department with the
40.3necessary and relevant information to enable the Board of Teaching and the department's
40.4licensing division to fulfill their statutory and administrative duties related to issuing,
40.5renewing, suspending, or revoking a teacher's license. Information received by the Board
40.6of Teaching or the licensing division at the department under this paragraph is governed
40.7by section 13.41 or other applicable law governing data of the receiving entity. In addition
40.8to the background check required under section 123B.03, a school board or other school
40.9hiring authority must contact the Board of Teaching and the department to determine
40.10whether the teacher's license has been suspended or revoked, consistent with the discharge
40.11and final maltreatment determinations identified in this paragraph. Unless restricted by
40.12federal or state data practices law or by the terms of a collective bargaining agreement,
40.13the responsible authority for a school district must disseminate to another school district
40.14private personnel data on a current or former teacher employee or contractor of the district,
40.15including the results of background investigations, if the requesting school district seeks
40.16the information because the subject of the data has applied for employment with the
40.17requesting school district.
40.18EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

40.19    Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.41, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
40.20    Subd. 5. Development, evaluation, and peer coaching for continuing contract
40.21teachers. (a) To improve student learning and success, a school board and an exclusive
40.22representative of the teachers in the district, consistent with paragraph (b), may develop an
40.23annual teacher evaluation and peer review process for probationary and nonprobationary
40.24teachers through joint agreement. If a school board and the exclusive representative of
40.25the teachers in the district do not agree to an annual teacher evaluation and peer review
40.26process, then the school board and the exclusive representative of the teachers must
40.27implement the state teacher evaluation plan developed under paragraph (c). The process
40.28must include having trained observers serve as peer coaches or having teachers participate
40.29in professional learning communities, consistent with paragraph (b).
40.30    (b) To develop, improve, and support qualified teachers and effective teaching
40.31practices and improve student learning and success, the annual evaluation process for
40.32teachers:
40.33    (1) must, for probationary teachers, provide for all evaluations required under
40.34subdivision 2;
41.1    (2) must establish a three-year professional review cycle for each teacher that
41.2includes an individual growth and development plan, a peer review process, and at least
41.3one summative evaluation performed by a qualified and trained evaluator such as a school
41.4administrator;
41.5    (3) must be based on professional teaching standards established in rule;
41.6    (4) must coordinate staff development activities under sections 122A.60 and
41.7122A.61 with this evaluation process and teachers' evaluation outcomes;
41.8    (5) may provide time during the school day and school year for peer coaching and
41.9teacher collaboration;
41.10    (6) may include job-embedded learning opportunities such as professional learning
41.11communities;
41.12    (7) may include mentoring and induction programs;
41.13    (8) must include an option for teachers to develop and present a portfolio
41.14demonstrating evidence of reflection and professional growth, consistent with section
41.15122A.18, subdivision 4 , paragraph (b), and include teachers' own performance assessment
41.16based on student work samples and examples of teachers' work, which may include video
41.17among other activities for the summative evaluation;
41.18    (9) must use data from valid and reliable assessments aligned to state and local
41.19academic standards and must use state and local measures of student growth and literacy
41.20that may include value-added models or student learning goals to determine 35 percent of
41.21teacher evaluation results;
41.22    (10) must use longitudinal data on student engagement and connection and other
41.23student outcome measures explicitly aligned with the elements of curriculum for which
41.24teachers are responsible, including academic literacy, oral academic language, and
41.25achievement of English learners;
41.26    (11) must require qualified and trained evaluators such as school administrators to
41.27perform summative evaluations and ensure school districts and charter schools provide for
41.28effective evaluator training specific to teacher development and evaluation;
41.29    (12) must give teachers not meeting professional teaching standards under clauses
41.30(3) through (11) support to improve through a teacher improvement process that includes
41.31established goals and timelines; and
41.32    (13) must discipline a teacher for not making adequate progress in the teacher
41.33improvement process under clause (12) that may include a last chance warning,
41.34termination, discharge, nonrenewal, transfer to a different position, a leave of absence, or
41.35other discipline a school administrator determines is appropriate.
42.1    Data on individual teachers generated under this subdivision are personnel data
42.2under section 13.43. The observation and interview notes of peer coaches may only be
42.3disclosed to other school officials with the consent of the teacher being coached.
42.4    (c) The department, in consultation with parents who may represent parent
42.5organizations and teacher and administrator representatives appointed by their respective
42.6organizations, representing the Board of Teaching, the Minnesota Association of School
42.7Administrators, the Minnesota School Boards Association, the Minnesota Elementary
42.8and Secondary Principals Associations, Education Minnesota, and representatives of
42.9the Minnesota Assessment Group, the Minnesota Business Partnership, the Minnesota
42.10Chamber of Commerce, and Minnesota postsecondary institutions with research expertise
42.11in teacher evaluation, must create and publish a teacher evaluation process that complies
42.12with the requirements in paragraph (b) and applies to all teachers under this section and
42.13section 122A.40 for whom no agreement exists under paragraph (a) for an annual teacher
42.14evaluation and peer review process. The teacher evaluation process created under this
42.15subdivision does not create additional due process rights for probationary teachers under
42.16subdivision 2.
42.17(d) Consistent with the measures of teacher effectiveness under this subdivision:
42.18(1) for students in kindergarten through grade 4, a school administrator must not
42.19place or approve the placement of a student in the classroom of a teacher who is in the
42.20improvement process referenced in paragraph (b), clause (12), or has not had a summative
42.21evaluation if, in the prior year, that student was in the classroom of a teacher who received
42.22discipline pursuant to paragraph (b), clause (13), unless no other teacher at the school
42.23teaches that grade; and
42.24(2) for students in grades 5 through 12, a school administrator must not place
42.25or approve the placement of a student in the classroom of a teacher who is in the
42.26improvement process referenced in paragraph (b), clause (12), or has not had a summative
42.27evaluation if, in the prior year, that student was in the classroom of a teacher who received
42.28discipline pursuant to paragraph (b), clause (13), unless no other teacher at the school
42.29teaches that subject area and grade.
42.30All data created and used under this paragraph retains its classification under chapter 13.

42.31    Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.41, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
42.32    Subd. 6. Grounds for discharge or demotion. (a) Except as otherwise provided
42.33in paragraph (b), causes for the discharge or demotion of a teacher either during or after
42.34the probationary period must be:
42.35(1) immoral character, conduct unbecoming a teacher, or insubordination;
43.1(2) failure without justifiable cause to teach without first securing the written release
43.2of the school board having the care, management, or control of the school in which the
43.3teacher is employed;
43.4(3) inefficiency in teaching or in the management of a school, consistent with
43.5subdivision 5, paragraph (b);
43.6(4) affliction with a communicable disease must be considered as cause for removal
43.7or suspension while the teacher is suffering from such disability; or
43.8(5) discontinuance of position or lack of pupils.
43.9For purposes of this paragraph, conduct unbecoming a teacher includes an unfair
43.10discriminatory practice described in section 363A.13.
43.11(b) A probationary or continuing-contract teacher must be discharged immediately
43.12upon receipt of notice under section 122A.20, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), that the
43.13teacher's license has been revoked due to a conviction for child abuse or, as defined in
43.14section 609.185; sex trafficking in the first degree under section 609.322, subdivision 1;
43.15sex trafficking in the second degree under section 609.322, subdivision 1a; engaging
43.16in hiring or agreeing to hire a minor to engage in prostitution under section 609.324,
43.17subdivision 1; sexual abuse under section 609.342, 609.343, 609.344, 609.345, 609.3451,
43.18subdivision 3 , or 617.23, subdivision 3; solicitation of children to engage in sexual
43.19conduct or communication of sexually explicit materials to children under section
43.20609.352; interference with privacy under section 609.746 or stalking under section
43.21609.749 and the victim was a minor; using minors in a sexual performance under section
43.22617.246; possessing pornographic works involving a minor under section 617.247; or
43.23any other offense not listed in this paragraph that requires the person to register as a
43.24predatory offender under section 243.166, or a crime under a similar law of another state
43.25or the United States.
43.26(c) When a teacher is discharged under paragraph (b) or when the commissioner
43.27makes a final determination of child maltreatment involving a teacher under section
43.28626.556, subdivision 11 , the school principal or other person having administrative
43.29control of the school must include in the teacher's employment record the information
43.30contained in the record of the disciplinary action or the final maltreatment determination,
43.31consistent with the definition of public data under section 13.41, subdivision 5, and must
43.32provide the Board of Teaching and the licensing division at the department with the
43.33necessary and relevant information to enable the Board of Teaching and the department's
43.34licensing division to fulfill their statutory and administrative duties related to issuing,
43.35renewing, suspending, or revoking a teacher's license. Information received by the Board
43.36of Teaching or the licensing division at the department under this paragraph is governed
44.1by section 13.41 or other applicable law governing data of the receiving entity. In addition
44.2to the background check required under section 123B.03, a school board or other school
44.3hiring authority must contact the Board of Teaching and the department to determine
44.4whether the teacher's license has been suspended or revoked, consistent with the discharge
44.5and final maltreatment determinations identified in this paragraph. Unless restricted by
44.6federal or state data practices law or by the terms of a collective bargaining agreement,
44.7the responsible authority for a school district must disseminate to another school district
44.8private personnel data on a current or former teacher employee or contractor of the district,
44.9including the results of background investigations, if the requesting school district seeks
44.10the information because the subject of the data has applied for employment with the
44.11requesting school district.
44.12EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

44.13    Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.413, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
44.14    Subdivision 1. Qualifying plan. A district or, intermediate school district, or a
44.15cooperative unit, as defined in section 123A.24, subdivision 2, may develop an educational
44.16improvement plan for the purpose of qualifying for the alternative teacher professional pay
44.17system under section 122A.414. The plan must include measures for improving school
44.18district, intermediate school district, cooperative, school site, teacher, and individual
44.19student performance.
44.20EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2017 and
44.21later.

44.22    Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.413, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
44.23    Subd. 2. Plan components. The educational improvement plan must be approved
44.24by the school board or governing board and have at least these elements:
44.25(1) assessment and evaluation tools to measure student performance and progress,
44.26including the academic literacy, oral academic language, and achievement of English
44.27learners, among other measures;
44.28(2) performance goals and benchmarks for improvement;
44.29(3) measures of student attendance and completion rates;
44.30(4) a rigorous research and practice-based professional development system, based
44.31on national and state standards of effective teaching practice applicable to all students
44.32including English learners with varied needs under section 124D.59, subdivisions 2 and
45.12a, and consistent with section 122A.60, that is aligned with educational improvement and
45.2designed to achieve ongoing and schoolwide progress and growth in teaching practice;
45.3(5) measures of student, family, and community involvement and satisfaction;
45.4(6) a data system about students and their academic progress that provides parents
45.5and the public with understandable information;
45.6(7) a teacher induction and mentoring program for probationary teachers that
45.7provides continuous learning and sustained teacher support; and
45.8(8) substantial participation by the exclusive representative of the teachers in
45.9developing the plan.
45.10EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2017 and
45.11later.

45.12    Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.414, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
45.13    Subdivision 1. Restructured pay system. A restructured alternative teacher
45.14professional pay system is established under subdivision 2 to provide incentives to
45.15encourage teachers to improve their knowledge and instructional skills in order to improve
45.16student learning and for school districts, intermediate school districts, cooperative units,
45.17as defined in section 123A.24, subdivision 2, and charter schools to recruit and retain
45.18highly qualified teachers, encourage highly qualified teachers to undertake challenging
45.19assignments, and support teachers' roles in improving students' educational achievement.
45.20EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2017 and
45.21later.

45.22    Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.414, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
45.23    Subd. 1a. Transitional planning year. (a) To be eligible to participate in an
45.24alternative teacher professional pay system, a school district, intermediate school district,
45.25or site, at least one school year before it expects to fully implement an alternative pay
45.26system, must:
45.27(1) submit to the department a letter of intent executed by the school district or,
45.28intermediate school district and the exclusive representative of the teachers to complete a
45.29plan preparing for full implementation, consistent with subdivision 2, that may include,
45.30among other activities, training to evaluate teacher performance, a restructured school
45.31day to develop integrated ongoing site-based professional development activities, release
45.32time to develop an alternative pay system agreement, and teacher and staff training on
45.33using multiple data sources; and
46.1(2) agree to use up to two percent of basic revenue for staff development purposes,
46.2consistent with sections 122A.60 and 122A.61, to develop the alternative teacher
46.3professional pay system agreement under this section.
46.4(b) To be eligible to participate in an alternative teacher professional pay system, a
46.5charter school, at least one school year before it expects to fully implement an alternative
46.6pay system, must:
46.7(1) submit to the department a letter of intent executed by the charter school and the
46.8charter school board of directors;
46.9(2) submit the record of a formal vote by the teachers employed at the charter
46.10school indicating at least 70 percent of all teachers agree to implement the alternative
46.11pay system; and
46.12(3) agree to use up to two percent of basic revenue for staff development purposes,
46.13consistent with sections 122A.60 and 122A.61, to develop the alternative teacher
46.14professional pay system.
46.15(c) To be eligible to participate in an alternative teacher professional pay system,
46.16a cooperative, excluding intermediate school districts at least one school year before it
46.17expects to fully implement an alternative pay system, must:
46.18(1) submit to the department a letter of intent executed by the governing board
46.19of the cooperative; and
46.20(2) submit the record of a formal vote by the teachers employed by the cooperative
46.21indicating at least 70 percent of all teachers agree to implement the alternative pay system.
46.22(c) (d) The commissioner may waive the planning year if the commissioner
46.23determines, based on the criteria under subdivision 2, that the school district, intermediate
46.24school district, cooperative, site or charter school is ready to fully implement an alternative
46.25pay system.
46.26EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2017 and
46.27later.

46.28    Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.414, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
46.29    Subd. 2. Alternative teacher professional pay system. (a) To participate in this
46.30program, a school district, intermediate school district, school site, or charter school must
46.31have an educational improvement plan under section 122A.413 and an alternative teacher
46.32professional pay system agreement under paragraph (b). A charter school participant also
46.33must comply with subdivision 2a.
46.34    (b) The alternative teacher professional pay system agreement must:
47.1    (1) describe how teachers can achieve career advancement and additional
47.2compensation;
47.3    (2) describe how the school district, intermediate school district, school site, or
47.4charter school will provide teachers with career advancement options that allow teachers
47.5to retain primary roles in student instruction and facilitate site-focused professional
47.6development that helps other teachers improve their skills;
47.7    (3) reform the "steps and lanes" salary schedule, prevent any teacher's compensation
47.8paid before implementing the pay system from being reduced as a result of participating in
47.9this system, base at least 60 percent of any compensation increase on teacher performance
47.10using:
47.11    (i) schoolwide student achievement gains under section 120B.35 or locally selected
47.12standardized assessment outcomes, or both;
47.13    (ii) measures of student growth and literacy that may include value-added models
47.14or student learning goals, consistent with section 122A.40, subdivision 8, clause (9), or
47.15122A.41, subdivision 5 , clause (9), and other measures that include the academic literacy,
47.16oral academic language, and achievement of English learners under section 122A.40,
47.17subdivision 8, clause (10), or 122A.41, subdivision 5, clause (10); and
47.18    (iii) an objective evaluation program under section 122A.40, subdivision 8,
47.19paragraph (b), clause (2), or 122A.41, subdivision 5, paragraph (b), clause (2);
47.20    (4) provide for participation in job-embedded learning opportunities such as
47.21professional learning communities to improve instructional skills and learning that are
47.22aligned with student needs under section 122A.413, consistent with the staff development
47.23plan under section 122A.60 and led during the school day by trained teacher leaders
47.24such as master or mentor teachers;
47.25    (5) allow any teacher in a participating school district, intermediate school district,
47.26school site, or charter school that implements an alternative pay system to participate in
47.27that system without any quota or other limit; and
47.28    (6) encourage collaboration rather than competition among teachers.
47.29(c) The alternative teacher professional pay system may:
47.30    (1) include a hiring bonus or other added compensation for teachers who are
47.31identified as effective or highly effective under the local teacher professional review
47.32cycle and work in a hard-to-fill position or in a hard-to-staff school such as a school with
47.33a majority of students whose families meet federal poverty guidelines, a geographically
47.34isolated school, or a school identified by the state as eligible for targeted programs or
47.35services for its students; and
48.1    (2) include incentives for teachers to obtain a master's degree or other advanced
48.2certification in their content field of licensure, pursue the training or education necessary
48.3to obtain an additional licensure in shortage areas identified by the district or charter
48.4school, or help fund a "grow your own" new teacher initiative.
48.5EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment
48.6and applies to agreements approved or renegotiated after that date.

48.7    Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.414, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:
48.8    Subd. 2a. Charter school applications; cooperative applications. (a) For charter
48.9school applications, the board of directors of a charter school that satisfies the conditions
48.10under subdivisions 2 and 2b must submit to the commissioner an application that contains:
48.11(1) an agreement to implement an alternative teacher professional pay system
48.12under this section;
48.13(2) a resolution by the charter school board of directors adopting the agreement; and
48.14(3) the record of a formal vote by the teachers employed at the charter school
48.15indicating that at least 70 percent of all teachers agree to implement the alternative
48.16teacher professional pay system, unless the charter school submits an alternative teacher
48.17professional pay system agreement under this section before the first year of operation.
48.18Alternative compensation revenue for a qualifying charter school must be calculated
48.19under section 126C.10, subdivision 34, paragraphs (a) and (b).
48.20(b) For cooperative unit applications, excluding intermediate school districts, the
48.21governing board of a cooperative unit that satisfies the conditions under subdivisions 2
48.22and 2b must submit to the commissioner an application that contains:
48.23(1) an agreement to implement an alternative teacher professional pay system
48.24under this section;
48.25(2) a resolution by the governing board adopting the agreement; and
48.26(3) the record of a formal vote by the teachers employed at the cooperative unit
48.27indicating that at least 70 percent of all teachers agree to implement the alternative teacher
48.28professional pay system.
48.29EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2017 and
48.30later.

48.31    Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.414, subdivision 2b, is amended to
48.32read:
49.1    Subd. 2b. Approval process. (a) Consistent with the requirements of this section and
49.2sections 122A.413 and 122A.415, the department must prepare and transmit to interested
49.3school districts, intermediate school districts, cooperatives, school sites, and charter
49.4schools a standard form for applying to participate in the alternative teacher professional
49.5pay system. The commissioner annually must establish three dates as deadlines by which
49.6interested applicants must submit an application to the commissioner under this section.
49.7An interested school district, intermediate school district, cooperative, school site, or
49.8charter school must submit to the commissioner a completed application executed by the
49.9district superintendent and the exclusive bargaining representative of the teachers if the
49.10applicant is a school district, intermediate school district, or school site, or executed by
49.11the charter school board of directors if the applicant is a charter school or executed by
49.12the governing board if the applicant is a cooperative unit. The application must include
49.13the proposed alternative teacher professional pay system agreement under subdivision
49.142. The department must review a completed application within 30 days of the most
49.15recent application deadline and recommend to the commissioner whether to approve or
49.16disapprove the application. The commissioner must approve applications on a first-come,
49.17first-served basis. The applicant's alternative teacher professional pay system agreement
49.18must be legally binding on the applicant and the collective bargaining representative before
49.19the applicant receives alternative compensation revenue. The commissioner must approve
49.20or disapprove an application based on the requirements under subdivisions 2 and 2a.
49.21(b) If the commissioner disapproves an application, the commissioner must give the
49.22applicant timely notice of the specific reasons in detail for disapproving the application.
49.23The applicant may revise and resubmit its application and related documents to the
49.24commissioner within 30 days of receiving notice of the commissioner's disapproval and
49.25the commissioner must approve or disapprove the revised application, consistent with this
49.26subdivision. Applications that are revised and then approved are considered submitted on
49.27the date the applicant initially submitted the application.
49.28EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2017 and
49.29later.

49.30    Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.414, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
49.31    Subd. 3. Report; continued funding. (a) Participating districts, intermediate school
49.32districts, cooperatives, school sites, and charter schools must report on the implementation
49.33and effectiveness of the alternative teacher professional pay system, particularly
49.34addressing each requirement under subdivision 2 and make annual recommendations by
49.35June 15 to their school boards. The school board or, board of directors, or governing board
50.1shall transmit a copy of the report with a summary of the findings and recommendations
50.2of the district, intermediate school district, cooperative, school site, or charter school to
50.3the commissioner in the form and manner determined by the commissioner.
50.4(b) If the commissioner determines that a school district, intermediate school district,
50.5cooperative, school site, or charter school that receives alternative teacher compensation
50.6revenue is not complying with the requirements of this section, the commissioner
50.7may withhold funding from that participant. Before making the determination, the
50.8commissioner must notify the participant of any deficiencies and provide the participant
50.9an opportunity to comply.
50.10EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2017 and
50.11later.

50.12    Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.415, is amended to read:
50.13122A.415 ALTERNATIVE COMPENSATION REVENUE.
50.14    Subdivision 1. Revenue amount. (a) A school district, intermediate school district,
50.15cooperative unit as defined in section 123A.24, subdivision 2, school site, or charter
50.16school that meets the conditions of section 122A.414 and submits an application approved
50.17by the commissioner is eligible for alternative teacher compensation revenue.
50.18(b) For school district and intermediate school district applications, the commissioner
50.19must consider only those applications to participate that are submitted jointly by a
50.20district and the exclusive representative of the teachers. The application must contain an
50.21alternative teacher professional pay system agreement that:
50.22(1) implements an alternative teacher professional pay system consistent with
50.23section 122A.414; and
50.24(2) is negotiated and adopted according to the Public Employment Labor Relations
50.25Act under chapter 179A, except that notwithstanding section 179A.20, subdivision 3, a
50.26district may enter into a contract for a term of two or four years.
50.27Alternative teacher compensation revenue for a qualifying school district or site in
50.28which the school board and the exclusive representative of the teachers agree to place
50.29teachers in the district or at the site on the alternative teacher professional pay system equals
50.30$260 times the number of pupils enrolled at the district or site on October 1 of the previous
50.31fiscal year. Alternative teacher compensation revenue for a qualifying intermediate school
50.32district or cooperative must be calculated under subdivision 4, paragraph (a) (b).
50.33(c) For a newly combined or consolidated district, the revenue shall be computed
50.34using the sum of pupils enrolled on October 1 of the previous year in the districts entering
51.1into the combination or consolidation. The commissioner may adjust the revenue computed
51.2for a site using prior year data to reflect changes attributable to school closings, school
51.3openings, or grade level reconfigurations between the prior year and the current year.
51.4(d) The revenue is available only to school districts, intermediate school districts,
51.5cooperatives, school sites, and charter schools that fully implement an alternative teacher
51.6professional pay system by October 1 of the current school year.
51.7    Subd. 3. Revenue timing. (a) Districts, intermediate school districts, cooperatives,
51.8school sites, or charter schools with approved applications must receive alternative
51.9compensation revenue for each school year that the district, intermediate school district,
51.10cooperative, school site, or charter school implements an alternative teacher professional
51.11pay system under this subdivision and section 122A.414. For fiscal year 2007 and later,
51.12A qualifying district, intermediate school district, cooperative, school site, or charter
51.13school that received alternative teacher compensation aid for the previous fiscal year
51.14must receive at least an amount of alternative teacher compensation revenue equal to the
51.15lesser of the amount it received for the previous fiscal year or the amount it qualifies
51.16for under subdivision 1 for the current fiscal year if the district, intermediate school
51.17district, cooperative, school site, or charter school submits a timely application and the
51.18commissioner determines that the district, intermediate school district, cooperative, school
51.19site, or charter school continues to implement an alternative teacher professional pay
51.20system, consistent with its application under this section.
51.21(b) The commissioner shall approve applications that comply with subdivision 1,
51.22and section 122A.414, subdivisions 2, paragraph (b), and 2a, if the applicant is a charter
51.23school or cooperative, in the order in which they are received, select applicants that
51.24qualify for this program, notify school districts, intermediate school districts, cooperatives,
51.25school sites, and charter schools about the program, develop and disseminate application
51.26materials, and carry out other activities needed to implement this section.
51.27(c) For fiscal year 2008 and later, the portion of the state total basic alternative
51.28teacher compensation aid entitlement allocated to charter schools must not exceed the
51.29product of $3,374,000 times the ratio of the state total charter school enrollment for the
51.30previous fiscal year to the state total charter school enrollment for fiscal year 2007.
51.31Additional basic alternative teacher compensation aid may be approved for charter schools
51.32after August 1, not to exceed the charter school limit for the following fiscal year, if
51.33the basic alternative teacher compensation aid entitlement for school districts based on
51.34applications approved by August 1 does not expend the remaining amount under the limit.
51.35    Subd. 4. Basic alternative teacher compensation aid. (a) For fiscal year 2015 and
51.36later, The basic alternative teacher compensation aid for a school with a plan approved
52.1under section 122A.414, subdivision 2b, equals 65 percent of the alternative teacher
52.2compensation revenue under subdivision 1. The basic alternative teacher compensation
52.3aid for an intermediate school district or a charter school with a plan approved under
52.4section 122A.414, subdivisions 2a and 2b, if the recipient is a charter school, equals $260
52.5times the number of pupils enrolled in the school on October 1 of the previous year, or
52.6on October 1 of the current year for a charter school in the first year of operation, times
52.7the ratio of the sum of the alternative teacher compensation aid and alternative teacher
52.8compensation levy for all participating school districts to the maximum alternative teacher
52.9compensation revenue for those districts under subdivision 1.
52.10(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) and subdivision 1, the state total basic alternative
52.11teacher compensation aid entitlement must not exceed $75,636,000 $88,118,000 for fiscal
52.12year 2015 2017 and later. The commissioner must limit the amount of alternative teacher
52.13compensation aid approved under this section so as not to exceed these limits. Basic
52.14alternative teacher compensation aid for an intermediate district or other cooperative unit
52.15equals $3,000 times the number of licensed teachers employed by the intermediate district
52.16or cooperative unit on October 1 of the previous school year.
52.17    Subd. 5. Alternative teacher compensation levy. For fiscal year 2015 and later,
52.18The alternative teacher compensation levy for a district receiving basic alternative teacher
52.19compensation aid equals the product of (1) the difference between the district's alternative
52.20teacher compensation revenue and the district's basic alternative teacher compensation
52.21aid, times (2) the lesser of one or the ratio of the district's adjusted net tax capacity per
52.22adjusted pupil unit to $6,100.
52.23    Subd. 6. Alternative teacher compensation equalization aid. (a) For fiscal year
52.242015 and later, A district's alternative teacher compensation equalization aid equals the
52.25district's alternative teacher compensation revenue minus the district's basic alternative
52.26teacher compensation aid minus the district's alternative teacher compensation levy. If a
52.27district does not levy the entire amount permitted, the alternative teacher compensation
52.28equalization aid must be reduced in proportion to the actual amount levied.
52.29(b) A district's alternative teacher compensation aid equals the sum of the
52.30district's basic alternative teacher compensation aid and the district's alternative teacher
52.31compensation equalization aid.
52.32EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2017 and
52.33later.

52.34    Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.60, is amended to read:
53.1122A.60 STAFF DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
53.2    Subdivision 1. Staff development committee. (a) A school board must use the
53.3revenue authorized in section 122A.61 for in-service education for programs under section
53.4120B.22, subdivision 2, or for staff development:
53.5(1) teacher development and evaluation plans under this section 122A.40,
53.6subdivision 8, or 122A.41, subdivision 5;
53.7(2) principal development and evaluation under section 123B.147, subdivision 3;
53.8(3) in-service education programs under section 120B.22, subdivision 2; and
53.9(4) other staff development needs.
53.10(b) The board must establish an advisory staff development committee to develop
53.11the plan, assist site professional development teams in developing a site plan consistent
53.12with the goals of the plan, and evaluate staff development efforts at the site level. A
53.13majority of the advisory committee and the site professional development team must be
53.14teachers representing various grade levels, subject areas, and special education. The
53.15advisory committee must also include nonteaching staff, parents, and administrators.
53.16    Subd. 1a. Effective staff development activities. (a) Staff development activities
53.17must:
53.18(1) focus on the school classroom and research-based strategies that improve student
53.19learning;
53.20(2) provide opportunities for teachers to practice and improve their instructional
53.21skills over time;
53.22(3) provide opportunities for teachers to use student data as part of their daily work
53.23to increase student achievement;
53.24(4) enhance teacher content knowledge and instructional skills, including to
53.25accommodate the delivery of digital and blended learning and curriculum and engage
53.26students with technology;
53.27(5) align with state and local academic standards;
53.28(6) provide opportunities to build professional relationships, foster collaboration
53.29among principals and staff who provide instruction, and provide opportunities for
53.30teacher-to-teacher mentoring;
53.31(7) align with the plan of the district or site for an alternative teacher professional
53.32pay system;
53.33(8) provide teachers of English learners, including English as a second language and
53.34content teachers, with differentiated instructional strategies critical for ensuring students'
53.35long-term academic success; the means to effectively use assessment data on the academic
54.1literacy, oral academic language, and English language development of English learners;
54.2and skills to support native and English language development across the curriculum; and
54.3(9) provide opportunities for staff to learn about current workforce trends, the
54.4connections between workforce trends and postsecondary education, and training options,
54.5including career and technical education options.
54.6Staff development activities may include curriculum development and curriculum training
54.7programs, and activities that provide teachers and other members of site-based teams
54.8training to enhance team performance. The school district also may implement other
54.9staff development activities required by law and activities associated with professional
54.10teacher compensation models.
54.11(b) Release time provided for teachers to supervise students on field trips and school
54.12activities, or independent tasks not associated with enhancing the teacher's knowledge
54.13and instructional skills, such as preparing report cards, calculating grades, or organizing
54.14classroom materials, may not be counted as staff development time that is financed with
54.15staff development reserved revenue under section 122A.61.
54.16    Subd. 2. Contents of plan. The plan must include the staff development outcomes
54.17under section 122A.40, subdivision 8, or 122A.41, subdivision 5, and section 123B.147,
54.18subdivision 3, the means to achieve the outcomes, and procedures for evaluating progress
54.19at each school site toward meeting education and staff development outcomes, consistent
54.20with relicensure requirements under section 122A.18, subdivision 4. The plan also must:
54.21(1) support stable and productive professional communities achieved through
54.22ongoing and schoolwide progress and growth in teaching practice;
54.23(2) emphasize coaching, professional learning communities, classroom action
54.24research, and other job-embedded models;
54.25(3) maintain a strong subject matter focus premised on students' learning goals,
54.26consistent with section 120B.125;
54.27(4) ensure specialized preparation and learning about issues related to teaching
54.28English learners and students with special needs by focusing on long-term systemic efforts
54.29to improve educational services and opportunities and raise student achievement; and
54.30(5) reinforce national and state standards of effective teaching practice.
54.31    Subd. 3. Staff development outcomes. The advisory staff development committee
54.32must adopt a staff development plan, consistent with section 122A.40, subdivision 8, or
54.33122A.41, subdivision 5, for developing and evaluating teachers and for improving student
54.34achievement outcomes and with section 123B.147, subdivision 3, for strengthening
54.35principals' capacity in areas of instruction, supervision, evaluation, and teacher
54.36development. The plan must be consistent with education outcomes that the school board
55.1determines. The plan must include ongoing staff development activities that contribute
55.2toward continuous improvement in achievement of achieving the following goals:
55.3(1) improve student achievement of state and local education standards in all areas of
55.4the curriculum, including areas of regular academic and applied and experiential learning,
55.5by using research-based best practices methods;
55.6(2) effectively meet the needs of a diverse student population, including at-risk
55.7children, children with disabilities, English learners, and gifted children, within the regular
55.8classroom, applied and experiential learning settings, and other settings;
55.9(3) provide an inclusive curriculum for a racially, ethnically, linguistically, and
55.10culturally diverse student population that is consistent with the state education diversity
55.11rule and the district's education diversity plan;
55.12(4) improve staff collaboration and develop mentoring and peer coaching programs
55.13for teachers new to the school or district;
55.14(5) effectively teach and model violence prevention policy and curriculum that
55.15address early intervention alternatives, issues of harassment, and teach nonviolent
55.16alternatives for conflict resolution;
55.17(6) effectively deliver digital and blended learning and curriculum and engage
55.18students with technology; and
55.19(7) provide teachers and other members of site-based management teams with
55.20appropriate management and financial management skills.
55.21    Subd. 4. Staff development report. (a) By October 15 of each year, the district and
55.22site staff development committees shall write and submit a report of staff development
55.23activities and expenditures for the previous year, in the form and manner determined by
55.24the commissioner. The report, signed by the district superintendent and staff development
55.25chair, must include assessment and evaluation data indicating progress toward district and
55.26site staff development goals based on teaching and learning outcomes, including the
55.27percentage of teachers and other staff involved in instruction who participate in effective
55.28staff development activities under subdivision 3.
55.29(b) The report must break down expenditures for:
55.30(1) curriculum development and curriculum training programs; and
55.31(2) staff development training models, workshops, and conferences, and the cost of
55.32releasing teachers or providing substitute teachers for staff development purposes.
55.33The report also must indicate whether the expenditures were incurred at the district
55.34level or the school site level, and whether the school site expenditures were made possible
55.35by grants to school sites that demonstrate exemplary use of allocated staff development
56.1revenue. These expenditures must be reported using the uniform financial and accounting
56.2and reporting standards.
56.3(c) The commissioner shall report the staff development progress and expenditure
56.4data to the house of representatives and senate committees having jurisdiction over
56.5education by February 15 each year.
56.6EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for the 2016-2017 school year and
56.7later.

56.8    Sec. 37. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.61, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
56.9    Subdivision 1. Staff development revenue. A district is required to reserve
56.10an amount equal to at least two percent of the basic revenue under section 126C.10,
56.11subdivision 2 , for:
56.12(1) teacher development and evaluation under sections 122A.40, subdivision 8, or
56.13122A.41, subdivision 5;
56.14(2) principal development and evaluation under section 123B.147, subdivision 3;
56.15(3) professional development under section 122A.60; and
56.16(4) in-service education for programs under section 120B.22, subdivision 2,.
56.17To the extent extra funds remain, staff development revenue may be used for
56.18staff development plans, including plans for challenging instructional activities and
56.19experiences under section 122A.60, and for curriculum development and programs,
56.20other in-service education, teachers' mentoring under section 122A.70 and evaluation,
56.21teachers' workshops, teacher conferences, the cost of substitute teachers staff development
56.22purposes, preservice and in-service education for special education professionals and
56.23paraprofessionals, and other related costs for staff development efforts. A district may
56.24annually waive the requirement to reserve their basic revenue under this section if a
56.25majority vote of the licensed teachers in the district and a majority vote of the school board
56.26agree to a resolution to waive the requirement. A district in statutory operating debt is
56.27exempt from reserving basic revenue according to this section. Districts may expend an
56.28additional amount of unreserved revenue for staff development based on their needs.
56.29EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for the 2016-2017 school year and
56.30later.

56.31    Sec. 38. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.69, is amended to read:
56.32122A.69 PRACTICE OR STUDENT TEACHERS.
57.1The Board of Teaching may, by agreements with teacher preparing preparation
57.2institutions, arrange for classroom experience in the district for practice or student
57.3teachers who have completed not less than at least two years of an approved teacher
57.4education preparation program. Such practice and student teachers must be provided with
57.5appropriate supervision appropriately supervised by a fully qualified teacher under rules
57.6promulgated adopted by the board. A practice or student teacher must be placed with a
57.7cooperating licensed teacher who has at least three years of teaching experience and is
57.8not in the improvement process under section 122A.40, subdivision 8, paragraph (b),
57.9clause (12), or 122A.41, subdivision 5, paragraph (b), clause (12). Practice and student
57.10teachers are deemed employees of the school district in which they are rendering services
57.11for purposes of workers' compensation; liability insurance, if provided for other district
57.12employees in accordance with under section 123B.23; and legal counsel in accordance
57.13with the provisions of under section 123B.25.
57.14EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for the 2015-2016 school year and
57.15later.

57.16    Sec. 39. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.09, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
57.17    Subd. 5. Authorization; notification. Notwithstanding any other law to the
57.18contrary, an 11th or 12th grade pupil enrolled in a school or an American Indian-controlled
57.19tribal contract or grant school eligible for aid under section 124D.83, except a foreign
57.20exchange pupil enrolled in a district under a cultural exchange program, may apply to an
57.21eligible institution, as defined in subdivision 3, to enroll in nonsectarian courses offered by
57.22that postsecondary institution. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a 9th or 10th
57.23grade pupil enrolled in a district or an American Indian-controlled tribal contract or grant
57.24school eligible for aid under section 124D.83, except a foreign exchange pupil enrolled in
57.25a district under a cultural exchange program, may apply to enroll in nonsectarian courses
57.26offered under subdivision 10, if after all 11th and 12th grade students have applied for a
57.27course, additional students are necessary to offer the course (1) the school district and the
57.28eligible postsecondary institution providing the course agree to the student's enrollment
57.29or (2) the course is a world language course currently available to 11th and 12th grade
57.30students, and consistent with section 120B.022 governing world language standards,
57.31certificates, and seals. If an institution accepts a secondary pupil for enrollment under this
57.32section, the institution shall send written notice to the pupil, the pupil's school or school
57.33district, and the commissioner within ten days of acceptance. The notice must indicate
57.34the course and hours of enrollment of that pupil. If the pupil enrolls in a course for
58.1postsecondary credit, the institution must notify the pupil about payment in the customary
58.2manner used by the institution.

58.3    Sec. 40. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.09, subdivision 5a, is amended to read:
58.4    Subd. 5a. Authorization; career or technical education. A 10th, 11th, or 12th
58.5grade pupil enrolled in a district or an American Indian-controlled tribal contract or grant
58.6school eligible for aid under section 124D.83, except a foreign exchange pupil enrolled in
58.7a district under a cultural exchange program, may enroll in a career or technical education
58.8course offered by a Minnesota state college or university. A 10th grade pupil applying
58.9for enrollment in a career or technical education course under this subdivision must have
58.10received a passing score on the 8th grade Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment in
58.11reading as a condition of enrollment. A current 10th grade pupil who did not take the 8th
58.12grade Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment in reading may substitute another reading
58.13assessment accepted by the enrolling postsecondary institution. A secondary pupil may
58.14enroll in the pupil's first postsecondary options enrollment course under this subdivision.
58.15A student who is refused enrollment by a Minnesota state college or university under this
58.16subdivision may apply to an eligible institution offering a career or technical education
58.17course. The postsecondary institution must give priority to its students according to
58.18subdivision 9. If a secondary student receives a grade of "C" or better in the career or
58.19technical education course taken under this subdivision, the postsecondary institution
58.20must allow the student to take additional postsecondary courses for secondary credit at
58.21that institution, not to exceed the limits in subdivision 8. A "career or technical course" is
58.22a course that is part of a career and technical education program that provides individuals
58.23with coherent, rigorous content aligned with academic standards and relevant technical
58.24knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in current and
58.25emerging professions and provide technical skill proficiency, an industry recognized
58.26credential, and a certificate, a diploma, or an associate degree.

58.27    Sec. 41. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.09, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
58.28    Subd. 8. Limit on participation. A pupil who first enrolls in grade 9 may not
58.29enroll in postsecondary courses under this section for secondary credit for more than
58.30the equivalent of four academic years. A pupil who first enrolls in grade 10 may not
58.31enroll in postsecondary courses under this section for secondary credit for more than
58.32the equivalent of three academic years. A pupil who first enrolls in grade 11 may not
58.33enroll in postsecondary courses under this section for secondary credit for more than the
58.34equivalent of two academic years. A pupil who first enrolls in grade 12 may not enroll in
59.1postsecondary courses under this section for secondary credit for more than the equivalent
59.2of one academic year. If a pupil in grade 9, 10, 11, or 12 first enrolls in a postsecondary
59.3course for secondary credit during the school year, the time of participation shall be
59.4reduced proportionately. If a pupil is in a learning year or other year-round program and
59.5begins each grade in the summer session, summer sessions shall not be counted against
59.6the time of participation. If a school district determines a pupil is not on track to graduate,
59.7the limit on participation does not apply to that pupil. A pupil who has graduated from
59.8high school cannot participate in a program under this section. A pupil who has completed
59.9course requirements for graduation but who has not received a diploma may participate in
59.10the program under this section.

