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Key: (1) language to be deleted (2) new language

CHAPTER 116--H.F.No. 630

An act

relating to education; providing funding and policy for early childhood and family, prekindergarten through grade 12, and adult education, including general education, student accountability, education excellence, charter schools, special education, facilities, technology, nutrition, libraries, accounting, early childhood, self-sufficiency, lifelong learning, state agencies, and forecast adjustments; authorizing rulemaking; requiring reports; appropriating money;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 15.059, subdivision 5b; 120A.20, subdivision 1; 120A.22, subdivisions 5, 8, 11, 12; 120A.24, subdivision 1; 120A.41; 120B.02; 120B.021, subdivision 1; 120B.023; 120B.024; 120B.11; 120B.125; 120B.128; 120B.15; 120B.30, subdivisions 1, 1a; 120B.31, subdivision 1; 120B.35, subdivision 3; 120B.36, subdivision 1; 121A.22, subdivision 2; 121A.2205; 121A.39; 122A.09, subdivision 4; 122A.18, subdivision 2; 122A.23, subdivision 2; 122A.28, subdivision 1; 122A.33, subdivision 3; 122A.40, subdivision 8; 122A.41, subdivision 5; 122A.415, by adding subdivisions; 122A.61, subdivision 1; 123A.73, subdivisions 3, 4, 5; 123B.41, subdivision 7; 123B.42, subdivision 3; 123B.53, subdivision 5; 123B.54; 123B.57, subdivision 4; 123B.591, subdivisions 2, 3; 123B.75, subdivision 5; 123B.88, subdivision 22; 123B.92, subdivisions 1, 5, 9; 124D.02, subdivision 1; 124D.03, subdivision 12; 124D.095, subdivision 10; 124D.10; 124D.11, subdivisions 1, 2, 4, 5; 124D.111, subdivision 1; 124D.119; 124D.122; 124D.128, subdivision 2; 124D.42; 124D.4531; 124D.52, by adding a subdivision; 124D.531, subdivision 1; 124D.65, subdivision 5; 124D.79, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 125A.0941; 125A.0942; 125A.11, subdivision 1; 125A.27, subdivisions 8, 11, 14; 125A.28; 125A.29; 125A.30; 125A.32; 125A.33; 125A.35, subdivision 1; 125A.36; 125A.43; 125A.76, subdivisions 1, 4a, 8, by adding subdivisions; 125A.78, subdivision 2; 125A.79, subdivisions 1, 5, 8; 125B.26, subdivision 4; 126C.05, subdivisions 1, 5, 6, 15; 126C.10, subdivisions 1, 2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 3, 7, 8, 13, 13a, 14, 18, 24, 29, 31, 32, 34, 35, 36, by adding subdivisions; 126C.12, subdivisions 1, 5; 126C.126; 126C.13, subdivision 4, by adding subdivisions; 126C.15, subdivisions 1, 2; 126C.17; 126C.20; 126C.40, subdivisions 1, 6; 126C.44; 127A.45, subdivisions 12a, 13; 127A.47, subdivisions 7, 8; 127A.51; 128D.11, subdivision 3; 134.32; 134.34; 134.351, subdivisions 3, 7; 134.353; 134.354; 134.355, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; 134.36; 260A.02, subdivision 3; 260A.03; 260A.05, subdivision 1; 260A.07, subdivision 1; 260C.007, subdivision 19; Laws 2007, chapter 146, article 4, section 12; Laws 2011, First Special Session chapter 11, article 1, section 36, subdivisions 2, as amended, 3, as amended, 4, as amended, 5, as amended, 6, as amended, 7, as amended, 10, as amended; article 2, section 50, subdivisions 2, as amended, 4, as amended, 5, as amended, 6, as amended, 7, as amended, 9, as amended; article 3, section 11, subdivisions 2, as amended, 3, as amended, 4, as amended, 5, as amended; article 4, section 10, subdivisions 2, as amended, 3, as amended, 4, as amended, 6, as amended; article 5, section 12, subdivisions 2, as amended, 3, as amended, 4, as amended; article 6, section 2, subdivisions 2, as amended, 3, as amended, 5, as amended; article 7, section 2, subdivisions 2, as amended, 3, as amended, 4, as amended, 8, as amended; article 8, section 2, subdivisions 2, as amended, 3, as amended; article 9, section 3, subdivision 2, as amended; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 120B; 121A; 124D; proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 16F; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 120B.08; 120B.09; 123B.75, subdivision 6a; 124D.454, subdivisions 3, 10, 11; 125A.35, subdivisions 4, 5; 125A.76, subdivisions 2, 4, 5, 7; 125A.79, subdivisions 6, 7; 126C.10, subdivisions 31a, 31b, 31c, 34, 35, 36; 126C.17, subdivision 13; 127A.50, subdivisions 1, 5; Minnesota Rules, parts 3501.0010; 3501.0020; 3501.0030, subparts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16; 3501.0040; 3501.0050; 3501.0060; 3501.0090; 3501.0100; 3501.0110; 3501.0120; 3501.0130; 3501.0140; 3501.0150; 3501.0160; 3501.0170; 3501.0180; 3501.0200; 3501.0210; 3501.0220; 3501.0230; 3501.0240; 3501.0250; 3501.0270; 3501.0280, subparts 1, 2; 3501.0290; 3501.0505; 3501.0510; 3501.0515; 3501.0520; 3501.0525; 3501.0530; 3501.0535; 3501.0540; 3501.0545; 3501.0550; 3501.1000; 3501.1020; 3501.1030; 3501.1040; 3501.1050; 3501.1110; 3501.1120; 3501.1130; 3501.1140; 3501.1150; 3501.1160; 3501.1170; 3501.1180; 3501.1190.

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

ARTICLE 1

GENERAL EDUCATION

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120A.20, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Age limitations; pupils.

(a) All schools supported in whole or in part by state funds are public schools. Admission to a public school is free to any person who: (1) resides within the district that operates the school; (2) is under 21 years of age or who meets the requirements of paragraph (c); and (3) satisfies the minimum age requirements imposed by this section. Notwithstanding the provisions of any law to the contrary, the conduct of all students under 21 years of age attending a public secondary school is governed by a single set of reasonable rules and regulations promulgated by the school board.

(b) A person shall not be admitted to a public school (1) as a kindergarten pupil, unless the pupil is at least five years of age on September 1 of the calendar year in which the school year for which the pupil seeks admission commences; or (2) as a 1st grade student, unless the pupil is at least six years of age on September 1 of the calendar year in which the school year for which the pupil seeks admission commences or has completed kindergarten; except that any school board may establish a policy for admission of selected pupils at an earlier agenew text begin under section 124D.02new text end .

(c) A pupil who becomes age 21 after enrollment is eligible for continued free public school enrollment until at least one of the following occurs: (1) the first September 1 after the pupil's 21st birthday; (2) the pupil's completion of the graduation requirements; (3) the pupil's withdrawal with no subsequent enrollment within 21 calendar days; or (4) the end of the school year.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120A.41, is amended to read:

120A.41 LENGTH OF SCHOOL YEAR; HOURS OF INSTRUCTION.

A school board's annual school calendar must include at least 425 hours of instruction for a kindergarten student without a disability, 935 hours of instruction for a student in grades 1 though 6, and 1,020 hours of instruction for a student in grades 7 though 12, not including summer school. deleted text begin Nothing in this section permits a school district to adoptdeleted text end new text begin The school calendar for all-day kindergarten must include at least 850 hours of instruction for the school year. A school board's annual calendar must include at least 165 days of instruction for a student in grades 1 through 11 unlessnew text end a four-day week schedule deleted text begin unlessdeleted text end new text begin has beennew text end approved by the commissioner under section 124D.126.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 123A.73, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Voluntary dissolution; referendum revenue.

As of the effective date of the voluntary dissolution of a district and its attachment to one or more existing districts pursuant to section 123A.46, the authorization for all referendum revenues previously approved by the voters of all affected districts for those districts pursuant to section 126C.17, subdivision 9, or its predecessor provision, is canceled. However, if all of the territory of any independent district is included in the enlarged district, and if the adjusted net tax capacity of taxable property in that territory comprises 90 percent or more of the adjusted net tax capacity of all taxable property in an enlarged district, the enlarged district's referendum revenue shall be determined as follows:

The referendum revenue shall be the revenue per deleted text begin resident marginal costdeleted text end new text begin adjustednew text end pupil unit times the number of deleted text begin resident marginal costdeleted text end new text begin adjustednew text end pupil units in the enlarged district. Any new referendum revenue shall be authorized only after approval is granted by the voters of the entire enlarged district in an election pursuant to section 126C.17, subdivision 9.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 123A.73, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Consolidation; maximum authorized referendum revenues.

(a) As of the effective date of a consolidation pursuant to section 123A.48, if the plan for consolidation so provides, or if the plan for consolidation makes no provision concerning referendum revenues, the authorization for all referendum revenues previously approved by the voters of all affected districts for those districts pursuant to section 126C.17, subdivision 9, or its predecessor provision shall be recalculated as provided in this subdivision. The referendum revenue authorization for the newly created district shall be the revenue per deleted text begin resident marginal costdeleted text end new text begin adjustednew text end pupil unit that would raise an amount equal to the combined dollar amount of the referendum revenues authorized by each of the component districts for the year preceding the consolidation, unless the referendum revenue authorization of the newly created district is subsequently modified pursuant to section 126C.17, subdivision 9.

(b) The referendum allowance for a consolidated district in the years following consolidation equals the average of the consolidating districts' existing authorities for those years, weighted by the districts' deleted text begin resident marginal costdeleted text end new text begin adjustednew text end pupil units in the year preceding consolidation. For purposes of this calculation, the referendum authorities used for individual districts shall not decrease from year to year until such time as all existing authorities for all the consolidating districts have fully expired, but shall increase if they were originally approved with consumer price index-based or other annual increases.

(c) The referendum revenue authorization for the newly created district shall continue for a period of time equal to the longest period authorized for any component district.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 123A.73, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Alternative method.

(a) As of the effective date of a consolidation pursuant to section 123A.48, if the plan for consolidation so provides, the authorization for all referendum revenues previously approved by the voters of all affected districts for those districts pursuant to section 126C.17, subdivision 9, or its predecessor provision shall be combined as provided in this subdivision. The referendum revenue authorization for the newly created district may be any allowance per deleted text begin resident marginal costdeleted text end new text begin adjustednew text end pupil unit provided in the plan for consolidation, but may not exceed the allowance per deleted text begin resident marginal costdeleted text end new text begin adjustednew text end pupil unit that would raise an amount equal to the combined dollar amount of the referendum revenues authorized by each of the component districts for the year preceding the consolidation.

(b) The referendum allowance for a consolidated district in the years following consolidation equals the average of the consolidating districts' existing authorities for those years, weighted by the districts' deleted text begin resident marginal costdeleted text end new text begin adjustednew text end pupil units in the year preceding consolidation. For purposes of this calculation, the referendum authorities used for individual districts shall not decrease from year to year until such time as all existing authorities for all the consolidating districts have fully expired, but shall increase if they were originally approved with consumer price index-based or other annual increases.

(c) The referendum revenue authorization for the newly created district shall continue for a period of time equal to the longest period authorized for any component district. The referendum revenue authorization for the newly created district may be modified pursuant to section 126C.17, subdivision 9.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 123B.41, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Elementary pupils.

"Elementary pupils" means pupils in grades kindergarten through 6; provided, each kindergarten pupil new text begin in a half-day program new text end shall be counted as one-half pupil for all computations pursuant to sections 123B.40 to 123B.42, and 123B.44 to 123B.48.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 123B.42, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Cost; limitation.

(a) The cost per pupil of the textbooks, individualized instructional or cooperative learning materials, software or other educational technology, and standardized tests provided for in this section for each school year must not exceed the statewide average expenditure per pupil, adjusted pursuant to clause (b), by the Minnesota public elementary and secondary schools for textbooks, individualized instructional materials and standardized tests as computed and established by the department by February 1 of the preceding school year from the most recent public school year data then available.

(b) The cost computed in clause (a) shall be increased by an inflation adjustment equal to the percent of increase in the formula allowance, pursuant to section 126C.10, subdivision 2, from the second preceding school year to the current school year.new text begin Notwithstanding the amount of the formula allowance for fiscal years 2015 and 2016 in section 126C.10, subdivision 2, the commissioner shall use the amount of the formula allowance for the current year minus $414 in determining the inflation adjustment for fiscal years 2015 and 2016.new text end

(c) The commissioner shall allot to the districts or intermediary service areas the total cost for each school year of providing or loaning the textbooks, individualized instructional or cooperative learning materials, software or other educational technology, and standardized tests for the pupils in each nonpublic school. The allotment shall not exceed the product of the statewide average expenditure per pupil, according to clause (a), adjusted pursuant to clause (b), multiplied by the number of nonpublic school pupils who make requests pursuant to this section and who are enrolled as of September 15 of the current school year.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 123B.88, subdivision 22, is amended to read:

Subd. 22.

