SF 1528

2nd Engrossment - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 04/30/2012 08:47am

A bill for an act
relating to education; providing 21st century tools for teachers; encouraging
students to take one online course; requiring a report; amending Minnesota
Statutes 2010, sections 124D.095, subdivision 10; 126C.15, subdivision 1.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 124D.095, subdivision 10, is amended to
read:

Subd. 10.

Online Learning Advisory Council.

(a) An Online Learning Advisory
Council is established. The term for each council member shall be three years. The
advisory council is composed of 12 members from throughout the state who have
demonstrated experience with or interest in online learning. The members of the council
shall be appointed by the commissioner. The advisory council shall bring to the attention
of the commissioner any matters related to online learning and provide input to the
department in matters related, but not restricted, to:

(1) quality assurance;

(2) teacher qualifications;

(3) program approval;

(4) special education;

(5) attendance;

(6) program design and requirements; and

(7) fair and equal access to programs.

(b) new text begin By June 30, 2013, the Online Learning Advisory Council with the support of the
Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Learning Commons shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) oversee the development and maintenance of a catalog of publicly available
digital learning content currently aligned to Minnesota academic standards to include:
new text end

new text begin (i) indexing of Minnesota academic standards with which curriculum is aligned;
new text end

new text begin (ii) a method for student and teacher users to provide evaluative feedback; and
new text end

new text begin (iii) a plan for ongoing maintenance;
new text end

new text begin (2) conduct a study to examine methods for including student performance data
on the digital resources within the catalog to include a report to the committees of the
legislature having jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education within three
months of enactment recommending a student performance data collection process to be
implemented.
new text end

new text begin (c) new text end The Online Learning Advisory Council under this subdivision expires June
30, 2013.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 126C.15, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Use of revenue.

The basic skills revenue under section 126C.10,
subdivision 4, must be reserved and used to meet the educational needs of pupils who
enroll under-prepared to learn and whose progress toward meeting state or local content or
performance standards is below the level that is appropriate for learners of their age. Any
of the following may be provided to meet these learners' needs:

(1) direct instructional services under the assurance of mastery program according
to section 124D.66;

(2) remedial instruction in reading, language arts, mathematics, other content areas,
or study skills to improve the achievement level of these learners;

(3) additional teachers and teacher aides to provide more individualized instruction
to these learners through individual tutoring, lower instructor-to-learner ratios, or team
teaching;

(4) a longer school day or week during the regular school year or through a summer
program that may be offered directly by the site or under a performance-based contract
with a community-based organization;

(5) comprehensive and ongoing staff development consistent with district and site
plans according to section 122A.60, for teachers, teacher aides, principals, and other
personnel to improve their ability to identify the needs of these learners and provide
appropriate remediation, intervention, accommodations, or modifications;

(6) instructional materials new text begin , digital learning, new text end and technology appropriate for meeting
the individual needs of these learners;

(7) programs to reduce truancy, encourage completion of high school, enhance
self-concept, provide health services, provide nutrition services, provide a safe and secure
learning environment, provide coordination for pupils receiving services from other
governmental agencies, provide psychological services to determine the level of social,
emotional, cognitive, and intellectual development, and provide counseling services,
guidance services, and social work services;

(8) bilingual programs, bicultural programs, and programs for learners of limited
English proficiency;

(9) all day kindergarten;

(10) extended school day and extended school year programs; and

(11) substantial parent involvement in developing and implementing remedial
education or intervention plans for a learner, including learning contracts between the
school, the learner, and the parent that establish achievement goals and responsibilities of
the learner and the learner's parent or guardian.

Sec. 3. new text begin ONLINE LEARNING COURSE.
new text end

new text begin All Minnesota students are strongly encouraged to take at least one online learning
course before graduating high school.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin ONLINE LEARNING ADVISORY COUNCIL REPORT.
new text end

new text begin (a) The Online Learning Advisory Council shall review Minnesota education
laws and rules pertaining to classroom learning to determine which ones, if any, inhibit
digital learning. The council shall include the results of their review in the report under
paragraph (d).
new text end

new text begin (b) The council shall review the effect of student-teacher ratios and teacher licensure
requirements on digital learning and include the review in its report under paragraph (d).
new text end

new text begin (c) The Minnesota Department of Education shall provide assistance to the Online
Learning Advisory Council for the review and report upon request.
new text end

new text begin (d) The council shall report to the committees of the legislature having jurisdiction
over kindergarten through grade 12 education with its recommendations, including any
proposed legislation, by June 30, 2013.
new text end