59.11    Sec. 42. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.09, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
59.12    Subd. 9. Enrollment priority. (a) A postsecondary institution shall give priority to
59.13its postsecondary students when enrolling 10th, 11th, and 12th grade pupils in its courses.
59.14A postsecondary institution may provide information about its programs to a secondary
59.15school or to a pupil or parent and it may advertise or otherwise recruit or solicit a secondary
59.16pupil to enroll in its programs on educational and programmatic grounds only except,
59.17notwithstanding other law to the contrary, and for the 2014-2015 through 2019-2020
59.18school years only, an eligible postsecondary institution may advertise or otherwise recruit
59.19or solicit a secondary pupil residing in a school district with 700 students or more in grades
59.2010, 11, and 12, to enroll in its programs on educational, programmatic, or financial grounds.
59.21(b) An institution must not enroll secondary pupils, for postsecondary enrollment
59.22options purposes, in remedial, developmental, or other courses that are not college level
59.23except when a student eligible to participate and enrolled in the graduation incentives
59.24program under section 124D.68 enrolls full time in a middle or early college program. A
59.25middle or early college program must be specifically designed to allow the student to earn
59.26dual high school and college credit with a well-defined pathway to allow the student to earn
59.27a postsecondary degree or credential. In this case, the student shall receive developmental
59.28college credit and not college credit for completing remedial or developmental courses.
59.29(c) Once a pupil has been enrolled in any postsecondary course under this section,
59.30the pupil shall not be displaced by another student.
59.31(b) (d) If a postsecondary institution enrolls a secondary school pupil in a course
59.32under this section, the postsecondary institution also must enroll in the same course an
59.33otherwise enrolled and qualified postsecondary student who qualifies as a veteran under
59.34section 197.447, and demonstrates to the postsecondary institution's satisfaction that the
59.35institution's established enrollment timelines were not practicable for that student.

60.1    Sec. 43. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.09, subdivision 12, is amended to read:
60.2    Subd. 12. Credits. A pupil must not audit a course under this section.
60.3A district shall grant academic credit to a pupil enrolled in a course for secondary
60.4credit if the pupil successfully completes the course. Seven quarter or four semester
60.5college credits equal at least one full year of high school credit. Fewer college credits may
60.6be prorated. A district must also grant academic credit to a pupil enrolled in a course for
60.7postsecondary credit if secondary credit is requested by a pupil. If no comparable course is
60.8offered by the district, the district must, as soon as possible, notify the commissioner, who
60.9shall determine the number of credits that shall be granted to a pupil who successfully
60.10completes a course. If a comparable course is offered by the district, the school board
60.11shall grant a comparable number of credits to the pupil. If there is a dispute between the
60.12district and the pupil regarding the number of credits granted for a particular course, the
60.13pupil may appeal the board's decision to the commissioner. The commissioner's decision
60.14regarding the number of credits shall be final.
60.15The secondary credits granted to a pupil must be counted toward the graduation
60.16requirements and subject area requirements of the district. Evidence of successful
60.17completion of each course and secondary credits granted must be included in the pupil's
60.18secondary school record. A pupil shall provide the school with a copy of the pupil's grade
60.19in each course taken for secondary credit under this section. Upon the request of a pupil,
60.20the pupil's secondary school record must also include evidence of successful completion
60.21and credits granted for a course taken for postsecondary credit. In either case, the record
60.22must indicate that the credits were earned at a postsecondary institution.
60.23If a pupil enrolls in a postsecondary institution after leaving secondary school, the
60.24postsecondary institution must award postsecondary credit for any course successfully
60.25completed for secondary credit at that institution. Other postsecondary institutions may
60.26award, after a pupil leaves secondary school, postsecondary credit for any courses
60.27successfully completed under this section. An institution may not charge a pupil for
60.28the award of credit.
60.29The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and
60.30the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota must, and private nonprofit and
60.31proprietary postsecondary institutions should, award postsecondary credit for any
60.32successfully completed courses in a program certified by the National Alliance of
60.33Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships offered according to an agreement under subdivision
60.3410. Consistent with section 135A.101, subdivision 3, all MnSCU institutions must give
60.35full credit to a secondary pupil who completes for postsecondary credit a postsecondary
60.36course or program that is part or all of a goal area or a transfer curriculum at a MnSCU
61.1institution when the pupil enrolls in a MnSCU institution after leaving secondary school.
61.2Once one MnSCU institution certifies as completed a secondary student's postsecondary
61.3course or program that is part or all of a goal area or a transfer curriculum, every MnSCU
61.4institution must consider the student's course or program for that goal area or the transfer
61.5curriculum as completed.
61.6EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for the 2015-2016 school year and
61.7later.

61.8    Sec. 44. [124D.231] FULL-SERVICE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS.
61.9    Subdivision 1. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following terms
61.10have the meanings given them.
61.11(a) "Community organization" means a nonprofit organization that has been in
61.12existence for three years or more and serves persons within the community surrounding
61.13the covered school site on education and other issues.
61.14(b) "Community school consortium" means a group of schools and community
61.15organizations that propose to work together to plan and implement community school
61.16programming.
61.17(c) "Community school programming" means services, activities, and opportunities
61.18described under subdivision 2, paragraph (g).
61.19(d) "High-quality child care or early childhood education programming" means
61.20educational programming for preschool-aged children that is grounded in research,
61.21consistent with best practices in the field, and provided by licensed teachers.
61.22(e) "School site" means a school site at which an applicant has proposed or has been
61.23funded to provide community school programming.
61.24(f) "Site coordinator" is an individual who is responsible for aligning programming
61.25with the needs of the school community identified in the baseline analysis.
61.26    Subd. 2. Full-service community school program. (a) The commissioner shall
61.27provide funding to eligible school sites to plan, implement, and improve full-service
61.28community schools. Eligible school sites must meet one of the following criteria:
61.29(1) the school is on a development plan for continuous improvement under section
61.30120B.35, subdivision 2; or
61.31(2) the school is in a district that has an achievement and integration plan approved
61.32by the commissioner of education under sections 124D.861 and 124D.862.
61.33(b) An eligible school site may receive up to $100,000 annually. School sites
61.34receiving funding under this section shall hire or contract with a partner agency to hire a
61.35site coordinator to coordinate services at each covered school site.
62.1(c) Implementation funding of up to $20,000 must be available for up to one year for
62.2planning for school sites. At the end of this period, the school must submit a full-service
62.3community school plan, pursuant to paragraph (g).
62.4(d) The commissioner shall dispense the funds to schools with significant populations
62.5of students receiving free or reduced-price lunches. Schools with significant homeless and
62.6highly mobile students shall also be a priority. The commissioner must also dispense the
62.7funds in a manner to ensure equity among urban, suburban, and greater Minnesota schools.
62.8(e) A school site must establish a school leadership team responsible for developing
62.9school-specific programming goals, assessing program needs, and overseeing the process
62.10of implementing expanded programming at each covered site. The school leadership team
62.11shall have between 12 to 15 members and shall meet the following requirements:
62.12(1) at least 30 percent of the members are parents and 30 percent of the members
62.13are teachers at the school site and must include the school principal and representatives
62.14from partner agencies; and
62.15(2) the school leadership team must be responsible for overseeing the baseline
62.16analyses under paragraph (f). A school leadership team must have ongoing responsibility
62.17for monitoring the development and implementation of full service community school
62.18operations and programming at the school site and shall issue recommendations to schools
62.19on a regular basis and summarized in an annual report. These reports shall also be made
62.20available to the public at the school site and on school and district Web sites.
62.21(f) School sites must complete a baseline analysis prior to beginning programming
62.22as a full-service community school. The analysis shall include:
62.23(1) a baseline analysis of needs at the school site, led by the school leadership team,
62.24which shall include the following elements:
62.25(i) identification of challenges facing the school;
62.26(ii) analysis of the student body, including:
62.27(A) number and percentage of students with disabilities and needs of these students;
62.28(B) number and percentage of students who are English learners and the needs of
62.29these students;
62.30(C) number of students who are homeless or highly mobile; and
62.31(D) number and percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch and
62.32the needs of these students; and
62.33(iii) analysis of enrollment and retention rates for students with disabilities,
62.34English learners, homeless and highly mobile students, and students receiving free or
62.35reduced-price lunch;
63.1(iv) analysis of suspension and expulsion data, including the justification for such
63.2disciplinary actions and the degree to which particular populations, including, but not
63.3limited to, students of color, students with disabilities, students who are English learners,
63.4and students receiving free or reduced-price lunch are represented among students subject
63.5to such actions;
63.6(v) analysis of school achievement data disaggregated by major demographic
63.7categories, including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, English learner status, disability
63.8status, and free or reduced-price lunch status;
63.9(vi) analysis of current parent engagement strategies and their success; and
63.10(vii) evaluation of the need for and availability of wraparound services, including,
63.11but not limited to:
63.12(A) mechanisms for meeting students' social, emotional, and physical health needs,
63.13which may include coordination of existing services as well as the development of new
63.14services based on student needs; and
63.15(B) strategies to create a safe and secure school environment and improve school
63.16climate and discipline, such as implementing a system of positive behavioral supports, and
63.17taking additional steps to eliminate bullying;
63.18(2) a baseline analysis of community assets and a strategic plan for utilizing
63.19and aligning identified assets. This analysis should include, but is not limited to, a
63.20documentation of individuals in the community, faith-based organizations, community and
63.21neighborhood associations, colleges, hospitals, libraries, businesses, and social service
63.22agencies who may be able to provide support and resources; and
63.23(3) a baseline analysis of needs in the community surrounding the school, led by
63.24the school leadership team, including, but not limited to:
63.25(i) the need for high-quality, full-day child care and early childhood education
63.26programs;
63.27(ii) the need for physical and mental health care services for children and adults; and
63.28(iii) the need for job training and other adult education programming.
63.29(g) Each school site receiving funding under this section must establish at least two
63.30of the following types of programming:
63.31(1) early childhood:
63.32(i) early childhood education; and
63.33(ii) child care services;
63.34(2) academic:
63.35(i) academic support and enrichment activities, including expanded learning time;
63.36(ii) summer or after-school enrichment and learning experiences;
64.1(iii) job training, internship opportunities, and career counseling services;
64.2(iv) programs that provide assistance to students who have been truant, suspended,
64.3or expelled; and
64.4(v) specialized instructional support services;
64.5(3) parental involvement:
64.6(i) programs that promote parental involvement and family literacy, including the
64.7Reading First and Early Reading First programs authorized under part B of title I of the
64.8Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, United States Code, title 20, section
64.96361, et seq.;
64.10(ii) parent leadership development activities; and
64.11(iii) parenting education activities;
64.12(4) mental and physical health:
64.13(i) mentoring and other youth development programs, including peer mentoring and
64.14conflict mediation;
64.15(ii) juvenile crime prevention and rehabilitation programs;
64.16(iii) home visitation services by teachers and other professionals;
64.17(iv) developmentally appropriate physical education;
64.18(v) nutrition services;
64.19(vi) primary health and dental care; and
64.20(vii) mental health counseling services;
64.21(5) community involvement:
64.22(i) service and service-learning opportunities;
64.23(ii) adult education, including instruction in English as a second language; and
64.24(iii) homeless prevention services;
64.25(6) positive discipline practices; and
64.26(7) other programming designed to meet school and community needs identified in
64.27the baseline analysis and reflected in the full-service community school plan.
64.28(h) The school leadership team at each school site must develop a full-service
64.29community school plan detailing the steps the school leadership team will take, including:
64.30(1) timely establishment and consistent operation of the school leadership team;
64.31(2) maintenance of attendance records in all programming components;
64.32(3) maintenance of measurable data showing annual participation and the impact
64.33of programming on the participating children and adults;
64.34(4) documentation of meaningful and sustained collaboration between the school
64.35and community stakeholders, including local governmental units, civic engagement
64.36organizations, businesses, and social service providers;
65.1(5) establishment and maintenance of partnerships with institutions, such as
65.2universities, hospitals, museums, or not-for-profit community organizations to further the
65.3development and implementation of community school programming;
65.4(6) ensuring compliance with the district nondiscrimination policy; and
65.5(7) plan for school leadership team development.
65.6    Subd. 3. Full-service community school review. (a) Every three years, a
65.7full-service community school site must submit to the commissioner, and make available
65.8at the school site and online, a report describing efforts to integrate community school
65.9programming at each covered school site and the effect of the transition to a full-service
65.10community school on participating children and adults. This report shall include, but
65.11is not limited to, the following:
65.12(1) an assessment of the effectiveness of the school site in development or
65.13implementing the community school plan;
65.14(2) problems encountered in the design and execution of the community school
65.15plan, including identification of any federal, state, or local statute or regulation impeding
65.16program implementation;
65.17(3) the operation of the school leadership team and its contribution to successful
65.18execution of the community school plan;
65.19(4) recommendations for improving delivery of community school programming
65.20to students and families;
65.21(5) the number and percentage of students receiving community school programming
65.22who had not previously been served;
65.23(6) the number and percentage of nonstudent community members receiving
65.24community school programming who had not previously been served;
65.25(7) improvement in retention among students who receive community school
65.26programming;
65.27(8) improvement in academic achievement among students who receive community
65.28school programming;
65.29(9) changes in student's readiness to enter school, active involvement in learning and
65.30in their community, physical, social and emotional health, and student's relationship with
65.31the school and community environment;
65.32(10) an accounting of anticipated local budget savings, if any, resulting from the
65.33implementation of the program;
65.34(11) improvements to the frequency or depth of families' involvement with their
65.35children's education;
65.36(12) assessment of community stakeholder satisfaction;
66.1(13) assessment of institutional partner satisfaction;
66.2(14) the ability, or anticipated ability, of the school site and partners to continue to
66.3provide services in the absence of future funding under this section;
66.4(15) increases in access to services for students and their families; and
66.5(16) the degree of increased collaboration among participating agencies and private
66.6partners.
66.7(b) Reports submitted under this section shall be evaluated by the commissioner with
66.8respect to the following criteria:
66.9(1) the effectiveness of the school or the community school consortium in
66.10implementing the full-service community school plan, including the degree to which
66.11the school site navigated difficulties encountered in the design and operation of the
66.12full-service community school plan, including identification of any federal, state, or local
66.13statute or regulation impeding program implementation;
66.14(2) the extent to which the project has produced lessons about ways to improve
66.15delivery of community school programming to students;
66.16(3) the degree to which there has been an increase in the number or percentage of
66.17students and nonstudents receiving community school programming;
66.18(4) the degree to which there has been an improvement in retention of students and
66.19improvement in academic achievement among students receiving community school
66.20programming;
66.21(5) local budget savings, if any, resulting from the implementation of the program;
66.22(6) the degree of community stakeholder and institutional partner engagement;
66.23(7) the ability, or anticipated ability, of the school site and partners to continue to
66.24provide services in the absence of future funding under this section;
66.25(8) increases in access to services for students and their families; and
66.26(9) the degree of increased collaboration among participating agencies and private
66.27partners.

66.28    Sec. 45. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.73, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
66.29    Subd. 3. Advisory task force Tribal Nations Education Committee. "Advisory
66.30task force" "Tribal Nations Education Committee" means the state advisory task force
66.31committee established through tribal directive that the commissioner consults with
66.32on American Indian education programs, policy, and all matters related to educating
66.33Minnesota's American Indian students.

66.34    Sec. 46. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.73, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
67.1    Subd. 4. Participating school; American Indian school. "Participating school"
67.2and "American Indian school" mean a school that:
67.3(1) is not operated by a school district; and
67.4(2) is eligible for a grant under federal Title IV of the Indian VII of the Elementary
67.5and Secondary Education Act for the education of American Indian children.

67.6    Sec. 47. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.74, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
67.7    Subdivision 1. Program described. American Indian education programs are
67.8programs in public elementary and secondary schools, nonsectarian nonpublic, community,
67.9tribal, charter, or alternative schools enrolling American Indian children designed to:
67.10(1) support postsecondary preparation for pupils;
67.11(2) support the academic achievement of American Indian students with identified
67.12focus to improve reading and mathematic skills;
67.13(3) make the curriculum more relevant to the needs, interests, and cultural heritage
67.14of American Indian pupils;
67.15(4) provide positive reinforcement of the self-image of American Indian pupils;
67.16(5) develop intercultural awareness among pupils, parents, and staff; and
67.17(6) supplement, not supplant, state and federal educational and cocurricular programs.
67.18Program components may include: development of support components for students in
67.19the areas of services designed to increase completion and graduation rates of American
67.20Indian students must emphasize academic achievement, retention, and attendance;
67.21development of support components services for staff, including in-service training and
67.22technical assistance in methods of teaching American Indian pupils; research projects,
67.23including experimentation with innovative teaching approaches and evaluation of
67.24methods of relating to American Indian pupils; provision of personal and vocational
67.25career counseling to American Indian pupils; modification of curriculum, instructional
67.26methods, and administrative procedures to meet the needs of American Indian pupils; and
67.27supplemental instruction in American Indian language, literature, history, and culture.
67.28Districts offering programs may make contracts for the provision of program components
67.29services by establishing cooperative liaisons with tribal programs and American Indian
67.30social service agencies. These programs may also be provided as components of early
67.31childhood and family education programs.

67.32    Sec. 48. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.74, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
67.33    Subd. 6. Nonverbal courses and extracurricular activities. In predominantly
67.34nonverbal subjects, such as art, music, and physical education, American Indian children
68.1shall participate fully and on an equal basis with their contemporaries peers in school
68.2classes provided for these subjects. Every school district or participating school shall
68.3ensure to children enrolled in American Indian education programs an equal and
68.4meaningful opportunity to participate fully with other children in all extracurricular
68.5activities. This subdivision shall not be construed to prohibit instruction in nonverbal
68.6subjects or extracurricular activities which relate to the cultural heritage of the American
68.7Indian children, or which are otherwise necessary to accomplish the objectives described
68.8in sections 124D.71 to 124D.82.

68.9    Sec. 49. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.75, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
68.10    Subdivision 1. American Indian language and culture education licenses. The
68.11Board of Teaching, in consultation with the Tribal Nations Education Committee, must
68.12grant initial and continuing teaching licenses in American Indian language and culture
68.13education that bear the same duration as other initial and continuing licenses. The board
68.14must grant licenses to persons who present satisfactory evidence that they:
68.15(1) possess competence in an American Indian language or possess unique
68.16qualifications relative to or knowledge and understanding of American Indian history
68.17and culture; or
68.18(2) possess a bachelor's degree or other academic degree approved by the board or
68.19meet such requirements as to course of study and training as the board may prescribe, or
68.20possess such relevant experience as the board may prescribe.
68.21This evidence may be presented by affidavits, tribal resolutions, or by such other
68.22methods as the board may prescribe. Individuals may present applications for licensure on
68.23their own behalf or these applications may be submitted by the superintendent or other
68.24authorized official of a school district, participating school, or an American Indian school.

68.25    Sec. 50. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.75, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
68.26    Subd. 3. Resolution or letter. All persons applying for a license under this section
68.27must submit to the board a resolution or letter of support signed by an American Indian
68.28tribal government or its designee. All persons holding a license under this section on July
68.291, 1995, must have on file or file with the board a resolution or letter of support signed by
68.30a tribal government or its designee by January 1, 1996, or the next renewal date of the
68.31license thereafter.

68.32    Sec. 51. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.75, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
69.1    Subd. 9. Affirmative efforts in hiring. In hiring for all positions in these programs,
69.2school districts and participating schools shall give preference to and make affirmative
69.3efforts to seek, recruit, and employ persons who share the culture of the American Indian
69.4children who are enrolled in the program. The district or participating school shall must
69.5provide procedures for the involvement of the parent advisory committees in designing
69.6the procedures for the recruitment, screening and selection of applicants. This subdivision
69.7shall not be construed to limit the school board's authority to hire and discharge personnel.

69.8    Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.76, is amended to read:
69.9124D.76 TEACHERS AIDES; COMMUNITY COORDINATORS, INDIAN
69.10HOME/SCHOOL LIAISONS, PARAPROFESSIONALS.
69.11In addition to employing American Indian language and culture education teachers,
69.12each district or participating school providing programs pursuant to sections 124D.71 to
69.13124D.82 may employ teachers' aides paraprofessionals. Teachers' aides Paraprofessionals
69.14must not be employed for the purpose of supplanting American Indian language and
69.15culture education teachers.
69.16Any district or participating school which conducts American Indian education
69.17programs pursuant to sections 124D.71 to 124D.82 must employ one or more full-time
69.18or part-time community coordinators or Indian home/school liaisons if there are 100 or
69.19more American Indian students enrolled in the program district. Community coordinators
69.20shall promote communication understanding, and cooperation between the schools and the
69.21community and shall visit the homes of children who are to be enrolled in an American
69.22Indian education program in order to convey information about the program.

69.23    Sec. 53. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.78, is amended to read:
69.24124D.78 PARENT AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION.
69.25    Subdivision 1. Parent committee. School boards and American Indian schools
69.26must provide for the maximum involvement of parents of children enrolled in education
69.27programs, programs for elementary and secondary grades, special education programs,
69.28and support services. Accordingly, the board of a school district in which there are ten
69.29or more American Indian children students enrolled and each American Indian school
69.30must establish a an American Indian education parent advisory committee. If a committee
69.31whose membership consists of a majority of parents of American Indian children has been
69.32or is established according to federal, tribal, or other state law, that committee may serve
69.33as the committee required by this section and is subject to, at least, the requirements of
69.34this subdivision and subdivision 2.
70.1The American Indian education parent advisory committee must develop its
70.2recommendations in consultation with the curriculum advisory committee required by
70.3section 120B.11, subdivision 3. This committee must afford parents the necessary
70.4information and the opportunity effectively to express their views concerning all aspects
70.5of American Indian education and the educational needs of the American Indian children
70.6enrolled in the school or program. The committee must also address the need for adult
70.7education programs for American Indian people in the community. The school board or
70.8American Indian school must ensure that programs are planned, operated, and evaluated
70.9with the involvement of and in consultation with parents of children students served by
70.10the programs.
70.11    Subd. 2. Resolution of concurrence. Prior to December March 1, the school
70.12board or American Indian school must submit to the department a copy of a resolution
70.13adopted by the American Indian education parent advisory committee. The copy must be
70.14signed by the chair of the committee and must state whether the committee concurs with
70.15the educational programs for American Indian children students offered by the school
70.16board or American Indian school. If the committee does not concur with the educational
70.17programs, the reasons for nonconcurrence and recommendations shall be submitted with
70.18the resolution. By resolution, the board must respond in writing within 60 days, in cases
70.19of nonconcurrence, to each recommendation made by the committee and state its reasons
70.20for not implementing the recommendations.
70.21    Subd. 3. Membership. The American Indian education parent advisory committee
70.22must be composed of parents of children eligible to be enrolled in American Indian
70.23education programs; secondary students eligible to be served; American Indian language
70.24and culture education teachers and aides paraprofessionals; American Indian teachers;
70.25counselors; adult American Indian people enrolled in educational programs; and
70.26representatives from community groups. A majority of each committee must be parents
70.27of children enrolled or eligible to be enrolled in the programs. The number of parents
70.28of American Indian and non-American Indian children shall reflect approximately the
70.29proportion of children of those groups enrolled in the programs.
70.30    Subd. 4. Alternate committee. If the organizational membership or the board
70.31of directors of an American Indian school consists of parents of children attending the
70.32school, that membership or board may serve also as the American Indian education parent
70.33advisory committee.

70.34    Sec. 54. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.79, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
71.1    Subdivision 1. American Indian community involvement. The commissioner
71.2must provide for the maximum involvement of the state committees on American Indian
71.3education Tribal Nations Education Committee, parents of American Indian children,
71.4secondary students eligible to be served, American Indian language and culture education
71.5teachers, American Indian teachers, teachers' aides paraprofessionals, representatives of
71.6community groups, and persons knowledgeable in the field of American Indian education,
71.7in the formulation of policy and procedures relating to the administration of sections
71.8124D.71 to 124D.82. The commissioner must annually hold a field hearing on Indian
71.9education to gather input from American Indian educators, parents, and students on the
71.10state of American Indian education in Minnesota. Results of the hearing must be made
71.11available to all 11 tribal nations for review and comment.

71.12    Sec. 55. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.79, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
71.13    Subd. 2. Technical assistance. The commissioner shall provide technical assistance
71.14to districts, schools and postsecondary institutions for preservice and in-service training
71.15for teachers, American Indian education teachers and teacher's aides, paraprofessionals
71.16specifically designed to implement culturally responsive teaching methods, culturally
71.17based curriculum development, testing and testing mechanisms, and the development of
71.18materials for American Indian education programs.

71.19    Sec. 56. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.791, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
71.20    Subd. 4. Duties; powers. The Indian education director shall:
71.21(1) serve as the liaison for the department with the Tribal Nations Education
71.22Committee, the 11 reservations tribal communities in Minnesota, the Minnesota Chippewa
71.23tribe, and the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, and the Urban Advisory Council;
71.24(2) evaluate the state of American Indian education in Minnesota;
71.25(3) engage the tribal bodies, community groups, parents of children eligible to be
71.26served by American Indian education programs, American Indian administrators and
71.27teachers, persons experienced in the training of teachers for American Indian education
71.28programs, the tribally controlled schools, and other persons knowledgeable in the field of
71.29American Indian education and seek their advice on policies that can improve the quality
71.30of American Indian education;
71.31(4) advise the commissioner on American Indian education issues, including:
71.32(i) issues facing American Indian students;
71.33(ii) policies for American Indian education;
72.1(iii) awarding scholarships to eligible American Indian students and in administering
72.2the commissioner's duties regarding awarding of American Indian postsecondary
72.3preparation education grants to school districts; and
72.4(iv) administration of the commissioner's duties under sections 124D.71 to 124D.82
72.5and other programs for the education of American Indian people;
72.6(5) propose to the commissioner legislative changes that will improve the quality
72.7of American Indian education;
72.8(6) develop a strategic plan and a long-term framework for American Indian
72.9education, in conjunction with the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, that is updated every
72.10five years and implemented by the commissioner, with goals to:
72.11(i) increase American Indian student achievement, including increased levels of
72.12proficiency and growth on statewide accountability assessments;
72.13(ii) increase the number of American Indian teachers in public schools;
72.14(iii) close the achievement gap between American Indian students and their more
72.15advantaged peers;
72.16(iv) increase the statewide graduation rate for American Indian students; and
72.17(v) increase American Indian student placement in postsecondary programs and
72.18the workforce; and
72.19(7) keep the American Indian community informed about the work of the department
72.20by reporting to the Tribal Nations Education Committee at each committee meeting.

72.21    Sec. 57. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.81, is amended to read:
72.22124D.81 CONTINUATION OF AMERICAN INDIAN EDUCATION GRANTS
72.23AID.
72.24    Subdivision 1. Grants; Procedures. Each fiscal year the commissioner of education
72.25must make grants to no fewer than six American Indian education programs. At least
72.26three programs must be in urban areas and at least three must be on or near reservations.
72.27The board of a local district, a participating school or a group of boards may develop a
72.28proposal for grants in support of American Indian education programs. Proposals A
72.29school district, charter school, or American Indian-controlled tribal contract or grant
72.30school enrolling at least 20 American Indian students on October 1 of the previous school
72.31year, receiving federal Title 7 funding, and operating an American Indian education
72.32program according to section 124D.74 is eligible for Indian education aid if it meets the
72.33requirements of this section. Programs may provide for contracts for the provision of
72.34program components by nonsectarian nonpublic, community, tribal, charter, or alternative
72.35schools. The commissioner shall prescribe the form and manner of application for grants
73.1aids, and no grant aid shall be made for a proposal program not complying with the
73.2requirements of sections 124D.71 to 124D.82.
73.3    Subd. 2. Plans. Each To qualify for aid, an eligible district, charter school, or
73.4participating tribal contract school submitting a proposal under subdivision 1 must
73.5develop and submit with the proposal a plan for approval by the Indian education director
73.6which that shall:
73.7(a) Identify the measures to be used to meet the requirements of sections 124D.71 to
73.8124D.82 ;
73.9(b) Identify the activities, methods and programs to meet the identified educational
73.10needs of the children to be enrolled in the program;
73.11(c) Describe how district goals and objectives as well as the objectives of sections
73.12124D.71 to 124D.82 are to be achieved;
73.13(d) Demonstrate that required and elective courses as structured do not have a
73.14discriminatory effect within the meaning of section 124D.74, subdivision 5;
73.15(e) Describe how each school program will be organized, staffed, coordinated,
73.16and monitored; and
73.17(f) Project expenditures for programs under sections 124D.71 to 124D.82.
73.18    Subd. 2a. American Indian education aid. (a) The American Indian education
73.19aid for an eligible district or tribal contract school equals the greater of (1) the sum of
73.20$20,000 plus the product of $63 times the difference between the number of American
73.21Indian students enrolled on October 1 of the previous school year and 20; or (2) if the
73.22district or school received a grant under this section for fiscal year 2015, the amount
73.23of the grant for fiscal year 2015.
73.24(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the American Indian education aid must not
73.25exceed the district or tribal contract school's actual expenditure according to the approved
73.26plan under subdivision 2.
73.27    Subd. 3. Additional requirements. Each district receiving a grant aid under this
73.28section must each year conduct a count of American Indian children in the schools
73.29of the district; test for achievement; identify the extent of other educational needs of
73.30the children to be enrolled in the American Indian education program; and classify the
73.31American Indian children by grade, level of educational attainment, age and achievement.
73.32Participating schools must maintain records concerning the needs and achievements of
73.33American Indian children served.
73.34    Subd. 4. Nondiscrimination; testing. In accordance with recognized professional
73.35standards, all testing and evaluation materials and procedures utilized for the identification,
73.36testing, assessment, and classification of American Indian children must be selected and
74.1administered so as not to be racially or culturally discriminatory and must be valid for the
74.2purpose of identifying, testing, assessing, and classifying American Indian children.
74.3    Subd. 5. Records. Participating schools and districts must keep records and afford
74.4access to them as the commissioner finds necessary to ensure that American Indian
74.5education programs are implemented in conformity with sections 124D.71 to 124D.82.
74.6Each school district or participating school must keep accurate, detailed, and separate
74.7revenue and expenditure accounts for pilot American Indian education programs funded
74.8under this section.
74.9    Subd. 6. Money from other sources. A district or participating school providing
74.10American Indian education programs shall be eligible to receive moneys for these programs
74.11from other government agencies and from private sources when the moneys are available.
74.12    Subd. 7. Exceptions. Nothing in sections 124D.71 to 124D.82 shall be construed as
74.13prohibiting a district or school from implementing an American Indian education program
74.14which is not in compliance with sections 124D.71 to 124D.82 if the proposal and plan for
74.15that program is not funded pursuant to this section.
74.16EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2016
74.17and later.

74.18    Sec. 58. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.98, is amended to read:
74.19124D.98 LITERACY INCENTIVE AID.
74.20    Subdivision 1. Literacy incentive aid. In fiscal year 2013 and later, A district's
74.21literacy incentive aid equals the sum of the proficiency aid under subdivision 2, and the
74.22growth aid under subdivision 3.
74.23    Subd. 2. Proficiency aid. In fiscal year 2013 and later, The proficiency aid for
74.24each school in a district that has submitted to the commissioner its local literacy plan
74.25under section 120B.12, subdivision 4a, is equal to the product of the school's proficiency
74.26allowance times the number of third grade pupils at the school on October 1 of the previous
74.27fiscal year. A school's proficiency allowance is equal to the percentage of students in
74.28each building that meet or exceed proficiency on the third grade reading Minnesota
74.29Comprehensive Assessment, averaged across the previous three test administrations,
74.30times $530.
74.31    Subd. 3. Growth aid. In fiscal year 2013 and later, The growth aid for each school
74.32in a district that has submitted to the commissioner its local literacy plan under section
74.33120B.12, subdivision 4a, is equal to the product of the school's growth allowance times
74.34the number of fourth grade pupils enrolled at the school on October 1 of the previous
75.1fiscal year. A school's growth allowance is equal to the percentage of students at that
75.2school making medium or high growth, under section 120B.299, on the fourth grade
75.3reading Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment, averaged across the previous three test
75.4administrations, times $530.
75.5EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for fiscal year 2016 and later.

75.6    Sec. 59. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 126C.15, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
75.7    Subdivision 1. Use of revenue. The basic skills revenue under section 126C.10,
75.8subdivision 4 , must be reserved and used to meet the educational needs of pupils who
75.9enroll under-prepared to learn and whose progress toward meeting state or local content
75.10or performance standards is below the level that is appropriate for learners of their age.
75.11Basic skills revenue may also be used for programs designed to prepare children and their
75.12families for entry into school whether the student first enrolls in kindergarten or first grade.
75.13Any of the following may be provided to meet these learners' needs:
75.14(1) direct instructional services under the assurance of mastery program according
75.15to section 124D.66;
75.16(2) remedial instruction in reading, language arts, mathematics, other content areas,
75.17or study skills to improve the achievement level of these learners;
75.18(3) additional teachers and teacher aides to provide more individualized instruction
75.19to these learners through individual tutoring, lower instructor-to-learner ratios, or team
75.20teaching;
75.21(4) a longer school day or week during the regular school year or through a summer
75.22program that may be offered directly by the site or under a performance-based contract
75.23with a community-based organization;
75.24(5) comprehensive and ongoing staff development consistent with district and site
75.25plans according to section 122A.60 and to implement plans under section 120B.12,
75.26subdivision 4a, for teachers, teacher aides, principals, and other personnel to improve
75.27their ability to identify the needs of these learners and provide appropriate remediation,
75.28intervention, accommodations, or modifications;
75.29(6) instructional materials, digital learning, and technology appropriate for meeting
75.30the individual needs of these learners;
75.31(7) programs to reduce truancy, encourage completion of high school, enhance
75.32self-concept, provide health services, provide nutrition services, provide a safe and secure
75.33learning environment, provide coordination for pupils receiving services from other
75.34governmental agencies, provide psychological services to determine the level of social,
76.1emotional, cognitive, and intellectual development, and provide counseling services,
76.2guidance services, and social work services;
76.3(8) bilingual programs, bicultural programs, and programs for English learners;
76.4(9) all-day kindergarten;
76.5(10) early education programs, parent-training programs, school readiness programs,
76.6kindergarten programs for four-year-olds, voluntary home visits under section 124D.13,
76.7subdivision 4, and other outreach efforts designed to prepare children for kindergarten;
76.8(11) extended school day and extended school year programs; and
76.9(12) substantial parent involvement in developing and implementing remedial
76.10education or intervention plans for a learner, including learning contracts between the
76.11school, the learner, and the parent that establish achievement goals and responsibilities of
76.12the learner and the learner's parent or guardian.
76.13EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for fiscal year 2016 and later.

76.14    Sec. 60. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 135A.101, is amended by adding a
76.15subdivision to read:
76.16    Subd. 3. Minnesota transfer curriculum. Notwithstanding section 135A.08 or
76.17other law to the contrary, all MnSCU institutions must give full credit to a secondary pupil
76.18who completes for postsecondary credit a postsecondary course or program that is part or
76.19all of a goal area or a transfer curriculum at a MnSCU institution when the pupil enrolls
76.20in a MnSCU institution after leaving secondary school. Once one MnSCU institution
76.21certifies as completed a secondary student's postsecondary course or program that is part
76.22or all of a goal area or a transfer curriculum, every MnSCU institution must consider the
76.23student's course or program for that goal area or the transfer curriculum as completed.
76.24EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective August 1, 2015.

76.25    Sec. 61. Laws 2013, chapter 116, article 3, section 35, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
76.26    Subd. 2. Achievement and integration levy. For fiscal year 2014 only, a district's
76.27achievement and integration levy equals the lesser of the district's achievement and
76.28integration revenue for that year or the amount the district was authorized to levy under
76.29Laws 2011, First Special Session chapter 11, article 2, section 49, paragraph (f).
76.30EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

76.31    Sec. 62. Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 16, section 15, is amended to read:
76.32    Sec. 15. TEACHER DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION REVENUE.
77.1    (a) For fiscal year 2015 only, teacher development and evaluation revenue for a
77.2school district, intermediate school district, educational cooperative, education district,
77.3or charter school with any school site that does not have an alternative professional pay
77.4system agreement under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.414, subdivision 2, equals $302
77.5times the number of full-time equivalent teachers employed on October 1 of the previous
77.6school year in each school site without an alternative professional pay system under
77.7Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.414, subdivision 2. Except for charter schools, revenue
77.8under this section must be reserved for teacher development and evaluation activities
77.9consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.40, subdivision 8, or Minnesota Statutes,
77.10section 122A.41, subdivision 5. For the purposes of this section, "teacher" has the
77.11meaning given it in Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.40, subdivision 1, or Minnesota
77.12Statutes, section 122A.41, subdivision 1.
77.13    (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the state total teacher development and
77.14evaluation revenue entitlement must not exceed $10,000,000 $10,022,000 for fiscal year
77.152015. The commissioner must limit the amount of revenue under this section so as not
77.16to exceed this limit.
77.17EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective retroactively from July 1, 2014.

77.18    Sec. 63. Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 16, section 16, subdivision 7, is amended to
77.19read:
77.20    Subd. 7. Teacher development and evaluation. For teacher development and
77.21evaluation revenue.

77.22 77.23

$

9,000,000 9,020,000

.....

2015

77.24The 2015 appropriation includes $0 for 2014 and $9,000,000 $9,020,000 for 2015.
77.25This is a onetime appropriation and is available until expended the end of fiscal year 2017.
77.26EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

77.27    Sec. 64. TRANSFER CURRICULUM REPORT.
77.28By February 1, 2016, the chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and
77.29Universities must prepare and submit to the K-12 and higher education committees of
77.30the legislature a report describing the implementation of the transfer curriculum policy
77.31for postsecondary enrollment options program students under Minnesota Statutes,
77.32sections 124D.09, subdivision 12, and 135A.101, subdivision 3, and how to standardize
78.1Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and college-level exam program course
78.2equivalencies across all state colleges and universities.
78.3EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

78.4    Sec. 65. EXAMINING AND DEVELOPING STATEWIDE SWIMMING
78.5RESOURCES.
78.6(a) The commissioner of education must use existing budgetary resources to
78.7inventory and report to the education committees of the legislature by February 1, 2016,
78.8on the extent of existing resources and best practices available for swimming instruction
78.9in Minnesota public schools.
78.10(b) The commissioner of education must establish a work group of interested
78.11stakeholders, including the commissioner or commissioner's designee, the commissioner
78.12of health or the commissioner's designee, and representatives of K-12 physical education
78.13teachers, K-12 school administrators, the Minnesota school boards association, nonprofit
78.14fitness and recreational organizations, public parks and recreation departments, and
78.15other stakeholders, including community members underserved and disproportionately
78.16impacted by the current distribution of swimming resources, interested in swimming
78.17instruction and activities identified by the commissioner of education, to determine
78.18and report to the education committees of the legislature by February 1, 2016, on the
78.19curriculum, resources, personnel, and other costs needed to make swimming instruction
78.20available in all Minnesota public schools for children beginning at an early age. The work
78.21group must consider the substance of the report under paragraph (a) in preparing its report.
78.22EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

78.23    Sec. 66. SCHOOL START DATE FOR THE 2015-2016 SCHOOL YEAR ONLY.
78.24Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 120A.40, or other law to the contrary,
78.25for the 2015-2016 school year only, school districts may begin the school year on
78.26September 1.
78.27EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment for
78.28the 2015-2016 school year only.

78.29    Sec. 67. DEVELOPMENTAL COURSE TAKING; REPORT.
78.30The commissioner of education, in consultation with the commissioner of the Office
78.31of Higher Education, the chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities,
79.1and the president of the University of Minnesota, shall collect and report the following
79.2information to the legislature by January 1, 2016:
79.3(1) the tuition costs incurred by students enrolled in noncredit-bearing college
79.4courses at the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
79.5for developmental or remedial purposes for the 2014-2015 and preceding four school
79.6years; and
79.7(2) for the same time period, the Minnesota high schools who graduated the students
79.8in clause (1), the aggregate number of students from each high school in clause (1), and
79.9the tuition cost under clause (1) for students from each high school.

79.10    Sec. 68. RECOMMENDATIONS ON SERVICE-LEARNING.
79.11The Board of Teaching may make recommendations to the legislature on teacher
79.12preparation and licensure requirements in the area of service-learning, consistent with
79.13Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.50, and the definition of service-learning in the federal
79.14National and Community Service Act, as amended, and submit the recommendations
79.15to the legislature by February 15, 2016. The board must consult with representatives
79.16of teacher preparation programs and institutions, school-based and community-based
79.17service-learning practitioners and experts, licensed teachers, students with service-learning
79.18experience, and other interested stakeholders in developing the recommendations.