Postsecondary enrollment options pupils.

Districts may provide bus transportation along school bus routes when space is available, for pupils attending programs at a postsecondary institution under the postsecondary enrollment options program. deleted text begin The transportation is permitted only if it does not increase the district's expenditures for transportation.deleted text end Fees collected for this service under section 123B.36, subdivision 1, paragraph (13), shall be subtracted from the authorized cost for nonregular transportation for the purpose of section 123B.92. new text begin A school district may provide transportation for a pupil participating in an articulated program operated under an agreement between the school district and the postsecondary institution.new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 123B.92, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

For purposes of this section and section 125A.76, the terms defined in this subdivision have the meanings given to them.

(a) "Actual expenditure per pupil transported in the regular and excess transportation categories" means the quotient obtained by dividing:

(1) the sum of:

(i) all expenditures for transportation in the regular category, as defined in paragraph (b), clause (1), and the excess category, as defined in paragraph (b), clause (2), plus

(ii) an amount equal to one year's depreciation on the district's school bus fleet and mobile units computed on a straight line basis at the rate of 15 percent per year for districts operating a program under section 124D.128 for grades 1 to 12 for all students in the district and 12-1/2 percent per year for other districts of the cost of the fleet, plus

(iii) an amount equal to one year's depreciation on the district's type III vehicles, as defined in section 169.011, subdivision 71, which must be used a majority of the time for pupil transportation purposes, computed on a straight line basis at the rate of 20 percent per year of the cost of the type three school buses by:

(2) the number of pupils eligible for transportation in the regular category, as defined in paragraph (b), clause (1), and the excess category, as defined in paragraph (b), clause (2).

(b) "Transportation category" means a category of transportation service provided to pupils as follows:

(1) Regular transportation is:

(i) transportation to and from school during the regular school year for resident elementary pupils residing one mile or more from the public or nonpublic school they attend, and resident secondary pupils residing two miles or more from the public or nonpublic school they attend, excluding desegregation transportation and noon kindergarten transportation; but with respect to transportation of pupils to and from nonpublic schools, only to the extent permitted by sections 123B.84 to 123B.87;

(ii) transportation of resident pupils to and from language immersion programs;

(iii) transportation of a pupil who is a custodial parent and that pupil's child between the pupil's home and the child care provider and between the provider and the school, if the home and provider are within the attendance area of the school;

(iv) transportation to and from or board and lodging in another district, of resident pupils of a district without a secondary school; and

(v) transportation to and from school during the regular school year required under subdivision 3 for nonresident elementary pupils when the distance from the attendance area border to the public school is one mile or more, and for nonresident secondary pupils when the distance from the attendance area border to the public school is two miles or more, excluding desegregation transportation and noon kindergarten transportation.

For the purposes of this paragraph, a district may designate a licensed day care facility, school day care facility, respite care facility, the residence of a relative, or the residence of a person or other location chosen by the pupil's parent or guardian, or an after-school program for children operated by a political subdivision of the state, as the home of a pupil for part or all of the day, if requested by the pupil's parent or guardian, and if that facility, residence, or program is within the attendance area of the school the pupil attends.

(2) Excess transportation is:

(i) transportation to and from school during the regular school year for resident secondary pupils residing at least one mile but less than two miles from the public or nonpublic school they attend, and transportation to and from school for resident pupils residing less than one mile from school who are transported because of full-service school zones, extraordinary traffic, drug, or crime hazards; and

(ii) transportation to and from school during the regular school year required under subdivision 3 for nonresident secondary pupils when the distance from the attendance area border to the school is at least one mile but less than two miles from the public school they attend, and for nonresident pupils when the distance from the attendance area border to the school is less than one mile from the school and who are transported because of full-service school zones, extraordinary traffic, drug, or crime hazards.

(3) Desegregation transportation is transportation within and outside of the district during the regular school year of pupils to and from schools located outside their normal attendance areas under a plan for desegregation mandated by the commissioner or under court order.

(4) "Transportation services for pupils with disabilities" is:

(i) transportation of pupils with disabilities who cannot be transported on a regular school bus between home or a respite care facility and school;

(ii) necessary transportation of pupils with disabilities from home or from school to other buildings, including centers such as developmental achievement centers, hospitals, and treatment centers where special instruction or services required by sections 125A.03 to 125A.24, 125A.26 to 125A.48, and 125A.65 are provided, within or outside the district where services are provided;

(iii) necessary transportation for resident pupils with disabilities required by sections 125A.12, and 125A.26 to 125A.48;

(iv) board and lodging for pupils with disabilities in a district maintaining special classes;

(v) transportation from one educational facility to another within the district for resident pupils enrolled on a shared-time basis in educational programs, and necessary transportation required by sections 125A.18, and 125A.26 to 125A.48, for resident pupils with disabilities who are provided special instruction and services on a shared-time basis or if resident pupils are not transported, the costs of necessary travel between public and private schools or neutral instructional sites by essential personnel employed by the district's program for children with a disability;

(vi) transportation for resident pupils with disabilities to and from board and lodging facilities when the pupil is boarded and lodged for educational purposes;

(vii) transportation of pupils for a curricular field trip activity on a school bus equipped with a power lift when the power lift is required by a student's disability or section 504 plan; and

(viii) services described in clauses (i) to (vii), when provided for pupils with disabilities in conjunction with a summer instructional program that relates to the pupil's individualized education program or in conjunction with a learning year program established under section 124D.128.

For purposes of computing special education initial aid under section 125A.76, deleted text begin subdivision 2,deleted text end the cost of providing transportation for children with disabilities includes (A) the additional cost of transporting a homeless student from a temporary nonshelter home in another district to the school of origin, or a formerly homeless student from a permanent home in another district to the school of origin but only through the end of the academic year; and (B) depreciation on district-owned school buses purchased after July 1, 2005, and used primarily for transportation of pupils with disabilities, calculated according to paragraph (a), clauses (ii) and (iii). Depreciation costs included in the disabled transportation category must be excluded in calculating the actual expenditure per pupil transported in the regular and excess transportation categories according to paragraph (a).new text begin For purposes of subitem (A), a school district may transport a child who does not have a school of origin to the same school attended by that child's sibling, if the siblings are homeless.new text end

(5) "Nonpublic nonregular transportation" is:

(i) transportation from one educational facility to another within the district for resident pupils enrolled on a shared-time basis in educational programs, excluding transportation for nonpublic pupils with disabilities under clause (4);

(ii) transportation within district boundaries between a nonpublic school and a public school or a neutral site for nonpublic school pupils who are provided pupil support services pursuant to section 123B.44; and

(iii) late transportation home from school or between schools within a district for nonpublic school pupils involved in after-school activities.

(c) "Mobile unit" means a vehicle or trailer designed to provide facilities for educational programs and services, including diagnostic testing, guidance and counseling services, and health services. A mobile unit located off nonpublic school premises is a neutral site as defined in section 123B.41, subdivision 13.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 123B.92, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

District reports.

(a) Each district must report data to the department as required by the department to account for transportation expenditures.

(b) Salaries and fringe benefits of district employees whose primary duties are other than transportation, including central office administrators and staff, building administrators and staff, teachers, social workers, school nurses, and instructional aides, must not be included in a district's transportation expenditures, except that a district may include salaries and benefits according to paragraph (c) for (1) an employee designated as the district transportation director, (2) an employee providing direct support to the transportation director, or (3) an employee providing direct transportation services such as a bus driver or bus aide.

(c) Salaries and fringe benefits of the district employees listed in paragraph (b), clauses (1), (2), and (3), who work part time in transportation and part time in other areas must not be included in a district's transportation expenditures unless the district maintains documentation of the employee's time spent on pupil transportation matters in the form and manner prescribed by the department.

(d) new text begin A school district that contracts for transportation service may allocate transportation expense to transportation categories based upon contract rates. Districts may only allocate transportation expense to transportation categories based upon contract rates if contract rates are reasonably consistent on a cost-per-hour, cost-per-mile, cost-per-route, or cost-per-student basis. In order to allocate transportation expense based upon contract rates, a school district, if audited, must be able to demonstrate to the auditor that variances in the application of transportation cost basis rates are appropriate. new text end

new text begin (e) new text end Pupil transportation expenditures, excluding expenditures for capital outlay, leased buses, student board and lodging, crossing guards, and aides on buses, deleted text begin mustdeleted text end new text begin maynew text end be allocated among transportation categories based on cost-per-mile or cost-per-student regardless of whether the transportation services are provided on district-owned or contractor-owned school buses. Expenditures for school bus driver salaries and fringe benefits may either be directly charged to the appropriate transportation category or may be allocated among transportation categories based on cost-per-mile or cost-per-student. Expenditures by private contractors or individuals who provide transportation exclusively in one transportation category must be charged directly to the appropriate transportation category. Transportation services provided by contractor-owned school bus companies incorporated under different names but owned by the same individual or group of individuals must be treated as the same company for cost allocation purposes.

deleted text begin (e) Notwithstanding paragraph (d), districts contracting for transportation services are exempt from the standard cost allocation method for authorized and nonauthorized transportation categories if the district: (1) bids its contracts separately for authorized and nonauthorized transportation categories and for special transportation separate from regular and excess transportation; (2) receives bids or quotes from more than one vendor for these transportation categories; and (3) the district's cost-per-mile does not vary more than ten percent among categories, excluding salaries and fringe benefits of bus aides. If the costs reported by the district for contractor-owned operations vary by more than ten percent among categories, the department shall require the district to reallocate its transportation costs, excluding salaries and fringe benefits of bus aides, among all categories. deleted text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2014 and later. new text end

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 123B.92, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Nonpublic pupil transportation aid.

(a) A district's nonpublic pupil transportation aid for the 1996-1997 and later school years for transportation services for nonpublic school pupils according to sections 123B.88, 123B.84 to 123B.86, and this section, equals the sum of the amounts computed in paragraphs (b) and (c). This aid does not limit the obligation to transport pupils under sections 123B.84 to 123B.87.

(b) For regular and excess transportation according to subdivision 1, paragraph (b), clauses (1) and (2), an amount equal to the product of:

(1) the district's actual expenditure per pupil transported in the regular and excess transportation categories during the second preceding school year; times

(2) the number of nonpublic school pupils residing in the district who receive regular or excess transportation service or reimbursement for the current school year; times

(3) the ratio of the formula allowance pursuant to section 126C.10, subdivision 2, for the current school year to the formula allowance pursuant to section 126C.10, subdivision 2, for the second preceding school year.

(c) For nonpublic nonregular transportation according to subdivision 1, paragraph (b), clause (5), an amount equal to the product of:

(1) the district's actual expenditure for nonpublic nonregular transportation during the second preceding school year; times

(2) the ratio of the formula allowance pursuant to section 126C.10, subdivision 2, for the current school year to the formula allowance pursuant to section 126C.10, subdivision 2, for the second preceding school year.

(d) Notwithstanding the amount of the formula allowance for fiscal deleted text begin year 2004deleted text end new text begin years 2015 and 2016new text end in section 126C.10, subdivision 2, the commissioner shall use the amount of the formula allowance for the current year minus deleted text begin $415deleted text end new text begin $414new text end in determining the nonpublic pupil transportation revenue in paragraphs (b) and (c) for fiscal deleted text begin year 2004deleted text end new text begin years 2015 and 2016new text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 124D.02, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Kindergarten instruction.

The board may establish and maintain one or more kindergartens for the instruction of children and after July 1, 1974, shall provide kindergarten instruction for all eligible children, either in the district or in another district. All children to be eligible for kindergarten must be at least five years of age on September 1 of the calendar year in which the school year commences. In addition all children selected under an early admissions policy established by the school board may be admitted. new text begin If established, a board-adopted early admissions policy must describe the process and procedures for comprehensive evaluation in cognitive, social, and emotional developmental domains to help determine the child's ability to meet kindergarten grade expectations and progress to first grade in the subsequent year. The comprehensive evaluation must use valid and reliable instrumentation, be aligned with state kindergarten expectations, and include a parent report and teacher observations of the child's knowledge, skills, and abilities. The early admissions policy must be made available to parents in an accessible format and is subject to review by the commissioner of education. The evaluation is subject to section 127A.41. new text end Nothing in this section shall prohibit a school district from establishing Head Start, prekindergarten, or nursery school classes for children below kindergarten age. Any school board with evidence that providing kindergarten will cause an extraordinary hardship on the school district may apply to the commissioner of education for an exception.

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 124D.128, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Commissioner designation.