79.19    Sec. 69. APPROPRIATIONS.
79.20    Subdivision 1. Department of Education. The sums indicated in this section are
79.21appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years
79.22designated.
79.23    Subd. 2. Alternative compensation. For alternative teacher compensation aid
79.24under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.415, subdivision 4:

79.25		$	78,331,000	.....	2016
79.26		$	87,147,000	.....	2017

79.27The 2016 appropriation includes $7,766,000 for 2015 and $70,565,000 for 2016.
79.28The 2017 appropriation includes $7,840,000 for 2016 and $79,307,000 for 2017.
79.29    Subd. 3. Achievement and integration aid. For achievement and integration aid
79.30under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.862:

79.31		$	65,539,000	.....	2016
79.32		$	68,745,000	.....	2017

79.33The 2016 appropriation includes $6,382,000 for 2015 and $59,157,000 for 2016.
80.1The 2017 appropriation includes $6,573,000 for 2016 and $62,172,000 for 2017.
80.2    Subd. 4. Literacy incentive aid. For literacy incentive aid under Minnesota
80.3Statutes, section 124D.98:

80.4		$	44,552,000	.....	2016
80.5		$	45,508,000	.....	2017

80.6The 2016 appropriation includes $4,683,000 for 2015 and $39,869,000 for 2016.
80.7The 2017 appropriation includes $4,429,000 for 2016 and $41,079,000 for 2017.
80.8    Subd. 5. Interdistrict desegregation or integration transportation grants. For
80.9interdistrict desegregation or integration transportation grants under Minnesota Statutes,
80.10section 124D.87:

80.11		$	15,023,000	.....	2016
80.12		$	15,825,000	.....	2017

80.13    Subd. 6. Reading Corps. For grants to serve Minnesota for the Minnesota Reading
80.14Corps under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.42, subdivision 8:

80.15		$	6,125,000	.....	2016
80.16		$	6,125,000	.....	2017

80.17Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.
80.18    Subd. 7. Tribal contract schools. For tribal contract school aid under Minnesota
80.19Statutes, section 124D.83:

80.20		$	2,157,000	.....	2016
80.21		$	2,273,000	.....	2017

80.22The 2016 appropriation includes $204,000 for 2015 and $1,953,000 for 2016.
80.23The 2017 appropriation includes $216,000 for 2016 and $2,057,000 for 2017.
80.24    Subd. 8. Compensatory revenue pilot program. For grants for participation in the
80.25compensatory revenue pilot program under Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5,
80.26article 1, section 50, as amended by Laws 2007, chapter 146, article 1, section 21:

80.27		$	2,325,000	.....	2016
80.28		$	2,325,000	.....	2017

80.29(a) In fiscal years 2016 and 2017, grants shall be awarded in the following amounts:
80.30$1,500,000 is for a grant to Independent School District No. 11, Anoka-Hennepin;
80.31$75,000 is for a grant to Independent School District No. 286, Brooklyn Center; $210,000
80.32is for a grant to Independent School District No. 279, Osseo; $160,000 is for a grant to
80.33Independent School District No. 281, Robbinsdale; $165,000 is for a grant to Independent
81.1School District No. 535, Rochester; $65,000 is for a grant to Independent School District
81.2No. 833, South Washington; and $150,000 is for a grant to Independent School District No.
81.3241, Albert Lea. If a grant to a specific school district is not awarded, the commissioner
81.4may increase the aid amounts to any of the remaining participating school districts.
81.5(b) The commissioner of education must submit a report by February 15, 2016, to the
81.6education committees of the legislature evaluating the effectiveness of the pilot program.
81.7    Subd. 9. Concurrent enrollment program. For concurrent enrollment programs
81.8under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.091:

81.9		$	$4,000,000	.....	2016
81.10		$	$4,000,000	.....	2017

81.11If the appropriation is insufficient, the commissioner must proportionately reduce
81.12the aid payment to each district.
81.13Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.
81.14    Subd. 10. Success for the future. For American Indian success for the future grants
81.15under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.81:

81.16		$	213,000	.....	2016
81.17		$	0	.....	2017

81.18The 2016 appropriation includes $213,000 for 2015 and $0 for 2016.
81.19    Subd. 11. American Indian education aid. For American Indian education aid
81.20under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.81, subdivision 2a:

81.21		$	3,513,000	.....	2016
81.22		$	3,726,000	.....	2017

81.23    Subd. 12. Collaborative urban educator. For the collaborative urban educator
81.24grant program:

81.25		$	780,000	.....	2016
81.26		$	780,000	.....	2017

81.27Grants shall be awarded in equal amounts: $195,000 each year is for the Southeast
81.28Asian teacher program at Concordia University, St. Paul; $195,000 each year is for the
81.29collaborative urban educator program at the University of St. Thomas; $195,000 each year
81.30is for the Center for Excellence in Urban Teaching at Hamline University; and $195,00
81.31each year is for the East Africa Student to Teacher program at Augsburg College.
81.32Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.
82.1Each institution shall prepare for the legislature, by January 15 of each year, a
82.2detailed report regarding the funds used. The report must include the number of teachers
82.3prepared as well as the diversity for each cohort of teachers produced.
82.4    Subd. 13. ServeMinnesota program. For funding ServeMinnesota programs under
82.5Minnesota Statutes, sections 124D.37 to 124D.45:

82.6		$	900,000	.....	2016
82.7		$	900,000	.....	2017

82.8A grantee organization may provide health and child care coverage to the dependents
82.9of each participant enrolled in a full-time ServeMinnesota program to the extent such
82.10coverage is not otherwise available.
82.11    Subd. 14. Student organizations. For student organizations:

82.12		$	725,000	.....	2016
82.13		$	725,000	.....	2017

82.14$46,000 each year is for student organizations serving health occupations (HOSA).
82.15$100,000 each year is for student organizations serving trade and industry
82.16occupations (Skills USA, secondary and postsecondary).
82.17$95,000 each year is for student organizations serving business occupations (BPA,
82.18secondary and postsecondary).
82.19$193,000 each year is for student organizations serving agriculture occupations
82.20(FFA, PAS).
82.21$142,000 each year is for student organizations serving family and consumer science
82.22occupations (FCCLA).
82.23$109,000 each year is for student organizations serving marketing occupations
82.24(DECA and DECA collegiate).
82.25$40,000 each year is for the Minnesota Foundation for Student Organizations.
82.26Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.
82.27    Subd. 15. Museums and Education Centers. For grants to museums and education
82.28centers:

82.29		$	351,000	.....	2016
82.30		$	351,000	.....	2017

82.31(a) $260,000 each year is for the Minnesota Children's Museum.
82.32(b) $50,000 each year is for the Duluth Children's Museum.
82.33(c) $41,000 each year is for the Minnesota Academy of Science.
82.34Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.
83.1    Subd. 16. Teacher development and evaluation. For teacher development and
83.2evaluation revenue:

83.3

$

1,002,000

.....

2016

83.4The 2016 appropriation includes $1,002,000 for 2016 and $0 for 2017. This is a
83.5onetime appropriation and is available in the second year.
83.6    Subd. 17. Starbase MN. For a grant to Starbase MN for rigorous science,
83.7technology, engineering, and math (STEM) program providing students in grades 4 to
83.86 with a multisensory learning experience and a hands-on curriculum in an aerospace
83.9environment using state-of-the-art technology:

83.10		$	924,000	.....	2016
83.11		$	-0-	.....	2017

83.12This appropriation does not cancel but is available in the second year of the biennium.
83.13The base appropriation for this appropriation in fiscal year 2018 is $500,000.
83.14All unspent funds, estimated at $924,000 from the Starbase appropriation under
83.15Laws 2013, chapter 116, article 3, section 37, subdivision 22, are canceled to the general
83.16fund on June 30, 2015.
83.17    Subd. 18. Recovery program grants. For recovery program grants under
83.18Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.695:

83.19		$	500,000	.....	2016
83.20		$	500,000	.....	2017

83.21Any balance in the first year does not cancel and is available in the second year.
83.22    Subd. 19. Full-service community schools. For full-service community schools
83.23under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.231:

83.24		$	250,000	.....	2016
83.25		$	250,000	.....	2017

83.26    This is a onetime appropriation. Any balance in the first year does not cancel but
83.27is available in the second year.
83.28    Subd. 20. Minnesota math corps program. For the Minnesota math corps program
83.29under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.42, subdivision 9:

83.30		$	250,000	.....	2016
83.31		$	250,000	.....	2017

83.32Any unexpended balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the
83.33second year.
84.1    Subd. 21. American Indian teacher preparation grants. For joint grants to assist
84.2American Indian people to become teachers under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.63:

84.3		$	190,000	.....	2016
84.4		$	190,000	.....	2017

84.5    Subd. 22. Civic education grants. For grants to the Minnesota Civic Education
84.6Coalition, Kids Voting St. Paul, Learning Law and Democracy Foundation, and YMCA
84.7Youth in Government to provide civic education programs for Minnesota youth age 18
84.8and younger. Civic education is the study of constitutional principles and the democratic
84.9foundation of our national, state, and local institutions, and the study of political processes
84.10and structures of government, grounded in the understanding of constitutional government
84.11under the rule of law.

84.12		$	125,000	.....	2016
84.13		$	125,000	.....	2017

84.14    Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.
84.15    Subd. 23. Minnesota Principals' Academy. For a grant to the University of
84.16Minnesota College of Education and Human Development, for the operation of the
84.17Minnesota Principals' Academy:

84.18		$	150,000	.....	2016
84.19		$	150,000	.....	2017

84.20Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.
84.21    Subd. 24. Race 2 Reduce. For grants to support expanded Race 2 Reduce water
84.22conservation programming in Minnesota schools:

84.23		$	81,000	.....	2016
84.24		$	69,000	.....	2017

84.25In the first year, $28,000 is for H2O for Life; $38,000 is for Independent School
84.26District No. 624, White Bear Lake; and $15,000 is for Independent School District
84.27No. 832, Mahtomedi. In the second year, $32,000 is for H2O for Life; $22,000 is for
84.28Independent School District No. 624, White Bear Lake; and $15,000 is for Independent
84.29School District No. 832, Mahtomedi.
84.30Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year. The
84.31base appropriation for fiscal year 2018 and later is $0.
84.32    Subd. 25. Northwestern Online College in the High School program. For the
84.33Northwestern Online College in the High School program:

85.1		$	50,000	.....	2016
85.2		$	50,000	.....	2017

85.3This is a onetime appropriation. Any balance from the first year may carry forward
85.4into the second year.

85.5ARTICLE 3

85.6STANDARDS AND ASSESSMENTS

85.7    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 120B.02, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
85.8    Subd. 2. Graduation requirements. To graduate from high school, students must
85.9demonstrate to their enrolling school district or school their satisfactory completion of the
85.10credit requirements under section 120B.024 and their understanding of academic standards
85.11on a nationally normed college entrance exam. A school district must adopt graduation
85.12requirements that meet or exceed state graduation requirements established in law or rule.
85.13EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective and applies to students entering grade
85.148 in the 2012-2013 school year and later.

85.15    Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 120B.021, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
85.16    Subd. 4. Revisions and reviews required. (a) The commissioner of education must
85.17revise and appropriately embed technology and information literacy standards consistent
85.18with recommendations from school media specialists into the state's academic standards
85.19and graduation requirements and implement a ten-year cycle to review and, consistent
85.20with the review, revise state academic standards and related benchmarks, consistent with
85.21this subdivision. During each ten-year review and revision cycle, the commissioner also
85.22must examine the alignment of each required academic standard and related benchmark
85.23with the knowledge and skills students need for career and college readiness and advanced
85.24work in the particular subject area. The commissioner must include the contributions of
85.25Minnesota American Indian tribes and communities as related to the academic standards
85.26during the review and revision of the required academic standards.
85.27    (b) The commissioner must ensure that the statewide mathematics assessments
85.28administered to students in grades 3 through 8 and 11 are aligned with the state academic
85.29standards in mathematics, consistent with section 120B.30, subdivision 1, paragraph
85.30(b). The commissioner must implement a review of the academic standards and related
85.31benchmarks in mathematics beginning in the 2015-2016 2020-2021 school year and
85.32every ten years thereafter.
85.33(c) The commissioner must implement a review of the academic standards and related
85.34benchmarks in arts beginning in the 2016-2017 school year and every ten years thereafter.
86.1(d) The commissioner must implement a review of the academic standards and
86.2related benchmarks in science beginning in the 2017-2018 school year and every ten
86.3years thereafter.
86.4(e) The commissioner must implement a review of the academic standards and
86.5related benchmarks in language arts beginning in the 2018-2019 school year and every
86.6ten years thereafter.
86.7(f) The commissioner must implement a review of the academic standards and
86.8related benchmarks in social studies beginning in the 2019-2020 school year and every
86.9ten years thereafter.
86.10(g) School districts and charter schools must revise and align local academic
86.11standards and high school graduation requirements in health, world languages, and career
86.12and technical education to require students to complete the revised standards beginning
86.13in a school year determined by the school district or charter school. School districts and
86.14charter schools must formally establish a periodic review cycle for the academic standards
86.15and related benchmarks in health, world languages, and career and technical education.
86.16EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

86.17    Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 120B.022, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
86.18    Subdivision 1. Elective standards. A district must establish its own standards in the
86.19following subject areas:
86.20    (1) career and technical education; and.
86.21    (2) A district must use the current world languages standards developed by the
86.22American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.
86.23    A school district must offer courses in all elective subject areas.

86.24    Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 120B.024, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
86.25    Subd. 2. Credit equivalencies. (a) A one-half credit of economics taught in a
86.26school's agriculture education or business department may fulfill a one-half credit in
86.27social studies under subdivision 1, clause (5), if the credit is sufficient to satisfy all of the
86.28academic standards in economics.
86.29    (b) An agriculture science or career and technical education credit may fulfill the
86.30credit in chemistry or physics or the elective science credit required under subdivision 1,
86.31clause (4), if the credit meets the state chemistry or physics, or district biology physical
86.32science, life science, earth and space science, chemistry, or physics academic standards or
86.33a combination of these academic standards as approved by the district. An agriculture or
86.34career and technical education credit may fulfill the credit in chemistry or physics required
87.1under subdivision 1, clause (4), if the credit meets the state chemistry or physics academic
87.2standards as approved by the district. A student must satisfy either all of the chemistry
87.3academic standards or all of the physics academic standards prior to graduation. An
87.4agriculture science or career and technical education credit may not fulfill the required
87.5biology credit under subdivision 1, clause (4).
87.6    (c) A career and technical education credit may fulfill a mathematics or arts credit
87.7requirement under subdivision 1, clause (2) or (6).
87.8(d) An agriculture education teacher is not required to meet the requirements of
87.9Minnesota Rules, part 3505.1150, subpart 1, item B, to meet the credit equivalency
87.10requirements of paragraph (b) above.
87.11(e) A computer science credit may fulfill a mathematics credit requirement under
87.12subdivision 1, clause (2), if the credit meets state academic standards in mathematics.
87.13(f) A Project Lead the Way credit may fulfill a science or mathematics credit
87.14requirement under subdivision 1, clause (2) or (4), if the credit meets the state academic
87.15standards in science or mathematics.
87.16EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for the 2015-2016 school year and
87.17later.

87.18    Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 120B.11, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
87.19    Subd. 9. Annual evaluation. (a) The commissioner must identify effective
87.20strategies, practices, and use of resources by districts and school sites in striving for the
87.21world's best workforce. The commissioner must assist districts and sites throughout the
87.22state in implementing these effective strategies, practices, and use of resources.
87.23(b) The commissioner must identify those districts in any consecutive three-year
87.24period not making sufficient progress toward improving teaching and learning for all
87.25students, including English learners with varied needs, consistent with section 124D.59,
87.26subdivisions 2 and 2a, and striving for the world's best workforce. The commissioner, in
87.27collaboration with the identified district, may require the district to use up to two percent
87.28of its basic general education revenue per fiscal year during the proximate three school
87.29years to implement commissioner-specified strategies and practices, consistent with
87.30paragraph (a), to improve and accelerate its progress in realizing its goals under this
87.31section. In implementing this section, the commissioner must consider districts' budget
87.32constraints and legal obligations.
87.33(c) The commissioner shall report by January 25 of each year to the committees of
87.34the legislature having jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education the list of
87.35school districts that have not submitted their report to the commissioner under subdivision
88.15 and the list of school districts not achieving their performance goals established in
88.2their plan under subdivision 2.

88.3    Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 120B.125, is amended to read:
88.4120B.125 PLANNING FOR STUDENTS' SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION
88.5TO POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT; PERSONAL
88.6LEARNING PLANS.
88.7(a) Consistent with sections 120B.128, 120B.13, 120B.131, 120B.132, 120B.14,
88.8120B.15 , 120B.30, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), 125A.08, and other related sections,
88.9school districts, beginning in the 2013-2014 school year, must assist all students by no
88.10later than grade 9 to explore their educational, college, and career interests, aptitudes, and
88.11aspirations and develop a plan for a smooth and successful transition to postsecondary
88.12education or employment. All students' plans must:
88.13(1) provide a comprehensive plan to prepare for and complete a career and college
88.14ready curriculum by meeting state and local academic standards and developing career and
88.15employment-related skills such as team work, collaboration, creativity, communication,
88.16critical thinking, and good work habits;
88.17(2) emphasize academic rigor and high expectations;
88.18(3) help students identify interests, aptitudes, aspirations, and personal learning
88.19styles that may affect their career and college ready goals and postsecondary education
88.20and employment choices;
88.21(4) set appropriate career and college ready goals with timelines that identify
88.22effective means for achieving those goals;
88.23(5) help students access education and career options;
88.24(6) integrate strong academic content into career-focused courses and applied and
88.25experiential learning opportunities and integrate relevant career-focused courses and
88.26applied and experiential learning opportunities into strong academic content;
88.27(7) help identify and access appropriate counseling and other supports and assistance
88.28that enable students to complete required coursework, prepare for postsecondary education
88.29and careers, and obtain information about postsecondary education costs and eligibility
88.30for financial aid and scholarship;
88.31(8) help identify collaborative partnerships among prekindergarten through grade
88.3212 schools, postsecondary institutions, economic development agencies, and local and
88.33regional employers that support students' transition to postsecondary education and
88.34employment and provide students with applied and experiential learning opportunities; and
89.1(9) be reviewed and revised at least annually by the student, the student's parent or
89.2guardian, and the school or district to ensure that the student's course-taking schedule keeps
89.3the student making adequate progress to meet state and local academic standards and high
89.4school graduation requirements and with a reasonable chance to succeed with employment
89.5or postsecondary education without the need to first complete remedial course work.
89.6(b) A school district may develop grade-level curricula or provide instruction that
89.7introduces students to various careers, but must not require any curriculum, instruction,
89.8or employment-related activity that obligates an elementary or secondary student to
89.9involuntarily select or pursue a career, career interest, employment goals, or related job
89.10training.
89.11(c) Educators must possess the knowledge and skills to effectively teach all English
89.12learners in their classrooms. School districts must provide appropriate curriculum,
89.13targeted materials, professional development opportunities for educators, and sufficient
89.14resources to enable English learners to become career and college ready.
89.15(d) When assisting students in developing a plan for a smooth and successful
89.16transition to postsecondary education and employment, districts must recognize the unique
89.17possibilities of each student and ensure that the contents of each student's plan reflect the
89.18student's unique talents, skills, and abilities as the student grows, develops, and learns.

89.19    Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 120B.30, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
89.20    Subdivision 1. Statewide testing. (a) The commissioner, with advice from experts
89.21with appropriate technical qualifications and experience and stakeholders, consistent
89.22with subdivision 1a, shall include in the comprehensive assessment system, for each
89.23grade level to be tested, state-constructed tests developed as computer-adaptive reading
89.24and mathematics assessments for students that are aligned with the state's required
89.25academic standards under section 120B.021, include multiple choice questions, and are
89.26administered annually to all students in grades 3 through 7 8. Reading and mathematics
89.27assessments for all students in grade 8 must be aligned with the state's required reading and
89.28mathematics standards, be administered annually, and include multiple choice questions.
89.29State-developed high school tests aligned with the state's required academic standards
89.30under section 120B.021 and administered to all high school students in a subject other than
89.31writing must include multiple choice questions. The commissioner shall establish one or
89.32more months during which schools shall administer the tests to students each school year.
89.33(1) Students enrolled in grade 8 through the 2009-2010 school year are eligible
89.34to be assessed under (i) the graduation-required assessment for diploma in reading,
89.35mathematics, or writing under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120B.30, subdivision 1,
90.1paragraphs (c), clauses (1) and (2), and (d), (ii) the WorkKeys job skills assessment, (iii)
90.2the Compass college placement test, (iv) the ACT assessment for college admission, or (v)
90.3a nationally recognized armed services vocational aptitude test.
90.4(2) Students enrolled in grade 8 in the 2010-2011 or 2011-2012 school year are
90.5eligible to be assessed under (i) the graduation-required assessment for diploma in reading,
90.6mathematics, or writing under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120B.30, subdivision
90.71 , paragraph (c), clauses (1) and (2), (ii) the WorkKeys job skills assessment, (iii) the
90.8Compass college placement test, (iv) the ACT assessment for college admission, or (v) a
90.9nationally recognized armed services vocational aptitude test.
90.10(3) For students under clause (1) or (2), a school district may substitute a score from
90.11an alternative, equivalent assessment to satisfy the requirements of this paragraph.
90.12(b) The state assessment system must be aligned to the most recent revision of
90.13academic standards as described in section 120B.023 in the following manner:
90.14(1) mathematics;
90.15(i) grades 3 through 8 beginning in the 2010-2011 school year; and
90.16(ii) high school level beginning in the 2013-2014 school year;
90.17(2) science; grades 5 and 8 and at the high school level beginning in the 2011-2012
90.18school year; and
90.19(3) language arts and reading; grades 3 through 8 and high school level beginning in
90.20the 2012-2013 school year.
90.21    (c) For students enrolled in grade 8 in the 2012-2013 school year and later, students'
90.22state graduation requirements, based on a longitudinal, systematic approach to student
90.23education and career planning, assessment, instructional support, and evaluation, include
90.24the following:
90.25    (1) demonstrate understanding of required academic standards an opportunity to
90.26participate on a nationally normed college entrance exam, in grade 11 or grade 12;
90.27    (2) achievement and career and college readiness tests in mathematics, reading, and
90.28writing, consistent with paragraph (e) (j) and to the extent available, to monitor students'
90.29continuous development of and growth in requisite knowledge and skills; analyze
90.30students' progress and performance levels, identifying students' academic strengths and
90.31diagnosing areas where students require curriculum or instructional adjustments, targeted
90.32interventions, or remediation; and, based on analysis of students' progress and performance
90.33data, determine students' learning and instructional needs and the instructional tools and
90.34best practices that support academic rigor for the student; and
90.35    (3) consistent with this paragraph and section 120B.125, age-appropriate exploration
90.36and planning activities and career assessments to encourage students to identify personally
91.1relevant career interests and aptitudes and help students and their families develop a
91.2regularly reexamined transition plan for postsecondary education or employment without
91.3need for postsecondary remediation.
91.4Based on appropriate state guidelines, students with an individualized education program
91.5may satisfy state graduation requirements by achieving an individual score on the
91.6state-identified alternative assessments.
91.7    (d) Expectations of schools, districts, and the state for career or college readiness
91.8under this subdivision must be comparable in rigor, clarity of purpose, and rates of student
91.9completion. A student under paragraph (c), clause (2), must receive targeted, relevant,
91.10academically rigorous, and resourced instruction, which may include a targeted instruction
91.11and intervention plan focused on improving the student's knowledge and skills in core
91.12subjects so that the student has a reasonable chance to succeed in a career or college
91.13without need for postsecondary remediation. Consistent with sections 120B.13, 124D.09,
91.14124D.091 , 124D.49, and related sections, an enrolling school or district must actively
91.15encourage a student in grade 11 or 12 who is identified as academically ready for a career
91.16or college to participate in courses and programs awarding college credit to high school
91.17students. Students are not required to achieve a specified score or level of proficiency on
91.18an assessment under this subdivision to graduate from high school.
91.19    (d) To improve the secondary and postsecondary outcomes of all students, the
91.20alignment between secondary and postsecondary education programs and Minnesota's
91.21workforce needs, and the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of secondary and postsecondary
91.22programs, the commissioner, after consulting with the chancellor of the Minnesota State
91.23Colleges and Universities and using a request for proposal process, shall contract for a
91.24series of assessments that are consistent with this subdivision, aligned with state academic
91.25standards, and include career and college readiness benchmarks. Mathematics, reading,
91.26and writing assessments for students in grades 8 and 10 must be predictive of a nationally
91.27normed assessment for career and college readiness. This
91.28    (e) Though not a high school graduation requirement, students are encouraged to
91.29participate in a nationally recognized college entrance exam. With funding provided by
91.30the state, a district must pay the cost, one time, for an interested student in grade 11 or 12
91.31to take a nationally recognized assessment must be a college entrance exam and given to
91.32students in grade 11 before graduating. This series of assessments must include a college
91.33placement diagnostic exam and contain career exploration elements. A student must be
91.34able to take the exam under this paragraph at the student's high school during the school
91.35day and at any one of the multiple exam administrations available to students in the district.
92.1    (f) The commissioner and the chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and
92.2Universities must collaborate in aligning instruction and assessments for adult basic
92.3education students and English learners to provide the students with diagnostic information
92.4about any targeted interventions, accommodations, modifications, and supports they
92.5need so that assessments and other performance measures are accessible to them and
92.6they may seek postsecondary education or employment without need for postsecondary
92.7remediation. When administering formative or summative assessments used to measure
92.8the academic progress, including the oral academic development, of English learners
92.9and inform their instruction, schools must ensure that the assessments are accessible to
92.10the students and students have the modifications and supports they need to sufficiently
92.11understand the assessments.
92.12    (1) (g) Districts and schools, on an annual basis, must use the career exploration
92.13elements in these assessments to help students, beginning no later than grade 9, and their
92.14families explore and plan for postsecondary education or careers based on the students'
92.15interests, aptitudes, and aspirations. Districts and schools must use timely regional labor
92.16market information and partnerships, among other resources, to help students and their
92.17families successfully develop, pursue, review, and revise an individualized plan for
92.18postsecondary education or a career. This process must help increase students' engagement
92.19in and connection to school, improve students' knowledge and skills, and deepen students'
92.20understanding of career pathways as a sequence of academic and career courses that lead
92.21to an industry-recognized credential, an associate's degree, or a bachelor's degree and are
92.22available to all students, whatever their interests and career goals.
92.23(2) Students in grade 10 or 11 not yet academically ready for a career or college based
92.24on their growth in academic achievement between grades 8 and 10 must take the college
92.25placement diagnostic exam before taking the college entrance exam under clause (3).
92.26Students, their families, the school, and the district can then use the results of the college
92.27placement diagnostic exam for targeted instruction, intervention, or remediation and
92.28improve students' knowledge and skills in core subjects sufficient for a student to graduate
92.29and have a reasonable chance to succeed in a career or college without remediation.
92.30(3) All students except those eligible for alternative assessments must be given the
92.31college entrance part of these assessments in grade 11. (h) A student under this clause
92.32who demonstrates attainment of required state academic standards, which include career
92.33and college readiness benchmarks, on these high school assessments under subdivision 1a
92.34is academically ready for a career or college and is encouraged to participate in courses
92.35awarding college credit to high school students. Such courses and programs may include
93.1sequential courses of study within broad career areas and technical skill assessments
93.2that extend beyond course grades.
93.3(4) (i) As appropriate, students through grade 12 must continue to participate in
93.4targeted instruction, intervention, or remediation and be encouraged to participate in
93.5courses awarding college credit to high school students.
93.6    (5) A study to determine the alignment between these assessments and state
93.7academic standards under this chapter must be conducted. Where alignment exists, the
93.8commissioner must seek federal approval to, and immediately upon receiving approval,
93.9replace the federally required assessments referenced under subdivision 1a and section
93.10120B.35, subdivision 2, with assessments under this paragraph.
93.11    (e) (j) In developing, supporting, and improving students' academic readiness for a
93.12career or college, schools, districts, and the state must have a continuum of empirically
93.13derived, clearly defined benchmarks focused on students' attainment of knowledge and
93.14skills so that students, their parents, and teachers know how well students must perform to
93.15have a reasonable chance to succeed in a career or college without need for postsecondary
93.16remediation. The commissioner, in consultation with local school officials and educators,
93.17and Minnesota's public postsecondary institutions must ensure that the foundational
93.18knowledge and skills for students' successful performance in postsecondary employment
93.19or education and an articulated series of possible targeted interventions are clearly
93.20identified and satisfy Minnesota's postsecondary admissions requirements.
93.21    (f) (k) For students in grade 8 in the 2012-2013 school year and later, a school,
93.22district, or charter school must record on the high school transcript a student's progress
93.23toward career and college readiness, and for other students as soon as practicable.
93.24    (g) (l) The school board granting students their diplomas may formally decide to
93.25include a notation of high achievement on the high school diplomas of those graduating
93.26seniors who, according to established school board criteria, demonstrate exemplary
93.27academic achievement during high school.
93.28(h) (m) The 3rd through 7th 8th grade computer-adaptive assessment results and grade
93.298 and high school test results shall be available to districts for diagnostic purposes affecting
93.30student learning and district instruction and curriculum, and for establishing educational
93.31accountability. The commissioner must establish empirically derived benchmarks on
93.32adaptive assessments in grades 3 through 7 8 that reveal a trajectory toward career and
93.33college readiness. The commissioner must disseminate to the public the computer-adaptive
93.34assessments, grade 8, and high school test results upon receiving those results.
93.35    (i) (n) The grades 3 through 7 8 computer-adaptive assessments and grade 8 and
93.36high school tests must be aligned with state academic standards. The commissioner shall
94.1determine the testing process and the order of administration. The statewide results shall
94.2be aggregated at the site and district level, consistent with subdivision 1a.
94.3    (j) (o) The commissioner shall include the following components in the statewide
94.4public reporting system:
94.5    (1) uniform statewide computer-adaptive assessments of all students in grades 3
94.6through 7 8 and testing at the grade 8 and high school levels that provides appropriate,
94.7technically sound accommodations or alternate assessments;
94.8    (2) educational indicators that can be aggregated and compared across school
94.9districts and across time on a statewide basis, including average daily attendance, high
94.10school graduation rates, and high school drop-out rates by age and grade level;
94.11    (3) state results on the American College Test; and
94.12    (4) state results from participation in the National Assessment of Educational
94.13Progress so that the state can benchmark its performance against the nation and other
94.14states, and, where possible, against other countries, and contribute to the national effort
94.15to monitor achievement.
94.16    (k) (p) For purposes of statewide accountability, "career and college ready" means a
94.17high school graduate has the knowledge, skills, and competencies to successfully pursue a
94.18career pathway, including postsecondary credit leading to a degree, diploma, certificate, or
94.19industry-recognized credential and employment. Students who are career and college ready
94.20are able to successfully complete credit-bearing coursework at a two- or four-year college
94.21or university or other credit-bearing postsecondary program without need for remediation.
94.22    (l) (q) For purposes of statewide accountability, "cultural competence," "cultural
94.23competency," or "culturally competent" means the ability and will to interact effectively
94.24with people of different cultures, native languages, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
94.25EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for the 2015-2016 school year and
94.26later.

94.27    Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 120B.30, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
94.28    Subd. 1a. Statewide and local assessments; results. (a) For purposes of this
94.29section, the following definitions have the meanings given them.
94.30(1) "Computer-adaptive assessments" means fully adaptive assessments.
94.31(2) "Fully adaptive assessments" include test items that are on-grade level and items
94.32that may be above or below a student's grade level.
94.33(3) "On-grade level" test items contain subject area content that is aligned to state
94.34academic standards for the grade level of the student taking the assessment.
95.1(4) "Above-grade level" test items contain subject area content that is above the
95.2grade level of the student taking the assessment and is considered aligned with state
95.3academic standards to the extent it is aligned with content represented in state academic
95.4standards above the grade level of the student taking the assessment. Notwithstanding
95.5the student's grade level, administering above-grade level test items to a student does not
95.6violate the requirement that state assessments must be aligned with state standards.
95.7(5) "Below-grade level" test items contain subject area content that is below the
95.8grade level of the student taking the test and is considered aligned with state academic
95.9standards to the extent it is aligned with content represented in state academic standards
95.10below the student's current grade level. Notwithstanding the student's grade level,
95.11administering below-grade level test items to a student does not violate the requirement
95.12that state assessments must be aligned with state standards.
95.13(b) The commissioner must use fully adaptive mathematics and reading assessments
95.14for grades 3 through 7 beginning in the 2015-2016 school year and later 8.
95.15(c) For purposes of conforming with existing federal educational accountability
95.16requirements, the commissioner must develop and implement computer-adaptive reading
95.17and mathematics assessments for grades 3 through 7 8, state-developed grade 8 and
95.18high school reading and mathematics tests aligned with state academic standards, a
95.19high school writing test aligned with state standards when it becomes available, and
95.20science assessments under clause (2) that districts and sites must use to monitor student
95.21growth toward achieving those standards. The commissioner must not develop statewide
95.22assessments for academic standards in social studies, health and physical education, and
95.23the arts. The commissioner must require:
95.24    (1) annual computer-adaptive reading and mathematics assessments in grades 3
95.25through 7 8, and grade 8 and high school reading, writing, and mathematics tests; and
95.26    (2) annual science assessments in one grade in the grades 3 through 5 span, the
95.27grades 6 through 8 span, and a life sciences assessment in the grades 9 through 12 span,
95.28and the commissioner must not require students to achieve a passing score on high school
95.29science assessments as a condition of receiving a high school diploma.
95.30(d) The commissioner must ensure that for annual computer-adaptive assessments:
95.31(1) individual student performance data and achievement reports are available
95.32within three school days of when students take an assessment except in a year when an
95.33assessment reflects new performance standards;
95.34(2) growth information is available for each student from the student's first
95.35assessment to each proximate assessment using a constant measurement scale;
96.1(3) parents, teachers, and school administrators are able to use elementary and
96.2middle school student performance data to project students' secondary and postsecondary
96.3achievement; and
96.4(4) useful diagnostic information about areas of students' academic strengths and
96.5weaknesses is available to teachers and school administrators for improving student
96.6instruction and indicating the specific skills and concepts that should be introduced and
96.7developed for students at given performance levels, organized by strands within subject
96.8areas, and aligned to state academic standards.
96.9    (e) The commissioner must ensure that all state tests administered to elementary and
96.10secondary students measure students' academic knowledge and skills and not students'
96.11values, attitudes, and beliefs.
96.12    (f) Reporting of state assessment results must:
96.13    (1) provide timely, useful, and understandable information on the performance of
96.14individual students, schools, school districts, and the state;
96.15    (2) include a growth indicator of student achievement; and
96.16    (3) determine whether students have met the state's academic standards.
96.17    (g) Consistent with applicable federal law, the commissioner must include
96.18appropriate, technically sound accommodations or alternative assessments for the very
96.19few students with disabilities for whom statewide assessments are inappropriate and
96.20for English learners.
96.21    (h) A school, school district, and charter school must administer statewide
96.22assessments under this section, as the assessments become available, to evaluate student
96.23progress toward career and college readiness in the context of the state's academic
96.24standards. A school, school district, or charter school may use a student's performance
96.25on a statewide assessment as one of multiple criteria to determine grade promotion or
96.26retention. A school, school district, or charter school may use a high school student's
96.27performance on a statewide assessment as a percentage of the student's final grade in a
96.28course, or place a student's assessment score on the student's transcript.

96.29    Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 120B.30, is amended by adding a subdivision
96.30to read:
96.31    Subd. 1b. Special and extenuating circumstances. The Department of Education
96.32shall develop a list of circumstances in which a student may be unable to test. The list
96.33shall include but not be limited to: students transferring to Minnesota from another state,
96.34students transferring from nonpublic to public school and students hospitalized. Students
97.1unable to participate in statewide assessment due to a circumstance on the list authorized
97.2under this subdivision shall not be penalized for missing the opportunity to take a test.

97.3    Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 120B.30, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
97.4    Subd. 4. Access to tests. Consistent with section 13.34, the commissioner must
97.5adopt and publish a policy to provide public and parental access for review of basic
97.6skills tests, Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments, or any other such statewide test
97.7and assessment developed assessments which would not compromise the objectivity or
97.8fairness of the testing or examination process. Upon receiving a written request, the
97.9commissioner must make available to parents or guardians a copy of their student's actual
97.10responses to the test questions for their review.

97.11    Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 120B.30, is amended by adding a subdivision
97.12to read:
97.13    Subd. 6. Commissioner-ordered suspension of assessments. In the event that it
97.14becomes necessary for the commissioner to order the suspension of assessments under
97.15this section because of service disruptions, technical interruptions, or any other reason
97.16beyond the control of school districts, the commissioner must immediately notify the chair
97.17and ranking member of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over kindergarten
97.18through grade 12 education.

97.19    Sec. 12. [120B.301] LIMITS ON LOCAL TESTING.
97.20(a) For students in grades 1 through 6, the cumulative total amount of time spent
97.21taking locally adopted districtwide or schoolwide assessments must not exceed ten hours
97.22per school year. For students in grades 7 through 12, the cumulative total amount of time
97.23spent taking locally adopted districtwide or schoolwide assessments must not exceed 11
97.24hours per school year. For purposes of this paragraph, International Baccalaureate and
97.25Advanced Placement exams are not considered locally adopted assessments.
97.26(b) A district or charter school is exempt from the requirements of paragraph (a),
97.27if the district or charter school, in consultation with the exclusive representative of the
97.28teachers or other teachers if there is no exclusive representative of the teachers, decides
97.29to exceed a time limit in paragraph (a) and includes in the report required under section
97.30120B.11, subdivision 5.
97.31EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

97.32    Sec. 13. INTERRUPTED TESTS; TEST DATA.
98.1(a) The commissioner of education must contract with a qualified independent
98.2contractor to determine whether students' 2015 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments
98.3mathematics, reading, and science test results under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.30,
98.4are sufficiently robust or were sufficiently invariant to observed disruptions of the test
98.5administration to accurately reflect students' achievement on these tests.
98.6(b) For purposes of Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.36, and section 122A.40,
98.7subdivision 9, or 122A.41, subdivision 5, and notwithstanding other law to the contrary,
98.8a school district may decide, consistent with the concern under paragraph (a) about
98.9incomplete data from interrupted tests, to not report student test results for the 2014-2015
98.10school year.
98.11EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

98.12    Sec. 14. REPORT ON MCA CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE.
98.13By February 10, 2016, the commissioner of education must report to the legislative
98.14committee with jurisdiction over education finance and policy describing the performance
98.15of the contractor providing the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments to the state,
98.16including any payment adjusted to reflect the contractor's failure to perform according
98.17to the terms of the state contract, findings from the qualified independent contractor
98.18under section ..., and any other information about online administration of the Minnesota
98.19Comprehensive assessments the commissioner wishes to include in the report.

98.20    Sec. 15. APPROPRIATIONS.
98.21    Subdivision 1. Department. The sums indicated in this section are appropriated
98.22from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years designated.
98.23    Subd. 2. Statewide testing and reporting system. For the statewide testing and
98.24reporting system under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.30:

98.25		$	11,204,000	.....	2016
98.26		$	10,892,000	.....	2017

98.27Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.
98.28    Subd. 3. ACT test reimbursement. To reimburse districts for students who qualify
98.29under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.30, subdivision 1, paragraph (e), for onetime
98.30payment of their ACT examination fee:

98.31		$	3,011,000	.....	2016
98.32		$	3,011,000	.....	2017

99.1The Department of Education must reimburse districts for their onetime payments
99.2on behalf of students.

99.3    Sec. 16. REPEALER.
99.4Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 120B.128, is repealed.

99.5ARTICLE 4

99.6CHARTER SCHOOLS

99.7    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.10, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
99.8    Subdivision 1. Purposes. (a) The primary purpose of this section is to improve all
99.9pupil learning and all student achievement. Additional purposes include to:
99.10    (1) increase learning opportunities for all pupils;
99.11    (2) encourage the use of different and innovative teaching methods;
99.12    (3) measure learning outcomes and create different and innovative forms of
99.13measuring outcomes;
99.14    (4) establish new forms of accountability for schools; or
99.15    (5) create new professional opportunities for teachers, including the opportunity to
99.16be responsible for the learning program at the school site.
99.17    (b) This section does not provide a means to keep open a school that a school board
99.18decides to close. However, a school board may endorse or authorize the establishing of
99.19a charter school to replace the school the board decided to close. Applicants seeking a
99.20charter under this circumstance must demonstrate to the authorizer that the charter sought
99.21is substantially different in purpose and program from the school the board closed and
99.22that the proposed charter satisfies the requirements of this subdivision. If the school
99.23board that closed the school authorizes the charter, it must document in its affidavit to the
99.24commissioner that the charter is substantially different in program and purpose from
99.25the school it closed.
99.26    (c) An authorizer shall not approve an application submitted by a charter school
99.27developer under subdivision 4, paragraph (a), if the application does not comply with this
99.28subdivision. The commissioner shall not approve an affidavit submitted by an authorizer
99.29under subdivision 4, paragraph (b), if the affidavit does not comply with this subdivision.