(a) A state-approved alternative program designated by the state must be a site. A state-approved alternative program must provide services to students who meet the criteria in section 124D.68 and who are enrolled in:

(1) a district that is served by the state-approved alternative program; or

(2) a charter school located within the geographic boundaries of a district that is served by the state-approved alternative program.

deleted text begin (b) A school district or charter school may be approved biennially by the state to provide additional instructional programming that results in grade level acceleration. The program must be designed so that students make grade progress during the school year and graduate prior to the students' peers. deleted text end

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (b)new text end To be designated, a deleted text begin district, charter school, ordeleted text end state-approved alternative program must demonstrate to the commissioner that it will:

(1) provide a program of instruction that permits pupils to receive instruction throughout the entire year; and

(2) develop and maintain a separate record system that, for purposes of section 126C.05, permits identification of membership attributable to pupils participating in the program. The record system and identification must ensure that the program will not have the effect of increasing the total average daily membership attributable to an individual pupil as a result of a learning year program. The record system must include the date the pupil originally enrolled in a learning year program, the pupil's grade level, the date of each grade promotion, the average daily membership generated in each grade level, the number of credits or standards earned, and the number needed to graduate.

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (c)new text end A student who has not completed a school district's graduation requirements may continue to enroll in courses the student must complete in order to graduate until the student satisfies the district's graduation requirements or the student is 21 years old, whichever comes first.

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 124D.4531, is amended to read:

124D.4531 CAREER AND TECHNICAL deleted text begin LEVYdeleted text end new text begin REVENUEnew text end .

Subdivision 1.

Career and technical deleted text begin levydeleted text end new text begin revenuenew text end .

(a) A district with a career and technical program approved under this section for the fiscal year in which the levy is certified deleted text begin may levy an amountdeleted text end new text begin is eligible for career and technical revenuenew text end equal to 35 percent of approved expenditures in the fiscal year in which the levy is certified for the following:

(1) salaries paid to essential, licensed personnel providing direct instructional services to students in that fiscal year, including extended contracts, for services rendered in the district's approved career and technical education programsnew text begin , excluding salaries reimbursed by another school district under clause (2)new text end ;

new text begin (2) amounts paid to another Minnesota school district for salaries of essential, licensed personnel providing direct instructional services to students in that fiscal year for services rendered in the district's approved career and technical education programs; new text end

deleted text begin (2)deleted text end new text begin (3) new text end contracted services provided by a public or private agency other than a Minnesota school district or cooperative center under subdivision 7;

deleted text begin (3)deleted text end new text begin (4) new text end necessary travel between instructional sites by licensed career and technical education personnel;

deleted text begin (4)deleted text end new text begin (5) new text end necessary travel by licensed career and technical education personnel for vocational student organization activities held within the state for instructional purposes;

deleted text begin (5)deleted text end new text begin (6) new text end curriculum development activities that are part of a five-year plan for improvement based on program assessment;

deleted text begin (6)deleted text end new text begin (7) new text end necessary travel by licensed career and technical education personnel for noncollegiate credit-bearing professional development; and

deleted text begin (7)deleted text end new text begin (8) new text end specialized vocational instructional supplies.

(b) Up to ten percent of a district's career and technical deleted text begin levydeleted text end new text begin revenuenew text end may be spent on equipment purchases. Districts using the career and technical deleted text begin levydeleted text end new text begin revenuenew text end for equipment purchases must report to the department on the improved learning opportunities for students that result from the investment in equipment.

(c) The district must recognize the full amount of this levy as revenue for the fiscal year in which it is certified.

(d) The amount of the deleted text begin levy certifieddeleted text end new text begin revenue calculatednew text end under this subdivision may not exceed $17,850,000 for taxes payable in 2012, $15,520,000 for taxes payable in 2013, and deleted text begin $15,393,000deleted text end new text begin $20,657,000 new text end for taxes payable in 2014.

(e) If the estimated deleted text begin levydeleted text end new text begin revenuenew text end exceeds the amount in paragraph (d), the commissioner must reduce the percentage in paragraph (a), clause (2), until the estimated deleted text begin levydeleted text end new text begin revenuenew text end no longer exceeds the limit in paragraph (d).

new text begin Subd. 1a. new text end

new text begin Career and technical levy. new text end

new text begin (a) For fiscal year 2014 only, a district may levy an amount not more than the product of its career and technical revenue times the lesser of one or the ratio of its adjusted net tax capacity per adjusted pupil unit in the fiscal year in which the levy is certified to the career and technical revenue equalizing factor. The career and technical revenue equalizing factor for fiscal year 2014 equals $7,612. new text end

new text begin (b) For fiscal year 2015 and later, a district may levy an amount not more than the product of its career and technical revenue times the lesser of one or the ratio of its adjusted net tax capacity per adjusted pupil unit in the fiscal year in which the levy is certified to the career and technical revenue equalizing factor. The career and technical revenue equalizing factor for fiscal year 2015 and later equals $7,612. new text end

new text begin Subd. 1b. new text end

new text begin Career and technical aid. new text end

new text begin For fiscal year 2014 and later, a district's career and technical aid equals its career and technical revenue less its career and technical levy. If the district levy is less than the permitted levy, the district's career and technical aid shall be reduced proportionately. new text end

Subd. 2.

Allocation from cooperative centers and intermediate districts.

For purposes of this section, a cooperative center or an intermediate district must allocate its approved expenditures for career and technical education programs among participating districts.

Subd. 3.

deleted text begin Levydeleted text end new text begin Revenuenew text end guarantee.

Notwithstanding subdivision 1, paragraph (a), the career and technical education deleted text begin levydeleted text end new text begin revenuenew text end for a district is not less than the lesser of:

(1) the district's career and technical education deleted text begin levy authoritydeleted text end new text begin revenuenew text end for the previous fiscal year; or

(2) 100 percent of the approved expenditures for career and technical programs included in subdivision 1, paragraph (b), for the fiscal year in which the levy is certified.

Subd. 3a.

deleted text begin Levy, pay 2012-2014deleted text end new text begin Revenue adjustmentsnew text end .

Notwithstanding subdivisions 1new text begin , 1a,new text end and 3, for taxes payable in 2012 to 2014 only, the department must calculate the career and technical deleted text begin levy authoritydeleted text end new text begin revenuenew text end for each district according to Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 124D.4531, and adjust the deleted text begin levy authoritydeleted text end new text begin revenuenew text end for each district proportionately to meet the statewide deleted text begin levydeleted text end new text begin revenuenew text end target under subdivision 1, paragraph (d). For purposes of calculating the deleted text begin levydeleted text end new text begin revenuenew text end guarantee under subdivision 3, the career and technical education deleted text begin levy authoritydeleted text end new text begin revenuenew text end for the previous fiscal year is the deleted text begin levy authoritydeleted text end new text begin revenuenew text end according to Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 124D.4531, before adjustments to meet the statewide deleted text begin levydeleted text end new text begin revenuenew text end target.

Subd. 4.

District reports.

Each district or cooperative center must report data to the department for all career and technical education programs as required by the department to implement the career and technical deleted text begin levydeleted text end new text begin revenuenew text end formula.

Subd. 5.

Allocation from districts participating in agreements for secondary education or interdistrict cooperation.

For purposes of this section, a district with a career and technical program approved under this section that participates in an agreement under section 123A.30 or 123A.32 must allocate its deleted text begin levydeleted text end new text begin revenuenew text end authority under this section among participating districts.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for fiscal year 2014 and later. new text end

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.05, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Pupil unit.

Pupil units for each Minnesota resident pupil under the age of 21 or who meets the requirements of section 120A.20, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), in average daily membership enrolled in the district of residence, in another district under sections 123A.05 to 123A.08, 124D.03, 124D.08, or 124D.68; in a charter school under section 124D.10; or for whom the resident district pays tuition under section 123A.18, 123A.22, 123A.30, 123A.32, 123A.44, 123A.488, 123B.88, subdivision 4, 124D.04, 124D.05, 125A.03 to 125A.24, 125A.51, or 125A.65, shall be counted according to this subdivision.

(a) A prekindergarten pupil with a disability who is enrolled in a program approved by the commissioner and has an individualized education program is counted as the ratio of the number of hours of assessment and education service to 825 times deleted text begin 1.25deleted text end new text begin 1.0new text end with a minimum average daily membership of 0.28, but not more than deleted text begin 1.25deleted text end new text begin 1.0new text end pupil units.

(b) A prekindergarten pupil who is assessed but determined not to be disabled is counted as the ratio of the number of hours of assessment service to 825 times deleted text begin 1.25deleted text end new text begin 1.0new text end .

(c) A kindergarten pupil with a disability who is enrolled in a program approved by the commissioner is counted as the ratio of the number of hours of assessment and education services required in the fiscal year by the pupil's individualized education program to 875, but not more than one.

(d) deleted text begin A kindergarten pupil who is not included in paragraph (c) is counted as .612 pupil unitsdeleted text end new text begin A kindergarten pupil who is not included in paragraph (c) is counted as 1.0 pupil units if the pupil is enrolled in a free all-day, every day kindergarten program available to all kindergarten pupils at the pupil's school that meets the minimum hours requirement in section 120A.41, or is counted as .55 pupil units, if the pupil is not enrolled in a free all-day, every day kindergarten program available to all kindergarten pupils at the pupil's schoolnew text end .

(e) A pupil who is in any of grades 1 to deleted text begin 3deleted text end new text begin 6new text end is counted as deleted text begin 1.115deleted text end new text begin 1.0new text end pupil units deleted text begin for fiscal year 2000 and thereafterdeleted text end .

(f) deleted text begin A pupil who is any of grades 4 to 6 is counted as 1.06 pupil units for fiscal year 1995 and thereafter.deleted text end

deleted text begin (g)deleted text end A pupil who is in any of grades 7 to 12 is counted as deleted text begin 1.3deleted text end new text begin 1.2new text end pupil units.

deleted text begin (h)deleted text end new text begin (g)new text end A pupil who is in the postsecondary enrollment options program is counted as deleted text begin 1.3deleted text end new text begin 1.2new text end pupil units.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.05, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Adjusted pupil units.

deleted text begin (a)deleted text end Adjusted pupil units for a district or charter school means the sum of:

(1) the number of pupil units served, according to subdivision 7, plus

(2) pupil units according to subdivision 1 for whom the district or charter school pays tuition under section 123A.18, 123A.22, 123A.30, 123A.32, 123A.44, 123A.488, 123B.88, subdivision 4, 124D.04, 124D.05, 125A.03 to 125A.24, 125A.51, or 125A.65, minus

(3) pupil units according to subdivision 1 for whom the district or charter school receives tuition under section 123A.18, 123A.22, 123A.30, 123A.32, 123A.44, 123A.488, 123B.88, subdivision 4, 124D.04, 124D.05, 125A.03 to 125A.24, 125A.51, or 125A.65.

deleted text begin (b) Adjusted marginal cost pupil units means the greater of: deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) the sum of .77 times the pupil units defined in paragraph (a) for the current school year and .23 times the pupil units defined in paragraph (a) for the previous school year; or deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) the number of adjusted pupil units defined in paragraph (a) for the current school year. deleted text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.05, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Resident pupil units.

deleted text begin (a)deleted text end Resident pupil units for a district means the number of pupil units according to subdivision 1 residing in the district.

deleted text begin (b) Resident marginal cost pupil units means the greater of: deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) the sum of .77 times the pupil units defined in paragraph (a) for the current year and .23 times the pupil units defined in paragraph (a) for the previous school year; or deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) the number of resident pupil units defined in paragraph (a) for the current school year. deleted text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.05, subdivision 15, is amended to read:

Subd. 15.

Learning year pupil units.

(a) When a pupil is enrolled in a learning year program under section 124D.128, an area learning center or an alternative learning program approved by the commissioner under sections 123A.05 and 123A.06, or a contract alternative program under section 124D.68, subdivision 3, paragraph (d), or subdivision 3a, for more than 1,020 hours in a school year for a secondary student, more than 935 hours in a school year for an elementary student, new text begin more than 850 hours in a school year for a kindergarten student without a disability in an all-day kindergarten program, new text end or more than 425 hours in a school year for a new text begin half-day new text end kindergarten student without a disability, that pupil may be counted as more than one pupil in average daily membership for purposes of section 126C.10, subdivision 2a. The amount in excess of one pupil must be determined by the ratio of the number of hours of instruction provided to that pupil in excess of: (i) the greater of 1,020 hours or the number of hours required for a full-time secondary pupil in the district to 1,020 for a secondary pupil; (ii) the greater of 935 hours or the number of hours required for a full-time elementary pupil in the district to 935 for an elementary pupil in grades 1 through 6; deleted text begin anddeleted text end (iii) the greater of 425 hours or the number of hours required for a full-time kindergarten student without a disability in the district to 425 for a kindergarten student without a disabilitynew text begin ; and (iv) the greater of 425 hours or the number of hours required for a half-time kindergarten student without a disability in the district to 425 for a half-day kindergarten student without a disabilitynew text end . Hours that occur after the close of the instructional year in June shall be attributable to the following fiscal year. deleted text begin A kindergarten student must not be counted as more than 1.2 pupils in average daily membership under this subdivision.deleted text end A student in new text begin kindergarten or new text end grades 1 through 12 must not be counted as more than 1.2 pupils in average daily membership under this subdivision.

(b)(i) To receive general education revenue for a pupil in an area learning center or alternative learning program that has an independent study component, a district must meet the requirements in this paragraph. The district must develop, for the pupil, a continual learning plan consistent with section 124D.128, subdivision 3. Each school district that has an area learning center or alternative learning program must reserve revenue in an amount equal to at least 90 percent of the district average general education revenue per pupil unit, minus an amount equal to the product of the formula allowance according to section 126C.10, subdivision 2, times deleted text begin .0485deleted text end new text begin .0466new text end , calculated without basic skills and transportation sparsity revenue, times the number of pupil units generated by students attending an area learning center or alternative learning program. The amount of reserved revenue available under this subdivision may only be spent for program costs associated with the area learning center or alternative learning program. Basic skills revenue generated according to section 126C.10, subdivision 4, by pupils attending the eligible program must be allocated to the program.

(ii) General education revenue for a pupil in a state-approved alternative program without an independent study component must be prorated for a pupil participating for less than a full year, or its equivalent. The district must develop a continual learning plan for the pupil, consistent with section 124D.128, subdivision 3. Each school district that has an area learning center or alternative learning program must reserve revenue in an amount equal to at least 90 percent of the district average general education revenue per pupil unit, minus an amount equal to the product of the formula allowance according to section 126C.10, subdivision 2, times deleted text begin .0485deleted text end new text begin .0466new text end , calculated without basic skills and transportation sparsity revenue, times the number of pupil units generated by students attending an area learning center or alternative learning program. The amount of reserved revenue available under this subdivision may only be spent for program costs associated with the area learning center or alternative learning program. Basic skills revenue generated according to section 126C.10, subdivision 4, by pupils attending the eligible program must be allocated to the program.

(iii) General education revenue for a pupil in a state-approved alternative program that has an independent study component must be paid for each hour of teacher contact time and each hour of independent study time completed toward a credit or graduation standards necessary for graduation. Average daily membership for a pupil shall equal the number of hours of teacher contact time and independent study time divided by 1,020.

(iv) For a state-approved alternative program having an independent study component, the commissioner shall require a description of the courses in the program, the kinds of independent study involved, the expected learning outcomes of the courses, and the means of measuring student performance against the expected outcomes.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.10, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

General education revenue.

new text begin (a) For fiscal years 2013 and 2014, new text end the general education revenue for each district equals the sum of the district's basic revenue, extended time revenue, gifted and talented revenue, small schools revenue, basic skills revenue, deleted text begin training and experience revenue,deleted text end secondary sparsity revenue, elementary sparsity revenue, transportation sparsity revenue, total operating capital revenue, equity revenue, alternative teacher compensation revenue, and transition revenue.

new text begin (b) For fiscal year 2015 and later, the general education revenue for each district equals the sum of the district's basic revenue, extended time revenue, gifted and talented revenue, declining enrollment revenue, small schools revenue, basic skills revenue, secondary sparsity revenue, elementary sparsity revenue, transportation sparsity revenue, total operating capital revenue, equity revenue, pension adjustment revenue, and transition revenue. new text end

Sec. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.10, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Basic revenue.

new text begin For fiscal year 2014, new text end the basic revenue for each district equals the formula allowance times the adjusted marginal cost pupil units for the school year. deleted text begin The formula allowance for fiscal year 2011 is $5,124. The formula allowance for fiscal year 2012 is $5,174.deleted text end new text begin For fiscal year 2015 and later, the basic revenue for each district equals the formula allowance times the adjusted pupil units for the school year.new text end The formula allowance for fiscal year 2013 deleted text begin and subsequent yearsdeleted text end is $5,224.new text begin The formula allowance for fiscal year 2014 is $5,302. The formula allowance for fiscal year 2015 and later is $5,806.new text end

Sec. 21.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.10, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

Subd. 2a.

Extended time revenue.

(a) A school district's extended time revenue is equal to the product of deleted text begin $4,601deleted text end new text begin $5,017new text end and the sum of the adjusted deleted text begin marginal costdeleted text end pupil units of the district for each pupil in average daily membership in excess of 1.0 and less than 1.2 according to section 126C.05, subdivision 8.

(b) A school district's extended time revenue may be used for extended day programs, extended week programs, summer school, and other programming authorized under the learning year program.

Sec. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.10, subdivision 2b, is amended to read:

Subd. 2b.

Gifted and talented revenue.

Gifted and talented revenue for each district equals the district's adjusted deleted text begin marginal costdeleted text end pupil units for that school year times deleted text begin $12 for fiscal year 2008 and laterdeleted text end new text begin $13new text end . A school district must reserve gifted and talented revenue and, consistent with section 120B.15, must spend the revenue only to:

(1) identify gifted and talented students;

(2) provide education programs for gifted and talented students; or

(3) provide staff development to prepare teachers to best meet the unique needs of gifted and talented students.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 23.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.10, subdivision 2c, is amended to read:

Subd. 2c.

Small schools revenue.

new text begin (a) new text end A school district, not including a charter school, is eligible for small schools revenue equal to the new text begin greater of the calculation under paragraph (b) or (d).new text end

new text begin (b) The new text end product of:

(1) deleted text begin $5,224deleted text end new text begin $544new text end ;

(2) the district's adjusted deleted text begin marginal costdeleted text end pupil units for that year;new text begin andnew text end

(3) the greater of zero or the ratio of (i) deleted text begin 1,000deleted text end new text begin 960new text end less the district's adjusted deleted text begin marginal costdeleted text end pupil units for that year, to (ii) deleted text begin 1,000; anddeleted text end

deleted text begin (4) 0.10deleted text end new text begin 960new text end .

new text begin (c) For the purpose of revenue calculated under paragraph (d), "district" includes a qualifying high school under subdivision 6 that is located in a district with more than one qualifying high school under subdivision 6. new text end

new text begin (d) The product of: new text end

new text begin (1) $544; new text end

new text begin (2) the district's adjusted pupil units for that year; and new text end

new text begin (3) the greater of zero or the ratio of (i) 960 less the district's adjusted pupil units for that year, to (ii) 960. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 24.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.10, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 2d. new text end

new text begin Declining enrollment revenue. new text end

new text begin A school district's declining enrollment revenue equals the greater of zero or the product of: (1) 28 percent of the formula allowance for that year and (2) the difference between the adjusted pupil units for the preceding year and the adjusted pupil units for the current year. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 25.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.10, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Compensatory education revenue.

(a) new text begin For fiscal year 2014, new text end the compensatory education revenue for each building in the district equals the formula allowance minus $415 times the compensation revenue pupil units computed according to section 126C.05, subdivision 3. new text begin For fiscal year 2015 and later, the compensatory education revenue for each building in the district equals the formula allowance minus $839 times the compensation revenue pupil units computed according to section 126C.05, subdivision 3. new text end Revenue shall be paid to the district and must be allocated according to section 126C.15, subdivision 2.

(b) When the district contracting with an alternative program under section 124D.69 changes prior to the start of a school year, the compensatory revenue generated by pupils attending the program shall be paid to the district contracting with the alternative program for the current school year, and shall not be paid to the district contracting with the alternative program for the prior school year.

(c) When the fiscal agent district for an area learning center changes prior to the start of a school year, the compensatory revenue shall be paid to the fiscal agent district for the current school year, and shall not be paid to the fiscal agent district for the prior school year.

Sec. 26.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.10, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Secondary sparsity revenue.

(a) A district's secondary sparsity revenue for a school year equals the sum of the results of the following calculation for each qualifying high school in the district:

(1) the formula allowance for the school yearnew text begin minus $530new text end , multiplied by

(2) the secondary average daily membership of pupils served in the high school, multiplied by

(3) the quotient obtained by dividing 400 minus the secondary average daily membership by 400 plus the secondary daily membership, multiplied by

(4) the lesser of 1.5 or the quotient obtained by dividing the isolation index minus 23 by ten.

(b) A newly formed district that is the result of districts combining under the cooperation and combination program or consolidating under section 123A.48 must receive secondary sparsity revenue equal to the greater of: (1) the amount calculated under paragraph (a) for the combined district; or (2) the sum of the amounts of secondary sparsity revenue the former districts had in the year prior to consolidation, increased for any subsequent changes in the secondary sparsity formula.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 27.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.10, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Elementary sparsity revenue.

A district's elementary sparsity revenue equals the sum of the following amounts for each qualifying elementary school in the district:

(1) the formula allowance for the yearnew text begin minus $530new text end , multiplied by

(2) the elementary average daily membership of pupils served in the school, multiplied by

(3) the quotient obtained by dividing 140 minus the elementary average daily membership by 140 plus the average daily membership.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 28.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.10, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

Subd. 13.

Total operating capital revenue.

(a) Total operating capital revenue for a district equals the amount determined under paragraph (b) or (c), plus deleted text begin $73deleted text end new text begin $79new text end times the adjusted deleted text begin marginal costdeleted text end pupil units for the school year. The revenue must be placed in a reserved account in the general fund and may only be used according to subdivision 14.

(b) Capital revenue for a district equals deleted text begin $100deleted text end new text begin $109new text end times the district's maintenance cost index times its adjusted deleted text begin marginal costdeleted text end pupil units for the school year.

(c) The revenue for a district that operates a program under section 124D.128, is increased by an amount equal to deleted text begin $30deleted text end new text begin $31new text end times the number of deleted text begin marginal costdeleted text end new text begin adjustednew text end pupil units served at the site where the program is implemented.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 29.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.10, subdivision 13a, is amended to read:

Subd. 13a.

Operating capital levy.

To obtain operating capital revenue for fiscal year deleted text begin 2007deleted text end new text begin 2015new text end and later, a district may levy an amount not more than the product of its operating capital revenue for the fiscal year times the lesser of one or the ratio of its adjusted net tax capacity per adjusted marginal cost pupil unit to the operating capital equalizing factor. The operating capital equalizing factor equals deleted text begin $10,194deleted text end new text begin $14,500new text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 30.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.10, subdivision 14, is amended to read:

Subd. 14.

Uses of total operating capital revenue.

Total operating capital revenue may be used only for the following purposes:

(1) to acquire land for school purposes;

(2) to acquire or construct buildings for school purposes;

(3) to rent or lease buildings, including the costs of building repair or improvement that are part of a lease agreement;

(4) to improve and repair school sites and buildings, and equip or reequip school buildings with permanent attached fixtures, including library media centers;

(5) for a surplus school building that is used substantially for a public nonschool purpose;

(6) to eliminate barriers or increase access to school buildings by individuals with a disability;

(7) to bring school buildings into compliance with the State Fire Code adopted according to chapter 299F;

(8) to remove asbestos from school buildings, encapsulate asbestos, or make asbestos-related repairs;

(9) to clean up and dispose of polychlorinated biphenyls found in school buildings;

(10) to clean up, remove, dispose of, and make repairs related to storing heating fuel or transportation fuels such as alcohol, gasoline, fuel oil, and special fuel, as defined in section 296A.01;

(11) for energy audits for school buildings and to modify buildings if the audit indicates the cost of the modification can be recovered within ten years;

(12) to improve buildings that are leased according to section 123B.51, subdivision 4;

(13) to pay special assessments levied against school property but not to pay assessments for service charges;

(14) to pay principal and interest on state loans for energy conservation according to section 216C.37 or loans made under the Douglas J. Johnson Economic Protection Trust Fund Act according to sections 298.292 to 298.298;

(15) to purchase or lease interactive telecommunications equipment;

(16) by board resolution, to transfer money into the debt redemption fund to: (i) pay the amounts needed to meet, when due, principal and interest payments on certain obligations issued according to chapter 475; or (ii) pay principal and interest on debt service loans or capital loans according to section 126C.70;

(17) to pay operating capital-related assessments of any entity formed under a cooperative agreement between two or more districts;

(18) to purchase or lease computers and related deleted text begin materialsdeleted text end new text begin hardware, software, and annual licensing feesnew text end , copying machines, telecommunications equipment, and other noninstructional equipment;

(19) to purchase or lease assistive technology or equipment for instructional programs;

(20) to purchase textbooksnew text begin as defined in section 123B.41, subdivision 2new text end ;

(21) to purchase new and replacement library media resources or technology;

(22) to lease or purchase vehicles;

(23) to purchase or lease telecommunications equipment, computers, and related equipment for integrated information management systems for:

(i) managing and reporting learner outcome information for all students under a results-oriented graduation rule;

(ii) managing student assessment, services, and achievement information required for students with individualized education programs; and

(iii) other classroom information management needs;

(24) to pay personnel costs directly related to the acquisition, operation, and maintenance of telecommunications systems, computers, related equipment, and network and applications software; and

(25) to pay the costs directly associated with closing a school facility, including moving and storage costs.