99.30    Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.10, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
99.31    Subd. 3. Authorizer. (a) For purposes of this section, the terms defined in this
99.32subdivision have the meanings given them.
100.1    "Application" to receive approval as an authorizer means the proposal an eligible
100.2authorizer submits to the commissioner under paragraph (c) (d) before that authorizer is
100.3able to submit any affidavit to charter to a school.
100.4    "Application" under subdivision 4 means the charter school business plan a
100.5school developer submits to an authorizer for approval to establish a charter school that
100.6documents the school developer's mission statement, school purposes, program design,
100.7financial plan, governance and management structure, and background and experience,
100.8plus any other information the authorizer requests. The application also shall include a
100.9"statement of assurances" of legal compliance prescribed by the commissioner.
100.10    "Affidavit" means a written statement the authorizer submits to the commissioner
100.11for approval to establish a charter school under subdivision 4 attesting to its review and
100.12approval process before chartering a school.
100.13    (b) The following organizations may authorize one or more charter schools:
100.14    (1) a school board, intermediate school district school board, or education district
100.15organized under sections 123A.15 to 123A.19;
100.16    (2) a charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
100.17of 1986, excluding a nonpublic sectarian or religious institution; any person other than a
100.18natural person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls,
100.19is controlled by, or is under common control with the nonpublic sectarian or religious
100.20institution; and any other charitable organization under this clause that in the federal IRS
100.21Form 1023, Part IV, describes activities indicating a religious purpose, that:
100.22    (i) is a member of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits or the Minnesota Council on
100.23Foundations;
100.24    (ii) is registered with the attorney general's office; and
100.25    (iii) is incorporated in the state of Minnesota and has been operating continuously
100.26for at least five years but does not operate a charter school;
100.27    (3) a Minnesota private college, notwithstanding clause (2), that grants two- or
100.28four-year degrees and is registered with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education under
100.29chapter 136A; community college, state university, or technical college governed by the
100.30Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities; or the University
100.31of Minnesota;
100.32    (4) a nonprofit corporation subject to chapter 317A, described in section 317A.905,
100.33and exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code
100.34of 1986, may authorize one or more charter schools if the charter school has operated
100.35for at least three years under a different authorizer and if the nonprofit corporation has
100.36existed for at least 25 years; or
101.1    (5) single-purpose authorizers formed as charitable, nonsectarian organizations
101.2under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and incorporated in the state
101.3of Minnesota under chapter 317A as a corporation with no members or under section
101.4322B.975 as a nonprofit limited liability company for the sole purpose of chartering schools.
101.5    (c) Eligible organizations interested in being approved as an authorizer under this
101.6paragraph must submit a proposal to the commissioner that includes the provisions
101.7of paragraph (c) (d) and a five-year financial plan. Such authorizers shall consider and
101.8approve charter school applications using the criteria provided in subdivision 4 and shall
101.9not limit the applications it solicits, considers, or approves to any single curriculum,
101.10learning program, or method.
101.11    (c) (d) An eligible authorizer under this subdivision must apply to the commissioner
101.12for approval as an authorizer before submitting any affidavit to the commissioner to charter
101.13a school. The application for approval as a charter school authorizer must demonstrate
101.14the applicant's ability to implement the procedures and satisfy the criteria for chartering a
101.15school under this section. The commissioner must approve or disapprove an application
101.16within 45 business days of the application deadline. If the commissioner disapproves
101.17the application, the commissioner must notify the applicant of the specific deficiencies
101.18in writing and the applicant then has 20 business days to address the deficiencies to the
101.19commissioner's satisfaction. After the 20 business days expire, the commissioner has 15
101.20business days to make a final decision to approve or disapprove the application. Failing to
101.21address the deficiencies to the commissioner's satisfaction makes an applicant ineligible to
101.22be an authorizer. The commissioner, in establishing criteria for approval, must consider
101.23the applicant's:
101.24    (1) capacity and infrastructure;
101.25    (2) application criteria and process;
101.26    (3) contracting process;
101.27    (4) ongoing oversight and evaluation processes; and
101.28    (5) renewal criteria and processes.
101.29    (d) (e) An applicant must include in its application to the commissioner to be an
101.30approved authorizer at least the following:
101.31    (1) how chartering schools is a way for the organization to carry out its mission;
101.32    (2) a description of the capacity of the organization to serve as an authorizer,
101.33including the personnel who will perform the authorizing duties, their qualifications, the
101.34amount of time they will be assigned to this responsibility, and the financial resources
101.35allocated by the organization to this responsibility;
102.1    (3) a description of the application and review process the authorizer will use to
102.2make decisions regarding the granting of charters;
102.3    (4) a description of the type of contract it will arrange with the schools it charters
102.4that meets the provisions of subdivision 6;
102.5    (5) the process to be used for providing ongoing oversight of the school consistent
102.6with the contract expectations specified in clause (4) that assures that the schools chartered
102.7are complying with both the provisions of applicable law and rules, and with the contract;
102.8    (6) a description of the criteria and process the authorizer will use to grant expanded
102.9applications under subdivision 4, paragraph (j) (s);
102.10    (7) the process for making decisions regarding the renewal or termination of
102.11the school's charter based on evidence that demonstrates the academic, organizational,
102.12and financial competency of the school, including its success in increasing student
102.13achievement and meeting the goals of the charter school agreement; and
102.14    (8) an assurance specifying that the organization is committed to serving as an
102.15authorizer for the full five-year term.
102.16    (e) (f) A disapproved applicant under this section may resubmit an application
102.17during a future application period.
102.18    (f) (g) If the governing board of an approved authorizer votes to withdraw as
102.19an approved authorizer for a reason unrelated to any cause under subdivision 23, the
102.20authorizer must notify all its chartered schools and the commissioner in writing by July 15
102.21of its intent to withdraw as an authorizer on June 30 in the next calendar year, regardless
102.22of when the authorizer's five-year term of approval ends. The commissioner may approve
102.23the transfer of a charter school to a new authorizer under this paragraph after the new
102.24authorizer submits an affidavit to the commissioner.
102.25    (g) (h) The authorizer must participate in department-approved training.
102.26    (h) (i) The commissioner shall review an authorizer's performance every five years
102.27in a manner and form determined by the commissioner and may review an authorizer's
102.28performance more frequently at the commissioner's own initiative or at the request of a
102.29charter school operator, charter school board member, or other interested party. The
102.30commissioner, after completing the review, shall transmit a report with findings to the
102.31authorizer.
102.32    (j) If, consistent with this section, the commissioner finds that an authorizer has not
102.33fulfilled the requirements of this section, the commissioner may subject the authorizer
102.34to corrective action, which may include terminating the contract with the charter school
102.35board of directors of a school it chartered. The commissioner must notify the authorizer
102.36in writing of any findings that may subject the authorizer to corrective action and
103.1the authorizer then has 15 business days to request an informal hearing before the
103.2commissioner takes corrective action. If the commissioner terminates a contract between
103.3an authorizer and a charter school under this paragraph, the commissioner may assist the
103.4charter school in acquiring a new authorizer.
103.5    (i) (k) The commissioner may at any time take corrective action against an
103.6authorizer, including terminating an authorizer's ability to charter a school for:
103.7    (1) failing to demonstrate the criteria under paragraph (c) (d) under which the
103.8commissioner approved the authorizer;
103.9    (2) violating a term of the chartering contract between the authorizer and the charter
103.10school board of directors;
103.11    (3) unsatisfactory performance as an approved authorizer; or
103.12    (4) any good cause shown that provides the commissioner a legally sufficient reason
103.13to take corrective action against an authorizer.

103.14    Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.10, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
103.15    Subd. 4. Formation of school. (a) An authorizer, after receiving an application from
103.16a school developer, may charter a licensed teacher under section 122A.18, subdivision
103.171 , or a group of individuals that includes one or more licensed teachers under section
103.18122A.18, subdivision 1 , to operate a school subject to the commissioner's approval of the
103.19authorizer's affidavit under paragraph (b) (d).
103.20    (b) The school must be organized and operated as a nonprofit corporation under
103.21chapter 317A and the provisions under the applicable chapter shall apply to the school
103.22except as provided in this section.
103.23    (c) Notwithstanding sections 465.717 and 465.719, a school district, subject to this
103.24section and section 124D.11, may create a corporation for the purpose of establishing a
103.25charter school.
103.26    (b) (d) Before the operators may establish and operate a school, the authorizer must
103.27file an affidavit with the commissioner stating its intent to charter a school. An authorizer
103.28must file a separate affidavit for each school it intends to charter. An authorizer must file
103.29an affidavit by May 1 to be able to charter a new school in the next school year after the
103.30commissioner approves the authorizer's affidavit at least 14 months before July 1 of the
103.31year the new charter school plans to serve students. The affidavit must state the terms and
103.32conditions under which the authorizer would charter a school and how the authorizer
103.33intends to oversee the fiscal and student performance of the charter school and to comply
103.34with the terms of the written contract between the authorizer and the charter school
103.35board of directors under subdivision 6. The commissioner must approve or disapprove
104.1the authorizer's affidavit within 60 business days of receipt of the affidavit. If the
104.2commissioner disapproves the affidavit, the commissioner shall notify the authorizer of
104.3the deficiencies in the affidavit and the authorizer then has 20 business days to address the
104.4deficiencies. The commissioner must notify the authorizer of final approval or disapproval
104.5within 15 business days after receiving the authorizer's response to the deficiencies in the
104.6affidavit. If the authorizer does not address deficiencies to the commissioner's satisfaction,
104.7the commissioner's disapproval is final. Failure to obtain commissioner approval precludes
104.8an authorizer from chartering the school that is the subject of this affidavit.
104.9    (c) (e) The authorizer may prevent an approved charter school from opening for
104.10operation if, among other grounds, the charter school violates this section or does not meet
104.11the ready-to-open standards that are part of the authorizer's oversight and evaluation
104.12process or are stipulated in the charter school contract.
104.13    (d) (f) The operators authorized to organize and operate a school, before entering
104.14into a contract or other agreement for professional or other services, goods, or facilities,
104.15must incorporate as a nonprofit corporation under chapter 317A and.
104.16    (g) The operators authorized to organize and operate a school, before entering into a
104.17contract or other agreement for professional or other services, goods, or facilities, must
104.18establish a board of directors composed of at least five members who are not related parties
104.19until a timely election for members of the ongoing charter school board of directors is
104.20held according to the school's articles and bylaws under paragraph (f) (l). A charter school
104.21board of directors must be composed of at least five members who are not related parties.
104.22    (h) Staff members employed at the school, including teachers providing instruction
104.23under a contract with a cooperative, members of the board of directors, and all parents
104.24or legal guardians of children enrolled in the school are the voters eligible to elect the
104.25members of the school's board of directors. A charter school must notify eligible voters of
104.26the school board election dates at least 30 days before the election.
104.27    (i) Board of director meetings must comply with chapter 13D.
104.28    (e) (j) A charter school shall publish and maintain on the school's official Web site:
104.29(1) the minutes of meetings of the board of directors, and of members and committees
104.30having any board-delegated authority, for at least one calendar year from the date
104.31of publication; (2) directory information for members of the board of directors and
104.32committees having board-delegated authority; and (3) identifying and contact information
104.33for the school's authorizer. Identifying and contact information for the school's authorizer
104.34must be included in other school materials made available to the public.
104.35    (k) Upon request of an individual, the charter school must also make available in
104.36a timely fashion financial statements showing all operations and transactions affecting
105.1income, surplus, and deficit during the school's last annual accounting period; and a
105.2balance sheet summarizing assets and liabilities on the closing date of the accounting
105.3period. A charter school also must include that same information about its authorizer in
105.4other school materials that it makes available to the public.
105.5    (f) (l) Every charter school board member shall attend annual training throughout
105.6the member's term on the board. All new board members shall attend initial training on
105.7the board's role and responsibilities, employment policies and practices, and financial
105.8management. A new board member who does not begin the required initial training within
105.9six months after being seated and complete that training within 12 months of being seated
105.10on the board is automatically ineligible to continue to serve as a board member. The
105.11school shall include in its annual report the training attended by each board member
105.12during the previous year.
105.13    (g) (m) The ongoing board must be elected before the school completes its third
105.14year of operation. Board elections must be held during the school year but may not be
105.15conducted on days when the school is closed for holidays, breaks, or vacations.
105.16    (n) The charter school board of directors shall be composed of at least five nonrelated
105.17members and include: (i) at least one licensed teacher employed as a teacher at the school
105.18or providing instruction under contract between the charter school and a cooperative; (ii)
105.19at least one parent or legal guardian of a student enrolled in the charter school who is not
105.20an employee of the charter school; and (iii) at least one interested community member
105.21who resides in Minnesota and is not employed by the charter school and does not have a
105.22child enrolled in the school. The board may include a majority of teachers described in
105.23this paragraph or parents or community members, or it may have no clear majority. The
105.24chief financial officer and the chief administrator may only serve as ex-officio nonvoting
105.25board members. No charter school employees shall serve on the board other than teachers
105.26under item (i). Contractors providing facilities, goods, or services to a charter school shall
105.27not serve on the board of directors of the charter school.
105.28    (o) Board bylaws shall outline the process and procedures for changing the board's
105.29governance structure, consistent with chapter 317A. A board may change its governance
105.30structure only:
105.31    (1) by a majority vote of the board of directors and a majority vote of the licensed
105.32teachers employed by the school as teachers, including licensed teachers providing
105.33instruction under a contract between the school and a cooperative; and
105.34    (2) with the authorizer's approval.
105.35    Any change in board governance structure must conform with the composition of
105.36the board established under this paragraph.
106.1    (h) (p) The granting or renewal of a charter by an authorizer must not be conditioned
106.2upon the bargaining unit status of the employees of the school.
106.3    (i) (q) The granting or renewal of a charter school by an authorizer must not be
106.4contingent on the charter school being required to contract, lease, or purchase services
106.5from the authorizer.
106.6    (r) Any potential contract, lease, or purchase of service from an authorizer must
106.7be disclosed to the commissioner, accepted through an open bidding process, and be a
106.8separate contract from the charter contract. The school must document the open bidding
106.9process. An authorizer must not enter into a contract to provide management and financial
106.10services for a school that it authorizes, unless the school documents that it received at
106.11least two competitive bids.
106.12(j) (s) A charter school may apply to the authorizer to amend the school charter to
106.13expand the operation of the school to additional grades or sites that would be students'
106.14primary enrollment site beyond those defined in the original affidavit approved by the
106.15commissioner. After approving the school's application, the authorizer shall submit a
106.16supplementary affidavit in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner. The
106.17authorizer must file a supplement affidavit by October 1 to be eligible to expand in the next
106.18school year. The supplementary affidavit must document that the school has demonstrated
106.19to the satisfaction of the authorizer the following:
106.20(1) the need for the expansion with supporting long-range enrollment projections;
106.21(2) a longitudinal record of demonstrated student academic performance and growth
106.22on statewide assessments under chapter 120B or on other academic assessments that
106.23measure longitudinal student performance and growth approved by the charter school's
106.24board of directors and agreed upon with the authorizer;
106.25(3) a history of sound school finances and a finance plan to implement the expansion
106.26in a manner to promote the school's financial sustainability; and
106.27(4) board capacity and an administrative and management plan to implement its
106.28expansion.
106.29    (k) (t) The commissioner shall have 30 business days to review and comment on the
106.30supplemental affidavit. The commissioner shall notify the authorizer in writing of any
106.31deficiencies in the supplemental affidavit and the authorizer then has 20 business days to
106.32address, to the commissioner's satisfaction, any deficiencies in the supplemental affidavit.
106.33The commissioner must notify the authorizer of final approval or disapproval within 15
106.34business days after receiving the authorizer's response to the deficiencies in the affidavit.
106.35The school may not expand grades or add sites until the commissioner has approved the
107.1supplemental affidavit. The commissioner's approval or disapproval of a supplemental
107.2affidavit is final.

107.3    Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.10, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
107.4    Subd. 8. Federal, state, and local requirements. (a) A charter school shall meet all
107.5federal, state, and local health and safety requirements applicable to school districts.
107.6    (b) A school must comply with statewide accountability requirements governing
107.7standards and assessments in chapter 120B.
107.8    (c) A school authorized by a school board may be located in any district, unless the
107.9school board of the district of the proposed location disapproves by written resolution.
107.10    (d) A charter school must be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies,
107.11employment practices, and all other operations. An authorizer may not authorize a charter
107.12school or program that is affiliated with a nonpublic sectarian school or a religious
107.13institution.
107.14    (e) A charter school student must be released for religious instruction, consistent
107.15with section 120A.22, subdivision 12, clause (3).
107.16    (e) (f) Charter schools must not be used as a method of providing education or
107.17generating revenue for students who are being home-schooled. This paragraph does not
107.18apply to shared time aid under section 126C.19.
107.19    (f) (g) The primary focus of a charter school must be to provide a comprehensive
107.20program of instruction for at least one grade or age group from five through 18 years of
107.21age. Instruction may be provided to people older than 18 years of age. A charter school
107.22may offer a free or fee-based preschool or prekindergarten that meets high-quality early
107.23learning instructional program standards that are aligned with Minnesota's early learning
107.24standards for children. The hours a student is enrolled in a fee-based prekindergarten
107.25program do not generate pupil units under section 126C.05 and must not be used to
107.26calculate general education revenue under section 126C.10. A charter school with at least
107.2790 percent of enrolled students who are eligible for special education services and have
107.28a primary disability of deaf or hard-of-hearing may enroll prekindergarten pupils with a
107.29disability under section 126C.05, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), and must comply with the
107.30federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act under Code of Federal Regulations,
107.31title 34, section 300.324, subsection (2), clause (iv).
107.32    (g) (h) Except as provided in paragraph (g), a charter school may not charge tuition.
107.33    (h) (i) A charter school is subject to and must comply with chapter 363A and section
107.34121A.04 .
108.1    (i) (j) Once a student is enrolled in the school, the student is considered enrolled
108.2in the school until the student formally withdraws or is expelled under the Pupil Fair
108.3Dismissal Act in sections 121A.40 to 121A.56. A charter school is subject to and must
108.4comply with the Pupil Fair Dismissal Act, sections 121A.40 to 121A.56, and.
108.5    (k) A charter school is subject to and must comply with the Minnesota Public School
108.6Fee Law, sections 123B.34 to 123B.39.
108.7    (j) (l) A charter school is subject to the same financial audits, audit procedures, and
108.8audit requirements as a district, except as required under subdivision 6a. Audits must be
108.9conducted in compliance with generally accepted governmental auditing standards, the
108.10federal Single Audit Act, if applicable, and section 6.65. A charter school is subject
108.11to and must comply with sections 15.054; 118A.01; 118A.02; 118A.03; 118A.04;
108.12118A.05 ; 118A.06; 471.38; 471.391; 471.392; and 471.425. The audit must comply with
108.13the requirements of sections 123B.75 to 123B.83, except to the extent deviations are
108.14necessary because of the program at the school. Deviations must be approved by the
108.15commissioner and authorizer. The Department of Education, state auditor, legislative
108.16auditor, or authorizer may conduct financial, program, or compliance audits. A charter
108.17school determined to be in statutory operating debt under sections 123B.81 to 123B.83
108.18must submit a plan under section 123B.81, subdivision 4.
108.19    (k) (m) A charter school is a district for the purposes of tort liability under chapter 466.
108.20    (l) (n) A charter school must comply with chapters 13 and 13D; and sections
108.21120A.22, subdivision 7 ; 121A.75; and 260B.171, subdivisions 3 and 5.
108.22    (m) (o) A charter school is subject to the Pledge of Allegiance requirement under
108.23section 121A.11, subdivision 3.
108.24    (n) (p) A charter school offering online courses or programs must comply with
108.25section 124D.095.
108.26    (o) (q) A charter school and charter school board of directors are subject to chapter
108.27181.
108.28    (p) (r) A charter school must comply with section 120A.22, subdivision 7, governing
108.29the transfer of students' educational records and sections 138.163 and 138.17 governing
108.30the management of local records.
108.31    (q) (s) A charter school that provides early childhood health and developmental
108.32screening must comply with sections 121A.16 to 121A.19.
108.33    (r) (t) A charter school that provides school-sponsored youth athletic activities
108.34must comply with section 121A.38.
108.35    (s) (u) A charter school is subject to and must comply with continuing truant
108.36notification under section 260A.03.
109.1(t) (v) A charter school must develop and implement a teacher evaluation and
109.2peer review process under section 122A.40, subdivision 8, paragraph (b), clauses (2) to
109.3(13). The teacher evaluation process in this paragraph does not create any additional
109.4employment rights for teachers.
109.5(u) (w) A charter school must adopt a policy, plan, budget, and process, consistent
109.6with section 120B.11, to review curriculum, instruction, and student achievement and
109.7strive for the world's best workforce.
109.8(v) (x) A charter school must comply with section 121A.031 governing policies on
109.9prohibited conduct.
109.10(w) (y) A charter school must comply with all pupil transportation requirements in
109.11section 123B.88, subdivision 1. A charter school must not require parents to surrender
109.12their rights to pupil transportation under section 123B.88, subdivision 2.
109.13EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment
109.14except the provision under paragraph (g) allowing prekindergarten deaf or hard-of-hearing
109.15pupils to enroll in a charter school is effective only if the commissioner of education
109.16determines there is no added cost attributable to the pupil.

109.17    Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.10, subdivision 12, is amended to read:
109.18    Subd. 12. Pupils with a disability. A charter school must comply with sections
109.19125A.02 , 125A.03 to 125A.24, and 125A.65, and 125A.75 and rules relating to the
109.20education of pupils with a disability as though it were a district. A charter school enrolling
109.21prekindergarten pupils with a disability under subdivision 8, paragraph (g), must comply
109.22with sections 125A.259 to 125A.48 and rules relating to the Interagency Early Intervention
109.23System as though it were a school district.
109.24EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for fiscal year 2016 and later.

109.25    Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.10, subdivision 14, is amended to read:
109.26    Subd. 14. Annual public reports. (a) A charter school must publish an annual
109.27report approved by the board of directors. The annual report must at least include
109.28information on school enrollment, student attrition, governance and management, staffing,
109.29finances, academic performance, innovative practices and implementation, and future
109.30plans. A charter school may combine this report with the reporting required under section
109.31120B.11. A charter school must post the annual report on the school's official Web site. A
109.32charter school must also distribute the annual report by publication, mail, or electronic
110.1means to its authorizer, school employees, and parents and legal guardians of students
110.2enrolled in the charter school. The reports are public data under chapter 13.
110.3    (b) The commissioner shall establish specifications for an authorizer's annual public
110.4report that is part of the system to evaluate authorizer performance under subdivision
110.53, paragraph (h). The report shall at least include key indicators of school academic,
110.6operational, and financial performance.

110.7    Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.10, is amended by adding a subdivision
110.8to read:
110.9    Subd. 24a. Merger. (a) Two or more charter schools may merge under chapter
110.10317A. The effective date of a merger must be July 1. The merged school must continue
110.11under the identity of one of the merging schools. A new charter contract under subdivision
110.126 must be executed by July 1. The authorizer must submit to the commissioner a copy of
110.13the new signed charter contract within ten business days of its execution.
110.14(b) Each merging school must submit a separate year-end report for the previous year
110.15for that school only. After the final fiscal year of the premerger schools is closed out, the
110.16fund balances and debts from the merging schools must be transferred to the merged school.
110.17(c) For its first year of operation, the merged school is eligible to receive aid from
110.18programs requiring approved applications equal to the sum of the aid of all of the merging
110.19schools. For aids based on prior year data, the merged school is eligible to receive aid for
110.20its first year of operation based on the combined data of all of the merging schools.

110.21    Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.11, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
110.22    Subd. 9. Payment of aids to charter schools. (a) Notwithstanding section
110.23127A.45, subdivision 3 , if the current year aid payment percentage under section
110.24127A.45, subdivision 2 , paragraph (d), is 90 or greater, aid payments for the current
110.25fiscal year to a charter school shall be of an equal amount on each of the 24 payment
110.26dates. Notwithstanding section 127A.45, subdivision 3, if the current year aid payment
110.27percentage under section 127A.45, subdivision 2, paragraph (d), is less than 90, aid
110.28payments for the current fiscal year to a charter school shall be of an equal amount on
110.29each of the 16 payment dates in July through February.
110.30(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) and section 127A.45, for a charter school ceasing
110.31operation on or prior to June 30 of a school year, for the payment periods occurring after
110.32the school ceases serving students, the commissioner shall withhold the estimated state aid
110.33owed the school. The charter school board of directors and authorizer must submit to the
110.34commissioner a closure plan under chapter 308A or 317A, and financial information about
111.1the school's liabilities and assets. After receiving the closure plan, financial information,
111.2an audit of pupil counts, documentation of lease expenditures, and monitoring of special
111.3education expenditures, the commissioner may release cash withheld and may continue
111.4regular payments up to the current year payment percentages if further amounts are
111.5owed. If, based on audits and monitoring, the school received state aid in excess of the
111.6amount owed, the commissioner shall retain aid withheld sufficient to eliminate the aid
111.7overpayment. For a charter school ceasing operations prior to, or at the end of, a school
111.8year, notwithstanding section 127A.45, subdivision 3, preliminary final payments may
111.9be made after receiving the closure plan, audit of pupil counts, monitoring of special
111.10education expenditures, documentation of lease expenditures, and school submission of
111.11Uniform Financial Accounting and Reporting Standards (UFARS) financial data for the
111.12final year of operation. Final payment may be made upon receipt of audited financial
111.13statements under section 123B.77, subdivision 3.
111.14(c) If a charter school fails to comply with the commissioner's directive to return,
111.15for cause, federal or state funds administered by the department, the commissioner may
111.16withhold an amount of state aid sufficient to satisfy the directive.
111.17(d) If, within the timeline under section 471.425, a charter school fails to pay the state
111.18of Minnesota, a school district, intermediate school district, or service cooperative after
111.19receiving an undisputed invoice for goods and services, the commissioner may withhold
111.20an amount of state aid sufficient to satisfy the claim and shall distribute the withheld
111.21aid to the interested state agency, school district, intermediate school district, or service
111.22cooperative. An interested state agency, school district, intermediate school district, or
111.23education cooperative shall notify the commissioner when a charter school fails to pay an
111.24undisputed invoice within 75 business days of when it received the original invoice.
111.25(e) Notwithstanding section 127A.45, subdivision 3, and paragraph (a), 80 percent
111.26of the start-up cost aid under subdivision 8 shall be paid within 45 days after the first day
111.27of student attendance for that school year.
111.28(f) (e) In order to receive state aid payments under this subdivision, a charter school
111.29in its first three years of operation must submit a school calendar in the form and manner
111.30requested by the department and a quarterly report to the Department of Education. The
111.31report must list each student by grade, show the student's start and end dates, if any,
111.32with the charter school, and for any student participating in a learning year program,
111.33the report must list the hours and times of learning year activities. The report must be
111.34submitted not more than two weeks after the end of the calendar quarter to the department.
111.35The department must develop a Web-based reporting form for charter schools to use
111.36when submitting enrollment reports. A charter school in its fourth and subsequent year of
112.1operation must submit a school calendar and enrollment information to the department in
112.2the form and manner requested by the department.
112.3(g) (f) Notwithstanding sections 317A.701 to 317A.791, upon closure of a charter
112.4school and satisfaction of creditors, cash and investment balances remaining shall be
112.5returned to the state.
112.6(h) (g) A charter school must have a valid, signed contract under section 124D.10,
112.7subdivision 6, on file at the Department of Education at least 15 days prior to the date of
112.8first payment of state aid for the fiscal year.
112.9(i) (h) State aid entitlements shall be computed for a charter school only for the
112.10portion of a school year for which it has a valid, signed contract under section 124D.10,
112.11subdivision 6.

112.12    Sec. 9. APPROPRIATIONS.
112.13    Subdivision 1. Department. The sums indicated in this section are appropriated
112.14from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years designated.
112.15    Subd. 2. Charter school building lease aid. For building lease aid under Minnesota
112.16Statutes, section 124D.11, subdivision 4:

112.17		$	66,787,000	.....	2016
112.18		$	73,603,000	.....	2017

112.19The 2016 appropriation includes $6,032,000 for 2015 and $60,755,000 for 2016.
112.20The 2017 appropriation includes $6,750,000 for 2016 and $66,853,000 for 2017.

112.21    Sec. 10. REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION.
112.22The revisor of statutes shall renumber the provisions of Minnesota Statutes listed
112.23in column A to the references listed in column B. The revisor of statutes may alter the
112.24renumbering to incorporate statutory changes made during the 2015 regular legislative
112.25session. The revisor shall also make necessary cross-reference changes in Minnesota
112.26Statutes and Minnesota Rules consistent with the renumbering in this instruction and the
112.27relettering of paragraphs in sections 1 to 8.

112.28		Column A	Column B
112.29		124D.10, subd. 1, paragraph (a)	124E.01, subd. 1
112.30		124D.10, subd. 1, paragraph (b)	124E.06, subd. 3, paragraph (d)
112.31		124D.10, subd. 1, paragraph (c)	124E.06, subd. 1, paragraph (b)
112.32		124D.10, subd. 2	124E.01, subd. 2
112.33		124D.10, subd. 3, paragraph (a)	124E.02, paragraph (a)
112.34		124D.10, subd. 3, paragraph (b)	124E.05, subd. 1
113.1		124D.10, subd. 3, paragraph (c)	124E.05, subd. 2, paragraph (a)
113.2		124D.10, subd. 3, paragraph (d)	124E.05, subd. 3, paragraph (a)
113.3		124D.10, subd. 3, paragraph (e)	124E.05, subd. 4
113.4		124D.10, subd. 3, paragraph (f)	124E.05, subd. 3, paragraph (b)
113.5		124D.10, subd. 3, paragraph (g)	124E.05, subd. 7
113.6		124D.10, subd. 3, paragraph (h)	124E.05, subd. 2, paragraph (b)
113.7		124D.10, subd. 3, paragraph (i)	124E.05, subd. 5
113.8		124D.10, subd. 3, paragraph (j)	124E.05, subd. 6, paragraph (a)
113.9		124D.10, subd. 3, paragraph (k)	124E.05, subd. 6, paragraph (b)
113.10		124D.10, subd. 4, paragraph (a)	124E.06, subd. 1, paragraph (a)
113.11		124D.10, subd. 4, paragraph (b)	124E.06, subd. 2, paragraph (a)
113.12		124D.10, subd. 4, paragraph (c)	124E.06, subd. 2, paragraph (c)
113.13		124D.10, subd. 4, paragraph (d)	124E.06, subd. 4
113.14		124D.10, subd. 4, paragraph (e)	124E.06, subd. 3, paragraph (g)
113.15		124D.10, subd. 4, paragraph (f)	124E.06, subd. 2, paragraph (b)
113.16		124D.10, subd. 4, paragraph (g)	124E.07, subd. 1
113.17		124D.10, subd. 4, paragraph (h)	124E.07, subd. 5
113.18		124D.10, subd. 4, paragraph (i)	124E.07, subd. 8, paragraph (a)
113.19		124D.10, subd. 4, paragraph (j)	124E.07, subd. 8, paragraph (b)
113.20		124D.10, subd. 4, paragraph (k)	124E.17, subd. 2
113.21		124D.10, subd. 4, paragraph (l)	124E.07, subd. 7
113.22		124D.10, subd. 4, paragraph (m)	124E.07, subd. 2
113.23		124D.10, subd. 4, paragraph (n)	124E.07, subd. 3, paragraph (a)
113.24		124D.10, subd. 4, paragraph (o)	124E.07, subd. 4
113.25		124D.10, subd. 4, paragraph (p)	124E.10, subd. 2, paragraph (c)
113.26		124D.10, subd. 4, paragraph (q)	124E.10, subd. 2, paragraph (b)
113.27		124D.10, subd. 4, paragraph (r)	124E.10, subd. 2, paragraph (a)
113.28		124D.10, subd. 4, paragraph (s)	124E.06, subd. 5, paragraph (a)
113.29		124D.10, subd. 4, paragraph (t)	124E.06, subd. 5, paragraph (b)
113.30		124D.10, subd. 4a, paragraph (a)	124E.07, subd. 3, paragraph (b)
113.31		124D.10, subd. 4a, paragraph (b)	124E.14, paragraph (a)
113.32		124D.10, subd. 4a, paragraph (c)	124E.07, subd. 3, paragraph (c)
113.33		124D.10, subd. 4a, paragraph (d)	124E.07, subd. 3, paragraph (d)
113.34		124D.10, subd. 4a, paragraph (e)	124E.14, paragraph (b)
113.35		124D.10, subd. 4a, paragraph (f)	124E.14, paragraph (c)
113.36		124D.10, subd. 5	124E.06, subd. 6
113.37		124D.10, subd. 6	124E.10, subd. 1, paragraph (a)
113.38 113.39		124D.10, subd. 6a	124E.16, subd. 1, paragraphs (b) to (e)
113.40		124D.10, subd. 7	124E.03, subd. 1
113.41		124D.10, subd. 8, paragraph (a)	124E.03, subd. 2, paragraph (a)
113.42		124D.10, subd. 8, paragraph (b)	124E.03, subd. 2, paragraph (b)
113.43		124D.10, subd. 8, paragraph (c)	124E.06, subd. 3, paragraph (e)
113.44		124D.10, subd. 8, paragraph (d)	124E.06, subd. 3, paragraph (b)
114.1		124D.10, subd. 8, paragraph (e)	124E.03, subd. 4, paragraph (a)
114.2		124D.10, subd. 8, paragraph (f)	124E.06, subd. 3, paragraph (c)
114.3		124D.10, subd. 8, paragraph (g)	124E.06, subd. 3, paragraph (a)
114.4		124D.10, subd. 8, paragraph (h)	124E.06, subd. 3, paragraph (f)
114.5		124D.10, subd. 8, paragraph (i)	124E.03, subd. 4, paragraph (b)
114.6		124D.10, subd. 8, paragraph (j)	124E.11, paragraph (g)
114.7		124D.10, subd. 8, paragraph (k)	124E.03, subd. 2, paragraph (c)
114.8		124D.10, subd. 8, paragraph (l)	124E.16, subd. 1, paragraph (a)
114.9		124D.10, subd. 8, paragraph (m)	124E.03, subd. 2, paragraph (d)
114.10		124D.10, subd. 8, paragraph (n)	124E.03, subd. 5, paragraph (a)
114.11		124D.10, subd. 8, paragraph (o)	124E.03, subd. 2, paragraph (e)
114.12		124D.10, subd. 8, paragraph (p)	124E.03, subd. 7, paragraph (a)
114.13		124D.10, subd. 8, paragraph (q)	124E.03, subd. 2, paragraph (f)
114.14		124D.10, subd. 8, paragraph (r)	124E.03, subd. 5, paragraph (b)
114.15		124D.10, subd. 8, paragraph (s)	124E.03, subd. 7, paragraph (b)
114.16		124D.10, subd. 8, paragraph (t)	124E.03, subd. 7, paragraph (c)
114.17		124D.10, subd. 8, paragraph (u)	124E.03, subd. 2, paragraph (g)
114.18		124D.10, subd. 8, paragraph (v)	124E.03, subd. 2, paragraph (h)
114.19		124D.10, subd. 8, paragraph (w)	124E.03, subd. 2, paragraph (i)
114.20		124D.10, subd. 8, paragraph (x)	124E.03, subd. 4, paragraph (c)
114.21		124D.10, subd. 8, paragraph (y)	124E.15, paragraph (a)
114.22		124D.10, subd. 8a	124E.25, subd. 3, paragraph (a)
114.23		124D.10, subd. 8b	124E.25, subd. 3, paragraph (b)
114.24		124D.10, subd. 9	124E.11, paragraphs (a) to (f)
114.25		124D.10, subd. 10	124E.10, subd. 1, paragraph (b)
114.26		124D.10, subd. 11, paragraph (a)	124E.12, subd. 1
114.27		124D.10, subd. 11, paragraph (b)	124E.12, subd. 2
114.28		124D.10, subd. 11, paragraph (c)	124E.07, subd. 6
114.29		124D.10, subd. 11, paragraph (d)	124E.12, subd. 5
114.30		124D.10, subd. 12	124E.03, subd. 3
114.31		124D.10, subd. 13	124E.03, subd. 6
114.32		124D.10, subd. 14	124E.16, subd. 2
114.33 114.34		124D.10, subd. 15, paragraphs (a) to (e)	124E.10, subd. 3, paragraphs (a) to (e)
114.35		124D.10, subd. 15, paragraph (f)	124E.05, subd. 8
114.36		124D.10, subd. 16	124E.15, paragraphs (b) to (d)
114.37		124D.10, subd. 17	124E.13, subd. 1
114.38		124D.10, subd. 17a	124E.13, subd. 3
114.39		124D.10, subd. 17b	124E.13, subd. 4
114.40		124D.10, subd. 19	124E.17, subd. 1
114.41		124D.10, subd. 20	124E.12, subd. 6
114.42		124D.10, subd. 21	124E.12, subd. 3
114.43		124D.10, subd. 22	124E.12, subd. 4
115.1 115.2		124D.10, subd. 23, paragraphs (a) and (b)	124E.10, subd. 4, paragraphs (a) and (b)
115.3		124D.10, subd. 23, paragraph (c)	124E.10, subd. 5
115.4		124D.10, subd. 23, paragraph (d)	124E.10, subd. 4, paragraph (c)
115.5		124D.10, subd. 23a, paragraph (a)	124E.13, subd. 2, paragraph (a)
115.6		124D.10, subd. 23a, paragraph (b)	124E.02, paragraph (b)
115.7		124D.10, subd. 23a, paragraph (c)	124E.13, subd. 2, paragraph (b)
115.8		124D.10, subd. 23a, paragraph (d)	124E.13, subd. 2, paragraph (c)
115.9		124D.10, subd. 24	124E.10, subd. 6
115.10		124D.10, subd. 25	124E.09
115.11		124D.10, subd. 27	124E.08
115.12		124D.11, subd. 1	124E.20, subd.1
115.13		124D.11, subd. 2	124E.23
115.14		124D.11, subd. 3	124E.20, subd. 2
115.15		124D.11, subd. 4	124E.22
115.16		124D.11, subd. 5	124E.21
115.17		124D.11, subd. 6	124E.24
115.18		124D.11, subd. 7	124E.26
115.19		124D.11, subd. 9, paragraph (a)	124E.25, subd. 1, paragraph (a)
115.20		124D.11, subd. 9, paragraph (b)	124E.25, subd. 1, paragraph (b)
115.21		124D.11, subd. 9, paragraph (c)	124E.25, subd. 4, paragraph (a)
115.22		124D.11, subd. 9, paragraph (d)	124E.25, subd. 4, paragraph (b)
115.23		124D.11, subd. 9, paragraph (e)	124E.25, subd. 2, paragraph (a)
115.24		124D.11, subd. 9, paragraph (f)	124E.25, subd. 1, paragraph (c)
115.25		124D.11, subd. 9, paragraph (g)	124E.25, subd. 2, paragraph (b)
115.26		124D.11, subd. 9, paragraph (h)	124E.25, subd. 2, paragraph (c)

115.27ARTICLE 5

115.28SPECIAL EDUCATION

115.29    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.31, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
115.30    Subdivision 1. Requirements for American sign language/English interpreters.
115.31(a) In addition to any other requirements that a school district establishes, any person
115.32employed to provide American sign language/English interpreting or sign transliterating
115.33services on a full-time or part-time basis for a school district after July 1, 2000, must:
115.34(1) hold current interpreter and transliterator certificates awarded by the Registry
115.35of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), or the general level interpreter proficiency certificate
115.36awarded by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), or a comparable state
115.37certification from the commissioner of education; and
115.38(2) satisfactorily complete an interpreter/transliterator training program affiliated
115.39with an accredited educational institution.
116.1(b) New graduates of an interpreter/transliterator program affiliated with an
116.2accredited education institution shall be granted a two-year provisional certificate by
116.3the commissioner. During the two-year provisional period, the interpreter/transliterator
116.4must develop and implement an education plan in collaboration with a mentor under
116.5paragraph (c).
116.6(c) A mentor of a provisionally certified interpreter/transliterator must be an
116.7interpreter/transliterator who has either NAD level IV or V certification or RID
116.8certified interpreter and certified transliterator certification and have at least three
116.9years interpreting/transliterating experience in any educational setting. The mentor, in
116.10collaboration with the provisionally certified interpreter/transliterator, shall develop and
116.11implement an education plan designed to meet the requirements of paragraph (a), clause
116.12(1), and include a weekly on-site mentoring process.
116.13(d) Consistent with the requirements of this paragraph, a person holding a
116.14provisional certificate may apply to the commissioner for one time-limited extension.
116.15The commissioner, in consultation with the Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind and
116.16Hard-of-Hearing Minnesotans, must grant the person a time-limited extension of the
116.17provisional certificate based on the following documentation:
116.18(1) letters of support from the person's mentor, a parent of a pupil the person serves,
116.19the special education director of the district in which the person is employed, and a
116.20representative from the regional service center of the deaf and hard-of-hearing;
116.21(2) records of the person's formal education, training, experience, and progress on
116.22the person's education plan; and
116.23(3) an explanation of why the extension is needed.
116.24As a condition of receiving the extension, the person must comply with a plan
116.25and the accompanying time line for meeting the requirements of this subdivision. A
116.26committee composed of the director of the Minnesota Resource Center Serving Deaf and
116.27Hard-of-Hearing, or the director's designee deaf and hard-of-hearing state specialist, a
116.28representative of the Minnesota Association of Deaf Citizens, a representative of the
116.29Minnesota Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf, and other appropriate persons selected
116.30by the commissioner must develop the plan and time line for the person receiving the
116.31extension.
116.32(e) A school district may employ only an interpreter/transliterator who has been
116.33certified under paragraph (a) or (b), or for whom a time-limited extension has been
116.34granted under paragraph (d).