Sec. 31.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.10, subdivision 18, is amended to read:

Subd. 18.

Transportation sparsity revenue allowance.

(a) A district's transportation sparsity allowance equals the greater of zero or the result of the following computation:

(i) Multiply the formula allowance according to subdivision 2, by deleted text begin .1469deleted text end new text begin .141new text end .

(ii) Multiply the result in clause (i) by the district's sparsity index raised to the 26/100 power.

(iii) Multiply the result in clause (ii) by the district's density index raised to the 13/100 power.

(iv) Multiply the formula allowance according to subdivision 2, by deleted text begin .0485deleted text end new text begin .0466new text end .

(v) Subtract the result in clause (iv) from the result in clause (iii).

(b) Transportation sparsity revenue is equal to the transportation sparsity allowance times the adjusted deleted text begin marginal costdeleted text end pupil units.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 32.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.10, subdivision 24, is amended to read:

Subd. 24.

Equity revenue.

(a) A school district qualifies for equity revenue if:

(1) the school district's adjusted deleted text begin marginal costdeleted text end pupil unit amount of basic revenue, transition revenue, and referendum revenue is less than the value of the school district at or immediately above the 95th percentile of school districts in its equity region for those revenue categories; and

(2) the school district's administrative offices are not located in a city of the first class on July 1, 1999.

(b) Equity revenue for a qualifying district that receives referendum revenue under section 126C.17, subdivision 4, equals the product of (1) the district's adjusted deleted text begin marginal costdeleted text end pupil units for that year; times (2) the sum of (i) deleted text begin $13deleted text end new text begin $14new text end , plus (ii) deleted text begin $75deleted text end new text begin $80new text end , times the school district's equity index computed under subdivision 27.

(c) Equity revenue for a qualifying district that does not receive referendum revenue under section 126C.17, subdivision 4, equals the product of the district's adjusted deleted text begin marginal costdeleted text end pupil units for that year times deleted text begin $13deleted text end new text begin $14new text end .

(d) A school district's equity revenue is increased by the greater of zero or an amount equal to the district's resident deleted text begin marginal costdeleted text end pupil units times the difference between ten percent of the statewide average amount of referendum revenue per resident deleted text begin marginal costdeleted text end pupil unit for that year and the district's referendum revenue per resident deleted text begin marginal costdeleted text end pupil unit. A school district's revenue under this paragraph must not exceed $100,000 for that year.

(e) A school district's equity revenue for a school district located in the metro equity region equals the amount computed in paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) multiplied by 1.25.

(f) deleted text begin For fiscal year 2007 and later, notwithstanding paragraph (a), clause (2),deleted text end A school deleted text begin district that has per pupil referendum revenue below the 95th percentile qualifies fordeleted text end new text begin district'snew text end additional equity revenue deleted text begin equal to $46deleted text end new text begin equals $50new text end times its adjusted deleted text begin marginal costdeleted text end pupil units.

deleted text begin (g) A district that does not qualify for revenue under paragraph (f) qualifies for equity revenue equal to $46 times its adjusted marginal cost pupil units. deleted text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 33.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.10, subdivision 29, is amended to read:

Subd. 29.

Equity levy.

To obtain equity revenue for fiscal year deleted text begin 2005deleted text end new text begin 2015new text end and later, a district may levy an amount not more than the product of its equity revenue for the fiscal year times the lesser of one or the ratio of its referendum market value per resident deleted text begin marginal costdeleted text end pupil unit to deleted text begin $476,000deleted text end new text begin $510,000new text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 34.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.10, subdivision 31, is amended to read:

Subd. 31.

Transition revenue.

(a) A district's transition allowance equalsnew text begin the sum of the transition revenue the district would have received for fiscal year 2015 under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.10, subdivisions 31, 31a, and 31c, andnew text end the greater of zero or deleted text begin the product of the ratio of the number of adjusted marginal cost pupil units the district would have counted for fiscal year 2004 under Minnesota Statutes 2002 to the district's adjusted marginal cost pupil units for fiscal year 2004, timesdeleted text end the difference between:

(1) the deleted text begin lesserdeleted text end new text begin sumnew text end ofnew text begin :new text end

new text begin (i) new text end the deleted text begin district'sdeleted text end general education revenue deleted text begin per adjusted marginal cost pupil unit for fiscal year 2003 or the amount of general education revenuedeleted text end the district would have received deleted text begin per adjusted marginal cost pupil unitdeleted text end for fiscal year deleted text begin 2004deleted text end new text begin 2015new text end according to Minnesota Statutes deleted text begin 2002,deleted text end new text begin 2012, section 126C.10;new text end

new text begin (ii) the integration revenue the district received for fiscal year 2013 under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 124D.86; new text end

new text begin (iii) the pension adjustment the district would have received for fiscal year 2015 under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 127A.50; new text end

new text begin (iv) the special education aid the district would have received for fiscal year 2015 under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 125A.76; and new text end

new text begin (v) the special education excess cost aid the district would have received for fiscal year 2015 under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 125A.79; new text end and

(2) the new text begin sum of the new text end district'snew text begin :new text end

new text begin (i)new text end general education revenue for fiscal year deleted text begin 2004deleted text end new text begin 2015new text end excluding transition revenue new text begin under section 126C.10;new text end

new text begin (ii) achievement and integration revenue for fiscal year 2015 under section 124D.862; and new text end

new text begin (iii) special education aid for fiscal year 2015 under section 125A.76; and new text end

divided by the number of adjusted deleted text begin marginal costdeleted text end pupil units deleted text begin the district would have counteddeleted text end for fiscal year deleted text begin 2004 under Minnesota Statutes 2002deleted text end new text begin 2015new text end .

deleted text begin (b) A district's transition revenue for fiscal years 2006 through 2009 equals the sum of the product of the district's transition allowance times the district's adjusted marginal cost pupil units plus the district's transition for prekindergarten revenue under subdivision 31a. deleted text end

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (b)new text end A district's transition revenue for fiscal year deleted text begin 2010deleted text end new text begin 2015new text end and later equals deleted text begin the sum ofdeleted text end the product of the district's transition allowance times the district's adjusted deleted text begin marginal costdeleted text end pupil units deleted text begin plus the district's transition for prekindergarten revenue under subdivision 31a plus the district's transition for tuition reciprocity revenue under subdivision 31cdeleted text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 35.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.10, subdivision 32, is amended to read:

Subd. 32.

Transition levy.

To obtain transition revenue for fiscal year deleted text begin 2005deleted text end new text begin 2015new text end and later, a district may levy an amount not more than the product of its transition revenue for the fiscal year times the lesser of one or the ratio of its referendum market value per resident deleted text begin marginal costdeleted text end pupil unit to deleted text begin $476,000deleted text end new text begin $510,000new text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 36.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.10, subdivision 34, is amended to read:

Subd. 34.

Basic alternative teacher compensation aid.

(a) deleted text begin For fiscal years 2007, 2008, and 2009, the basic alternative teacher compensation aid for a school district with a plan approved under section 122A.414, subdivision 2b, equals 73.1 percent of the alternative teacher compensation revenue under section 122A.415, subdivision 1. The basic alternative teacher compensation aid for an intermediate school district or charter school with a plan approved under section 122A.414, subdivisions 2a and 2b, if the recipient is a charter school, equals $260 times the number of pupils enrolled in the school on October 1 of the previous fiscal year, or on October 1 of the current fiscal year for a charter school in the first year of operation, times the ratio of the sum of the alternative teacher compensation aid and alternative teacher compensation levy for all participating school districts to the maximum alternative teacher compensation revenue for those districts under section 122A.415, subdivision 1.deleted text end

deleted text begin (b)deleted text end For fiscal years deleted text begin 2010 and laterdeleted text end new text begin 2013 and 2014 onlynew text end , the basic alternative teacher compensation aid for a school with a plan approved under section 122A.414, subdivision 2b, equals 65 percent of the alternative teacher compensation revenue under section 122A.415, subdivision 1. The basic alternative teacher compensation aid for an intermediate school district or charter school with a plan approved under section 122A.414, subdivisions 2a and 2b, if the recipient is a charter school, equals $260 times the number of pupils enrolled in the school on October 1 of the previous year, or on October 1 of the current year for a charter school in the first year of operation, times the ratio of the sum of the alternative teacher compensation aid and alternative teacher compensation levy for all participating school districts to the maximum alternative teacher compensation revenue for those districts under section 122A.415, subdivision 1.

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (b)new text end Notwithstanding deleted text begin paragraphsdeleted text end new text begin paragraph new text end (a) deleted text begin and (b)deleted text end and section 122A.415, subdivision 1, the state total basic alternative teacher compensation aid entitlement must not exceed $75,636,000 for fiscal year 2007 and later. The commissioner must limit the amount of alternative teacher compensation aid approved under section 122A.415 so as not to exceed these limits.

Sec. 37.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.10, subdivision 35, is amended to read:

Subd. 35.

Alternative teacher compensation levy.

For fiscal deleted text begin year 2007deleted text end new text begin years 2013new text end and deleted text begin laterdeleted text end new text begin 2014 onlynew text end , the alternative teacher compensation levy for a district receiving basic alternative teacher compensation aid equals the product of (1) the difference between the district's alternative teacher compensation revenue and the district's basic alternative teacher compensation aid times (2) the lesser of one or the ratio of the district's adjusted net tax capacity per adjusted pupil unit to $5,634.

Sec. 38.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.10, subdivision 36, is amended to read:

Subd. 36.

Alternative teacher compensation aid.

(a) For fiscal deleted text begin year 2007deleted text end new text begin years 2013new text end and deleted text begin laterdeleted text end new text begin 2014 onlynew text end , a district's alternative teacher compensation equalization aid equals the district's alternative teacher compensation revenue minus the district's basic alternative teacher compensation aid minus the district's alternative teacher compensation levy. If a district does not levy the entire amount permitted, the alternative teacher compensation equalization aid must be reduced in proportion to the actual amount levied.

(b) A district's alternative teacher compensation aid equals the sum of the district's basic alternative teacher compensation aid and the district's alternative teacher compensation equalization aid.

Sec. 39.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.10, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 38. new text end

new text begin Pension adjustment revenue. new text end

new text begin A school district's pension adjustment revenue equals the greater of zero or the product of: new text end

new text begin (1) the difference between the district's adjustment under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 127A.50, subdivision 1, for fiscal year 2014 per adjusted pupil unit and the state average adjustment under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 127A.50, subdivision 1, for fiscal year 2014 per adjusted pupil unit; and new text end

new text begin (2) the district's adjusted pupil units for the fiscal year. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 40.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.12, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Revenue.

Of a district's general education revenue for fiscal year deleted text begin 2000deleted text end new text begin 2015new text end and thereafter each school district shall reserve an amount equal to deleted text begin the formuladeleted text end deleted text begin allowance multiplied bydeleted text end the following calculation:

(1) deleted text begin the sum of adjusted marginal cost pupils indeleted text end average daily membership, according to section 126C.05, subdivision 5, in kindergarten times deleted text begin .057deleted text end new text begin $299new text end ; plus

(2) deleted text begin the sum of adjusted marginal cost pupils indeleted text end average daily membership, according to section 126C.05, subdivision 5, in grades 1 to deleted text begin 3deleted text end new text begin 6new text end times deleted text begin .115; plusdeleted text end new text begin $459.new text end

deleted text begin (3) the sum of adjusted marginal cost pupils in average daily membership, according to section 126C.05, subdivision 5, in grades 4 to 6 times .06. deleted text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 41.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.12, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Additional revenue use.

If the board of a district determines that the district has achieved and is maintaining the class sizes specified in subdivision 4, the board may use the revenue to reduce class size in grades 4, 5, and 6, deleted text begin provide all-day, everyday kindergarten,deleted text end prepare and use individualized learning plans, improve program offerings, purchase instructional material, services, or technology, or provide staff development needed for reduced class sizes.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2015. new text end

Sec. 42.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.126, is amended to read:

126C.126 USE OF GENERAL EDUCATION REVENUE FOR ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN AND PREKINDERGARTEN.