116.35    Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.31, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
117.1    Subd. 2. Oral or cued speech transliterators. (a) In addition to any other
117.2requirements that a school district establishes, any person employed to provide oral
117.3transliterating or cued speech transliterating services on a full-time or part-time basis for a
117.4school district after July 1, 2000, must hold a current applicable transliterator certificate
117.5awarded by the national certifying association or comparable state certification from
117.6the commissioner of education.
117.7(b) To provide oral or cued speech transliterator services on a full-time or part-time
117.8basis, a person employed in a school district must comply with paragraph (a). The
117.9commissioner shall grant a nonrenewable, two-year certificate to a school district on behalf
117.10of a person who has not yet attained a current applicable transliterator certificate under
117.11paragraph (a). A person for whom a nonrenewable, two-year certificate is issued must
117.12work under the direction of a licensed teacher who is skilled in language development
117.13of individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. A person for whom a nonrenewable,
117.14two-year certificate is issued also must enroll in a state-approved training program and
117.15demonstrate progress towards the certification required under paragraph (a) sufficient for
117.16the person to be certified at the end of the two-year period.
117.17(c) Consistent with the requirements of this paragraph, a person holding a
117.18provisional certificate may apply to the commissioner for one time-limited extension. The
117.19commissioner, in consultation with the Commission Serving Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing
117.20People, must grant the person a time-limited extension of the provisional certificate based
117.21on the following documentation:
117.22(1) letters of support from the person's mentor, a parent of a pupil the person serves,
117.23the special education director of the district in which the person is employed, and a
117.24representative from the regional service center of the deaf and hard-of-hearing;
117.25(2) records of the person's formal education, training, experience, and progress on
117.26the person's education plan; and
117.27(3) an explanation of why the extension is needed.
117.28As a condition of receiving the extension, the person must comply with a plan
117.29and the accompanying time line for meeting the requirements of this subdivision. A
117.30committee composed of the director of the Minnesota Resource Center Serving Deaf and
117.31Hard-of-Hearing, or the director's designee deaf and hard-of-hearing state specialist, a
117.32representative of the Minnesota Association of Deaf Citizens, a representative of the
117.33Minnesota Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf, and other appropriate persons selected
117.34by the commissioner must develop the plan and time line for the person receiving the
117.35extension.

118.1    Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 123B.88, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
118.2    Subdivision 1. Providing transportation. The board may provide for the
118.3transportation of pupils to and from school and for any other purpose. The board may
118.4also provide for the transportation of pupils to schools in other districts for grades and
118.5departments not maintained in the district, including high school, at the expense of the
118.6district, when funds are available therefor and if agreeable to the district to which it is
118.7proposed to transport the pupils, for the whole or a part of the school year, as it may
118.8deem advisable, and subject to its rules. In any district, the board must arrange for the
118.9attendance of all pupils living two miles or more from the school, except pupils whose
118.10transportation privileges have been voluntarily surrendered under subdivision 2, or
118.11whose privileges have been revoked under section 123B.91, subdivision 1, clause (6), or
118.12123B.90, subdivision 2 . The district may provide for the transportation of or the boarding
118.13and rooming of the pupils who may be more economically and conveniently provided for
118.14by that means. Arrangements for attendance may include a requirement that parents or
118.15guardians request transportation before it is provided. The board must provide necessary
118.16transportation to and from the home of consistent with section 123B.92, subdivision 1,
118.17paragraph (b), clause (4), for a child with a disability not yet enrolled in kindergarten
118.18when for the provision of special instruction and services under sections 125A.03 to
118.19125A.24 , 125A.26 to 125A.48, and 125A.65 are provided in a location other than in
118.20the child's home. Special instruction and services for a child with a disability not yet
118.21enrolled in kindergarten include an individualized education program team placement
118.22in an early childhood program when that placement is necessary to address the child's
118.23level of functioning and needs. When transportation is provided, scheduling of routes,
118.24establishment of the location of bus stops, manner and method of transportation, control
118.25and discipline of school children, the determination of fees, and any other matter relating
118.26thereto must be within the sole discretion, control, and management of the board. The
118.27district may provide for the transportation of pupils or expend a reasonable amount
118.28for room and board of pupils whose attendance at school can more economically and
118.29conveniently be provided for by that means or who attend school in a building rented or
118.30leased by a district within the confines of an adjacent district.

118.31    Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.11, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
118.32    Subdivision 1. General education revenue. (a) General education revenue must
118.33be paid to a charter school as though it were a district. The general education revenue
118.34for each adjusted pupil unit is the state average general education revenue per pupil
118.35unit, plus the referendum equalization aid allowance in the pupil's district of residence,
119.1minus an amount equal to the product of the formula allowance according to section
119.2126C.10, subdivision 2 , times .0466, calculated without declining enrollment revenue,
119.3local optional revenue, basic skills revenue, extended time revenue, pension adjustment
119.4revenue, transition revenue, and transportation sparsity revenue, plus declining enrollment
119.5revenue, basic skills revenue, extended time revenue, pension adjustment revenue, and
119.6transition revenue as though the school were a school district. The general education
119.7revenue for each extended time pupil unit equals $4,794.
119.8(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the general education revenue for an eligible
119.9special education charter school as defined in subdivision 5a equals the sum of the
119.10amount determined under paragraph (a) and the school's unreimbursed cost as defined in
119.11subdivision 5a for educating students not eligible for special education services.

119.12    Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.11, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
119.13    Subd. 5. Special education aid. (a) Except as provided in subdivision 2, special
119.14education aid must be paid to a charter school according to section 125A.76, as though
119.15it were a school district.
119.16(b) For fiscal year 2015 and later, the special education aid paid to the charter school
119.17shall be adjusted as follows:
119.18(1) if the charter school does not receive general education revenue on behalf of
119.19the student according to subdivision 1, the aid shall be adjusted as provided in section
119.20125A.11 ; or
119.21(2) if the charter school receives general education revenue on behalf of the student
119.22according to subdivision 1, the aid shall be adjusted as provided in section 127A.47,
119.23subdivision 7 , paragraphs (b) to (d) (e).
119.24EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for fiscal year 2016 and later.

119.25    Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.11, is amended by adding a subdivision
119.26to read:
119.27    Subd. 5a. Definitions. (a) For purposes of subdivision 5b, the terms in this
119.28subdivision have the meanings given.
119.29(b) "Unreimbursed costs" means the difference between the total cost of educating
119.30students at the school and the total of state and federal aids and grants, excluding aid under
119.31subdivision 1, paragraph (b), and subdivision 5b.
119.32(c) "Eligible special education charter school" means a charter school:
119.33(1) where the percent of students eligible for special education services equals at
119.34least 90 percent of the charter school's total enrollment; and
120.1(2) that submits to the commissioner a preliminary annual budget by June 15 prior
120.2to the start of the fiscal year and a revised budget by January 15 of the current fiscal
120.3year detailing its unreimbursed costs for educating students eligible and not eligible for
120.4special education services.
120.5EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for fiscal year 2016 and later.

120.6    Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.11, is amended by adding a subdivision
120.7to read:
120.8    Subd. 5b. Special education aid for eligible special education charter schools.
120.9(a) Notwithstanding subdivision 5, the special education aid for an eligible special
120.10education charter school equals the sum of the school's special education aid under
120.11subdivision 5, paragraph (a), and the school's approved unreimbursed cost for educating
120.12students eligible for special education services.
120.13(b) The commissioner must review the budget data submitted by an eligible special
120.14education charter school under subdivision 5a and notify the school of the approved
120.15unreimbursed cost to be used for current aid payments within 30 days of receiving the
120.16budget from the school.
120.17(c) For purposes of section 127A.45, subdivision 13, the aid under this subdivision
120.18is not subject to the 97.4 percent current fiscal year special education aid entitlement
120.19provision.
120.20(d) Final aid payments must be calculated using the actual unreimbursed costs as
120.21determined by the department based on year-end financial and student data submitted by
120.22the charter school.
120.23EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for fiscal year 2016 and later.

120.24    Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 125A.01, is amended to read:
120.25125A.01 DEFINITIONS.
120.26    Subdivision 1. General application. For purposes of this chapter, the words defined
120.27in section 120A.05 have the same meaning.
120.28    Subd. 2. Dyslexia. "Dyslexia" means a specific learning disability that is
120.29neurological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate or fluent recognition
120.30of words and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result
120.31from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in
120.32relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction.
121.1Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced
121.2reading experience that can impede the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.
121.3Students who have a dyslexia diagnosis must meet the state and federal eligibility
121.4criteria in order to qualify for special education services.

121.5    Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 125A.023, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
121.6    Subd. 3. Definitions. For purposes of this section and section 125A.027, the
121.7following terms have the meanings given them:
121.8(a) "Health plan" means:
121.9(1) a health plan under section 62Q.01, subdivision 3;
121.10(2) a county-based purchasing plan under section 256B.692;
121.11(3) a self-insured health plan established by a local government under section
121.12471.617 ; or
121.13(4) self-insured health coverage provided by the state to its employees or retirees.
121.14(b) For purposes of this section, "health plan company" means an entity that issues
121.15a health plan as defined in paragraph (a).
121.16(c) "Interagency intervention service system" means a system that coordinates
121.17services and programs required in state and federal law to meet the needs of eligible
121.18children with disabilities ages birth three through 21, including:
121.19(1) services provided under the following programs or initiatives administered
121.20by state or local agencies:
121.21(i) the maternal and child health program under title V of the Social Security Act;
121.22(ii) the Minnesota children with special health needs program under sections 144.05
121.23and 144.07;
121.24(iii) the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part B, section 619, and Part
121.25C as amended;
121.26(iv) medical assistance under title 42, chapter 7, of the Social Security Act;
121.27(v) developmental disabilities services under chapter 256B;
121.28(vi) the Head Start Act under title 42, chapter 105, of the Social Security Act;
121.29(vii) vocational rehabilitation services provided under chapters 248 and 268A and
121.30the Rehabilitation Act of 1973;
121.31(viii) Juvenile Court Act services provided under sections 260.011 to 260.91;
121.32260B.001 to 260B.446; and 260C.001 to 260C.451;
121.33(ix) Minnesota Comprehensive Children's Mental Health Act under section 245.487;
121.34(x) the community health services grants under sections 145.88 to 145.9266;
121.35(xi) the Local Public Health Act under chapter 145A; and
122.1(xii) the Vulnerable Children and Adults Act, sections 256M.60 to 256M.80;
122.2(2) service provision and funding that can be coordinated through:
122.3(i) the children's mental health collaborative under section 245.493;
122.4(ii) the family services collaborative under section 124D.23;
122.5(iii) the community transition interagency committees under section 125A.22; and
122.6(iv) the interagency early intervention committees under section 125A.259;
122.7(3) financial and other funding programs to be coordinated including medical
122.8assistance under title 42, chapter 7, of the Social Security Act, the MinnesotaCare program
122.9under chapter 256L, Supplemental Social Security Income, Developmental Disabilities
122.10Assistance, and any other employment-related activities associated with the Social
122.11Security Administration; and services provided under a health plan in conformity with an
122.12individual family service plan or an individualized education program or an individual
122.13interagency intervention plan; and
122.14(4) additional appropriate services that local agencies and counties provide on
122.15an individual need basis upon determining eligibility and receiving a request from (i)
122.16the interagency early intervention committee school board or county board and (ii) the
122.17child's parent.
122.18(d) "Children with disabilities" has the meaning given in section 125A.02.
122.19(e) A "standardized written plan" means those individual services or programs, with
122.20accompanying funding sources, available through the interagency intervention service
122.21system to an eligible child other than the services or programs described in the child's
122.22individualized education program or the child's individual family service plan.

122.23    Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 125A.023, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
122.24    Subd. 4. State Interagency Committee. (a) The commissioner of education, on
122.25behalf of the governor, shall convene an interagency committee to develop and implement
122.26a coordinated, multidisciplinary, interagency intervention service system for children ages
122.27three to 21 with disabilities. The commissioners of commerce, education, health, human
122.28rights, human services, employment and economic development, and corrections shall
122.29each appoint two committee members from their departments; and the Association of
122.30Minnesota Counties, Minnesota School Boards Association, the Minnesota Administrators
122.31of Special Education, and the School Nurse Association of Minnesota shall each appoint
122.32one committee member. The committee shall select a chair from among its members.
122.33(b) The committee shall:
122.34(1) identify and assist in removing state and federal barriers to local coordination of
122.35services provided to children with disabilities;
123.1(2) identify adequate, equitable, and flexible funding sources to streamline these
123.2services;
123.3(3) develop guidelines for implementing policies that ensure a comprehensive and
123.4coordinated system of all state and local agency services, including multidisciplinary
123.5assessment practices for children with disabilities ages three to 21, including:
123.6(i) develop, consistent with federal law, a standardized written plan for providing
123.7services to a child with disabilities;
123.8(ii) identify how current systems for dispute resolution can be coordinated;
123.9(iii) develop an evaluation process to measure the success of state and local
123.10interagency efforts in improving the quality and coordination of services to children with
123.11disabilities ages three to 21; and
123.12(iv) develop guidelines to assist the governing boards of the interagency early
123.13intervention committees school boards and county boards in carrying out the duties
123.14assigned in section 125A.027, subdivision 1, paragraph (b); and
123.15(4) carry out other duties necessary to develop and implement within communities
123.16a coordinated, multidisciplinary, interagency intervention service system for children
123.17with disabilities.
123.18(c) The committee shall consult on an ongoing basis with the state Special Education
123.19Advisory Panel and the governor's Interagency Coordinating Council in carrying out
123.20its duties under this section, including assisting the governing school boards of the
123.21interagency early intervention committees and county boards.

123.22    Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 125A.027, is amended to read:
123.23125A.027 INTERAGENCY EARLY INTERVENTION COMMITTEE
123.24RESPONSIBILITIES LOCAL AGENCY COORDINATION RESPONSIBILITIES.
123.25    Subdivision 1. Additional duties School board and county board responsibilities.
123.26(a) It is the joint responsibility of school and county boards to coordinate, provide, and
123.27pay for appropriate services and to facilitate payment for services from public and private
123.28sources. Appropriate services for children eligible under section 125A.02 and receiving
123.29services from two or more public agencies of which one is the public school must be
123.30determined in consultation with parents, physicians, and other education, medical health,
123.31and human services providers. The services provided must conform with a standardized
123.32written plan for each eligible child ages three to 21.
123.33(b) Appropriate services include those services listed on a child's standardized
123.34written plan. These services are those that are required to be documented on a plan under
123.35federal and state law or rule.
124.1(c) School and county boards shall coordinate interagency services. Service
124.2responsibilities for eligible children, ages three to 21, may be established in interagency
124.3agreements or joint powers board agreements. In addition, interagency agreements or
124.4joint powers board agreements may be developed to establish agency responsibility that
124.5ensures that coordinated interagency services are coordinated, provided, and paid for and
124.6that payment is facilitated from public and private sources. School boards must provide,
124.7pay for, and facilitate payment for special education services as required under sections
124.8125A.03 and 125A.06. County boards must provide, pay for, and facilitate payment for
124.9those programs over which they have service and fiscal responsibility as referenced in
124.10section 125A.023, subdivision 3, paragraph (c), clause (1).
124.11    Subd. 1a. Local governance structure. (a) The governing school boards of
124.12the interagency early intervention committees and county boards are responsible for
124.13developing and implementing interagency policies and procedures to coordinate services
124.14at the local level for children with disabilities ages three to 21 under guidelines established
124.15by the state interagency committee under section 125A.023, subdivision 4. Consistent
124.16with the requirements in this section and section 125A.023, the governing school boards
124.17of the interagency early intervention committees and county boards may organize as a
124.18joint powers board under section 471.59 or enter into an interagency agreement that
124.19establishes a governance structure.
124.20(b) The governing board of each interagency early intervention committee as defined
124.21in section 125A.30, paragraph (a), which may include a juvenile justice professional, shall:
124.22(1) identify state and federal barriers to local coordination of services provided to
124.23children with disabilities;
124.24(2) implement policies that ensure a comprehensive and coordinated system of all
124.25state and local agency services, including practices on multidisciplinary assessment,
124.26standardized written plans, dispute resolution, and system evaluation for children with
124.27disabilities ages three to 21;
124.28(3) coordinate services and facilitate payment for services from public and private
124.29institutions, agencies, and health plan companies; and
124.30(4) share needed information consistent with state and federal data practices
124.31requirements.
124.32    Subd. 2. Appropriate and necessary services. (a) Parents, physicians, other health
124.33care professionals including school nurses, and education and human services providers
124.34jointly must determine appropriate and necessary services for eligible children with
124.35disabilities ages three to 21. The services provided to the child under this section must
124.36conform with the child's standardized written plan. The governing school board of an
125.1interagency early intervention committee or county board must provide those services
125.2contained in a child's individualized education program and those services for which a
125.3legal obligation exists. Nothing in this section creates an additional right of appeal beyond
125.4the rights granted under sections 125A.091, 125A.25, and 256.045.
125.5(b) Nothing in this section or section 125A.023 increases or decreases the obligation
125.6of the state, county, regional agency, local school district, or local agency or organization
125.7to pay for education, health care, or social services.
125.8(c) A health plan may not exclude any medically necessary covered service solely
125.9because the service is or could be identified in a child's individual family service plan,
125.10individualized education program, a plan established under section 504 of the federal
125.11Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or a student's individual health plan. This paragraph reaffirms
125.12the obligation of a health plan company to provide or pay for certain medically necessary
125.13covered services, and encourages a health plan company to coordinate this care with any
125.14other providers of similar services. Also, a health plan company may not exclude from a
125.15health plan any medically necessary covered service such as an assessment or physical
125.16examination solely because the resulting information may be used for an individualized
125.17education program or a standardized written plan.
125.18    Subd. 4. Responsibilities of school and county boards. (a) It is the joint
125.19responsibility of school and county boards to coordinate, provide, and pay for appropriate
125.20services, and to facilitate payment for services from public and private sources.
125.21Appropriate service for children eligible under section 125A.02 and receiving service
125.22from two or more public agencies of which one is the public school must be determined in
125.23consultation with parents, physicians, and other education, medical health, and human
125.24services providers. The services provided must be in conformity with a standardized
125.25written plan for each eligible child ages 3 to 21.
125.26(b) Appropriate services include those services listed on a child's standardized
125.27written plan. These services are those that are required to be documented on a plan under
125.28federal and state law or rule.
125.29(c) School and county boards shall coordinate interagency services. Service
125.30responsibilities for eligible children, ages 3 to 21, may be established in interagency
125.31agreements or joint powers board agreements. In addition, interagency agreements or joint
125.32powers board agreements may be developed to establish agency responsibility that assures
125.33that coordinated interagency services are coordinated, provided, and paid for, and that
125.34payment is facilitated from public and private sources. School boards must provide,
125.35pay for, and facilitate payment for special education services as required under sections
125.36125A.03 and 125A.06. County boards must provide, pay for, and facilitate payment for
126.1those programs over which they have service and fiscal responsibility as referenced in
126.2section 125A.023, subdivision 3, paragraph (c), clause (1).

126.3    Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 125A.08, is amended to read:
126.4125A.08 INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
126.5(a) At the beginning of each school year, each school district shall have in effect, for
126.6each child with a disability, an individualized education program.
126.7(b) As defined in this section, every district must ensure the following:
126.8(1) all students with disabilities are provided the special instruction and services
126.9which are appropriate to their needs. Where the individualized education program team
126.10has determined appropriate goals and objectives based on the student's needs, including
126.11the extent to which the student can be included in the least restrictive environment,
126.12and where there are essentially equivalent and effective instruction, related services, or
126.13assistive technology devices available to meet the student's needs, cost to the district may
126.14be among the factors considered by the team in choosing how to provide the appropriate
126.15services, instruction, or devices that are to be made part of the student's individualized
126.16education program. The individualized education program team shall consider and
126.17may authorize services covered by medical assistance according to section 256B.0625,
126.18subdivision 26 . The student's needs and the special education instruction and services to
126.19be provided must be agreed upon through the development of an individualized education
126.20program. The program must address the student's need to develop skills to live and
126.21work as independently as possible within the community. The individualized education
126.22program team must consider positive behavioral interventions, strategies, and supports
126.23that address behavior needs for children with attention deficit disorder or attention deficit
126.24hyperactivity disorder. During grade 9, the program must address the student's needs for
126.25transition from secondary services to postsecondary education and training, employment,
126.26community participation, recreation, and leisure and home living. In developing the
126.27program, districts must inform parents of the full range of transitional goals and related
126.28services that should be considered. The program must include a statement of the needed
126.29transition services, including a statement of the interagency responsibilities or linkages or
126.30both before secondary services are concluded;
126.31(2) children with a disability under age five and their families are provided special
126.32instruction and services appropriate to the child's level of functioning and needs;
126.33(3) children with a disability and their parents or guardians are guaranteed procedural
126.34safeguards and the right to participate in decisions involving identification, assessment
127.1including assistive technology assessment, and educational placement of children with a
127.2disability;
127.3(4) eligibility and needs of children with a disability are determined by an initial
127.4evaluation or reevaluation, which may be completed using existing data under United
127.5States Code, title 20, section 33, et seq.;
127.6(5) to the maximum extent appropriate, children with a disability, including those
127.7in public or private institutions or other care facilities, are educated with children who
127.8are not disabled, and that special classes, separate schooling, or other removal of children
127.9with a disability from the regular educational environment occurs only when and to the
127.10extent that the nature or severity of the disability is such that education in regular classes
127.11with the use of supplementary services cannot be achieved satisfactorily;
127.12(6) in accordance with recognized professional standards, testing and evaluation
127.13materials, and procedures used for the purposes of classification and placement of children
127.14with a disability are selected and administered so as not to be racially or culturally
127.15discriminatory; and
127.16(7) the rights of the child are protected when the parents or guardians are not known
127.17or not available, or the child is a ward of the state.
127.18(c) For all paraprofessionals employed to work in programs for whose role in part
127.19is to provide direct support to students with disabilities, the school board in each district
127.20shall ensure that:
127.21(1) before or immediately upon beginning at the time of employment, each
127.22paraprofessional develops must develop sufficient knowledge and skills in emergency
127.23procedures, building orientation, roles and responsibilities, confidentiality, vulnerability,
127.24and reportability, among other things, to begin meeting the needs, especially
127.25disability-specific and behavioral needs, of the students with whom the paraprofessional
127.26works;
127.27(2) annual training opportunities are available required to enable the paraprofessional
127.28to continue to further develop the knowledge and skills that are specific to the students
127.29with whom the paraprofessional works, including understanding disabilities, the unique
127.30and individual needs of each student according to the student's disability and how the
127.31disability affects the student's education and behavior, following lesson plans, and
127.32implementing follow-up instructional procedures and activities; and
127.33(3) a districtwide process obligates each paraprofessional to work under the ongoing
127.34direction of a licensed teacher and, where appropriate and possible, the supervision of a
127.35school nurse.

128.1    Sec. 13. [125A.083] STUDENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS; TRANSFERRING
128.2RECORDS.
128.3To efficiently and effectively meet federal and state compliance and accountability
128.4requirements using an online case management reporting system, school districts may
128.5contract only for a student information system that is Schools Interoperability Framework
128.6compliant and compatible with the online system for compliance reporting under section
128.7125A.085 beginning in the 2018-2019 school year and later. A district's information
128.8system under this section must facilitate the seamless transfer of student records for
128.9a student with disabilities who transfers between school districts, including records
128.10containing the student's evaluation report, service plan, and other due process forms and
128.11information, regardless of what information system any one district uses.
128.12EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment
128.13and applies to all district contracts with student information system vendors entered into
128.14or modified after that date.

128.15    Sec. 14. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 125A.085, is amended to read:
128.16125A.085 ONLINE REPORTING OF REQUIRED DATA.
128.17(a) To ensure a strong focus on outcomes for children with disabilities informs
128.18federal and state compliance and accountability requirements and to increase opportunities
128.19for special educators and related-services providers to focus on teaching children with
128.20disabilities, the commissioner must customize a streamlined, user-friendly statewide
128.21online system, with a single model online form, for effectively and efficiently collecting
128.22and reporting required special education-related data to individuals with a legitimate
128.23educational interest and who are authorized by law to access the data.
128.24(b) The commissioner must consult with qualified experts, including information
128.25technology specialists, licensed special education teachers and directors of special
128.26education, related-services providers, third-party vendors, a designee of the commissioner
128.27of human services, parents of children with disabilities, representatives of advocacy groups
128.28representing children with disabilities, and representatives of school districts and special
128.29education cooperatives on integrating, field testing, customizing, and sustaining this simple,
128.30easily accessible, efficient, and effective online data system for uniform statewide reporting
128.31of required due process compliance data. Among other outcomes, the system must:
128.32    (1) reduce special education teachers' paperwork burden and thereby increase the
128.33teachers' opportunities to focus on teaching children;
129.1(2) to the extent authorized by chapter 13 or other applicable state or federal law
129.2governing access to and dissemination of educational records, provide for efficiently
129.3and effectively transmitting the records of all transferring children with disabilities,
129.4including highly mobile and homeless children with disabilities, among others, and avoid
129.5fragmented service delivery;
129.6(3) address language and other barriers and disparities that prevent parents from
129.7understanding and communicating information about the needs of their children with
129.8disabilities; and
129.9(4) help continuously improve the interface among the online systems serving
129.10children with disabilities in order to maintain and reinforce the children's ability to learn.
129.11(c) The commissioner must use the federal Office of Special Education Programs
129.12model forms for the (1) individualized education program, (2) notice of procedural
129.13safeguards, and (3) prior written notice that are consistent with Part B of IDEA to integrate
129.14and customize a state-sponsored universal special education online case management
129.15system, consistent with the requirements of state law and this section for customizing a
129.16statewide online reporting system. The commissioner must use a request for proposal
129.17process to contract for the technology and software needed for customizing the online
129.18system in order for the system to be fully functional, consistent with the requirements of
129.19this section. This online system must be made available to school districts without charge
129.20beginning in the 2015-2016 school year. For the 2015-2016 through 2017-2018 and later
129.21school years, school districts may use this online system or may contract with an outside
129.22vendor for compliance reporting. Beginning in the 2018-2019 school year and later,
129.23school districts must use this online system for compliance reporting.
129.24(d) All data on individuals maintained in the statewide reporting system are
129.25classified as provided in chapter 13 or other applicable state or federal law. An authorized
129.26individual's ability to enter, update, or access data must be limited through the use of
129.27role-based access codes corresponding to that individual's official duties or training level,
129.28and the statutory authorization that grants access for a particular purpose. Any action
129.29in which data in the system are entered, updated, accessed, or shared or disseminated
129.30outside of the system must be recorded in an audit trail. The audit trail must identify the
129.31specific user responsible for the action, the date and time the action occurred, and the
129.32purpose for the action. Data contained in the audit trail maintain the same classification
129.33as the underlying data affected by the action, provided the responsible authority makes
129.34the data available to a student or the student's parent upon request, and the responsible
129.35authority may access the data to audit the system's user activity and security safeguards.
129.36Before entering data on a student, the responsible authority must provide the student or the
130.1student's parent written notice of the data practices rights and responsibilities required
130.2by this section and a reasonable opportunity to refuse consent to have the student's data
130.3included in the system. Upon receiving the student or the student's parent written refusal
130.4to consent, the school district must not enter data on that student into the system and must
130.5delete any existing data on that student currently in the system.
130.6(e) Consistent with this section, the commissioner must establish a public Internet
130.7Web interface to provide information to educators, parents, and the public about the form
130.8and content of required special education reports, to respond to queries from educators,
130.9parents, and the public about specific aspects of special education reports and reporting,
130.10and to use the information garnered from the interface to streamline and revise special
130.11education reporting on the online system under this section. The public Internet Web
130.12interface must have a prominently linked page describing the rights and responsibilities
130.13of students and parents whose data are included in the statewide reporting system, and
130.14include information on the data practices rights of students and parents provided by this
130.15section and a form students or parents may use to refuse consent to have a student's data
130.16included in the system. The public Internet Web interface must not provide access to the
130.17educational records of any individual child.
130.18(f) The commissioner annually by February 1 must submit to the legislature a report
130.19on the status, recent changes, and sustainability of the online system under this section.

130.20    Sec. 15. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 125A.0942, subdivision 3, is amended to
130.21read:
130.22    Subd. 3. Physical holding or seclusion. (a) Physical holding or seclusion may be
130.23used only in an emergency. A school that uses physical holding or seclusion shall meet the
130.24following requirements:
130.25(1) physical holding or seclusion is the least intrusive intervention that effectively
130.26responds to the emergency;
130.27(2) physical holding or seclusion is not used to discipline a noncompliant child;
130.28(3) physical holding or seclusion ends when the threat of harm ends and the staff
130.29determines the child can safely return to the classroom or activity;
130.30(4) staff directly observes the child while physical holding or seclusion is being used;
130.31(5) each time physical holding or seclusion is used, the staff person who implements
130.32or oversees the physical holding or seclusion documents, as soon as possible after the
130.33incident concludes, the following information:
130.34(i) a description of the incident that led to the physical holding or seclusion;
131.1(ii) why a less restrictive measure failed or was determined by staff to be
131.2inappropriate or impractical;
131.3(iii) the time the physical holding or seclusion began and the time the child was
131.4released; and
131.5(iv) a brief record of the child's behavioral and physical status;
131.6(6) the room used for seclusion must:
131.7(i) be at least six feet by five feet;
131.8(ii) be well lit, well ventilated, adequately heated, and clean;
131.9(iii) have a window that allows staff to directly observe a child in seclusion;
131.10(iv) have tamperproof fixtures, electrical switches located immediately outside the
131.11door, and secure ceilings;
131.12(v) have doors that open out and are unlocked, locked with keyless locks that
131.13have immediate release mechanisms, or locked with locks that have immediate release
131.14mechanisms connected with a fire and emergency system; and
131.15(vi) not contain objects that a child may use to injure the child or others;
131.16(7) before using a room for seclusion, a school must:
131.17(i) receive written notice from local authorities that the room and the locking
131.18mechanisms comply with applicable building, fire, and safety codes; and
131.19(ii) register the room with the commissioner, who may view that room; and
131.20(8) until August 1, 2015, a school district may use prone restraints with children
131.21age five or older if:
131.22(i) the district has provided to the department a list of staff who have had specific
131.23training on the use of prone restraints;
131.24(ii) the district provides information on the type of training that was provided and
131.25by whom;
131.26(iii) only staff who received specific training use prone restraints;
131.27(iv) each incident of the use of prone restraints is reported to the department within
131.28five working days on a form provided by the department; and
131.29(v) the district, before using prone restraints, must review any known medical or
131.30psychological limitations that contraindicate the use of prone restraints.
131.31The department must collect data on districts' use of prone restraints and publish the data
131.32in a readily accessible format on the department's Web site on a quarterly basis.
131.33(b) By February 1, 2015, and annually thereafter, stakeholders must may, as
131.34necessary, recommend to the commissioner specific and measurable implementation and
131.35outcome goals for reducing the use of restrictive procedures and the commissioner must
131.36submit to the legislature a report on districts' progress in reducing the use of restrictive
132.1procedures that recommends how to further reduce these procedures and eliminate
132.2the use of prone restraints. The statewide plan includes the following components:
132.3measurable goals; the resources, training, technical assistance, mental health services, and
132.4collaborative efforts needed to significantly reduce districts' use of prone restraints; and
132.5recommendations to clarify and improve the law governing districts' use of restrictive
132.6procedures. The commissioner must consult with interested stakeholders when preparing
132.7the report, including representatives of advocacy organizations, special education directors,
132.8teachers, paraprofessionals, intermediate school districts, school boards, day treatment
132.9providers, county social services, state human services department staff, mental health
132.10professionals, and autism experts. By June 30 each year, districts must report summary
132.11data on their use of restrictive procedures to the department, in a form and manner
132.12determined by the commissioner. The summary data must include information about the
132.13use of restrictive procedures, including use of reasonable force under section 121A.582.
132.14EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

132.15    Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 125A.11, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
132.16    Subdivision 1. Nonresident tuition rate; other costs. (a) For fiscal year 2015 and
132.17later, when a school district provides special instruction and services for a pupil with
132.18a disability as defined in section 125A.02 outside the district of residence, excluding
132.19a pupil for whom an adjustment to special education aid is calculated according to
132.20section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraphs (b) to (d), special education aid paid to the
132.21resident district must be reduced by an amount equal to (1) the actual cost of providing
132.22special instruction and services to the pupil, including a proportionate amount for special
132.23transportation and unreimbursed building lease and debt service costs for facilities used
132.24primarily for special education, plus (2) the amount of general education revenue and
132.25referendum equalization aid attributable to that pupil, calculated using the resident district's
132.26average general education revenue and referendum equalization aid per adjusted pupil
132.27unit excluding basic skills revenue, elementary sparsity revenue and secondary sparsity
132.28revenue, minus (3) the amount of special education aid for children with a disability
132.29under section 125A.76 received on behalf of that child, minus (4) if the pupil receives
132.30special instruction and services outside the regular classroom for more than 60 percent
132.31of the school day, the amount of general education revenue and referendum equalization
132.32aid, excluding portions attributable to district and school administration, district support
132.33services, operations and maintenance, capital expenditures, and pupil transportation,
132.34attributable to that pupil for the portion of time the pupil receives special instruction
132.35and services outside of the regular classroom, calculated using the resident district's
133.1average general education revenue and referendum equalization aid per adjusted pupil unit
133.2excluding basic skills revenue, elementary sparsity revenue and secondary sparsity revenue
133.3and the serving district's basic skills revenue, elementary sparsity revenue and secondary
133.4sparsity revenue per adjusted pupil unit. Notwithstanding clauses (1) and (4), for pupils
133.5served by a cooperative unit without a fiscal agent school district, the general education
133.6revenue and referendum equalization aid attributable to a pupil must be calculated using
133.7the resident district's average general education revenue and referendum equalization aid
133.8excluding compensatory revenue, elementary sparsity revenue, and secondary sparsity
133.9revenue. Special education aid paid to the district or cooperative providing special
133.10instruction and services for the pupil must be increased by the amount of the reduction in
133.11the aid paid to the resident district. Amounts paid to cooperatives under this subdivision
133.12and section 127A.47, subdivision 7, shall be recognized and reported as revenues and
133.13expenditures on the resident school district's books of account under sections 123B.75
133.14and 123B.76. If the resident district's special education aid is insufficient to make the full
133.15adjustment, the remaining adjustment shall be made to other state aid due to the district.
133.16    (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), when a charter school receiving special education
133.17aid under section 124D.11, subdivision 5b, provides special instruction and services for
133.18a pupil with a disability as defined in section 125A.02, excluding a pupil for whom an
133.19adjustment to special education aid is calculated according to section 127A.46, subdivision
133.207, paragraphs (b) to (e), special education aid paid to the resident district must be reduced
133.21by an amount equal to that calculated under paragraph (a) as if the charter school received
133.22aid under section 124D.11, subdivision 5. Notwithstanding paragraph (a), special education
133.23aid paid to the charter school providing special instruction and services for the pupil must
133.24not be increased by the amount of the reduction in the aid paid to the resident district.
133.25    (c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) and section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraphs
133.26(b) to (d), a charter school where more than 30 percent of enrolled students receive special
133.27education and related services, a site approved under section 125A.515, an intermediate
133.28district, a special education cooperative, or a school district that served as the applicant
133.29agency for a group of school districts for federal special education aids for fiscal year
133.302006 may apply to the commissioner for authority to charge the resident district an
133.31additional amount to recover any remaining unreimbursed costs of serving pupils with
133.32a disability. The application must include a description of the costs and the calculations
133.33used to determine the unreimbursed portion to be charged to the resident district. Amounts
133.34approved by the commissioner under this paragraph must be included in the tuition billings
133.35or aid adjustments under paragraph (a), or section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraphs
133.36(b) to (d), as applicable.
134.1    (c) (d) For purposes of this subdivision and section 127A.47, subdivision 7,
134.2paragraph (b), "general education revenue and referendum equalization aid" means
134.3the sum of the general education revenue according to section 126C.10, subdivision 1,
134.4excluding the local optional levy according to section 126C.10, subdivision 2e, paragraph
134.5(c), plus the referendum equalization aid according to section 126C.17, subdivision 7.
134.6EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for fiscal year 2016 and later.