A school district may spend general education revenue on extended time kindergarten and prekindergarten programs.new text begin At the school board's discretion, the district may use revenue generated by the all-day kindergarten pupil count under section 126C.05, subdivision 1, paragraph (d), to meet the needs of three- and four-year-olds in the district. A school district may not use these funds on programs for three- and four-year-old children while maintaining a fee-based all-day kindergarten program.new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 43.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.13, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 3a. new text end

new text begin Student achievement rate. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must establish the student achievement rate by July 1 of each year for levies payable in the following year. The student achievement rate must be a rate, rounded up to the nearest hundredth of a percent, that, when applied to the adjusted net tax capacity for all districts, raises the amount specified in this subdivision. The student achievement rate must be the rate that raises $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2015 and later years. The student achievement rate may not be changed due to changes or corrections made to a district's adjusted net tax capacity after the rate has been established. new text end

Sec. 44.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.13, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 3b. new text end

new text begin Student achievement levy. new text end

new text begin To obtain general education revenue, a district may levy an amount not to exceed the student achievement rate times the adjusted net tax capacity of the district for the preceding year. If the amount of the student achievement levy would exceed the general education revenue, the student achievement levy must be determined according to subdivision 3c. new text end

Sec. 45.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.13, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 3c. new text end

new text begin Student achievement levy; districts off the formula. new text end

new text begin (a) If the amount of the student achievement levy for a district exceeds the district's general education revenue, excluding operating capital revenue, equity revenue, and transition revenue, the amount of the student achievement levy must be limited to the district's general education revenue, excluding operating capital revenue, equity revenue, and transition revenue. new text end

new text begin (b) A levy made according to this subdivision shall also be construed to be the levy made according to subdivision 3b. new text end

Sec. 46.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.13, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

General education aid.

new text begin (a) new text end For fiscal years deleted text begin 2007deleted text end new text begin 2013new text end and deleted text begin laterdeleted text end new text begin 2014 onlynew text end , a district's general education aid is the sum of the following amounts:

(1) general education revenue, excluding equity revenue, total operating capital revenue, alternative teacher compensation revenue, and transition revenue;

(2) operating capital aid under section 126C.10, subdivision 13b;

(3) equity aid under section 126C.10, subdivision 30;

(4) alternative teacher compensation aid under section 126C.10, subdivision 36;

(5) transition aid under section 126C.10, subdivision 33;

(6) shared time aid under section 126C.01, subdivision 7;

(7) referendum aid under section 126C.17, subdivisions 7 and 7a; and

(8) online learning aid according to section 124D.096.

new text begin (b) For fiscal year 2015 and later, a district's general education aid equals: new text end

new text begin (1) general education revenue, excluding operating capital revenue, equity revenue, and transition revenue, minus the student achievement levy, multiplied times the ratio of the actual amount of student achievement levy levied to the permitted student achievement levy; plus new text end

new text begin (2) equity aid under section 126C.10, subdivision 30; plus new text end

new text begin (3) transition aid under section 126C.10, subdivision 33; plus new text end

new text begin (4) shared time aid under section 126C.10, subdivision 7; plus new text end

new text begin (5) referendum aid under section 126C.17, subdivisions 7 and 7a; plus new text end

new text begin (6) online learning aid under section 124D.096. new text end

Sec. 47.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, 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. new text begin Basic skills revenue may also be used for programs designed to prepare children and their families for entry into school whether the student first enrolls in kindergarten or first grade. new text end 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, digital learning, 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 English learners;

(9) all day kindergarten;

(10) new text begin early education programs, parent-training programs, school readiness programs, kindergarten programs for four-year-olds, voluntary home visits under section 124D.13, subdivision 4, and other outreach efforts designed to prepare children for kindergarten;new text end

new text begin (11) new text end extended school day and extended school year programs; and

deleted text begin (11)deleted text end new text begin (12)new text end 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.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2014 and later. new text end

Sec. 48.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.15, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Building allocation.

(a) A district or cooperative must allocate its compensatory revenue to each school building in the district or cooperative where the children who have generated the revenue are served unless the school district or cooperative has received permission under Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5, article 1, section 50, to allocate compensatory revenue according to student performance measures developed by the school board.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), a district or cooperative may allocate up to five percent of the amount of compensatory revenue that the district receives to school sites according to a plan adopted by the school boardnew text begin , and a district or cooperative may allocate up to an additional five percent of its compensatory revenue for activities under subdivision 1, clause (10), according to a plan adopted by the school boardnew text end . The money reallocated under this paragraph must be spent for the purposes listed in subdivision 1, but may be spent on students in any grade, including students attending school readiness or other prekindergarten programs.

(c) For the purposes of this section and section 126C.05, subdivision 3, "building" means education site as defined in section 123B.04, subdivision 1.

(d) Notwithstanding section 123A.26, subdivision 1, compensatory revenue generated by students served at a cooperative unit shall be paid to the cooperative unit.

(e) A district or cooperative with school building openings, school building closings, changes in attendance area boundaries, or other changes in programs or student demographics between the prior year and the current year may reallocate compensatory revenue among sites to reflect these changes. A district or cooperative must report to the department any adjustments it makes according to this paragraph and the department must use the adjusted compensatory revenue allocations in preparing the report required under section 123B.76, subdivision 3, paragraph (c).

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2014 and later. new text end

Sec. 49.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.17, is amended to read:

126C.17 REFERENDUM REVENUE.

Subdivision 1.

Referendum allowance.

deleted text begin (a) For fiscal year 2003 and later, a district's initial referendum revenue allowance equals the sum of the allowance under section 126C.16, subdivision 2, plus any additional allowance per resident marginal cost pupil unit authorized under subdivision 9 before May 1, 2001, for fiscal year 2002 and later, plus the referendum conversion allowance approved under subdivision 13, minus $415. For districts with more than one referendum authority, the reduction must be computed separately for each authority. The reduction must be applied first to the referendum conversion allowance and next to the authority with the earliest expiration date. A district's initial referendum revenue allowance may not be less than zero. deleted text end

deleted text begin (b) For fiscal year 2003, a district's referendum revenue allowance equals the initial referendum allowance plus any additional allowance per resident marginal cost pupil unit authorized under subdivision 9 between April 30, 2001, and December 30, 2001, for fiscal year 2003 and later. deleted text end

deleted text begin (c) For fiscal year 2004 and later, a district's referendum revenue allowance equals the sum of: deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) the product of (i) the ratio of the resident marginal cost pupil units the district would have counted for fiscal year 2004 under Minnesota Statutes 2002, section 126C.05, to the district's resident marginal cost pupil units for fiscal year 2004, times (ii) the initial referendum allowance plus any additional allowance per resident marginal cost pupil unit authorized under subdivision 9 between April 30, 2001, and May 30, 2003, for fiscal year 2003 and later, plus deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) any additional allowance per resident marginal cost pupil unit authorized under subdivision 9 after May 30, 2003, for fiscal year 2005 and later. deleted text end

new text begin (a) A district's initial referendum allowance for fiscal year 2015 equals the result of the following calculations: new text end

new text begin (1) multiply the referendum allowance the district would have received for fiscal year 2015 under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.17, subdivision 1, based on elections held before July 1, 2013, by the resident marginal cost pupil units the district would have counted for fiscal year 2015 under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.05; new text end

new text begin (2) add to the result of clause (1) the adjustment the district would have received under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraphs (a), (b), and (c), based on elections held before July 1, 2013; new text end

new text begin (3) divide the result of clause (2) by the district's adjusted pupil units for fiscal year 2015; and new text end

new text begin (4) if the result of clause (3) is less than zero, set the allowance to zero. new text end

new text begin (b) A district's referendum allowance equals the sum of the district's initial referendum allowance for fiscal year 2015, plus any additional referendum allowance per adjusted pupil unit authorized after June 30, 2013, minus any allowances expiring in fiscal year 2016 or later. For a district with more than one referendum allowance for fiscal year 2015 under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.17, the allowance calculated under paragraph (a) must be divided into components such that the same percentage of the district's allowance expires at the same time as the old allowances would have expired under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.17. new text end

Subd. 2.

Referendum allowance limit.

(a) Notwithstanding subdivision 1, for fiscal year deleted text begin 2007deleted text end new text begin 2015new text end and later, a district's referendum allowance must not exceed deleted text begin the greater of:deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) the sum of: (i) a district's referendum allowance for fiscal year 1994 times 1.177 times the annual inflationary increase as calculated under paragraph (b) plus (ii) its referendum conversion allowance for fiscal year 2003, minus (iii) $215; deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) the greater of (i): 26 percent of the formula allowance or (ii) $1,294 timesdeleted text end the annual inflationary increase as calculated under paragraph (b)deleted text begin ; ordeleted text end new text begin times the greatest of:new text end

new text begin (1) $1,845; new text end

new text begin (2) the sum of the referendum revenue the district would have received for fiscal year 2015 under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.17, subdivision 4, based on elections held before July 1, 2013, and the adjustment the district would have received under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraphs (a), (b), and (c), based on elections held before July 1, 2013, divided by the district's adjusted pupil units for fiscal year 2015; or new text end

new text begin (3) the product of the referendum allowance limit the district would have received for fiscal year 2015 under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.17, subdivision 2, and the resident marginal cost pupil units the district would have received for fiscal year 2015 under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.05, subdivision 6, plus the adjustment the district would have received under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraphs (a), (b), and (c), based on elections held before July 1, 2013, divided by the district's adjusted pupil units for fiscal year 2015; or new text end

deleted text begin (3)deleted text end new text begin (4)new text end for a newly reorganized district created after July 1, deleted text begin 2006deleted text end new text begin 2013new text end , the referendum revenue authority for each reorganizing district in the year preceding reorganization divided by its deleted text begin resident marginal costdeleted text end new text begin adjustednew text end pupil units for the year preceding reorganization.

(b) For purposes of this subdivision, for fiscal year deleted text begin 2005deleted text end new text begin 2016new text end and later, "inflationary increase" means one plus the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for urban consumers, as prepared by the United States Bureau of Labor Standards, for the current fiscal year to fiscal year deleted text begin 2004deleted text end new text begin 2015new text end . For fiscal deleted text begin years 2009deleted text end new text begin year 2016new text end and later, for purposes of paragraph (a), clause deleted text begin (1)deleted text end new text begin (3)new text end , the inflationary increase equals deleted text begin the inflationary increase for fiscal year 2008 plusdeleted text end one-fourth of the percentage increase in the formula allowance for that year compared with the formula allowance for fiscal year deleted text begin 2008deleted text end new text begin 2015new text end .

Subd. 3.

Sparsity exception.

A district that qualifies for sparsity revenue under section 126C.10 is not subject to a referendum allowance limit.

Subd. 4.

Total referendum revenue.

The total referendum revenue for each district equals the district's referendum allowance times the deleted text begin resident marginal costdeleted text end new text begin adjustednew text end pupil units for the school year.

Subd. 5.

Referendum equalization revenue.

(a) deleted text begin For fiscal year 2003 and later,deleted text end A district's referendum equalization revenue equals the sum of the first tier referendum equalization revenue and the second tier referendum equalization revenue.

(b) A district's first tier referendum equalization revenue equals the district's first tier referendum equalization allowance times the district's deleted text begin resident marginal costdeleted text end new text begin adjustednew text end pupil units for that year.

(c) deleted text begin For fiscal year 2006, a district's first tier referendum equalization allowance equals the lesser of the district's referendum allowance under subdivision 1 or $500. For fiscal year 2007, a district's first tier referendum equalization allowance equals the lesser of the district's referendum allowance under subdivision 1 or $600.deleted text end

deleted text begin For fiscal year 2008 and later,deleted text end A district's first tier referendum equalization allowance equals the lesser of the district's referendum allowance under subdivision 1 or deleted text begin $700deleted text end new text begin $760new text end .

(d) A district's second tier referendum equalization revenue equals the district's second tier referendum equalization allowance times the district's deleted text begin resident marginal costdeleted text end new text begin adjustednew text end pupil units for that year.

(e) deleted text begin For fiscal year 2006, a district's second tier referendum equalization allowance equals the lesser of the district's referendum allowance under subdivision 1 or 18.6 percent of the formula allowance, minus the district's first tier referendum equalization allowance. For fiscal year 2007 and later,deleted text end A district's second tier referendum equalization allowance equals the lesser of the district's referendum allowance under subdivision 1 or deleted text begin 26deleted text end new text begin 25new text end percent of the formula allowance, minus the district's first tier referendum equalization allowance.

(f) Notwithstanding paragraph (e), the second tier referendum allowance for a district qualifying for secondary sparsity revenue under section 126C.10, subdivision 7, or elementary sparsity revenue under section 126C.10, subdivision 8, equals the district's referendum allowance under subdivision 1 minus the district's first tier referendum equalization allowance.

Subd. 6.

Referendum equalization levy.

(a) For fiscal year 2003 and later, a district's referendum equalization levy equals the sum of the first tier referendum equalization levy and the second tier referendum equalization levy.