134.7    Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 125A.21, is amended to read:
134.8125A.21 THIRD-PARTY PAYMENT.
134.9    Subdivision 1. Obligation to pay. Nothing in sections 125A.03 to 125A.24 and
134.10125A.65 relieves an insurer or similar third party from an otherwise valid obligation to
134.11pay, or changes the validity of an obligation to pay, for services rendered to a child with
134.12a disability, and the child's family. A school district shall pay the nonfederal share of
134.13medical assistance services provided according to section 256B.0625, subdivision 26.
134.14Eligible expenditures must not be made from federal funds or funds used to match other
134.15federal funds. Any federal disallowances are the responsibility of the school district. A
134.16school district may pay or reimburse co-payments, coinsurance, deductibles, and other
134.17enrollee cost-sharing amounts, on behalf of the student or family, in connection with
134.18health and related services provided under an individual educational plan or individualized
134.19family service plan.
134.20    Subd. 2. Third-party reimbursement. (a) Beginning July 1, 2000, districts
134.21shall seek reimbursement from insurers and similar third parties for the cost of services
134.22provided by the district whenever the services provided by the district are otherwise
134.23covered by the child's health coverage. Districts shall request, but may not require, the
134.24child's family to provide information about the child's health coverage when a child with a
134.25disability begins to receive services from the district of a type that may be reimbursable,
134.26and shall request, but may not require, updated information after that as needed.
134.27(b) For children enrolled in medical assistance under chapter 256B or MinnesotaCare
134.28under chapter 256L who have no other health coverage, a district shall provide an initial
134.29and annual written notice to the enrolled child's parent or legal representative of its intent
134.30to seek reimbursement from medical assistance or MinnesotaCare for the individualized
134.31education program or individualized family service plan health-related services provided
134.32by the district. The initial notice must give the child's parent or legal representative the
134.33right to request a copy of the child's education records on the health-related services that
134.34the district provided to the child and disclosed to a third-party payer.
135.1(c) The district shall give the parent or legal representative annual written notice of:
135.2(1) the district's intent to seek reimbursement from medical assistance or
135.3MinnesotaCare for individualized education program or individualized family service plan
135.4health-related services provided by the district;
135.5(2) the right of the parent or legal representative to request a copy of all records
135.6concerning individualized education program or individualized family service plan
135.7health-related services disclosed by the district to any third party; and
135.8(3) the right of the parent or legal representative to withdraw consent for disclosure
135.9of a child's records at any time without consequence.
135.10The written notice shall be provided as part of the written notice required by Code of
135.11Federal Regulations, title 34, section 300.504 or 303.520. The district must ensure that the
135.12parent of a child with a disability is given notice, in understandable language, of federal and
135.13state procedural safeguards available to the parent under this paragraph and paragraph (b).
135.14(d) In order to access the private health care coverage of a child who is covered by
135.15private health care coverage in whole or in part, a district must:
135.16(1) obtain annual written informed consent from the parent or legal representative, in
135.17compliance with subdivision 5; and
135.18(2) inform the parent or legal representative that a refusal to permit the district
135.19or state Medicaid agency to access their private health care coverage does not relieve
135.20the district of its responsibility to provide all services necessary to provide free and
135.21appropriate public education at no cost to the parent or legal representative.
135.22(e) If the commissioner of human services obtains federal approval to exempt
135.23covered individualized education program or individualized family service plan
135.24health-related services from the requirement that private health care coverage refuse
135.25payment before medical assistance may be billed, paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) shall also
135.26apply to students with a combination of private health care coverage and health care
135.27coverage through medical assistance or MinnesotaCare.
135.28(f) In the event that Congress or any federal agency or the Minnesota legislature
135.29or any state agency establishes lifetime limits, limits for any health care services,
135.30cost-sharing provisions, or otherwise provides that individualized education program or
135.31individualized family service plan health-related services impact benefits for persons
135.32enrolled in medical assistance or MinnesotaCare, the amendments to this subdivision
135.33adopted in 2002 are repealed on the effective date of any federal or state law or regulation
135.34that imposes the limits. In that event, districts must obtain informed consent consistent
135.35with this subdivision as it existed prior to the 2002 amendments and subdivision 5, before
136.1seeking reimbursement for children enrolled in medical assistance under chapter 256B or
136.2MinnesotaCare under chapter 256L who have no other health care coverage.
136.3    Subd. 3. Use of reimbursements. Of the reimbursements received, districts may:
136.4(1) retain an amount sufficient to compensate the district for its administrative costs
136.5of obtaining reimbursements;
136.6(2) regularly obtain from education- and health-related entities training and other
136.7appropriate technical assistance designed to improve the district's ability to access
136.8third-party payments for individualized education program or individualized family
136.9service plan health-related services; or
136.10(3) reallocate reimbursements for the benefit of students with individualized
136.11education programs or individual individualized family service plans in the district.
136.12    Subd. 4. Parents not obligated to use health coverage. To the extent required by
136.13federal law, a school district may not require parents of children with disabilities, if they
136.14would incur a financial cost, to use private or public health coverage to pay for the services
136.15that must be provided under an individualized education program or individualized
136.16family service plan.
136.17    Subd. 5. Informed consent. When obtaining informed consent, consistent with
136.18sections 13.05, subdivision 4a; 256B.77, subdivision 2, paragraph (p); and Code of
136.19Federal Regulations, title 34, parts 99 and, 300, and 303, to bill health plans for covered
136.20services, the school district must notify the legal representative (1) that the cost of the
136.21person's private health insurance premium may increase due to providing the covered
136.22service in the school setting, (2) that the school district may pay certain enrollee health
136.23plan costs, including but not limited to, co-payments, coinsurance, deductibles, premium
136.24increases or other enrollee cost-sharing amounts for health and related services required
136.25by an individual service plan, or individual individualized family service plan, and (3) that
136.26the school's billing for each type of covered service may affect service limits and prior
136.27authorization thresholds. The informed consent may be revoked in writing at any time
136.28by the person authorizing the billing of the health plan.
136.29    Subd. 6. District obligation to provide service. To the extent required by federal
136.30law, no school district may deny, withhold, or delay any service that must be provided
136.31under an individualized education program or individualized family service plan because
136.32a family has refused to provide informed consent to bill a health plan for services or a
136.33health plan company has refused to pay any, all, or a portion of the cost of services billed.
136.34    Subd. 7. District disclosure of information. A school district may disclose
136.35information contained in a student's individualized education program, consistent with
136.36section 13.32, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), and Code of Federal Regulations, title 34,
137.1parts 99 and, 300, and 303; including records of the student's diagnosis and treatment, to a
137.2health plan company only with the signed and dated consent of the student's parent, or
137.3other legally authorized individual. The school district shall disclose only that information
137.4necessary for the health plan company to decide matters of coverage and payment. A
137.5health plan company may use the information only for making decisions regarding
137.6coverage and payment, and for any other use permitted by law.

137.7    Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 125A.28, is amended to read:
137.8125A.28 STATE INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COUNCIL.
137.9An Interagency Coordinating Council of at least 17, but not more than 25 members is
137.10established, in compliance with Public Law 108-446, section 641. The members must be
137.11appointed by the governor and reasonably represent the population of Minnesota. Council
137.12members must elect the council chair, who may not be a representative of the Department
137.13of Education. The council must be composed of at least five parents, including persons
137.14of color, of children with disabilities under age 12, including at least three parents of a
137.15child with a disability under age seven, five representatives of public or private providers
137.16of services for children with disabilities under age five, including a special education
137.17director, county social service director, local Head Start director, and a community health
137.18services or public health nursing administrator, one member of the senate, one member of
137.19the house of representatives, one representative of teacher preparation programs in early
137.20childhood-special education or other preparation programs in early childhood intervention,
137.21at least one representative of advocacy organizations for children with disabilities under
137.22age five, one physician who cares for young children with special health care needs, one
137.23representative each from the commissioners of commerce, education, health, human
137.24services, a representative from the state agency responsible for child care, foster care,
137.25mental health, homeless coordinator of education of homeless children and youth, and a
137.26representative from Indian health services or a tribal council. Section 15.059, subdivisions
137.272 to 4, apply to the council. The council must meet at least quarterly.
137.28The council must address methods of implementing the state policy of developing
137.29and implementing comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary interagency programs of
137.30early intervention services for children with disabilities and their families.
137.31The duties of the council include recommending policies to ensure a comprehensive
137.32and coordinated system of all state and local agency services for children under age five
137.33with disabilities and their families. The policies must address how to incorporate each
137.34agency's services into a unified state and local system of multidisciplinary assessment
137.35practices, individual intervention plans, comprehensive systems to find children in need of
138.1services, methods to improve public awareness, and assistance in determining the role of
138.2interagency early intervention committees.
138.3On the date that Minnesota Part C Annual Performance Report is submitted to
138.4Within 30 days of receiving the annual determination from the federal Office of Special
138.5Education on the Minnesota Part C Annual Performance Report, the council must
138.6recommend to the governor and the commissioners of education, health, human services,
138.7commerce, and employment and economic development policies for a comprehensive
138.8and coordinated system.
138.9Annually, the council must prepare and submit a report to the governor and the
138.10secretary of the federal Department of Education on the status of early intervention
138.11services and programs for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families under
138.12the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, United States Code, title 20, sections
138.131471 to 1485 (Part C, Public Law 102-119), as operated in Minnesota. The Minnesota
138.14Part C annual performance report may serve as the report.
138.15Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the State Interagency Coordinating
138.16Council does not expire unless federal law no longer requires the existence of the council
138.17or committee.

138.18    Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 125A.63, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
138.19    Subd. 2. Programs. (a) The resource centers department must offer summer
138.20institutes or other training programs throughout the state for deaf or hard-of-hearing, blind
138.21or visually impaired, and multiply disabled pupils. The resource centers department must
138.22also offer workshops for teachers, and leadership development for teachers.
138.23A program (b) Training and workshop programs offered through the resource centers
138.24under paragraph (a) must help promote and develop education programs offered by school
138.25districts or other organizations. The program programs must assist school districts or other
138.26organizations to develop innovative programs.

138.27    Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 125A.63, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
138.28    Subd. 3. Programs by nonprofits. The resource centers department may contract
138.29to have nonprofit organizations provide programs through the resource centers under
138.30subdivision 2.

138.31    Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 125A.63, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
138.32    Subd. 4. Advisory committees. (a) The commissioner shall establish an advisory
138.33committee committees for each resource center the deaf and hard-of-hearing and for the
139.1blind and visually impaired. The advisory committees shall develop recommendations
139.2regarding the resource centers and submit an annual report to the commissioner on the
139.3form and in the manner prescribed by the commissioner.
139.4(b) The advisory committee for the Resource Center committees for the deaf and
139.5hard of hearing and for the blind and visually impaired shall meet periodically at least four
139.6times per year and each submit an annual report to the commissioner, the education policy
139.7and finance committees of the legislature, and the Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind, and
139.8Hard of Hearing Hard-of-Hearing Minnesotans. The report reports must, at least:
139.9(1) identify and report the aggregate, data-based education outcomes for children
139.10with the primary disability classification of deaf and hard of hearing or of blind and
139.11visually impaired, consistent with the commissioner's child count reporting practices, the
139.12commissioner's state and local outcome data reporting system by district and region, and
139.13the school performance report cards under section 120B.36, subdivision 1; and
139.14(2) describe the implementation of a data-based plan for improving the education
139.15outcomes of deaf and hard of hearing or blind and visually impaired children that is
139.16premised on evidence-based best practices, and provide a cost estimate for ongoing
139.17implementation of the plan.

139.18    Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 125A.63, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
139.19    Subd. 5. Statewide hearing loss early education intervention coordinator. (a)
139.20The coordinator shall:
139.21    (1) collaborate with the early hearing detection and intervention coordinator for the
139.22Department of Health, the director of the Department of Education Resource Center for
139.23Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing deaf and hard-of-hearing state specialist, and the Department
139.24of Health Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Advisory Council;
139.25    (2) coordinate and support Department of Education early hearing detection and
139.26intervention teams;
139.27    (3) leverage resources by serving as a liaison between interagency early intervention
139.28committees; part C coordinators from the Departments of Education, Health, and
139.29Human Services; Department of Education regional low-incidence facilitators; service
139.30coordinators from school districts; Minnesota children with special health needs in the
139.31Department of Health; public health nurses; child find; Department of Human Services
139.32Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Services Division; and others as appropriate;
139.33    (4) identify, support, and promote culturally appropriate and evidence-based early
139.34intervention practices for infants with hearing loss, and provide training, outreach, and use
139.35of technology to increase consistency in statewide service provision;
140.1    (5) identify culturally appropriate specialized reliable and valid instruments to assess
140.2and track the progress of children with hearing loss and promote their use;
140.3    (6) ensure that early childhood providers, parents, and members of the individual
140.4family service and intervention plan are provided with child progress data resulting from
140.5specialized assessments;
140.6    (7) educate early childhood providers and teachers of the deaf and hard-of-hearing
140.7to use developmental data from specialized assessments to plan and adjust individual
140.8family service plans; and
140.9    (8) make recommendations that would improve educational outcomes to the early
140.10hearing detection and intervention committee, the commissioners of education and health,
140.11the Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard-of-Hearing Minnesotans, and the advisory
140.12council of the Minnesota Department of Education Resource Center for the deaf and
140.13hard-of-hearing.
140.14    (b) The Department of Education must provide aggregate data regarding outcomes
140.15of deaf and hard-of-hearing children who receive early intervention services within the
140.16state in accordance with the state performance plan.

140.17    Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 125A.76, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
140.18    Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this section and section 125A.79,
140.19the definitions in this subdivision apply.
140.20    (b) "Basic revenue" has the meaning given it in section 126C.10, subdivision 2.
140.21For the purposes of computing basic revenue pursuant to this section, each child with a
140.22disability shall be counted as prescribed in section 126C.05, subdivision 1.
140.23    (c) "Essential personnel" means teachers, cultural liaisons, related services, and
140.24support services staff providing services to students. Essential personnel may also include
140.25special education paraprofessionals or clericals providing support to teachers and students
140.26by preparing paperwork and making arrangements related to special education compliance
140.27requirements, including parent meetings and individualized education programs. Essential
140.28personnel does not include administrators and supervisors.
140.29    (d) "Average daily membership" has the meaning given it in section 126C.05.
140.30    (e) "Program growth factor" means 1.046 for fiscal years 2012 through 2015, 1.0
140.31for fiscal year 2016, 1.046 for fiscal year 2017, and the product of 1.046 and the program
140.32growth factor for the previous year for fiscal year 2018 and later.
140.33(f) "Nonfederal special education expenditure" means all direct expenditures that
140.34are necessary and essential to meet the district's obligation to provide special instruction
140.35and services to children with a disability according to sections 124D.454, 125A.03 to
141.1125A.24 , 125A.259 to 125A.48, and 125A.65 as submitted by the district and approved by
141.2the department under section 125A.75, subdivision 4, excluding expenditures:
141.3(1) reimbursed with federal funds;
141.4(2) reimbursed with other state aids under this chapter;
141.5(3) for general education costs of serving students with a disability;
141.6(4) for facilities;
141.7(5) for pupil transportation; and
141.8(6) for postemployment benefits.
141.9(g) "Old formula special education expenditures" means expenditures eligible for
141.10revenue under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 125A.76, subdivision 2.
141.11    (h) For the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf and the Minnesota State Academy
141.12for the Blind, expenditures under paragraphs (f) and (g) are limited to the salary and
141.13fringe benefits of one-to-one instructional and behavior management aides and one-to-one
141.14licensed, certified professionals assigned to a child attending the academy, if the aides or
141.15professionals are required by the child's individualized education program.
141.16(i) "Cross subsidy reduction aid percentage" means 1.0 percent for fiscal year 2014
141.17and 2.27 percent for fiscal year 2015.
141.18(j) "Cross subsidy reduction aid limit" means $20 for fiscal year 2014 and $48
141.19for fiscal year 2015.
141.20(k) "Special education aid increase limit" means $80 for fiscal year 2016, $100 for
141.21fiscal year 2017, and, for fiscal year 2018 and later, the sum of the special education aid
141.22increase limit for the previous fiscal year and $40.
141.23(l) "District" means a school district, a charter school, or a cooperative unit as
141.24defined in section 123A.24, subdivision 2. Notwithstanding section 123A.26, cooperative
141.25units as defined in section 123A.24, subdivision 2, are eligible to receive special education
141.26aid under this section and section 125A.79.
141.27EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for fiscal year 2016 and later.

141.28    Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 125A.76, subdivision 2c, is amended to read:
141.29    Subd. 2c. Special education aid. (a) For fiscal year 2014 and fiscal year 2015, a
141.30district's special education aid equals the sum of the district's special education aid under
141.31subdivision 5, the district's cross subsidy reduction aid under subdivision 2b, and the
141.32district's excess cost aid under section 125A.79, subdivision 7.
141.33(b) For fiscal year 2016 and later, a district's special education aid equals the sum of
141.34the district's special education initial aid under subdivision 2a and the district's excess cost
141.35aid under section 125A.79, subdivision 5.
142.1(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), for fiscal year 2016, the special education aid for
142.2a school district must not exceed the sum of the special education aid the district would
142.3have received for fiscal year 2016 under Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 125A.76
142.4and 125A.79, as adjusted according to Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 125A.11 and
142.5127A.47, subdivision 7 , and the product of the district's average daily membership served
142.6and the special education aid increase limit.
142.7(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), for fiscal year 2017 and later, the special education
142.8aid for a school district must not exceed the sum of: (i) the product of the district's average
142.9daily membership served and the special education aid increase limit and (ii) the product
142.10of the sum of the special education aid the district would have received for fiscal year 2016
142.11under Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 125A.76 and 125A.79, as adjusted according
142.12to Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 125A.11 and 127A.47, subdivision 7, the ratio of
142.13the district's average daily membership served for the current fiscal year to the district's
142.14average daily membership served for fiscal year 2016, and the program growth factor.
142.15(e) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), for fiscal year 2016 and later the special
142.16education aid for a school district, not including a charter school or cooperative unit as
142.17defined in section 123A.24, must not be less than the lesser of (1) the district's nonfederal
142.18special education expenditures for that fiscal year or (2) the product of the sum of the
142.19special education aid the district would have received for fiscal year 2016 under Minnesota
142.20Statutes 2012, sections 125A.76 and 125A.79, as adjusted according to Minnesota Statutes
142.212012, sections 125A.11 and 127A.47, subdivision 7, the ratio of the district's adjusted
142.22daily membership for the current fiscal year to the district's average daily membership for
142.23fiscal year 2016, and the program growth factor.
142.24(f) Notwithstanding subdivision 2a and section 125A.79, a charter school in its first
142.25year of operation shall generate special education aid based on current year data. A newly
142.26formed cooperative unit as defined in section 123A.24 may apply to the commissioner
142.27for approval to generate special education aid for its first year of operation based on
142.28current year data, with an offsetting adjustment to the prior year data used to calculate aid
142.29for programs at participating school districts or previous cooperatives that were replaced
142.30by the new cooperative.

142.31    Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 125A.79, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
142.32    Subdivision 1. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the definitions in this
142.33subdivision apply.
142.34    (a) "Unreimbursed old formula special education expenditures" means:
142.35    (1) old formula special education expenditures for the prior fiscal year; minus
143.1    (2) for fiscal years 2014 and 2015, the sum of the special education aid under section
143.2125A.76, subdivision 5 , for the prior fiscal year and the cross subsidy reduction aid under
143.3section 125A.76, subdivision 2b, and for fiscal year 2016 and later, the special education
143.4initial aid under section 125A.76, subdivision 2a; minus
143.5(3) for fiscal year 2016 and later, the amount of general education revenue, excluding
143.6local optional revenue, plus local optional aid and referendum equalization aid for the
143.7prior fiscal year attributable to pupils receiving special instruction and services outside the
143.8regular classroom for more than 60 percent of the school day for the portion of time the
143.9pupils receive special instruction and services outside the regular classroom, excluding
143.10portions attributable to district and school administration, district support services,
143.11operations and maintenance, capital expenditures, and pupil transportation.
143.12(b) "Unreimbursed nonfederal special education expenditures" means:
143.13(1) nonfederal special education expenditures for the prior fiscal year; minus
143.14(2) special education initial aid under section 125A.76, subdivision 2a; minus
143.15(3) the amount of general education revenue and referendum equalization aid for the
143.16prior fiscal year attributable to pupils receiving special instruction and services outside the
143.17regular classroom for more than 60 percent of the school day for the portion of time the
143.18pupils receive special instruction and services outside of the regular classroom, excluding
143.19portions attributable to district and school administration, district support services,
143.20operations and maintenance, capital expenditures, and pupil transportation.
143.21    (c) "General revenue" for a school district means the sum of the general education
143.22revenue according to section 126C.10, subdivision 1, excluding transportation sparsity
143.23revenue, local optional revenue, and total operating capital revenue. "General revenue"
143.24for a charter school means the sum of the general education revenue according to section
143.25124D.11, subdivision 1 , and transportation revenue according to section 124D.11,
143.26subdivision 2, excluding referendum equalization aid, transportation sparsity revenue, and
143.27operating capital revenue.

143.28    Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 125A.79, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
143.29    Subd. 5. Excess cost aid. For fiscal year 2016 and later, a district's excess cost
143.30aid equals the greater of:
143.31    (1) 56 percent of the difference between (i) the district's unreimbursed nonfederal
143.32special education expenditures and (ii) 7.0 percent of the product of the ratio of $5,831 to
143.33the formula allowance for the current year and the district's general revenue;
144.1    (2) 62 percent of the difference between (i) the district's unreimbursed old formula
144.2special education expenditures and (ii) 2.5 percent of the product of the ratio of $5,831 to
144.3the formula allowance for the current year and the district's general revenue; or
144.4    (3) zero.

144.5    Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 127A.45, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
144.6    Subd. 3. Payment dates and percentages. (a) The commissioner shall pay to a
144.7district on the dates indicated an amount computed as follows: the cumulative amount
144.8guaranteed minus the sum of (1) the district's other district receipts through the current
144.9payment, and (2) the aid and credit payments through the immediately preceding payment.
144.10For purposes of this computation, the payment dates and the cumulative disbursement
144.11percentages are as follows:

144.12		Payment date	Percentage
144.13	Payment 1	July 15:	5.5
144.14	Payment 2	July 30:	8.0
144.15	Payment 3	August 15:	17.5
144.16	Payment 4	August 30:	20.0
144.17	Payment 5	September 15:	22.5
144.18	Payment 6	September 30:	25.0
144.19	Payment 7	October 15:	27.0
144.20	Payment 8	October 30:	30.0
144.21	Payment 9	November 15:	32.5
144.22	Payment 10	November 30:	36.5
144.23	Payment 11	December 15:	42.0
144.24	Payment 12	December 30:	45.0
144.25	Payment 13	January 15:	50.0
144.26	Payment 14	January 30:	54.0
144.27	Payment 15	February 15:	58.0
144.28	Payment 16	February 28:	63.0
144.29	Payment 17	March 15:	68.0
144.30	Payment 18	March 30:	74.0
144.31	Payment 19	April 15:	78.0
144.32	Payment 20	April 30:	85.0
144.33	Payment 21	May 15:	90.0
144.34	Payment 22	May 30:	95.0
144.35	Payment 23	June 20:	100.0

144.36(b) In addition to the amounts paid under paragraph (a), the commissioner shall pay
144.37to a school district or charter school on the dates indicated an amount computed as follows:

145.1 145.2	Payment 3	August 15: the final adjustment for the prior fiscal year for the state paid property tax credits established in section 273.1392
145.3 145.4	Payment 4	August 30: 30 percent of the final adjustment for the prior fiscal year for all aid entitlements except state paid property tax credits
145.5 145.6	Payment 6	September 30: 40 percent of the final adjustment for the prior fiscal year for all aid entitlements except state paid property tax credits
145.7 145.8	Payment 8	October 30: 30 percent of the final adjustment for the prior fiscal year for all aid entitlements except state paid property tax credits

145.9(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), if the current year aid payment percentage
145.10under subdivision 2, paragraph (d), is less than 90, in addition to the amounts paid under
145.11paragraph (a), the commissioner shall pay to a charter school on the dates indicated an
145.12amount computed as follows:

145.13 145.14	Payment 1	July 15: 75 percent of the final adjustment for the prior fiscal year for all aid entitlements
145.15 145.16	Payment 8	October 30: 25 percent of the final adjustment for the prior fiscal year for all aid entitlements

145.17(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), if a charter school is an eligible special education
145.18charter school under section 124D.11, subdivision 5a, in addition to the amounts paid
145.19under paragraph (a), the commissioner shall pay to a charter school on the dates indicated
145.20an amount computed as follows:

145.21 145.22	Payment 1	July 15: 75 percent of the final adjustment for the prior fiscal year for all aid entitlements
145.23 145.24	Payment 8	October 30: 25 percent of the final adjustment for the prior fiscal year for all aid entitlements

145.25    Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 127A.47, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
145.26    Subd. 7. Alternative attendance programs. (a) The general education aid and
145.27special education aid for districts must be adjusted for each pupil attending a nonresident
145.28district under sections 123A.05 to 123A.08, 124D.03, 124D.08, and 124D.68. The
145.29adjustments must be made according to this subdivision.
145.30    (b) For purposes of this subdivision, the "unreimbursed cost of providing special
145.31education and services" means the difference between: (1) the actual cost of providing
145.32special instruction and services, including special transportation and unreimbursed building
145.33lease and debt service costs for facilities used primarily for special education, for a pupil
145.34with a disability, as defined in section 125A.02, or a pupil, as defined in section 125A.51,
145.35who is enrolled in a program listed in this subdivision, minus (2) if the pupil receives
145.36special instruction and services outside the regular classroom for more than 60 percent of
145.37the school day, the amount of general education revenue and referendum equalization aid
145.38as defined in section 125A.11, subdivision 1, paragraph (c) (d), attributable to that pupil
146.1for the portion of time the pupil receives special instruction and services outside of the
146.2regular classroom, excluding portions attributable to district and school administration,
146.3district support services, operations and maintenance, capital expenditures, and pupil
146.4transportation, minus (3) special education aid under section 125A.76 attributable to
146.5that pupil, that is received by the district providing special instruction and services. For
146.6purposes of this paragraph, general education revenue and referendum equalization aid
146.7attributable to a pupil must be calculated using the serving district's average general
146.8education revenue and referendum equalization aid per adjusted pupil unit.
146.9(c) For fiscal year 2015 and later, special education aid paid to a resident district
146.10must be reduced by an amount equal to 90 percent of the unreimbursed cost of providing
146.11special education and services.
146.12(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (c), special education aid paid to a resident district
146.13must be reduced by an amount equal to 100 percent of the unreimbursed cost of special
146.14education and services provided to students at an intermediate district, cooperative, or
146.15charter school where the percent of students eligible for special education services is at
146.16least 70 percent of the charter school's total enrollment.
146.17(e) Notwithstanding paragraph (c), special education aid paid to a resident district
146.18must be reduced under paragraph (d) for students at a charter school receiving special
146.19education aid under section 124D.11, subdivision 5b, calculated as if the charter school
146.20received special education aid under section 124D.11, subdivision 5.
146.21    (e) (f) Special education aid paid to the district or cooperative providing special
146.22instruction and services for the pupil, or to the fiscal agent district for a cooperative, must
146.23be increased by the amount of the reduction in the aid paid to the resident district under
146.24paragraphs (c) and (d). If the resident district's special education aid is insufficient to make
146.25the full adjustment under paragraphs (c), (d), and (e), the remaining adjustment shall be
146.26made to other state aids due to the district.
146.27(g) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), general education aid paid to the resident district
146.28of a nonspecial education student for whom an eligible special education charter school
146.29receives general education aid under section 124D.11, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), must
146.30be reduced by an amount equal to the difference between the general education aid
146.31attributable to the student under section 124D.11, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), and the
146.32general education aid that the student would have generated for the charter school under
146.33section 124D.11, subdivision 1, paragraph (a). For purposes of this paragraph, "nonspecial
146.34education student" means a student who does not meet the definition of pupil with a
146.35disability, as defined in section 125A.02 or the definition of a pupil in section 125A.51.
147.1    (f) (h) An area learning center operated by a service cooperative, intermediate
147.2district, education district, or a joint powers cooperative may elect through the action of
147.3the constituent boards to charge the resident district tuition for pupils rather than to have
147.4the general education revenue paid to a fiscal agent school district. Except as provided in
147.5paragraph (e) (f), the district of residence must pay tuition equal to at least 90 and no more
147.6than 100 percent of the district average general education revenue per pupil unit minus
147.7an amount equal to the product of the formula allowance according to section 126C.10,
147.8subdivision 2 , times .0466, calculated without compensatory revenue, local optional
147.9revenue, and transportation sparsity revenue, times the number of pupil units for pupils
147.10attending the area learning center.
147.11EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for fiscal year 2016 and later.

147.12    Sec. 29. SPECIAL EDUCATION EVALUATION.
147.13    Subdivision 1. Special education teachers' compliance with legal requirements.
147.14The Department of Education must identify ways to give teachers working with eligible
147.15children with disabilities sufficient written and online resources to make informed decisions
147.16about how to effectively comply with legal requirements related to providing special
147.17education programs and services, including writing individualized education programs and
147.18related documents, among other requirements. The department must work collaboratively
147.19with teachers working with eligible children with disabilities, other school and district staff,
147.20and representatives of affected organizations, including Education Minnesota, Minnesota
147.21School Boards Association, and Minnesota Administrators of Special Education, among
147.22others, to identify obstacles to and solutions for teachers' confusion about complying with
147.23legal requirements governing special education programs and services. The department
147.24must work with schools and districts to provide staff development training to better
147.25comply with applicable legal requirements while meeting the educational needs and
147.26improving the educational progress of eligible children with disabilities.
147.27    Subd. 2. Efficiencies to reduce paperwork. The Department of Education, in
147.28collaboration with teachers and administrators working with eligible children with
147.29disabilities in schools and districts, must identify strategies to effectively decrease the
147.30amount of time teachers spend completing paperwork for special education programs and
147.31services, evaluate whether the strategies are cost-effective, and determine whether other
147.32schools and districts are able to effectively use the strategies given available staff and
147.33resources. Where an evaluation shows that particular paperwork reduction strategies are
147.34cost-effective without undermining the purpose of the paperwork or the integrity of special
148.1education requirements, the department must electronically disseminate and promote the
148.2strategies to other schools and districts throughout the state.
148.3    Subd. 3. Special education forms; reading level. The Department of Education
148.4must determine the current reading level of its special education forms, establish a target
148.5reading level for such forms, and, based on that target level, determine whether alternative
148.6forms are needed to accommodate the lexical and sublexical cognitive processes of
148.7individual form users and readers. The department must work with interested special
148.8education stakeholders and reading experts in making the determinations and identification
148.9required in this subdivision.
148.10EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

148.11    Sec. 30. APPROPRIATIONS.
148.12    Subdivision 1. Department of Education. The sums indicated in this section are
148.13appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years
148.14designated.
148.15    Subd. 2. Special education; regular. For special education aid under Minnesota
148.16Statutes, section 125A.75:

148.17		$	1,170,877,000	.....	2016
148.18		$	1,229,758,000	.....	2017

148.19The 2016 appropriation includes $137,932,000 for 2015 and $1,032,945,000 for
148.202016.
148.21The 2017 appropriation includes $145,407,000 for 2016 and $1,084,351,000 for
148.222017.
148.23    Subd. 3. Travel for home-based services. For aid for teacher travel for home-based
148.24services under Minnesota Statutes, section 125A.75, subdivision 1:

148.25		$	361,000	.....	2016
148.26		$	371,000	.....	2017

148.27The 2016 appropriation includes $35,000 for 2015 and $326,000 for 2016.
148.28The 2017 appropriation includes $36,000 for 2016 and $335,000 for 2017.
148.29    Subd. 4. Special education out-of-state tuition. For special education out-of-state
148.30tuition according to Minnesota Statutes, section 125A.79, subdivision 8:

148.31		$	250,000	.....	2016
148.32		$	250,000	.....	2017

149.1    Subd. 5. Aid for children with disabilities. For aid under Minnesota Statutes,
149.2section 125A.75, subdivision 3, for children with disabilities placed in residential facilities
149.3within the district boundaries for whom no district of residence can be determined:

149.4		$	1,406,000	.....	2016
149.5		$	1,629,000	.....	2017

149.6If the appropriation for either year is insufficient, the appropriation for the other
149.7year is available.
149.8    Subd. 6. Court-placed special education revenue. For reimbursing serving school
149.9districts for unreimbursed eligible expenditures attributable to children placed in the serving
149.10school district by court action under Minnesota Statutes, section 125A.79, subdivision 4:

149.11		$	56,000	.....	2016
149.12		$	57,000	.....	2017

149.13    Sec. 31. REPEALER.
149.14Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 125A.63, subdivision 1, is repealed.

149.15ARTICLE 6

149.16FACILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY

149.17    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 123B.53, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
149.18    Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the eligible debt service
149.19revenue of a district is defined as follows:
149.20    (1) the amount needed to produce between five and six percent in excess of the
149.21amount needed to meet when due the principal and interest payments on the obligations of
149.22the district for eligible projects according to subdivision 2, including the amounts necessary
149.23for repayment of energy loans according to section 216C.37 or sections 298.292 to 298.298,
149.24debt service loans and, capital loans, and lease purchase payments under section 126C.40,
149.25subdivision 2 , alternative facilities levies under section 123B.59, subdivision 5, paragraph
149.26(a), excluding long-term facilities maintenance levies under section 123B.595, minus
149.27    (2) the amount of debt service excess levy reduction for that school year calculated
149.28according to the procedure established by the commissioner.
149.29    (b) The obligations in this paragraph are excluded from eligible debt service revenue:
149.30    (1) obligations under section 123B.61;
149.31    (2) the part of debt service principal and interest paid from the taconite environmental
149.32protection fund or Douglas J. Johnson economic protection trust, excluding the portion of
150.1taconite payments from the Iron Range school consolidation and cooperatively operated
150.2school account under section 298.28, subdivision 7a;
150.3    (3) obligations issued under Laws 1991, chapter 265, article 5, section 18, as
150.4amended by Laws 1992, chapter 499, article 5, section 24;
150.5    (4) obligations under section 123B.62; and
150.6    (5) obligations equalized under section 123B.535.
150.7    (c) For purposes of this section, if a preexisting school district reorganized under
150.8sections 123A.35 to 123A.43, 123A.46, and 123A.48 is solely responsible for retirement
150.9of the preexisting district's bonded indebtedness, capital loans or debt service loans, debt
150.10service equalization aid must be computed separately for each of the preexisting districts.
150.11    (d) For purposes of this section, the adjusted net tax capacity determined according
150.12to sections 127A.48 and 273.1325 shall be adjusted to include the tax capacity of property
150.13generally exempted from ad valorem taxes under section 272.02, subdivision 64.
150.14EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2017 and
150.15later.

150.16    Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 123B.53, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
150.17    Subd. 4. Debt service equalization revenue. (a) The debt service equalization
150.18revenue of a district equals the sum of the first tier debt service equalization revenue and
150.19the second tier debt service equalization revenue.
150.20    (b) The first tier debt service equalization revenue of a district equals the greater
150.21of zero or the eligible debt service revenue minus the amount raised by a levy of 15.74
150.22percent times the adjusted net tax capacity of the district minus the second tier debt service
150.23equalization revenue of the district.
150.24    (c) The second tier debt service equalization revenue of a district equals the greater
150.25of zero or the eligible debt service revenue, excluding alternative facilities levies under
150.26section 123B.59, subdivision 5, minus the amount raised by a levy of 26.24 percent times
150.27the adjusted net tax capacity of the district.
150.28EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2017 and
150.29later.

150.30    Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 123B.57, is amended to read:
150.31123B.57 CAPITAL EXPENDITURE; HEALTH AND SAFETY.
150.32    Subdivision 1. Health and safety revenue application. (a) To receive health
150.33and safety revenue for any fiscal year a district must submit to the commissioner a
151.1capital expenditure health and safety revenue application by the date determined by the
151.2commissioner. The application must include a health and safety budget adopted and
151.3confirmed by the school district board as being consistent with the district's health and
151.4safety policy under subdivision 2. The budget must include the estimated cost of the
151.5program per Uniform Financial Accounting and Reporting Standards (UFARS) finance
151.6code, by fiscal year. Upon approval through the adoption of a resolution by each of an
151.7intermediate district's member school district boards and the approval of the Department
151.8of Education, a school district may include its proportionate share of the costs of health
151.9and safety projects for an intermediate district in its application.
151.10(b) Health and safety projects with an estimated cost of $500,000 or more per
151.11site are not eligible for health and safety revenue. Health and safety projects with an
151.12estimated cost of $500,000 or more per site that meet all other requirements for health and
151.13safety funding, are eligible for alternative facilities bonding and levy revenue according
151.14to section 123B.59. A school board shall not separate portions of a single project into
151.15components to qualify for health and safety revenue, and shall not combine unrelated
151.16projects into a single project to qualify for alternative facilities bonding and levy revenue.
151.17(c) The commissioner of education shall not make eligibility for health and safety
151.18revenue contingent on a district's compliance status, level of program development, or
151.19training. The commissioner shall not mandate additional performance criteria such as
151.20training, certifications, or compliance evaluations as a prerequisite for levy approval.
151.21    Subd. 2. Health and safety policy. To qualify for health and safety revenue, a
151.22school board must adopt a health and safety policy. The policy must include provisions
151.23for implementing a health and safety program that complies with health, safety, and
151.24environmental regulations and best practices including indoor air quality management.
151.25    Subd. 3. Health and safety revenue. A district's health and safety revenue
151.26for a fiscal year equals the district's alternative facilities levy under section 123B.59,
151.27subdivision 5, paragraph (b), plus the greater of zero or:
151.28    (1) the sum of (a) the total approved cost of the district's hazardous substance
151.29plan for fiscal years 1985 through 1989, plus (b) the total approved cost of the district's
151.30health and safety program for fiscal year 1990 through the fiscal year to which the levy
151.31is attributable, excluding expenditures funded with bonds issued under section 123B.59
151.32or 123B.62, or chapter 475; certificates of indebtedness or capital notes under section
151.33123B.61; levies under section 123B.58, 123B.59, 123B.63, or 126C.40, subdivision 1 or
151.346; and other federal, state, or local revenues, minus
151.35    (2) the sum of (a) the district's total hazardous substance aid and levy for fiscal years
151.361985 through 1989 under sections 124.245 and 275.125, subdivision 11c, plus (b) the
152.1district's health and safety revenue under this subdivision, for years before the fiscal year
152.2to which the levy is attributable.
152.3    Subd. 4. Health and safety levy. To receive health and safety revenue, a district
152.4may levy an amount equal to the district's health and safety revenue as defined in
152.5subdivision 3 multiplied by the lesser of one, or the ratio of the quotient derived by
152.6dividing the adjusted net tax capacity of the district for the year preceding the year the
152.7levy is certified by the adjusted pupil units in the district for the school year to which
152.8the levy is attributable, to $3,165.
152.9    Subd. 5. Health and safety aid. A district's health and safety aid is the difference
152.10between its health and safety revenue and its health and safety levy. If a district does not
152.11levy the entire amount permitted, health and safety aid must be reduced in proportion to
152.12the actual amount levied. Health and safety aid may not be reduced as a result of reducing
152.13a district's health and safety levy according to section 123B.79.
152.14    Subd. 6. Uses of Health and safety revenue capital projects. (a) Health and
152.15safety revenue may be used only for approved capital projects may include expenditures
152.16necessary for the correction of fire and life safety hazards; design, purchase, installation,
152.17maintenance, and inspection of fire protection and alarm equipment; purchase or
152.18construction of appropriate facilities for the storage of combustible and flammable
152.19materials; inventories and facility modifications not related to a remodeling project
152.20to comply with lab safety requirements under section 121A.31; inspection, testing,
152.21repair, removal or encapsulation, and disposal of asbestos-containing building materials;
152.22cleanup and disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls; cleanup and disposal of hazardous and
152.23infectious wastes; cleanup, removal, disposal, and repairs related to storing heating fuel or
152.24transportation fuels such as alcohol, gasoline, fuel oil, and special fuel, as defined in section
152.25296A.01 ; correction of occupational safety and health administration regulated hazards;
152.26indoor air quality inspections, investigations, and testing; mold abatement; upgrades or
152.27replacement of mechanical ventilation systems to meet American Society of Heating,
152.28Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers standards and State Mechanical Code;
152.29design, materials, and installation of local exhaust ventilation systems, including required
152.30make-up air for controlling regulated hazardous substances; correction of Department of
152.31Health Food Code violations; correction of swimming pool hazards excluding depth
152.32correction; playground safety inspections, repair of unsafe outdoor playground equipment,
152.33and the installation of impact surfacing materials; bleacher repair or rebuilding to comply
152.34with the order of a building code inspector under section 326B.112; testing and mitigation
152.35of elevated radon hazards; lead testing; copper in water testing; cleanup after major
152.36weather-related disasters or flooding; reduction of excessive organic and inorganic levels
153.1in wells and capping of abandoned wells; installation and testing of boiler backflow valves
153.2to prevent contamination of potable water; vaccinations, titers, and preventative supplies
153.3for bloodborne pathogen compliance; costs to comply with the Janet B. Johnson Parents'
153.4Right to Know Act; automated external defibrillators and other emergency plan equipment
153.5and supplies specific to the district's emergency action plan; compliance with the National
153.6Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for school generators established by the
153.7United States Environmental Protection Agency; and health, safety, and environmental
153.8management costs associated with implementing the district's health and safety program
153.9including costs to establish and operate safety committees, in school buildings or property
153.10owned or being acquired by the district. Testing and calibration activities are permitted for
153.11existing mechanical ventilation systems at intervals no less than every five years.
153.12(b) For fiscal years 2014 through 2017, a school district must not include expenses
153.13related to emission compliance projects for school generators in its health and safety
153.14revenue capital projects unless it reduces its approved spending on other qualified health
153.15and safety projects by the same amount.
153.16    Subd. 6a. Restrictions on health and safety revenue. Notwithstanding subdivision
153.176, health and safety revenue must not be used:
153.18(1) to finance a lease purchase agreement, installment purchase agreement, or other
153.19deferred payments agreement;
153.20(2) for the construction of new facilities, remodeling of existing facilities, or the
153.21purchase of portable classrooms;
153.22(3) for interest or other financing expenses;
153.23(4) for energy-efficiency projects under section 123B.65, for a building or property
153.24or part of a building or property used for postsecondary instruction or administration or for
153.25a purpose unrelated to elementary and secondary education;
153.26(5) for replacement of building materials or facilities including roof, walls, windows,
153.27internal fixtures and flooring, nonhealth and safety costs associated with demolition of
153.28facilities, structural repair or replacement of facilities due to unsafe conditions, violence
153.29prevention and facility security, ergonomics, or public announcement systems and
153.30emergency communication devices; or
153.31(6) for building and heating, ventilating and air conditioning supplies, maintenance,
153.32and cleaning activities. All assessments, investigations, inventories, and support
153.33equipment not leading to the engineering or construction of a project shall be included in
153.34the health, safety, and environmental management costs in subdivision 8, paragraph (a).
153.35    Subd. 6b. Health and safety projects. (a) Health and safety revenue applications
153.36defined in subdivision 1 must be accompanied by a description of each project for which
154.1funding is being requested. Project descriptions must provide enough detail for an auditor
154.2to determine if the work qualifies for revenue. For projects other than fire and life
154.3safety projects, playground projects, and health, safety, and environmental management
154.4activities, a project description does not need to include itemized details such as material
154.5types, room locations, square feet, names, or license numbers. The commissioner
154.6may request supporting information and shall approve only projects that comply with
154.7subdivisions 6 and 8, as defined by the Department of Education.
154.8(b) Districts may request funding for allowable projects based on self-assessments,
154.9safety committee recommendations, insurance inspections, management assistance
154.10reports, fire marshal orders, or other mandates. Notwithstanding subdivision 1, paragraph
154.11(b), and subdivision 8, paragraph (b), for projects under $500,000, individual project
154.12size for projects authorized by this subdivision is not limited and may include related
154.13work in multiple facilities. Health and safety management costs from subdivision 8 may
154.14be reported as a single project.
154.15(c) All costs directly related to a project shall be reported in the appropriate Uniform
154.16Financial Accounting and Reporting Standards (UFARS) finance code.
154.17(d) For fire and life safety egress and all other projects exceeding $20,000, cited
154.18under the Minnesota Fire Code, a fire marshal plan review is required.
154.19(e) Districts shall update project estimates with actual expenditures for each
154.20fiscal year. If a project's final cost is significantly higher than originally approved, the
154.21commissioner may request additional supporting information.
154.22    Subd. 6c. Appeals process. In the event a district is denied funding approval for
154.23a project the district believes complies with subdivisions 6 and 8, and is not otherwise
154.24excluded, a district may appeal the decision. All such requests must be in writing. The
154.25commissioner shall respond in writing. A written request must contain the following:
154.26project number; description and amount; reason for denial; unresolved questions for
154.27consideration; reasons for reconsideration; and a specific statement of what action the
154.28district is requesting.
154.29    Subd. 7. Proration. In the event that the health and safety aid available for any year
154.30is prorated, a district having its aid prorated may levy an additional amount equal to the
154.31amount not paid by the state due to proration.
154.32    Subd. 8. Health, safety, and environmental management cost. (a) "Health, safety,
154.33and environmental management" is defined in section 123B.56.
154.34(b) A district's cost for health, safety, and environmental management is limited to
154.35the lesser of:
154.36(1) actual cost to implement their plan; or
155.1(2) an amount determined by the commissioner, based on enrollment, building
155.2age, and size.
155.3(c) The department may contract with regional service organizations, private
155.4contractors, Minnesota Safety Council, or state agencies to provide management
155.5assistance to school districts for health and safety capital projects. Management assistance
155.6is the development of written programs for the identification, recognition and control of
155.7hazards, and prioritization and scheduling of district health and safety capital projects. The
155.8commissioner shall not mandate management assistance or exclude private contractors
155.9from the opportunity to provide any health and safety services to school districts.
155.10EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2017 and
155.11later.

155.12    Sec. 4. [123B.595] LONG-TERM FACILITIES MAINTENANCE REVENUE.
155.13    Subdivision 1. Long-term facilities maintenance revenue. (a) For fiscal year
155.142017 only, long-term facilities maintenance revenue equals the greater of (1) $193 times
155.15the district's adjusted pupil units times the lesser of one or the ratio of the district's
155.16average building age to 35 years, plus the cost approved by the commissioner for indoor
155.17air quality, fire alarm and suppression, and asbestos abatement projects under section
155.18123B.57, subdivision 6, with an estimated cost of $100,000 or more per site or (2) the
155.19sum of the amount the district would have qualified for under Minnesota Statutes 2014,
155.20section 123B.57, Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 123B.59, and Minnesota Statutes
155.212014, section 123B.591.
155.22(b) For fiscal year 2018 only, long-term facilities maintenance revenue equals the
155.23greater of (1) $292 times the district's adjusted pupil units times the lesser of one or the
155.24ratio of the district's average building age to 35 years, plus the cost approved by the
155.25commissioner for indoor air quality, fire alarm and suppression, and asbestos abatement
155.26projects under section 123B.57, subdivision 6, with an estimated cost of $100,000 or more
155.27per site or (2) the sum of the amount the district would have qualified for under Minnesota
155.28Statutes 2014, section 123B.57, Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 123B.59, and Minnesota
155.29Statutes 2014, section 123B.591.
155.30(c) For fiscal year 2019 and later, long-term facilities maintenance revenue equals
155.31the greater of (1) $380 times the district's adjusted pupil units times the lesser of one or
155.32the ratio of the district's average building age to 35 years, plus the cost approved by the
155.33commissioner for indoor air quality, fire alarm and suppression, and asbestos abatement
155.34projects under section 123B.57, subdivision 6, with an estimated cost of $100,000 or more
155.35per site or (2) the sum of the amount the district would have qualified for under Minnesota
156.1Statutes 2014, section 123B.57, Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 123B.59, and Minnesota
156.2Statutes 2014, section 123B.591.
156.3    Subd. 2. Long-term facilities maintenance revenue for a charter school. (a)
156.4For fiscal year 2017 only, long-term facilities maintenance revenue for a charter school
156.5equals $34 times the adjusted pupil units.
156.6(b) For fiscal year 2018 only, long-term facilities maintenance revenue for a charter
156.7school equals $85 times the adjusted pupil units.
156.8(c) For fiscal year 2019 and later, long-term facilities maintenance revenue for a
156.9charter school equals $132 times the adjusted pupil units.
156.10    Subd. 3. Intermediate districts and other cooperative units. Upon approval
156.11through the adoption of a resolution by each member district school board of an
156.12intermediate district or other cooperative units under section 123A.24, subdivision 2,
156.13and the approval of the commissioner of education, a school district may include in its
156.14authority under this section a proportionate share of the long-term maintenance costs
156.15of the intermediate district or cooperative unit. The cooperative unit may issue bonds
156.16to finance the project costs or levy for the costs, using long-term maintenance revenue
156.17transferred from member districts to make debt service payments or pay project costs.
156.18Authority under this subdivision is in addition to the authority for individual district
156.19projects under subdivision 1.
156.20    Subd. 4. Facilities plans. (a) To qualify for revenue under this section, a school
156.21district or intermediate district, not including a charter school, must have a ten-year facility
156.22plan adopted by the school board and approved by the commissioner. The plan must include
156.23provisions for implementing a health and safety program that complies with health, safety,
156.24and environmental regulations and best practices, including indoor air quality management.
156.25(b) The district must annually update the plan, biennially submit a facility
156.26maintenance plan to the commissioner, and indicate whether the district will issue bonds
156.27to finance the plan or levy for the costs.
156.28    (c) For school districts issuing bonds to finance the plan, the plan must include a
156.29debt service schedule demonstrating that the debt service revenue required to pay the
156.30principal and interest on the bonds each year will not exceed the projected long-term
156.31facilities revenue for that year.
156.32    Subd. 5. Bond authorization. (a) A school district may issue general obligation
156.33bonds under this section to finance facilities plans approved by its board and the
156.34commissioner. Chapter 475, except sections 475.58 and 475.59, must be complied with.
156.35The authority to issue bonds under this section is in addition to any bonding authority
156.36authorized by this chapter or other law. The amount of bonding authority authorized
157.1under this section must be disregarded in calculating the bonding or net debt limits of this
157.2chapter, or any other law other than section 475.53, subdivision 4.
157.3(b) At least 20 days before the earliest of solicitation of bids, the issuance of bonds,
157.4or the final certification of levies under subdivision 6, the district must publish notice
157.5of the intended projects, the amount of the bond issue, and the total amount of district
157.6indebtedness.
157.7(c) The portion of revenue under this section for bonded debt must be recognized
157.8in the debt service fund.
157.9    Subd. 6. Levy authorization. A district may levy for costs related to an approved
157.10plan under subdivision 4 as follows:
157.11(1) if the district has indicated to the commissioner that bonds will be issued, the
157.12district may levy for the principal and interest payments on outstanding bonds issued
157.13under subdivision 5 after reduction for any aid receivable under subdivision 9;
157.14(2) if the district has indicated to the commissioner that the plan will be funded
157.15through levy, the district may levy according to the schedule approved in the plan after
157.16reduction for any aid receivable under subdivision 9; or
157.17    (3) if the debt service revenue for a district required to pay the principal and interest
157.18on bonds issued under subdivision 5 exceeds the district's long-term facilities maintenance
157.19revenue for the same fiscal year, the district's general fund levy must be reduced by the
157.20amount of the excess.
157.21    Subd. 7. Long-term facilities maintenance equalization revenue. (a) For fiscal
157.22year 2017 only, a district's long-term facilities maintenance equalization revenue equals
157.23the lesser of (1) $193 times the adjusted pupil units or (2) the district's revenue under
157.24subdivision 1.
157.25(b) For fiscal year 2018 only, a district's long-term facilities maintenance
157.26equalization revenue equals the lesser of (1) $292 times the adjusted pupil units or (2)
157.27the district's revenue under subdivision 1.
157.28(c) For fiscal year 2019 and later, a district's long-term facilities maintenance
157.29equalization revenue equals the lesser of (1) $380 times the adjusted pupil units or (2)
157.30the district's revenue under subdivision 1.
157.31    Subd. 8. Long-term facilities maintenance equalized levy. For fiscal year 2017
157.32and later, a district's long-term facilities maintenance equalized levy equals the district's
157.33long-term facilities maintenance revenue minus the greater of:
157.34(1) the lesser of the district's long-term facilities maintenance revenue or the amount
157.35of aid the district received for fiscal year 2015 under Minnesota Statutes 2014, section
157.36123B.59, subdivision 6; or
158.1(2) the district's long-term facilities maintenance equalization revenue times the
158.2greater of (i) zero or (ii) one minus the ratio of its adjusted net tax capacity per adjusted
158.3pupil unit in the year preceding the year the levy is certified to 123 percent of the state
158.4average adjusted net tax capacity per adjusted pupil unit in the year preceding the year
158.5the levy is certified.
158.6    Subd. 9. Long-term facilities maintenance equalized aid. For fiscal year 2017
158.7and later, a district's long-term facilities maintenance equalized aid equals its long-term
158.8facilities maintenance revenue minus its long-term facilities maintenance equalized levy
158.9times the ratio of the actual amount levied to the permitted levy.
158.10    Subd. 10. Allowed uses for long-term facilities maintenance revenue. (a) A
158.11district may use revenue under this section for any of the following:
158.12(1) deferred capital expenditures and maintenance projects necessary to prevent
158.13further erosion of facilities;
158.14(2) increasing accessibility of school facilities; or
158.15(3) health and safety capital projects under section 123B.57.
158.16(b) A charter school may use revenue under this section for any purpose related
158.17to the school.
158.18    Subd. 11. Restrictions on long-term facilities maintenance revenue.
158.19Notwithstanding subdivision 11, long-term facilities maintenance revenue may not be used:
158.20(1) for the construction of new facilities, remodeling of existing facilities, or the
158.21purchase of portable classrooms;
158.22(2) to finance a lease purchase agreement, installment purchase agreement, or other
158.23deferred payments agreement;
158.24(3) for energy-efficiency projects under section 123B.65, for a building or property
158.25or part of a building or property used for postsecondary instruction or administration or for
158.26a purpose unrelated to elementary and secondary education; or
158.27(4) for violence prevention and facility security, ergonomics, or emergency
158.28communication devices.
158.29    Subd. 12. Reserve account. The portion of long-term facilities maintenance
158.30revenue not recognized under subdivision 5, paragraph (c), must be maintained in a
158.31reserve account within the general fund.
158.32EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2017 and
158.33later.

158.34    Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 125B.26, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
159.1    Subd. 2. E-rates. To be eligible for aid under this section, a district, charter school,
159.2or intermediate school district is required to file an e-rate application either separately or
159.3through its telecommunications access cluster and have a current technology plan on file
159.4with the department. Discounts received on telecommunications expenditures shall be
159.5reflected in the costs submitted to the department for aid under this section.

159.6    Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 126C.01, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
159.7    Subd. 2. Adjusted net tax capacity. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b),
159.8"adjusted net tax capacity" means the net tax capacity of the taxable property of the
159.9district as adjusted by the commissioner of revenue under sections 127A.48 and 273.1325.
159.10The adjusted net tax capacity for any given calendar year must be used to compute levy
159.11limitations for levies certified in the succeeding calendar year and aid for the school year
159.12beginning in the second succeeding calendar year.
159.13(b) For purposes of the long-term maintenance facilities equalization levy under
159.14section 123B.595, subdivision 8, "adjusted net tax capacity" means the value described in
159.15paragraph (a) reduced by 50 percent of the value of class 2a agricultural land determined
159.16under that paragraph before the application of the growth limit under section 127A.48,
159.17subdivision 7.
159.18EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for taxes payable in 2016 and later.

159.19    Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 297A.70, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
159.20    Subd. 2. Sales to government. (a) All sales, except those listed in paragraph (b),
159.21to the following governments and political subdivisions, or to the listed agencies or
159.22instrumentalities of governments and political subdivisions, are exempt:
159.23(1) the United States and its agencies and instrumentalities;
159.24(2) school districts, local governments, the University of Minnesota, state universities,
159.25community colleges, technical colleges, state academies, the Perpich Minnesota Center for
159.26Arts Education, and an instrumentality of a political subdivision that is accredited as an
159.27optional/special function school by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools;
159.28(3) hospitals and nursing homes owned and operated by political subdivisions of
159.29the state of tangible personal property and taxable services used at or by hospitals and
159.30nursing homes;
159.31(4) notwithstanding paragraph (d), the sales and purchases by the Metropolitan
159.32Council of vehicles and repair parts to equip operations provided for in section 473.4051
159.33are exempt through December 31, 2016;
160.1(5) other states or political subdivisions of other states, if the sale would be exempt
160.2from taxation if it occurred in that state; and
160.3(6) public libraries, public library systems, multicounty, multitype library systems
160.4as defined in section 134.001, county law libraries under chapter 134A, state agency
160.5libraries, the state library under section 480.09, and the Legislative Reference Library.
160.6(b) This exemption does not apply to the sales of the following products and services:
160.7(1) building, construction, or reconstruction materials purchased by a contractor
160.8or a subcontractor as a part of a lump-sum contract or similar type of contract with a
160.9guaranteed maximum price covering both labor and materials for use in the construction,
160.10alteration, or repair of a building or facility;
160.11(2) construction materials purchased by tax exempt entities or their contractors to
160.12be used in constructing buildings or facilities which will not be used principally by the
160.13tax exempt entities;
160.14(3) the leasing of a motor vehicle as defined in section 297B.01, subdivision 11,
160.15except for leases entered into by the United States or its agencies or instrumentalities;
160.16(4) lodging as defined under section 297A.61, subdivision 3, paragraph (g), clause
160.17(2), and prepared food, candy, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages as defined in section
160.18297A.67, subdivision 2 , except for lodging, prepared food, candy, soft drinks, and alcoholic
160.19beverages purchased directly by the United States or its agencies or instrumentalities; or
160.20(5) goods or services purchased by a local government as inputs to a liquor store, gas
160.21or electric utility, solid waste hauling service, solid waste recycling service, landfill, golf
160.22course, marina, campground, cafe, or laundromat.
160.23(c) As used in this subdivision, "school districts" means public school entities and
160.24districts of every kind and nature organized under the laws of the state of Minnesota, and
160.25any instrumentality of a school district, as defined in section 471.59.
160.26(d) For purposes of the exemption granted under this subdivision, "local
160.27governments" has the following meaning:
160.28(1) for the period prior to January 1, 2016 2017, local governments means statutory
160.29or home rule charter cities, counties, and townships; and
160.30(2) for the period of January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2016, local governments
160.31means statutory or home rule charter cities, counties, and townships; special districts as
160.32defined under section 6.465, except for the Metropolitan Council under sections 473.123
160.33to 473.549; any instrumentality of a statutory or home rule charter city, county, or
160.34township as defined in section 471.59; and any joint powers board or organization created
160.35under section 471.59; and
161.1(3) (2) beginning January 1, 2017, local governments means statutory or home rule
161.2charter cities, counties, and townships; special districts as defined under section 6.465; any
161.3instrumentality of a statutory or home rule charter city, county, or township as defined in
161.4section 471.59; and any joint powers board or organization created under section 471.59.
161.5EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

161.6    Sec. 8. COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION; 1:1 DEVICE PROGRAM
161.7GUIDELINES.
161.8The commissioner of education must research existing 1:1 device programs in
161.9Minnesota and across the country to determine best practices for Minnesota schools
161.10implementing 1:1 device programs. By February 15, 2016, the commissioner must
161.11develop and publish guidelines to ensure maximum effectiveness of 1:1 device programs
161.12and make a report on the research findings to the committees of the legislature with
161.13jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education.

161.14    Sec. 9. FAIR SCHOOL CRYSTAL TRANSITION.
161.15    Subdivision 1. Student enrollment. A student enrolled in the FAIR School
161.16Crystal during the 2014-2015 school year and a student accepted for enrollment during
161.17the 2015-2016 school year may continue to enroll in the FAIR School Crystal in any
161.18year through the 2019-2020 school year. For the 2015-2016 school year and later, other
161.19students may apply for enrollment under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.03.
161.20    Subd. 2. Compensatory revenue; literacy aid; alternative compensation
161.21revenue. For the 2015-2016 school year only, the Department of Education must calculate
161.22compensatory revenue, literacy aid, and alternative compensation revenue for the FAIR
161.23School Crystal based on the October 1, 2014, enrollment counts.
161.24    Subd. 3. Pupil transportation. The district may transport a pupil enrolled in
161.25the 2014-2015 school year and a pupil accepted for enrollment during the 2015-2016
161.26school year to and from the FAIR School Crystal in succeeding school years regardless
161.27of the pupil's district of residence. Pupil transportation expenses under this section are
161.28reimbursable under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.87.
161.29EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following the date on which
161.30the real and personal property of the FAIR School Crystal in Crystal is conveyed to
161.31Independent School District No. 281, Robbinsdale.

162.1    Sec. 10. FAIR SCHOOL DOWNTOWN TRANSITION.
162.2    Subdivision 1. Student enrollment. A student enrolled in the FAIR School
162.3downtown during the 2014-2015 school year and a student accepted for enrollment during
162.4the 2015-2016 school year may continue to enroll in the FAIR School downtown in any
162.5year through the 2018-2019 school year. For the 2015-2016 school year and later, other
162.6students may apply for enrollment under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.03.
162.7    Subd. 2. Compensatory revenue; literacy aid; alternative compensation
162.8revenue. For the 2015-2016 school year only, the Department of Education must calculate
162.9compensatory revenue, literacy aid, and alternative compensation revenue for the FAIR
162.10School downtown based on the October 1, 2014, enrollment counts.
162.11    Subd. 3. Pupil transportation. The district may transport a pupil enrolled in the
162.122014-2015 school year and a pupil accepted for enrollment during the 2015-2016 school
162.13year to and from the FAIR School downtown in succeeding school years regardless of
162.14the pupil's district of residence. Pupil transportation expenses under this section are
162.15reimbursable under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.87.
162.16EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following the date on which
162.17the real and personal property of the FAIR School downtown in Minneapolis is conveyed
162.18to Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis.

162.19    Sec. 11. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CERTIFICATION PARTNERSHIP.
162.20    Subdivision 1. Request for proposals. The commissioner of education shall issue
162.21a request for proposals no later than July 1, 2015, and award a contract no later than
162.22September 1, 2015, to a provider for the program under subdivision 3.
162.23    Subd. 2. Eligible schools. A school district, intermediate district, or charter school
162.24is eligible to participate in the program under this section, as long as funds are available.
162.25    Subd. 3. Program description; provider duties. (a) The provider must partner
162.26with eligible schools to make available a program to teach information technology skills
162.27and competencies that are essential for career and college readiness. By December 1,
162.282015, the provider must contact each eligible school and indicate how the school can
162.29access program services under this section.
162.30(b) The provider shall recruit up to 200 schools to participate in the program as long
162.31as funds are available. The provider must engage schools on a first-come, first-served
163.1basis, except that no more than half of the total funds available may be used to deliver the
163.2program to schools located in the seven-county metropolitan area.
163.3(c) The provider shall deliver to each participating school:
163.4(1) a research-based information technology curriculum;
163.5(2) online access to the curriculum;
163.6(3) instructional software for classroom and student use;
163.7(4) training for teachers who will be using the curriculum or instructional software;
163.8(5) industry-recognized certification of skills and competencies in a broad array of
163.9information technology-related skill areas; and
163.10(6) project management, deployment, and program support, including, but not
163.11limited to, integration with academic standards under Minnesota Statutes, section
163.12120B.021 or 120B.022.
163.13    Subd. 4. Department support. The Department of Education must make support
163.14available to the provider, including acting as the primary liaison between schools and the
163.15provider and providing direction and oversight, consistent with the purposes of this section.
163.16    Subd. 5. Report required. By February 1, 2018, the provider and commissioner
163.17must jointly develop and deliver to the committees of the legislature with jurisdiction over
163.18kindergarten through grade 12 education, a summary report on program activities and
163.19outcomes, including a description of the number and location of participating schools and
163.20students, and the number and type of certifications earned by students.

163.21    Sec. 12. CANCELLATION OF PREVIOUS BIENNIUM APPROPRIATION.
163.22The appropriation made by Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 16, section 16,
163.23subdivision 5, is canceled.
163.24EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

163.25    Sec. 13. APPROPRIATIONS.
163.26    Subdivision 1. Department of Education. The sums indicated in this section are
163.27appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years
163.28designated.
163.29    Subd. 2. Long-term maintenance equalization aid. For long-term maintenance
163.30equalization aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.595:

163.31		$	0	.....	2016
163.32		$	52,088,000	.....	2017

164.1The 2017 appropriation includes $0 for 2016 and $52,088,000 for 2017.
164.2    Subd. 3. Debt service equalization. For debt service aid according to Minnesota
164.3Statutes, section 123B.53, subdivision 6:

164.4		$	20,349,000	.....	2016
164.5		$	22,171,000	.....	2017

164.6The 2016 appropriation includes $2,295,000 for 2015 and $18,054,000 for 2016.
164.7The 2017 appropriation includes $2,005,000 for 2016 and $20,166,000 for 2017.
164.8    Subd. 4. Alternative facilities bonding aid. For alternative facilities bonding aid,
164.9according to Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.59, subdivision 1:

164.10		$	19,287,000	.....	2016
164.11		$	1,928,000	.....	2017

164.12The 2016 appropriation includes $1,928,000 for 2015 and $17,359,000 for 2016.
164.13The 2017 appropriation includes $1,928,000 for 2016 and $0 for 2017.
164.14    Subd. 5. Equity in telecommunications access. For equity in telecommunications
164.15access:

164.16		$	3,750,000	.....	2016
164.17		$	3,750,000	.....	2017

164.18If the appropriation amount is insufficient, the commissioner shall reduce the
164.19reimbursement rate in Minnesota Statutes, section 125B.26, subdivisions 4 and 5, and the
164.20revenue for fiscal years 2016 and 2017 shall be prorated.
164.21Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.
164.22    Subd. 6. Deferred maintenance aid. For deferred maintenance aid, according to
164.23Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.591, subdivision 4:

164.24		$	3,520,000	.....	2016
164.25		$	345,000	.....	2017

164.26The 2016 appropriation includes $409,000 for 2015 and $3,111,000 for 2016.
164.27The 2017 appropriation includes $345,000 for 2016 and $0 for 2017.
164.28    Subd. 7. Health and safety revenue. For health and safety aid according to
164.29Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.57, subdivision 5:

164.30		$	501,000	.....	2016
164.31		$	48,000	.....	2017

164.32The 2016 appropriation includes $66,000 for 2015 and $435,000 for 2016.
164.33The 2017 appropriation includes $48,000 for 2016 and $0 for 2017.
165.1    Subd. 8. Information technology certification partnership. For an information
165.2technology certification partnership:

165.3		$	500,000	.....	2016
165.4		$	0	.....	2017

165.5This is a onetime appropriation. Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is
165.6available in the second year. Of this appropriation, five percent is for departmental costs
165.7related to providing support for the information technology certification partnership.
165.8    Subd. 9. Innovative Technology Cooperative. For a grant to the Innovative
165.9Technology Cooperative under Minnesota Statutes, section 123A.215, to provide
165.10professional development related to technology:

165.11		$	150,000	.....	2016
165.12		$	150,000	.....	2017

165.13Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year. The base
165.14for this program in fiscal year 2018 is $0.

165.15    Sec. 14. REPEALER.
165.16Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 123B.59; and 123B.591, are repealed.
165.17EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2017 and
165.18later.

165.19ARTICLE 7

165.20NUTRITION AND ACCOUNTING

165.21    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 123A.24, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
165.22    Subdivision 1. Distribution of assets and liabilities. (a) If a district withdraws
165.23from a cooperative unit defined in subdivision 2, the distribution of assets and assignment
165.24of liabilities to the withdrawing district shall be determined according to this subdivision.
165.25(b) The withdrawing district remains responsible for its share of debt incurred by the
165.26cooperative unit according to section 123B.02, subdivision 3. The district and cooperative
165.27unit may mutually agree, through a board resolution by each, to terms and conditions of
165.28the distribution of assets and the assignment of liabilities.
165.29(c) If the cooperative unit and the district cannot agree on the terms and conditions,
165.30the commissioner shall resolve the dispute by determining the district's proportionate share
165.31of assets and liabilities based on the district's enrollment, financial contribution, usage, or
165.32other factor or combination of factors determined appropriate by the commissioner. If the
165.33dispute requires the commissioner to involve an administrative law judge, any fees due
166.1to the Office of Administrative Hearings must be equally split between the district and
166.2cooperative unit. The assets must be disbursed to the withdrawing district in a manner
166.3that minimizes financial disruption to the cooperative unit.
166.4(d) Assets related to an insurance pool shall not be disbursed to a member district
166.5under paragraph (c).
166.6EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

166.7    Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 123B.77, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
166.8    Subd. 3. Statement for comparison and correction. (a) By November 30 of the
166.9calendar year of the submission of the unaudited financial data, the district must provide to
166.10the commissioner audited financial data for the preceding fiscal year. The audit must be
166.11conducted in compliance with generally accepted governmental auditing standards, the
166.12federal Single Audit Act, and the Minnesota legal compliance guide issued by the Office
166.13of the State Auditor. An audited financial statement prepared in a form which will allow
166.14comparison with and correction of material differences in the unaudited financial data
166.15shall be submitted to the commissioner and the state auditor by December 31. The audited
166.16financial statement must also provide a statement of assurance pertaining to uniform
166.17financial accounting and reporting standards compliance and a copy of the management
166.18letter submitted to the district by the school district's auditor.
166.19(b) By February 15 1 of the calendar year following the submission of the unaudited
166.20financial data, the commissioner shall convert the audited financial data required by this
166.21subdivision into the consolidated financial statement format required under subdivision 1a
166.22and publish the information on the department's Web site.

166.23    Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 125A.75, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
166.24    Subd. 9. Litigation costs; annual report. (a) By November 30 of each year,
166.25a school district must annually report the district's special education litigation costs,
166.26including attorney fees and costs of due process hearings, to the commissioner of
166.27education, consistent with the Uniform Financial Accounting and Reporting Standards.
166.28    (b) By January 15 February 1 of each year, the commissioner shall report school
166.29district special education litigation costs to the house of representatives and the senate
166.30committees having jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education finance.

166.31    Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 127A.05, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
166.32    Subd. 6. Survey of districts. The commissioner of education shall survey the state's
166.33school districts and teacher preparation programs and report to the education committees
167.1of the legislature by January 15 February 1 of each odd-numbered year on the status of
167.2teacher early retirement patterns, the teacher shortage, and the substitute teacher shortage,
167.3including patterns and shortages in subject areas and regions of the state. The report must
167.4also include how districts are making progress in hiring teachers and substitutes in the
167.5areas of shortage and a five-year projection of teacher demand for each district.

167.6    Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 127A.49, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
167.7    Subdivision 1. Omissions. No adjustments to any aid payments made pursuant
167.8to this chapter or chapters 120B, 122A, 123A, 123B, 124D, 125A, and 126C resulting
167.9from omissions in district reports, except those adjustments determined by the legislative
167.10auditor, shall be made for any school year after December 30 15 of the next school year,
167.11unless otherwise specifically provided by law.

167.12    Sec. 6. Laws 2013, chapter 116, article 7, section 19, is amended to read:
167.13    Sec. 19. FUND TRANSFER; FISCAL YEARS YEAR 2014 AND 2015
167.14THROUGH FISCAL YEAR 2017 ONLY.
167.15(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.80, subdivision 3, for fiscal
167.16years year 2014 and 2015 through fiscal year 2017 only, the commissioner must approve
167.17a request for a fund transfer if the transfer does not increase state aid obligations to the
167.18district or result in additional property tax authority for the district. This section does not
167.19permit transfers from the community service fund, the food service fund, or the reserved
167.20account for staff development under section 122A.61.
167.21(b) A school board may approve a fund transfer under paragraph (a) only after
167.22adopting a resolution stating the fund transfer will not diminish instructional opportunities
167.23for students.
167.24EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

167.25    Sec. 7. APPROPRIATIONS.
167.26    Subdivision 1. Department of Education. The sums indicated in this section are
167.27appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years
167.28designated.
167.29    Subd. 2. School lunch. For school lunch aid according to Minnesota Statutes,
167.30section 124D.111, and Code of Federal Regulations, title 7, section 210.17:

167.31		$	15,661,000	.....	2016
167.32		$	15,818,000	.....	2017

168.1    Subd. 3. School breakfast. For traditional school breakfast aid under Minnesota
168.2Statutes, section 124D.1158:

168.3		$	9,731,000	.....	2016
168.4		$	10,361,000	.....	2017

168.5    Subd. 4. Kindergarten milk. For kindergarten milk aid under Minnesota Statutes,
168.6section 124D.118:

168.7		$	942,000	.....	2016
168.8		$	942,000	.....	2017

168.9    Subd. 5. Summer school service replacement aid. For summer food service
168.10replacement aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.119:

168.11		$	150,000	.....	2016
168.12		$	150,000	.....	2017

168.13ARTICLE 8

168.14LIBRARIES

168.15    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 134.355, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
168.16    Subd. 8. Eligibility. A regional public library system may apply for regional library
168.17telecommunications aid. The aid must be used for data and video access maintenance,
168.18equipment, or installation of telecommunication lines. on behalf of itself and member
168.19public libraries. The aid must be used for connections and other eligible nonvoice related
168.20e-rate program category one services. Aid may be used for e-rate program category two
168.21services as identified in the Federal Communication Commission's eligible services list
168.22for the current and preceding four funding years, if sufficient funds remain once category
168.23one needs are met in each funding year. To be eligible, a regional public library system
168.24must be officially designated by the commissioner of education as a regional public library
168.25system as defined in section 134.34, subdivision 3, and each of its participating cities and
168.26counties must meet local support levels defined in section 134.34, subdivision 1. A public
168.27library building that receives aid under this section must be open a minimum of 20 hours
168.28per week. Exceptions to the minimum open hours requirement may be granted by the
168.29Department of Education on request of the regional public library system for the following
168.30circumstances: short-term closing for emergency maintenance and repairs following a
168.31natural disaster; in response to exceptional economic circumstances; building repair or
168.32maintenance that requires public services areas to be closed; or to adjust hours of public
168.33service to respond to documented seasonal use patterns.

169.1    Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 134.355, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
169.2    Subd. 9. Telecommunications aid. An application for regional library
169.3telecommunications aid must, at a minimum, contain information to document the
169.4following:
169.5    (1) the connections are adequate and employ an open network architecture that
169.6will ensure interconnectivity and interoperability with school districts, postsecondary
169.7education, or other governmental agencies;
169.8    (2) that the connection is established through the most cost-effective means and that
169.9the regional library has explored and coordinated connections through school districts,
169.10postsecondary education, or other governmental agencies;
169.11    (3) that the regional library system has and member libraries included in the
169.12application have filed or are included in an e-rate application; and
169.13    (4) other information, as determined by the commissioner of education, to ensure
169.14that connections are coordinated, efficient, and cost-effective, take advantage of discounts,
169.15and meet applicable state standards.
169.16    The library system may include costs associated with cooperative arrangements with
169.17postsecondary institutions, school districts, and other governmental agencies.

169.18    Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 134.355, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
169.19    Subd. 10. Award of funds. The commissioner of education shall develop an
169.20application and a reporting form and procedures for regional library telecommunications
169.21aid. Aid shall be based on actual costs of including, but not limited to, connections, as
169.22documented in e-rate funding commitment decision letters for category one services and
169.23acceptable documentation for category two services and funds available for this purpose.
169.24The commissioner shall make payments directly to the regional public library system.

169.25    Sec. 4. APPROPRIATIONS.
169.26    Subdivision 1. Department of Education. The sums indicated in this section are
169.27appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years
169.28designated.
169.29    Subd. 2. Basic system support. For basic system support aid under Minnesota
169.30Statutes, section 134.355:

169.31		$	13,570,000	.....	2016
169.32		$	13,570,000	.....	2017

169.33The 2016 appropriation includes $1,357,000 for 2015 and $12,213,000 for 2016.
170.1The 2017 appropriation includes $1,357,000 for 2016 and $12,213,000 for 2017.
170.2    Subd. 3. Multicounty, multitype library systems. For aid under Minnesota
170.3Statutes, sections 134.353 and 134.354, to multicounty, multitype library systems:

170.4		$	1,300,000	.....	2016
170.5		$	1,300,000	.....	2017

170.6The 2016 appropriation includes $130,000 for 2015 and $1,170,000 for 2016.
170.7The 2017 appropriation includes $130,000 for 2016 and $1,170,000 for 2017.
170.8    Subd. 4. Electronic library for Minnesota. For statewide licenses to online
170.9databases selected in cooperation with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education for
170.10school media centers, public libraries, state government agency libraries, and public
170.11or private college or university libraries:

170.12		$	900,000	.....	2016
170.13		$	900,000	.....	2017

170.14Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.
170.15    Subd. 5. Regional library telecommunications aid. For regional library
170.16telecommunications aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 134.355:

170.17		$	2,300,000	.....	2016
170.18		$	2,300,000	.....	2017

170.19The 2016 appropriation includes $230,000 for 2015 and $2,070,000 for 2016.
170.20The 2017 appropriation includes $230,000 for 2016 and $2,070,000 for 2017.

170.21ARTICLE 9

170.22EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

170.23    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 121A.17, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
170.24    Subd. 5. Developmental screening program information. (a) The board must
170.25inform each resident family with a child eligible to participate in the developmental
170.26screening program, and a charter school that provides screening must inform families
170.27that apply for admission to the charter school, about the availability of the program and
170.28the state's requirement that a child receive a developmental screening or provide health
170.29records indicating that the child received a comparable developmental screening from a
170.30public or private health care organization or individual health care provider not later than
170.3130 days after the first day of attending kindergarten in a public school. A school district
170.32must inform all resident families with eligible children under age seven, and a charter
170.33school that provides screening must inform families that apply for admission to the charter
171.1school, that their children may receive a developmental screening conducted either by the
171.2school district or by a public or private health care organization or individual health care
171.3provider and that the screening is not required if a statement signed by the child's parent
171.4or guardian is submitted to the administrator or other person having general control and
171.5supervision of the school that the child has not been screened.
171.6(b) A school district that enrolls students from an adjoining state under section
171.7124D.041 may inform a nonresident child whose family resides at a Minnesota address as
171.8assigned by the United States Postal Service about the availability of the developmental
171.9screening program and may provide screening under this section to that child.
171.10EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2016
171.11and later.

171.12    Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.041, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
171.13    Subdivision 1. Agreements. (a) The commissioner may enter into an agreement
171.14with the designated authority from an adjoining state to establish an enrollment options
171.15program between Minnesota and the adjoining state. Any agreement entered into pursuant
171.16to this section must specify the following:
171.17    (1) for students who are not residents of Minnesota, the enrollment options program
171.18applies only to a student whose resident school district borders Minnesota;
171.19    (2) the commissioner must negotiate equal, reciprocal rates with the designated
171.20authority from the adjoining state;
171.21    (3) if the adjoining state sends more students to Minnesota than Minnesota sends to
171.22the adjoining state, the adjoining state must pay the state of Minnesota the rate agreed
171.23upon under clause (2) for the excess number of students sent to Minnesota;
171.24    (4) if Minnesota sends more students to the adjoining state than the adjoining state
171.25sends to Minnesota, the state of Minnesota will pay the adjoining state the rate agreed
171.26upon under clause (2) for the excess number of students sent to the adjoining state;
171.27    (5) the application procedures for the enrollment options program between
171.28Minnesota and the adjoining state;
171.29    (6) the reasons for which an application for the enrollment options program between
171.30Minnesota and the adjoining state may be denied; and
171.31    (7) that a Minnesota school district is not responsible for transportation for any
171.32resident student attending school in an adjoining state under the provisions of this section.
171.33A Minnesota school district may, at its discretion, provide transportation services for
171.34such a student.
172.1    (b) Any agreement entered into pursuant to this section may specify additional
172.2terms relating to any student in need of special education and related services pursuant
172.3to chapter 125A, including early childhood special education services. Any additional
172.4terms must apply equally to both states.
172.5EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2015.

172.6    Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.041, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
172.7    Subd. 2. Pupil accounting. (a) Any student from an adjoining state enrolled in
172.8Minnesota pursuant to this section is included in the receiving school district's average
172.9daily membership and pupil units according to section 126C.05 as if the student were
172.10a resident of another Minnesota school district attending the receiving school district
172.11under section 124D.03.
172.12    (b) Any Minnesota resident student enrolled in an adjoining state pursuant to this
172.13section is included in the resident school district's average daily membership and pupil
172.14units according to section 126C.05 as if the student were a resident of the district attending
172.15another Minnesota school district under section 124D.03.
172.16(c) A prekindergarten child from an adjoining state whose family resides at a
172.17Minnesota address as assigned by the United States Postal Service and is receiving early
172.18childhood special education services from a Minnesota school district is considered
172.19enrolled in a Minnesota school district.
172.20EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2015.

172.21    Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.15, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
172.22    Subd. 5. Services with new or existing providers. A district may contract
172.23with a charter school or community-based organization to provide eligible children
172.24developmentally appropriate services that meet the program requirements in subdivision
172.253. In the alternative, a district may pay tuition or fees to place an eligible child in an
172.26existing program. A district may establish a new program where no existing, reasonably
172.27accessible program meets the program requirements in subdivision 3. Districts must
172.28submit a copy of each contract to the commissioner with the biennial plan. Services may
172.29be provided in a site-based program or in the home of the child or a combination of both.
172.30The district may not restrict participation to district residents.
172.31EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for fiscal year 2017 and later.

172.32    Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.16, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
173.1    Subd. 2. Amount of aid. (a) A district is eligible to receive school readiness aid
173.2for eligible prekindergarten pupils enrolled in a school readiness program under section
173.3124D.15 if the biennial plan required by section 124D.15, subdivision 3a, has been
173.4approved by the commissioner.
173.5(b) A district must receive school readiness aid equal to:
173.6(1) the number of four-year-old children in the district on October 1 for the previous
173.7school year times the ratio of 50 percent of the total school readiness aid for that year to
173.8the total number of four-year-old children reported to the commissioner for the previous
173.9school year; plus
173.10(2) the number of pupils enrolled in the school district from families eligible for the
173.11free or reduced school lunch program for the previous school year times the ratio of
173.1250 percent of the total school readiness aid for that year to the total number of pupils
173.13in the state from families eligible for the free or reduced school lunch program for the
173.14previous school year.
173.15(c) For fiscal year 2015 and later, The total school readiness aid entitlement equals
173.16$12,170,000 $23,558,000 for fiscal year 2016 and $33,683,000 for fiscal year 2017 and
173.17later.

173.18    Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 124D.165, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
173.19    Subd. 2. Family eligibility. (a) For a family to receive an early learning scholarship,
173.20parents or guardians must meet the following eligibility requirements:
173.21(1) have a child three or four years of age on September 1 of the current school year,
173.22who has not yet started kindergarten; and
173.23(2) have income equal to or less than 185 percent of federal poverty level income
173.24in the current calendar year, or be able to document their child's current participation in
173.25the free and reduced-price lunch program or child and adult care food program, National
173.26School Lunch Act, United States Code, title 42, sections 1751 and 1766; the Food
173.27Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, Food and Nutrition Act, United States
173.28Code, title 7, sections 2011-2036; Head Start under the federal Improving Head Start for
173.29School Readiness Act of 2007; Minnesota family investment program under chapter 256J;
173.30child care assistance programs under chapter 119B; the supplemental nutrition assistance
173.31program; or placement in foster care under section 260C.212.
173.32(b) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, a parent under age 21 who
173.33is pursuing a high school or general education equivalency diploma is eligible for an early
173.34learning scholarship if the parent has a child age zero to five years old and meets the
173.35income eligibility guidelines in this subdivision.
174.1(c) Any siblings between the ages zero to five years old of a child who has been
174.2awarded a scholarship under this section must be awarded a scholarship upon request,
174.3provided the sibling attends the same program as long as funds are available.
174.4(d) A child who has received a scholarship under this section must continue to
174.5receive a scholarship each year until that child is eligible for kindergarten under section
174.6120A.20 and as long as funds are available.
174.7(e) Early learning scholarships may not be counted as earned income for the
174.8purposes of medical assistance under chapter 256B, MinnesotaCare under chapter 256L,
174.9Minnesota family investment program under chapter 256J, child care assistance programs
174.10under chapter 119B, or Head Start under the federal Improving Head Start for School
174.11Readiness Act of 2007.
174.12(f) A child from an adjoining state whose family resides at a Minnesota address as
174.13assigned by the United States Postal Service, who has received developmental screening
174.14under sections 121A.16 to 121A.19, who intends to enroll in a Minnesota school district,
174.15and whose family meets the criteria of paragraph (a) is eligible for an early learning
174.16scholarship under this section.
174.17EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2015.