(b) A district's first tier referendum equalization levy equals the district's first tier referendum equalization revenue times the lesser of one or the ratio of the district's referendum market value per resident deleted text begin marginal costdeleted text end pupil unit to deleted text begin $476,000deleted text end new text begin $510,000new text end .

(c) A district's second tier referendum equalization levy equals the district's second tier referendum equalization revenue times the lesser of one or the ratio of the district's referendum market value per resident deleted text begin marginal costdeleted text end pupil unit to deleted text begin $270,000deleted text end new text begin $290,000new text end .

Subd. 7.

Referendum equalization aid.

(a) A district's referendum equalization aid equals the difference between its referendum equalization revenue and levy.

(b) If a district's actual levy for first or second tier referendum equalization revenue is less than its maximum levy limit for that tier, aid shall be proportionately reduced.

(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the referendum equalization aid for a district, where the referendum equalization aid under paragraph (a) exceeds 90 percent of the referendum revenue, must not exceed deleted text begin 26deleted text end new text begin 25new text end percent of the formula allowance times the district's deleted text begin resident marginal costdeleted text end new text begin adjustednew text end pupil units. A district's referendum levy is increased by the amount of any reduction in referendum aid under this paragraph.

Subd. 7a.

Referendum tax base replacement aid.

For each school district that had a referendum allowance for fiscal year 2002 exceeding $415, for each separately authorized referendum levy, the commissioner of revenue, in consultation with the commissioner of education, shall certify the amount of the referendum levy in taxes payable year 2001 attributable to the portion of the referendum allowance exceeding $415 levied against property classified as class 2, noncommercial 4c(1), or 4c(4), under section 273.13, excluding the portion of the tax paid by the portion of class 2a property consisting of the house, garage, and surrounding one acre of land. The resulting amount must be used to reduce the district's referendum levy amount otherwise determined, and must be paid to the district each year that the referendum authority remains in effect, is renewed, or new referendum authority is approved. The aid payable under this subdivision must be subtracted from the district's referendum equalization aid under subdivision 7. The referendum equalization aid after the subtraction must not be less than zero.

new text begin Subd. 7b. new text end

new text begin Referendum aid guarantee. new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding subdivision 7, a district's referendum equalization aid for fiscal year 2015 must not be less than the sum of the referendum equalization aid the district would have received for fiscal year 2015 under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.17, subdivision 7, and the adjustment the district would have received under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraphs (a), (b), and (c). new text end

new text begin (b) Notwithstanding subdivision 7, referendum equalization aid for fiscal year 2016 and later, for a district qualifying for additional aid under paragraph (a) for fiscal year 2015, must not be less than the product of (1) the district's referendum equalization aid for fiscal year 2015, times (2) the lesser of one or the ratio of the district's referendum revenue for that school year to the district's referendum revenue for fiscal year 2015, times (3) the lesser of one or the ratio of the district's referendum market value used for fiscal year 2015 referendum equalization calculations to the district's referendum market value used for that year's referendum equalization calculations. new text end

Subd. 8.

Unequalized referendum levy.

Each year, a district may levy an amount equal to the difference between its total referendum revenue according to subdivision 4 and its referendum equalization revenue according to subdivision 5.

Subd. 9.

Referendum revenue.

(a) The revenue authorized by section 126C.10, subdivision 1, may be increased in the amount approved by the voters of the district at a referendum called for the purpose. The referendum may be called by the board. The referendum must be conducted one or two calendar years before the increased levy authority, if approved, first becomes payable. Only one election to approve an increase may be held in a calendar year. Unless the referendum is conducted by mail under subdivision 11, paragraph (a), the referendum must be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The ballot must state the maximum amount of the increased revenue per deleted text begin resident marginal costdeleted text end new text begin adjustednew text end pupil unit. The ballot may state a schedule, determined by the board, of increased revenue per deleted text begin resident marginal costdeleted text end new text begin adjustednew text end pupil unit that differs from year to year over the number of years for which the increased revenue is authorized or may state that the amount shall increase annually by the rate of inflation. For this purpose, the rate of inflation shall be the annual inflationary increase calculated under subdivision 2, paragraph (b). The ballot may state that existing referendum levy authority is expiring. In this case, the ballot may also compare the proposed levy authority to the existing expiring levy authority, and express the proposed increase as the amount, if any, over the expiring referendum levy authority. The ballot must designate the specific number of years, not to exceed ten, for which the referendum authorization applies. The ballot, including a ballot on the question to revoke or reduce the increased revenue amount under paragraph (c), must abbreviate the term "per deleted text begin resident marginal costdeleted text end new text begin adjustednew text end pupil unit" as "per pupil." The notice required under section 275.60 may be modified to read, in cases of renewing existing levies at the same amount per pupil as in the previous year:

"BY VOTING "YES" ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING TO EXTEND AN EXISTING PROPERTY TAX REFERENDUM THAT IS SCHEDULED TO EXPIRE."

The ballot may contain a textual portion with the information required in this subdivision and a question stating substantially the following:

"Shall the increase in the revenue proposed by (petition to) the board of ........., School District No. .., be approved?"

If approved, an amount equal to the approved revenue per deleted text begin resident marginal costdeleted text end new text begin adjustednew text end pupil unit times the deleted text begin resident marginal costdeleted text end new text begin adjustednew text end pupil units for the school year beginning in the year after the levy is certified shall be authorized for certification for the number of years approved, if applicable, or until revoked or reduced by the voters of the district at a subsequent referendum.

(b) The board must prepare and deliver by first class mail at least 15 days but no more than 30 days before the day of the referendum to each taxpayer a notice of the referendum and the proposed revenue increase. The board need not mail more than one notice to any taxpayer. For the purpose of giving mailed notice under this subdivision, owners must be those shown to be owners on the records of the county auditor or, in any county where tax statements are mailed by the county treasurer, on the records of the county treasurer. Every property owner whose name does not appear on the records of the county auditor or the county treasurer is deemed to have waived this mailed notice unless the owner has requested in writing that the county auditor or county treasurer, as the case may be, include the name on the records for this purpose. The notice must project the anticipated amount of tax increase in annual dollars for typical residential homesteads, agricultural homesteads, apartments, and commercial-industrial property within the school district.

The notice for a referendum may state that an existing referendum levy is expiring and project the anticipated amount of increase over the existing referendum levy in the first year, if any, in annual dollars for typical residential homesteads, agricultural homesteads, apartments, and commercial-industrial property within the district.

The notice must include the following statement: "Passage of this referendum will result in an increase in your property taxes." However, in cases of renewing existing levies, the notice may include the following statement: "Passage of this referendum extends an existing operating referendum at the same amount per pupil as in the previous year."

(c) A referendum on the question of revoking or reducing the increased revenue amount authorized pursuant to paragraph (a) may be called by the board. A referendum to revoke or reduce the revenue amount must state the amount per resident marginal cost pupil unit by which the authority is to be reduced. Revenue authority approved by the voters of the district pursuant to paragraph (a) must be available to the school district at least once before it is subject to a referendum on its revocation or reduction for subsequent years. Only one revocation or reduction referendum may be held to revoke or reduce referendum revenue for any specific year and for years thereafter.

(d) The approval of 50 percent plus one of those voting on the question is required to pass a referendum authorized by this subdivision.

(e) At least 15 days before the day of the referendum, the district must submit a copy of the notice required under paragraph (b) to the commissioner and to the county auditor of each county in which the district is located. Within 15 days after the results of the referendum have been certified by the board, or in the case of a recount, the certification of the results of the recount by the canvassing board, the district must notify the commissioner of the results of the referendum.

Subd. 10.

School referendum levy; market value.

A school referendum levy must be levied against the referendum market value of all taxable property as defined in section 126C.01, subdivision 3. Any referendum levy amount subject to the requirements of this subdivision must be certified separately to the county auditor under section 275.07.

Subd. 11.

Referendum date.

(a) Except for a referendum held under paragraph (b), any referendum under this section held on a day other than the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November must be conducted by mail in accordance with section 204B.46. Notwithstanding subdivision 9, paragraph (b), to the contrary, in the case of a referendum conducted by mail under this paragraph, the notice required by subdivision 9, paragraph (b), must be prepared and delivered by first-class mail at least 20 days before the referendum.

(b) In addition to the referenda allowed in subdivision 9, clause (a), the commissioner may grant authority to a district to hold a referendum on a different day if the district is in statutory operating debt and has an approved plan or has received an extension from the department to file a plan to eliminate the statutory operating debt.

(c) The commissioner must approve, deny, or modify each district's request for a referendum levy on a different day within 60 days of receiving the request from a district.

Subd. 13.

Referendum conversion allowance.

A school district that received supplemental or transition revenue in fiscal year 2002 may convert its supplemental revenue conversion allowance and transition revenue conversion allowance to additional referendum allowance under subdivision 1 for fiscal year 2003 and thereafter. A majority of the school board must approve the conversion at a public meeting before November 1, 2001. For a district with other referendum authority, the referendum conversion allowance approved by the board continues until the portion of the district's other referendum authority with the earliest expiration date after June 30, 2006, expires. For a district with no other referendum authority, the referendum conversion allowance approved by the board continues until June 30, 2012.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 50.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.20, is amended to read:

126C.20 ANNUAL GENERAL EDUCATION AID APPROPRIATION.

There is annually appropriated from the general fund to the department the amount necessary for general education aid under section 126C.13deleted text begin , the early graduation achievement scholarship program under section 120B.08, and the early graduation military service award program under section 120B.09deleted text end . This amount must be reduced by the amount of any money specifically appropriated for the same purpose in any year from any state fund.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2014 and later. new text end

Sec. 51.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.40, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

To lease building or land.

(a) When an independent or a special school district or a group of independent or special school districts finds it economically advantageous to rent or lease a building or land for any instructional purposes or for school storage or furniture repair, and it determines that the operating capital revenue authorized under section 126C.10, subdivision 13, is insufficient for this purpose, it may apply to the commissioner for permission to make an additional capital expenditure levy for this purpose. An application for permission to levy under this subdivision must contain financial justification for the proposed levy, the terms and conditions of the proposed lease, and a description of the space to be leased and its proposed use.

(b) The criteria for approval of applications to levy under this subdivision must include: the reasonableness of the price, the appropriateness of the space to the proposed activity, the feasibility of transporting pupils to the leased building or land, conformity of the lease to the laws and rules of the state of Minnesota, and the appropriateness of the proposed lease to the space needs and the financial condition of the district. The commissioner must not authorize a levy under this subdivision in an amount greater than the cost to the district of renting or leasing a building or land for approved purposes. The proceeds of this levy must not be used for custodial or other maintenance services. A district may not levy under this subdivision for the purpose of leasing or renting a district-owned building or site to itself.

(c) For agreements finalized after July 1, 1997, a district may not levy under this subdivision for the purpose of leasing: (1) a newly constructed building used primarily for regular kindergarten, elementary, or secondary instruction; or (2) a newly constructed building addition or additions used primarily for regular kindergarten, elementary, or secondary instruction that contains more than 20 percent of the square footage of the previously existing building.

(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), a district may levy under this subdivision for the purpose of leasing or renting a district-owned building or site to itself only if the amount is needed by the district to make payments required by a lease purchase agreement, installment purchase agreement, or other deferred payments agreement authorized by law, and the levy meets the requirements of paragraph (c). A levy authorized for a district by the commissioner under this paragraph may be in the amount needed by the district to make payments required by a lease purchase agreement, installment purchase agreement, or other deferred payments agreement authorized by law, provided that any agreement include a provision giving the school districts the right to terminate the agreement annually without penalty.

(e) The total levy under this subdivision for a district for any year must not exceed deleted text begin $150deleted text end new text begin $162new text end times the deleted text begin residentdeleted text end new text begin adjustednew text end pupil units for the fiscal year to which the levy is attributable.

(f) For agreements for which a review and comment have been submitted to the Department of Education after April 1, 1998, the term "instructional purpose" as used in this subdivision excludes expenditures on stadiums.

(g) The commissioner of education may authorize a school district to exceed the limit in paragraph (e) if the school district petitions the commissioner for approval. The commissioner shall grant approval to a school district to exceed the limit in paragraph (e) for not more than five years if the district meets the following criteria:

(1) the school district has been experiencing pupil enrollment growth in the preceding five years;

(2) the purpose of the increased levy is in the long-term public interest;

(3) the purpose of the increased levy promotes colocation of government services; and

(4) the purpose of the increased levy is in the long-term interest of the district by avoiding over construction of school facilities.

(h) A school district that is a member of an intermediate school district may include in its authority under this section the costs associated with leases of administrative and classroom space for intermediate school district programs. This authority must not exceed deleted text begin $43deleted text end new text begin $46new text end times the adjusted deleted text begin marginal costdeleted text end pupil units of the member districts. This authority is in addition to any other authority authorized under this section.