174.18    Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 125A.03, is amended to read:
174.19125A.03 SPECIAL INSTRUCTION FOR CHILDREN WITH A DISABILITY.
174.20(a) As defined in paragraph (b), every district must provide special instruction and
174.21services, either within the district or in another district, for all children with a disability,
174.22including providing required services under Code of Federal Regulations, title 34, section
174.23300.121, paragraph (d), to those children suspended or expelled from school for more than
174.24ten school days in that school year, who are residents of the district and who are disabled
174.25as set forth in section 125A.02. For purposes of state and federal special education laws,
174.26the phrase "special instruction and services" in the state Education Code means a free
174.27and appropriate public education provided to an eligible child with disabilities. "Free
174.28appropriate public education" means special education and related services that:
174.29(1) are provided at public expense, under public supervision and direction, and
174.30without charge;
174.31(2) meet the standards of the state, including the requirements of the Individuals
174.32with Disabilities Education Act, Part B or C;
174.33(3) include an appropriate preschool, elementary school, or secondary school
174.34education; and
175.1(4) are provided to children ages three through 21 in conformity with an
175.2individualized education program that meets the requirements of the Individuals with
175.3Disabilities Education Act, subpart A, sections 300.320 to 300.324, and provided to
175.4infants and toddlers in conformity with an individualized family service plan that meets
175.5the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, subpart A, sections
175.6303.300 to 303.346.
175.7(b) Notwithstanding any age limits in laws to the contrary, special instruction and
175.8services must be provided from birth until July 1 after the child with a disability becomes
175.921 years old but shall not extend beyond secondary school or its equivalent, except as
175.10provided in section 124D.68, subdivision 2. Local health, education, and social service
175.11agencies must refer children under age five who are known to need or suspected of
175.12needing special instruction and services to the school district. Districts with less than the
175.13minimum number of eligible children with a disability as determined by the commissioner
175.14must cooperate with other districts to maintain a full range of programs for education
175.15and services for children with a disability. This section does not alter the compulsory
175.16attendance requirements of section 120A.22.
175.17(c) At the board's discretion, a school district that participates in a reciprocity
175.18agreement with a neighboring state under section 124D.041 may enroll and provide
175.19special instruction and services to a child from an adjoining state whose family resides
175.20at a Minnesota address as assigned by the United States Postal Service if the district has
175.21completed child identification procedures for that child to determine the child's eligibility
175.22for special education services, and the child has received developmental screening under
175.23sections 121A.16 to 121A.19.
175.24EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2015.

175.25    Sec. 8. APPROPRIATIONS.
175.26    Subdivision 1. Department of Education. The sums indicated in this section are
175.27appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years
175.28designated.
175.29    Subd. 2. School readiness. For revenue for school readiness programs under
175.30Minnesota Statutes, sections 124D.15 and 124D.16:

175.31		$	22,420,000	.....	2016
175.32		$	32,670,000	.....	2017

175.33The 2016 appropriation includes $1,217,000 for 2015 and $21,203,000 for 2016.
175.34The 2017 appropriation includes $2,355,000 for 2016 and $30,315,000 for 2017.
176.1    Subd. 3. Early learning scholarships. For the early learning scholarship program
176.2under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.165:

176.3		$	38,184,000	.....	2016
176.4		$	48,384,000	.....	2017

176.5Up to $950,000 each year is for administration of this program.
176.6Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.
176.7    Subd. 4. Head Start program. For Head Start programs under Minnesota Statutes,
176.8section 119A.52:

176.9		$	20,100,000	.....	2016
176.10		$	20,100,000	.....	2017

176.11    Subd. 5. Early childhood family education aid. For early childhood family
176.12education aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.135:

176.13		$	28,220,000	.....	2016
176.14		$	29,915,000	.....	2017

176.15The 2016 appropriation includes $2,713,000 for 2015 and $25,507,000 for 2016.
176.16The 2017 appropriation includes $2,834,000 for 2016 and $27,081,000 for 2017.
176.17    Subd. 6. Developmental screening aid. For developmental screening aid under
176.18Minnesota Statutes, sections 121A.17 and 121A.19:

176.19		$	3,363,000	.....	2016
176.20		$	3,369,000	.....	2017

176.21The 2016 appropriation includes $338,000 for 2015 and $3,025,000 for 2016.
176.22The 2017 appropriation includes $336,000 for 2016 and $3,033,000 for 2017.
176.23    Subd. 7. Parent-child home program. For a grant to the parent-child home
176.24program:

176.25		$	350,000	.....	2016
176.26		$	350,000	.....	2017

176.27    The grant must be used for an evidence-based and research-validated early childhood
176.28literacy and school readiness program for children ages 16 months to four years at its
176.29existing suburban program location. The program must include urban and rural program
176.30locations for fiscal years 2016 and 2017.
176.31    Subd. 8. Kindergarten entrance assessment initiative and intervention
176.32program. For the kindergarten entrance assessment initiative and intervention program
176.33under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.162:

177.1		$	281,000	.....	2016
177.2		$	281,000	.....	2017

177.3    Subd. 9. Quality Rating System. For transfer to the commissioner of human
177.4services for the purposes of expanding the Quality Rating and Improvement System under
177.5Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.142, in greater Minnesota and increasing supports for
177.6providers participating in the Quality Rating and Improvement System:

177.7		$	1,200,000	.....	2016
177.8		$	2,300,000	.....	2017

177.9Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year. The
177.10base for this program in fiscal year 2018 and later is $1,750,000.
177.11    Subd. 10. Early childhood programs at tribal schools. For early childhood
177.12family education programs at tribal contract schools under Minnesota Statutes, section
177.13124D.83, subdivision 4:

177.14		$	68,000	.....	2016
177.15		$	68,000	.....	2017

177.16    Subd. 11. Educate parents partnership. For the educate parents partnership under
177.17Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.129:

177.18		$	49,000	.....	2016
177.19		$	49,000	.....	2017

177.20ARTICLE 10

177.21PREVENTION

177.22    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 121A.17, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
177.23    Subd. 3. Screening program. (a) A screening program must include at least the
177.24following components: developmental assessments, hearing and vision screening or
177.25referral, immunization review and referral, the child's height and weight, the date of the
177.26child's most recent comprehensive vision examination, if any, identification of risk factors
177.27that may influence learning, an interview with the parent about the child, and referral for
177.28assessment, diagnosis, and treatment when potential needs are identified. The district and
177.29the person performing or supervising the screening must provide a parent or guardian
177.30with clear written notice that the parent or guardian may decline to answer questions
177.31or provide information about family circumstances that might affect development and
177.32identification of risk factors that may influence learning. The notice must state "Early
177.33childhood developmental screening helps a school district identify children who may
178.1benefit from district and community resources available to help in their development.
178.2Early childhood developmental screening includes a vision screening that helps detect
178.3potential eye problems but is not a substitute for a comprehensive eye exam." The notice
178.4must clearly state that declining to answer questions or provide information does not
178.5prevent the child from being enrolled in kindergarten or first grade if all other screening
178.6components are met. If a parent or guardian is not able to read and comprehend the written
178.7notice, the district and the person performing or supervising the screening must convey
178.8the information in another manner. The notice must also inform the parent or guardian
178.9that a child need not submit to the district screening program if the child's health records
178.10indicate to the school that the child has received comparable developmental screening
178.11performed within the preceding 365 days by a public or private health care organization or
178.12individual health care provider. The notice must be given to a parent or guardian at the
178.13time the district initially provides information to the parent or guardian about screening
178.14and must be given again at the screening location.
178.15(b) All screening components shall be consistent with the standards of the state
178.16commissioner of health for early developmental screening programs. A developmental
178.17screening program must not provide laboratory tests or a physical examination to any
178.18child. The district must request from the public or private health care organization or the
178.19individual health care provider the results of any laboratory test or physical examination
178.20within the 12 months preceding a child's scheduled screening. For the purposes of this
178.21section, "comprehensive vision examination" means a vision examination performed by
178.22an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
178.23(c) If a child is without health coverage, the school district must refer the child to an
178.24appropriate health care provider.
178.25(d) A board may offer additional components such as nutritional, physical and
178.26dental assessments, review of family circumstances that might affect development, blood
178.27pressure, laboratory tests, and health history.
178.28(e) If a statement signed by the child's parent or guardian is submitted to the
178.29administrator or other person having general control and supervision of the school that
178.30the child has not been screened because of conscientiously held beliefs of the parent
178.31or guardian, the screening is not required.

178.32    Sec. 2. COMPREHENSIVE VISION EXAMINATION REPORT.
178.33By January 15, 2017, the commissioner must submit to the committees of the
178.34legislature with jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education a report
178.35describing the number and proportion of children in each school district who report having
179.1had a comprehensive vision examination, disaggregated by age at the time of early
179.2childhood developmental screening under Minnesota Statutes, section 121A.17.

179.3    Sec. 3. APPROPRIATIONS.
179.4    Subdivision 1. Department of Education. The sums indicated in this section are
179.5appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years
179.6designated.
179.7    Subd. 2. Community education aid. For community education aid under
179.8Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.20:

179.9		$	788,000	.....	2016
179.10		$	554,000	.....	2017

179.11The 2016 appropriation includes $107,000 for 2015 and $681,000 for 2016.
179.12The 2017 appropriation includes $75,000 for 2016 and $479,000 for 2017.
179.13    Subd. 3. Adults with disabilities program aid. For adults with disabilities
179.14programs under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.56:

179.15		$	710,000	.....	2016
179.16		$	710,000	.....	2017

179.17The 2016 appropriation includes $71,000 for 2015 and $639,000 for 2016.
179.18The 2017 appropriation includes $71,000 for 2016 and $639,000 for 2017.
179.19    Subd. 4. Hearing-impaired adults. For programs for hearing-impaired adults
179.20under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.57:

179.21		$	70,000	.....	2016
179.22		$	70,000	.....	2017

179.23    Subd. 5. School-age care revenue. For extended day aid under Minnesota Statutes,
179.24section 124D.22:

179.25		$	1,000	.....	2016
179.26		$	1,000	.....	2017

179.27The 2016 appropriation includes $0 for 2015 and $1,000 for 2016.
179.28The 2017 appropriation includes $0 for 2016 and $1,000 for 2017.

179.29ARTICLE 11

179.30SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND LIFELONG LEARNING

179.31    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 290.0671, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
180.1    Subdivision 1. Credit allowed. (a) An individual who is a resident of Minnesota is
180.2allowed a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter equal to a percentage of earned
180.3income. To receive a credit, a taxpayer must be eligible for a credit under section 32 of the
180.4Internal Revenue Code.
180.5(b) For individuals with no qualifying children, the credit equals 2.10 percent of the
180.6first $6,180 of earned income. The credit is reduced by 2.01 percent of earned income
180.7or adjusted gross income, whichever is greater, in excess of $8,130, but in no case is
180.8the credit less than zero.
180.9(c) For individuals with one qualifying child, the credit equals 9.35 percent of the
180.10first $11,120 of earned income. The credit is reduced by 6.02 percent of earned income
180.11or adjusted gross income, whichever is greater, in excess of $21,190, but in no case is
180.12the credit less than zero.
180.13(d) For individuals with two or more qualifying children, the credit equals 11 percent
180.14of the first $18,240 of earned income. The credit is reduced by 10.82 percent of earned
180.15income or adjusted gross income, whichever is greater, in excess of $25,130, but in no
180.16case is the credit less than zero.
180.17(e) For a nonresident or part-year resident, the credit must be allocated based on the
180.18percentage calculated under section 290.06, subdivision 2c, paragraph (e).
180.19(f) For a person who was a resident for the entire tax year and has earned income
180.20not subject to tax under this chapter, including income excluded under section 290.01,
180.21subdivision 19b , clause (9), the credit must be allocated based on the ratio of federal
180.22adjusted gross income reduced by the earned income not subject to tax under this chapter
180.23over federal adjusted gross income. For purposes of this paragraph, the subtractions
180.24for military pay under section 290.01, subdivision 19b, clauses (10) and (11), are not
180.25considered "earned income not subject to tax under this chapter."
180.26For the purposes of this paragraph, the exclusion of combat pay under section 112
180.27of the Internal Revenue Code is not considered "earned income not subject to tax under
180.28this chapter."
180.29(g) For tax years beginning after December 31, 2007, and before December 31,
180.302010, and for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, the $8,130 in paragraph (b),
180.31the $21,190 in paragraph (c), and the $25,130 in paragraph (d), after being adjusted for
180.32inflation under subdivision 7, are each increased by $3,000 for married taxpayers filing joint
180.33returns. For tax years beginning after December 31, 2008, the commissioner shall annually
180.34adjust the $3,000 by the percentage determined pursuant to the provisions of section 1(f)
180.35of the Internal Revenue Code, except that in section 1(f)(3)(B), the word "2007" shall be
180.36substituted for the word "1992." For 2009, the commissioner shall then determine the
181.1percent change from the 12 months ending on August 31, 2007, to the 12 months ending on
181.2August 31, 2008, and in each subsequent year, from the 12 months ending on August 31,
181.32007, to the 12 months ending on August 31 of the year preceding the taxable year. The
181.4earned income thresholds as adjusted for inflation must be rounded to the nearest $10. If the
181.5amount ends in $5, the amount is rounded up to the nearest $10. The determination of the
181.6commissioner under this subdivision is not a rule under the Administrative Procedure Act.
181.7(h)(1) For tax years beginning after December 31, 2012, and before January 1, 2014,
181.8the $5,770 in paragraph (b), the $15,080 in paragraph (c), and the $17,890 in paragraph (d),
181.9after being adjusted for inflation under subdivision 7, are increased by $5,340 for married
181.10taxpayers filing joint returns; and (2) for tax years beginning after December 31, 2013, and
181.11before January 1, 2018, the $8,130 in paragraph (b), the $21,190 in paragraph (c), and the
181.12$25,130 in paragraph (d), after being adjusted for inflation under subdivision 7, are each
181.13increased by $5,000 for married taxpayers filing joint returns. For tax years beginning
181.14after December 31, 2010, and before January 1, 2012, and for tax years beginning after
181.15December 31, 2013, and before January 1, 2018, the commissioner shall annually adjust
181.16the $5,000 by the percentage determined pursuant to the provisions of section 1(f) of
181.17the Internal Revenue Code, except that in section 1(f)(3)(B), the word "2008" shall be
181.18substituted for the word "1992." For 2011, the commissioner shall then determine the
181.19percent change from the 12 months ending on August 31, 2008, to the 12 months ending on
181.20August 31, 2010, and in each subsequent year, from the 12 months ending on August 31,
181.212008, to the 12 months ending on August 31 of the year preceding the taxable year. The
181.22earned income thresholds as adjusted for inflation must be rounded to the nearest $10. If the
181.23amount ends in $5, the amount is rounded up to the nearest $10. The determination of the
181.24commissioner under this subdivision is not a rule under the Administrative Procedure Act.
181.25(i) The commissioner shall construct tables showing the amount of the credit at
181.26various income levels and make them available to taxpayers. The tables shall follow
181.27the schedule contained in this subdivision, except that the commissioner may graduate
181.28the transition between income brackets.
181.29EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for taxable years beginning after
181.30December 31, 2014.

181.31    Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 290.0671, subdivision 6a, is amended to read:
181.32    Subd. 6a. TANF appropriation for working family credit expansion. (a) On
181.33an annual basis the commissioner of revenue, with the assistance of the commissioner
181.34of human services, shall calculate the value of the refundable portion of the Minnesota
181.35Working Family Credit provided under this section that qualifies for payment with funds
182.1from the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant. Of this
182.2total amount, the commissioner of revenue shall estimate the portion entailed by the
182.3expansion of the credit rates provided in Laws 2000, chapter 490, article 4, section 17,
182.4for individuals with qualifying children over the rates provided in Laws 1999, chapter
182.5243, article 2, section 12.
182.6(b) An amount sufficient to pay the refunds entailed by the expansion of the credit
182.7rates provided in Laws 2000, chapter 490, article 4, section 17, for individuals with
182.8qualifying children over the rates provided in Laws 1999, chapter 243, article 2, section
182.912, as estimated in paragraph (a), is appropriated to the commissioner of human services
182.10from the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant funds, for
182.11transfer to the commissioner of revenue for deposit in the general fund.
182.12EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective retroactively for transfers in fiscal
182.13year 2015 and thereafter.

182.14    Sec. 3. APPROPRIATIONS.
182.15    Subdivision 1. Department of Education. The sums indicated in this section are
182.16appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years
182.17designated.
182.18    Subd. 2. Adult basic education aid. For adult basic education aid under Minnesota
182.19Statutes, section 124D.531:

182.20		$	49,118,000	.....	2016
182.21		$	50,592,000	.....	2017

182.22The 2016 appropriation includes $4,782,000 for 2015 and $44,336,000 for 2016.
182.23The 2017 appropriation includes $4,926,000 for 2016 and $45,666,000 for 2017.
182.24    Subd. 3. GED tests. For payment of 60 percent of the costs of GED tests under
182.25Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.55:

182.26		$	125,000	.....	2016
182.27		$	125,000	.....	2017

182.28ARTICLE 12

182.29STATE AGENCIES

182.30    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 5A.03, is amended to read:
182.315A.03 ORGANIZATION APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION.
183.1    Subdivision 1. Placing high school students in Minnesota. (a) An application for
183.2registration as an international student exchange visitor placement organization must be
183.3submitted in the form prescribed by the secretary of state. The application must include:
183.4(1) evidence that the organization meets the standards established by the secretary of
183.5state by rule;
183.6(2) the name, address, and telephone number of the organization, its chief executive
183.7officer, and the person within the organization who has primary responsibility for
183.8supervising placements within the state;
183.9(3) the organization's unified business identification number, if any;
183.10(4) the organization's Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation, United
183.11States Department of State number, if any;
183.12(5) evidence of Council on Standards for International Educational Travel listing, if
183.13any;
183.14(6) whether the organization is exempt from federal income tax; and
183.15(7) a list of the organization's placements in Minnesota for the previous academic
183.16year including the number of students placed, their home countries, the school districts in
183.17which they were placed, and the length of their placements.
183.18(b) The application must be signed by the chief executive officer of the organization
183.19and the person within the organization who has primary responsibility for supervising
183.20placements within Minnesota. If the secretary of state determines that the application is
183.21complete, the secretary of state shall file the application and the applicant is registered.
183.22(c) Organizations that have registered shall inform the secretary of state of any
183.23changes in the information required under paragraph (a), clause (1), within 30 days of the
183.24change. There is no fee to amend a registration.
183.25(d) Registration under this chapter is valid for one year. The registration may be
183.26renewed annually. The fee to renew a registration is $50 per year.
183.27(e) Organizations registering for the first time in Minnesota must pay an initial
183.28registration fee of $150.
183.29(f) Fees collected by the secretary of state under this section must be deposited in the
183.30state treasury and credited to the general fund.
183.31    Subd. 2. Placing Minnesota students in travel abroad programs. (a) A school
183.32district or charter school with enrolled students who participate in a foreign exchange or
183.33study or other travel abroad program under a written agreement between the district or
183.34charter school and the program provider must use a form developed by the Department
183.35of Education to annually report to the department by November 1 the following data
183.36from the previous school year:
184.1(1) the number of Minnesota student deaths that occurred while Minnesota students
184.2were participating in the foreign exchange or study or other travel abroad program and
184.3that resulted from Minnesota students participating in the program;
184.4(2) the number of Minnesota students hospitalized due to accidents and the illnesses
184.5that occurred while Minnesota students were participating in the foreign exchange or study
184.6or other travel abroad program and that resulted from Minnesota students participating
184.7in the program; and
184.8(3) the name and type of the foreign exchange or study or other travel abroad
184.9program and the city or region where the reported death, hospitalization due to accident,
184.10or the illness occurred.
184.11(b) School districts and charter schools must ask but must not require enrolled
184.12eligible students and the parents or guardians of other enrolled students who complete
184.13a foreign exchange or study or other travel abroad program to disclose the information
184.14under paragraph (a).
184.15    (c) When reporting the data under paragraph (a), a school district or charter school
184.16may supplement the data with a brief explanatory statement. The Department of Education
184.17annually must aggregate and publish the reported data on the department Web site in
184.18a format that facilitates public access to the aggregated data and include links to both
184.19the United States Department of State's Consular Information Program that informs the
184.20public of conditions abroad that may affect students' safety and security and the publicly
184.21available reports on sexual assaults and other criminal acts affecting students participating
184.22in a foreign exchange or study or other travel abroad program.
184.23    (d) School districts and charter schools with enrolled students who participate in
184.24foreign exchange or study or other travel abroad programs under a written agreement
184.25between the district or charter school and the program provider are encouraged to adopt
184.26policies supporting the programs and to include program standards in their policies to
184.27ensure students' health and safety.
184.28    (e) To be eligible under this subdivision to provide a foreign exchange or study or
184.29other travel abroad program to Minnesota students enrolled in a school district or charter
184.30school, a program provider annually must register with the secretary of state and provide
184.31the following information on a form developed by the secretary of state: the name,
184.32address, and telephone number of the program provider, its chief executive officer, and
184.33the person within the provider's organization who is primarily responsible for supervising
184.34programs within the state; the program provider's unified business identification number,
184.35if any; whether the program provider is exempt from federal income tax; a list of the
184.36program provider's placements in foreign countries for the previous school year including
185.1the number of Minnesota students placed, where Minnesota students were placed, and
185.2the length of their placement; the terms and limits of the medical and accident insurance
185.3available to cover participating students and the process for filing a claim; and the
185.4signatures of the program provider's chief executive officer and the person primarily
185.5responsible for supervising Minnesota students' placements in foreign countries. If the
185.6secretary of state determines the registration is complete, the secretary of state shall file the
185.7registration and the program provider is registered. Registration with the secretary of state
185.8must not be considered or represented as an endorsement of the program provider by the
185.9secretary of state. The secretary of state annually must publish on its Web site aggregated
185.10data under paragraph (c) received from the Department of Education.
185.11(f) Program providers, annually by August 1, must provide the data required under
185.12paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (3), to the districts and charter schools with enrolled students
185.13participating in the provider's program.
185.14(g) The Department of Education must publish the information it has under
185.15paragraph (c), but it is not responsible for any errors or omissions in the information
185.16provided to it by a school district or charter school. A school district or charter school is
185.17not responsible for omissions in the information provided to it by students and programs.
185.18EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for the 2015-2016 school year and
185.19later.

185.20    Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 127A.353, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
185.21    Subd. 2. Qualifications. The governor shall select the school trust lands director on
185.22the basis of outstanding professional qualifications and knowledge of finance, business
185.23practices, minerals, forest and real estate management, and the fiduciary responsibilities
185.24of a trustee to the beneficiaries of a trust. The school trust lands director serves in the
185.25unclassified service for a term of four years. The first term shall end on December 31,
185.262016 2020. The governor may remove the school trust lands director for cause. If a
185.27director resigns or is removed for cause, the governor shall appoint a director for the
185.28remainder of the term.

185.29    Sec. 4. APPROPRIATIONS; DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
185.30    Subdivision 1. Department of Education. Unless otherwise indicated, the sums
185.31indicated in this section are appropriated from the general fund to the Department of
185.32Education for the fiscal years designated.
185.33    Subd. 2. Department. (a) For the Department of Education:

186.1		$	20,805,000	.....	2016
186.2		$	21,253,000	.....	2017

186.3Of these amounts:
186.4(1) $718,000 each year is for the Board of Teaching;
186.5(2) $228,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $231,000 in fiscal year 2017 are for the Board
186.6of School Administrators;
186.7(3) $1,000,000 each year is for Regional Centers of Excellence under Minnesota
186.8Statutes, section 120B.115;
186.9(4) $500,000 each year is for the School Safety Technical Assistance Center under
186.10Minnesota Statutes, section 127A.052; and
186.11(5) $250,000 each year is for the School Finance Division to enhance financial
186.12data analysis.
186.13(b) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.
186.14(c) None of the amounts appropriated under this subdivision may be used for
186.15Minnesota's Washington, D.C. office.
186.16(d) The expenditures of federal grants and aids as shown in the biennial budget
186.17document and its supplements are approved and appropriated and shall be spent as
186.18indicated.
186.19(e) This appropriation includes funds for information technology project services and
186.20support subject to the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, section 16E.0466. Any ongoing
186.21information technology costs will be incorporated into the service level agreement and
186.22will be paid to the Office of MN.IT Services by the Department of Education under the
186.23rates and mechanism specified in that agreement.
186.24    (f) The agency's base budget in fiscal year 2018 is $21,427,000. The agency's base
186.25budget in fiscal year 2019 is $21,405,000.

186.26    Sec. 5. APPROPRIATIONS; MINNESOTA STATE ACADEMIES.
186.27(a) The sums indicated in this section are appropriated from the general fund to the
186.28Minnesota State Academies for the Deaf and the Blind for the fiscal years designated:

186.29		$	12,853,000	.....	2016
186.30		$	12,819,000	.....	2017

186.31(b) Of the amounts appropriated in paragraph (a), $708,000 in fiscal year 2016 and
186.32$490,000 in fiscal year 2017 are for technology enhancements and may be used for:
186.33(1) computer hardware; (2) computer software; (3) connectivity, communications, and
186.34infrastructure; (4) assistive technology; (5) access to electronic books and other online
186.35materials, licenses, and subscriptions; and (6) technology staff and training costs.
187.1(c) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.
187.2(d) The agency's budget base in fiscal year 2018 is $12,804,000.
187.3(e) The agency's budget base in fiscal year 2019 is $12,786,000.

187.4    Sec. 6. APPROPRIATIONS; PERPICH CENTER FOR ARTS EDUCATION.
187.5(a) The sums in this section are appropriated from the general fund to the Perpich
187.6Center for Arts Education for the fiscal years designated:

187.7		$	6,872,000	.....	2016
187.8		$	6,973,000	.....	2017

187.9(b) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.

187.10ARTICLE 13

187.11FORECAST ADJUSTMENTS

187.12A. GENERAL EDUCATION

187.13    Section 1. Laws 2013, chapter 116, article 1, section 58, subdivision 2, as amended
187.14by Laws 2013, chapter 144, section 7, and Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 15, section
187.1526, is amended to read:
187.16    Subd. 2. General education aid. For general education aid under Minnesota
187.17Statutes, section 126C.13, subdivision 4:

187.18		$	6,851,419,000	.....	2014
187.19 187.20		$	6,464,199,000 6,443,330,000	.....	2015

187.21The 2014 appropriation includes $780,156,000 for 2013 and $6,071,263,000 for
187.222014.
187.23The 2015 appropriation includes $589,095,000 $586,824,000 for 2014 and
187.24$5,875,104,000 $5,856,506,000 for 2015.

187.25    Sec. 2. Laws 2013, chapter 116, article 1, section 58, subdivision 3, as amended by
187.26Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 22, section 1, is amended to read:
187.27    Subd. 3. Enrollment options transportation. For transportation of pupils attending
187.28postsecondary institutions under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.09, or for transportation
187.29of pupils attending nonresident districts under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.03:

187.30		$	37,000	.....	2014
187.31 187.32		$	40,000 36,000	.....	2015

188.1    Sec. 3. Laws 2013, chapter 116, article 1, section 58, subdivision 4, as amended by
188.2Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 22, section 2, is amended to read:
188.3    Subd. 4. Abatement revenue. For abatement aid under Minnesota Statutes, section
188.4127A.49 :

188.5		$	2,876,000	.....	2014
188.6 188.7		$	3,103,000 2,796,000	.....	2015

188.8The 2014 appropriation includes $301,000 for 2013 and $2,575,000 for 2014.
188.9The 2015 appropriation includes $286,000 for 2014 and $2,817,000 $2,510,000
188.10for 2015.

188.11    Sec. 4. Laws 2013, chapter 116, article 1, section 58, subdivision 5, as amended by
188.12Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 22, section 3, is amended to read:
188.13    Subd. 5. Consolidation transition. For districts consolidating under Minnesota
188.14Statutes, section 123A.485:

188.15		$	585,000	.....	2014
188.16 188.17		$	254,000 263,000	.....	2015

188.18The 2014 appropriation includes $40,000 for 2013 and $545,000 for 2014.
188.19The 2015 appropriation includes $60,000 for 2014 and $194,000 $203,000 for 2015.

188.20    Sec. 5. Laws 2013, chapter 116, article 1, section 58, subdivision 6, as amended by
188.21Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 15, section 27, is amended to read:
188.22    Subd. 6. Nonpublic pupil education aid. For nonpublic pupil education aid under
188.23Minnesota Statutes, sections 123B.40 to 123B.43 and 123B.87:

188.24		$	15,867,000	.....	2014
188.25 188.26		$	16,132,000 15,569,000	.....	2015

188.27The 2014 appropriation includes $1,898,000 for 2013 and $13,969,000 for 2014.
188.28The 2015 appropriation includes $1,552,000 $1,394,000 for 2014 and $14,580,000
188.29$14,175,000 for 2015.

188.30    Sec. 6. Laws 2013, chapter 116, article 1, section 58, subdivision 7, as amended by
188.31Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 15, section 28, is amended to read:
188.32    Subd. 7. Nonpublic pupil transportation. For nonpublic pupil transportation aid
188.33under Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.92, subdivision 9:

189.1		$	18,500,000	.....	2014
189.2 189.3		$	17,710,000 18,118,000	.....	2015

189.4The 2014 appropriation includes $2,602,000 for 2013 and $15,898,000 for 2014.
189.5The 2015 appropriation includes $1,766,000 for 2014 and $15,944,000 $16,352,000
189.6for 2015.

189.7    Sec. 7. Laws 2013, chapter 116, article 1, section 58, subdivision 11, as amended by
189.8Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 22, section 4, is amended to read:
189.9    Subd. 11. Career and technical aid. For career and technical aid under Minnesota
189.10Statutes, section 124D.4531, subdivision 1b:

189.11		$	3,959,000	.....	2014
189.12 189.13		$	5,172,000 5,617,000	.....	2015

189.14The 2014 appropriation includes $0 for 2013 and $3,959,000 for 2014.
189.15The 2015 appropriation includes $439,000 $445,000 for 2014 and $4,733,000
189.16$5,172,000 for 2015.

189.17B. EDUCATION EXCELLENCE

189.18    Sec. 8. Laws 2013, chapter 116, article 3, section 37, subdivision 3, as amended by
189.19Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 22, section 5, is amended to read:
189.20    Subd. 3. Achievement and integration aid. For achievement and integration aid
189.21under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.862:

189.22		$	55,609,000	.....	2014
189.23 189.24		$	62,692,000 63,831,000	.....	2015

189.25The 2014 appropriation includes $0 for 2013 and $55,609,000 for 2014.
189.26The 2015 appropriation includes $6,178,000 $6,386,000 for 2014 and $56,514,000
189.27$57,445,000 for 2015.

189.28    Sec. 9. Laws 2013, chapter 116, article 3, section 37, subdivision 4, as amended by
189.29Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 22, section 6, is amended to read:
189.30    Subd. 4. Literacy incentive aid. For literacy incentive aid under Minnesota
189.31Statutes, section 124D.98:

189.32		$	50,998,000	.....	2014
189.33 189.34		$	47,458,000 44,839,000	.....	2015

190.1The 2014 appropriation includes $6,607,000 for 2013 and $44,391,000 for 2014.
190.2The 2015 appropriation includes $4,932,000 for 2014 and $42,526,000 $39,907,000
190.3for 2015.

190.4    Sec. 10. Laws 2013, chapter 116, article 3, section 37, subdivision 5, as amended by
190.5Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 22, section 7, is amended to read:
190.6    Subd. 5. Interdistrict desegregation or integration transportation grants. For
190.7interdistrict desegregation or integration transportation grants under Minnesota Statutes,
190.8section 124D.87:

190.9		$	13,521,000	.....	2014
190.10 190.11		$	14,248,000 14,261,000	.....	2015

190.12    Sec. 11. Laws 2013, chapter 116, article 3, section 37, subdivision 20, as amended by
190.13Laws 2013, chapter 144, section 10, and Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 22, section 9,
190.14is amended to read:
190.15    Subd. 20. Alternative compensation. For alternative teacher compensation aid
190.16under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.415, subdivision 4:

190.17 190.18

$

71,599,000 69,899,000

.....

2015

190.19The 2015 appropriation includes $0 for 2014 and $71,599,000 $69,899,000 for 2015.

190.20C. CHARTER SCHOOLS

190.21    Sec. 12. Laws 2013, chapter 116, article 4, section 9, subdivision 2, as amended by
190.22Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 22, section 10, is amended to read:
190.23    Subd. 2. Charter school building lease aid. For building lease aid under Minnesota
190.24Statutes, section 124D.11, subdivision 4:

190.25		$	54,625,000	.....	2014
190.26 190.27		$	58,294,000 59,565,000	.....	2015

190.28The 2014 appropriation includes $6,681,000 for 2013 and $47,944,000 for 2014.
190.29The 2015 appropriation includes $5,327,000 $5,270,000 for 2014 and $52,967,000
190.30$54,295,000 for 2015.

190.31D. SPECIAL PROGRAMS

191.1    Sec. 13. Laws 2013, chapter 116, article 5, section 31, subdivision 2, as amended by
191.2Laws 2013, chapter 144, section 14, and Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 22, section
191.311, is amended to read:
191.4    Subd. 2. Special education; regular. For special education aid under Minnesota
191.5Statutes, section 125A.75:

191.6		$	1,038,465,000	.....	2014
191.7 191.8		$	1,111,641,000 1,109,144,000	.....	2015

191.9The 2014 appropriation includes $118,183,000 for 2013 and $920,282,000 for 2014.
191.10The 2015 appropriation includes $129,549,000 $129,317,000 for 2014 and
191.11$982,092,000 $979,827,000 for 2015.

191.12    Sec. 14. Laws 2013, chapter 116, article 5, section 31, subdivision 3, as amended by
191.13Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 22, section 12, is amended to read:
191.14    Subd. 3. Aid for children with disabilities. For aid under Minnesota Statutes,
191.15section 125A.75, subdivision 3, for children with disabilities placed in residential facilities
191.16within the district boundaries for whom no district of residence can be determined:

191.17		$	1,548,000	.....	2014
191.18 191.19		$	1,674,000 1,367,000	.....	2015

191.20If the appropriation for either year is insufficient, the appropriation for the other
191.21year is available.

191.22    Sec. 15. Laws 2013, chapter 116, article 5, section 31, subdivision 4, as amended by
191.23Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 22, section 13, is amended to read:
191.24    Subd. 4. Travel for home-based services. For aid for teacher travel for home-based
191.25services under Minnesota Statutes, section 125A.75, subdivision 1:

191.26		$	351,000	.....	2014
191.27 191.28		$	346,000 351,000	.....	2015

191.29The 2014 appropriation includes $45,000 for 2013 and $306,000 for 2014.
191.30The 2015 appropriation includes $33,000 for 2014 and $313,000 $318,000 for 2015.

191.31E. FACILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY

191.32    Sec. 16. Laws 2013, chapter 116, article 6, section 12, subdivision 2, as amended by
191.33Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 22, section 15, is amended to read:
192.1    Subd. 2. Health and safety revenue. For health and safety aid according to
192.2Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.57, subdivision 5:

192.3		$	471,000	.....	2014
192.4 192.5		$	651,000 649,000	.....	2015

192.6The 2014 appropriation includes $24,000 for 2013 and $447,000 for 2014.
192.7The 2015 appropriation includes $49,000 for 2014 and $602,000 $600,000 for 2015.

192.8    Sec. 17. Laws 2013, chapter 116, article 6, section 12, subdivision 6, as amended by
192.9Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 22, section 18, is amended to read:
192.10    Subd. 6. Deferred maintenance aid. For deferred maintenance aid, according to
192.11Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.591, subdivision 4:

192.12		$	3,877,000	.....	2014
192.13 192.14		$	4,024,000 4,067,000	.....	2015

192.15The 2014 appropriation includes $475,000 for 2013 and $3,402,000 for 2014.
192.16The 2015 appropriation includes $378,000 for 2014 and $3,646,000 $3,689,000
192.17for 2015.

192.18F. NUTRITION AND LIBRARIES

192.19    Sec. 18. Laws 2013, chapter 116, article 7, section 21, subdivision 2, as amended by
192.20Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 19, section 5, is amended to read:
192.21    Subd. 2. School lunch. For school lunch aid according to Minnesota Statutes,
192.22section 124D.111, and Code of Federal Regulations, title 7, section 210.17:

192.23		$	12,417,000	.....	2014
192.24 192.25		$	16,185,000 15,506,000	.....	2015

192.26    Sec. 19. Laws 2013, chapter 116, article 7, section 21, subdivision 3, as amended by
192.27Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 19, section 6, is amended to read:
192.28    Subd. 3. School breakfast. For traditional school breakfast aid under Minnesota
192.29Statutes, section 124D.1158:

192.30		$	5,308,000	.....	2014
192.31 192.32		$	6,176,000 9,168,000	.....	2015

193.1    Sec. 20. Laws 2013, chapter 116, article 7, section 21, subdivision 4, as amended by
193.2Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 22, section 19, is amended to read:
193.3    Subd. 4. Kindergarten milk. For kindergarten milk aid under Minnesota Statutes,
193.4section 124D.118:

193.5		$	992,000	.....	2014
193.6 193.7		$	1,002,000 942,000	.....	2015

193.8G. EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, SELF-SUFFICIENCY,
193.9AND LIFELONG LEARNING

193.10    Sec. 21. Laws 2013, chapter 116, article 8, section 5, subdivision 3, as amended by
193.11Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 20, section 17, is amended to read:
193.12    Subd. 3. Early childhood family education aid. For early childhood family
193.13education aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.135:

193.14		$	22,797,000	.....	2014
193.15 193.16		$	26,651,000 26,623,000	.....	2015

193.17    The 2014 appropriation includes $3,008,000 for 2013 and $19,789,000 for 2014.
193.18    The 2015 appropriation includes $2,198,000 for 2014 and $24,453,000 $24,425,000
193.19for 2015.

193.20    Sec. 22. Laws 2013, chapter 116, article 8, section 5, subdivision 4, as amended by
193.21Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 22, section 23, is amended to read:
193.22    Subd. 4. Health and developmental screening aid. For health and developmental
193.23screening aid under Minnesota Statutes, sections 121A.17 and 121A.19:

193.24		$	3,524,000	.....	2014
193.25 193.26		$	3,330,000 3,390,000	.....	2015

193.27The 2014 appropriation includes $471,000 for 2013 and $3,053,000 for 2014.
193.28The 2015 appropriation includes $339,000 for 2014 and $2,991,000 $3,051,000
193.29for 2015.

193.30    Sec. 23. Laws 2013, chapter 116, article 8, section 5, subdivision 14, as amended by
193.31Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 20, section 20, is amended to read:
193.32    Subd. 14. Adult basic education aid. For adult basic education aid under
193.33Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.531:

194.1		$	48,776,000	.....	2014
194.2 194.3		$	48,415,000 47,750,000	.....	2015

194.4The 2014 appropriation includes $6,278,000 for 2013 and $42,498,000 for 2014.
194.5The 2015 appropriation includes $4,722,000 $4,712,000 for 2014 and $43,693,000
194.6$43,038,000 for 2015."
194.7Amend the title as follows:
194.8Page 1, delete lines 2 to 7 and insert "relating to state government; providing
194.9for funding and policy in early childhood, kindergarten through grade 12, and adult
194.10education, including general education, education excellence, standards and assessments,
194.11charter schools, special education, facilities and technology, nutrition and accounting,
194.12libraries, early childhood education, prevention, self-sufficiency and lifelong learning,
194.13state agencies, and forecast adjustments; modifying an income tax credit; modifying a
194.14sales tax exemption; requiring rulemaking; requiring reports; appropriating money;"
194.15Correct the title numbers accordingly

	We request the adoption of this report and repassage of the bill.
	House Conferees:
	.....		.....
	Jenifer Loon		Sondra Erickson
	.....		.....
	Ron Kresha		Bob Dettmer
	.....
	Roz Peterson
	Senate Conferees:
	.....		.....
	Charles W. Wiger		Alice M. Johnson
	.....		.....
	LeRoy A. Stumpf		Kevin L. Dahle
	.....
	Eric R. Pratt