(i) In addition to the allowable capital levies in paragraph (a), for taxes payable in 2012 to 2023, a district that is a member of the "Technology and Information Education Systems" data processing joint board, that finds it economically advantageous to enter into a lease agreement to finance improvements to a building and land for a group of school districts or special school districts for staff development purposes, may levy for its portion of lease costs attributed to the district within the total levy limit in paragraph (e). The total levy authority under this paragraph shall not exceed $632,000.

(j) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), a district may levy under this subdivision for the purpose of leasing administrative space if the district can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the commissioner that the lease cost for the administrative space is no greater than the lease cost for instructional space that the district would otherwise lease. The commissioner must deny this levy authority unless the district passes a resolution stating its intent to lease instructional space under this section if the commissioner does not grant authority under this paragraph. The resolution must also certify that the lease cost for administrative space under this paragraph is no greater than the lease cost for the district's proposed instructional lease.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 52.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.40, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Lease purchase; installment buys.

(a) Upon application to, and approval by, the commissioner in accordance with the procedures and limits in subdivision 1, paragraphs (a) and (b), a district, as defined in this subdivision, may:

(1) purchase real or personal property under an installment contract or may lease real or personal property with an option to purchase under a lease purchase agreement, by which installment contract or lease purchase agreement title is kept by the seller or vendor or assigned to a third party as security for the purchase price, including interest, if any; and

(2) annually levy the amounts necessary to pay the district's obligations under the installment contract or lease purchase agreement.

(b) The obligation created by the installment contract or the lease purchase agreement must not be included in the calculation of net debt for purposes of section 475.53, and does not constitute debt under other law. An election is not required in connection with the execution of the installment contract or the lease purchase agreement.

(c) The proceeds of the levy authorized by this subdivision must not be used to acquire a facility to be primarily used for athletic or school administration purposes.

(d) For the purposes of this subdivision, "district" means:

(1) deleted text begin a school district which is eligible for revenue under section 124D.86, subdivision 3, clause (1), (2), or (3), and whosedeleted text end new text begin Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis, Independent School District No. 625, St. Paul, Independent School District No. 709, Duluth, or Independent School District No. 535, Rochester, if the district's desegregationnew text end plan has been determined by the commissioner to be in compliance with Department of Education rules relating to equality of educational opportunity and deleted text begin school desegregation and, for a district eligible for revenue under section 124D.86, subdivision 3, clause (4) or (5),deleted text end where the acquisition of property under this subdivision is determined by the commissioner to contribute to the implementation of the desegregation plan; or

(2) deleted text begin a school district that participates in a joint program for interdistrict desegregation with a district defined in clause (1)deleted text end new text begin other districts eligible for revenue under section 124D.862 new text end if the facility acquired under this subdivision is to be primarily used for deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin anew text end joint program new text begin for interdistrict desegregation new text end and the commissioner determines that the joint programs are being undertaken to implement the districts' desegregation plan.

(e) Notwithstanding subdivision 1, the prohibition against a levy by a district to lease or rent a district-owned building to itself does not apply to levies otherwise authorized by this subdivision.

(f) For the purposes of this subdivision, any references in subdivision 1 to building or land shall include personal property.

Sec. 53.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 126C.44, is amended to read:

126C.44 SAFE SCHOOLS LEVY.

(a) Each district may make a levy on all taxable property located within the district for the purposes specified in this section. The maximum amount which may be levied for all costs under this section shall be equal to deleted text begin $30deleted text end new text begin $36new text end multiplied by the district's adjusted deleted text begin marginal costdeleted text end pupil units for the school year. The proceeds of the levy must be reserved and used for directly funding the following purposes or for reimbursing the cities and counties who contract with the district for the following purposes:

(1) to pay the costs incurred for the salaries, benefits, and transportation costs of peace officers and sheriffs for liaison in services in the district's schools;

(2) to pay the costs for a drug abuse prevention program as defined in section 609.101, subdivision 3, paragraph (e), in the elementary schools;

(3) to pay the costs for a gang resistance education training curriculum in the district's schools;

(4) to pay the costs for security in the district's schools and on school property;

(5) to pay the costs for other crime prevention, drug abuse, student and staff safety, voluntary opt-in suicide prevention tools, and violence prevention measures taken by the school district; deleted text begin ordeleted text end

(6) to pay costs for licensed school counselors, licensed school nurses, licensed school social workers, licensed school psychologists, and licensed alcohol and chemical dependency counselors to help provide early responses to problemsnew text begin ;new text end

new text begin (7) to pay for facility security enhancements including laminated glass, public announcement systems, emergency communications devices, and equipment and facility modifications related to violence prevention and facility security; new text end

new text begin (8) to pay for costs associated with improving the school climate; or new text end

new text begin (9) to pay costs for colocating and collaborating with mental health professionals who are not district employees or contractorsnew text end .

new text begin (b)new text end For expenditures undernew text begin paragraph (a),new text end clause (1), the district must initially attempt to contract for services to be provided by peace officers or sheriffs with the police department of each city or the sheriff's department of the county within the district containing the school receiving the services. If a local police department or a county sheriff's department does not wish to provide the necessary services, the district may contract for these services with any other police or sheriff's department located entirely or partially within the school district's boundaries.

deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin (c)new text end A school district that is a member of an intermediate school district may include in its authority under this section the costs associated with safe schools activities authorized under paragraph (a) for intermediate school district programs. This authority must not exceed $10 times the adjusted marginal cost pupil units of the member districts. This authority is in addition to any other authority authorized under this section. Revenue raised under this paragraph must be transferred to the intermediate school district.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 54.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 127A.47, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Alternative attendance programs.

new text begin (a) new text end The general education aid and special education aid for districts must be adjusted for each pupil attending a nonresident district under sections 123A.05 to 123A.08, 124D.03, 124D.08, and 124D.68. The adjustments must be made according to this subdivision.

deleted text begin (a) General education aid paid to a resident district must be reduced by an amount equal to the referendum equalization aid attributable to the pupil in the resident district. deleted text end

deleted text begin (b) General education aid paid to a district serving a pupil in programs listed in this subdivision must be increased by an amount equal to the greater of (1) the referendum equalization aid attributable to the pupil in the nonresident district; or (2) the product of the district's open enrollment concentration index, the maximum amount of referendum revenue in the first tier, and the district's net open enrollment pupil units for that year. A district's open enrollment concentration index equals the greater of: (i) zero, or (ii) the lesser of 1.0, or the difference between the district's ratio of open enrollment pupil units served to its resident pupil units for that year and 0.2. This clause does not apply to a school district where more than 50 percent of the open enrollment students are enrolled solely in online learning courses. deleted text end

deleted text begin (c) If the amount of the reduction to be made from the general education aid of the resident district is greater than the amount of general education aid otherwise due the district, the excess reduction must be made from other state aids due the district. deleted text end

deleted text begin (d) For fiscal year 2006, the district of residence must pay tuition to a district or an area learning center, operated according to paragraph (f), providing special instruction and services to a pupil with a disability, as defined in section 125A.02, or a pupil, as defined in section 125A.51, who is enrolled in a program listed in this subdivision. The tuition must be equal to (1) the actual cost of providing special instruction and services to the pupil, including a proportionate amount for special transportation and unreimbursed building lease and debt service costs for facilities used primarily for special education, minus (2) if the pupil receives special instruction and services outside the regular classroom for more than 60 percent of the school day, the amount of general education revenue and referendum aid attributable to that pupil for the portion of time the pupil receives special instruction and services outside of the regular classroom, excluding portions attributable to district and school administration, district support services, operations and maintenance, capital expenditures, and pupil transportation, minus (3) special education aid attributable to that pupil, that is received by the district providing special instruction and services. For purposes of this paragraph, general education revenue and referendum equalization aid attributable to a pupil must be calculated using the serving district's average general education revenue and referendum equalization aid per adjusted pupil unit. deleted text end

deleted text begin (e) For fiscal year 2007 and later, special education aid paid to a resident district must be reduced by an amount equal todeleted text end new text begin (b) For purposes of this subdivision, the "unreimbursed cost of providing special education and services" means the difference between:new text end (1) the actual cost of providing special instruction and services, including special transportation and unreimbursed building lease and debt service costs for facilities used primarily for special education, for a pupil with a disability, as defined in section 125A.02, or a pupil, as defined in section 125A.51, who is enrolled in a program listed in this subdivision, minus (2) if the pupil receives special instruction and services outside the regular classroom for more than 60 percent of the school day, the amount of general education revenue and referendum equalization aid attributable to that pupil for the portion of time the pupil receives special instruction and services outside of the regular classroom, excluding portions attributable to district and school administration, district support services, operations and maintenance, capital expenditures, and pupil transportation, minus (3) special education aid new text begin under section 125A.76 new text end attributable to that pupil, that is received by the district providing special instruction and services. For purposes of this paragraph, general education revenue and referendum equalization aid attributable to a pupil must be calculated using the serving district's average general education revenue and referendum equalization aid per adjusted pupil unit.

new text begin (c) For fiscal year 2015 and later, special education aid paid to a resident district must be reduced by an amount equal to 90 percent of the unreimbursed cost of providing special education and services. new text end

new text begin (d) Notwithstanding paragraph (c), special education aid paid to a resident district must be reduced by an amount equal to 100 percent of the unreimbursed cost of special education and services provided to students at an intermediate district, cooperative, or charter school where the percent of students eligible for special education services is at least 70 percent of the charter school's total enrollment. new text end

new text begin (e) new text end Special education aid paid to the district or cooperative providing special instruction and services for the pupil, or to the fiscal agent district for a cooperative, must be increased by the amount of the reduction in the aid paid to the resident districtnew text begin under paragraphs (c) and (d)new text end . If the resident district's special education aid is insufficient to make the full adjustment, the remaining adjustment shall be made to other state aids due to the district.

(f) An area learning center operated by a service cooperative, intermediate district, education district, or a joint powers cooperative may elect through the action of the constituent boards to charge the resident district tuition for pupils rather than to have the general education revenue paid to a fiscal agent school district. Except as provided in paragraph deleted text begin (d) ordeleted text end (e), the district of residence must pay tuition equal to at least 90 percent of the district average general education revenue per pupil unit minus an amount equal to the product of the formula allowance according to section 126C.10, subdivision 2, times deleted text begin .0485deleted text end new text begin .0466new text end , calculated without compensatory revenue and transportation sparsity revenue, times the number of pupil units for pupils attending the area learning center.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 55.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 127A.47, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Charter schools.

(a) The general education aid for districts must be adjusted for each pupil attending a charter school under section 124D.10. The adjustments must be made according to this subdivision.

(b) General education aid paid to a district in which a charter school not providing transportation according to section 124D.10, subdivision 16, is located must be increased by an amount equal to the sum ofdeleted text begin :deleted text end

(1) the product of: (i) the sum of an amount equal to the product of the formula allowance according to section 126C.10, subdivision 2, times deleted text begin .0485deleted text end new text begin .0466new text end , plus the transportation sparsity allowance for the district; times (ii) the adjusted deleted text begin marginal costdeleted text end pupil units attributable to the pupil; plus

(2) the product of $223 and the extended time deleted text begin marginal costdeleted text end pupil units attributable to the pupil.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 56.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 127A.51, is amended to read:

127A.51 STATEWIDE AVERAGE REVENUE.

By October 1 of each year the commissioner must estimate the statewide average adjusted general revenue per adjusted deleted text begin marginal costdeleted text end pupil unit and the disparity in adjusted general revenue among pupils and districts by computing the ratio of the 95th percentile to the fifth percentile of adjusted general revenue. The commissioner must provide that information to all districts.

If the disparity in adjusted general revenue as measured by the ratio of the 95th percentile to the fifth percentile increases in any year, the commissioner shall recommend to the legislature options for change in the general education formula that will limit the disparity in adjusted general revenue to no more than the disparity for the previous school year. The commissioner must submit the recommended options to the education committees of the legislature by January 15.

For purposes of this section and section 126C.10, adjusted general revenue meansdeleted text begin :deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) for fiscal year 2002, the sum of basic revenue under section 126C.10, subdivision 2; supplemental revenue under section 126C.10, subdivisions 9 and 12; transition revenue under section 126C.10, subdivision 20; referendum revenue under section 126C.17; and equity revenue under section 126C.10, subdivisions 24a and 24b; and deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) for fiscal year 2003 and later,deleted text end the sum of basic revenue under section 126C.10, subdivision 2; referendum revenue under section 126C.17; and equity revenue under section 126C.10, subdivisions 24a and 24b.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 57.

new text begin SCHOOL DISTRICT LEVY ADJUSTMENTS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Tax rate adjustment. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of education must adjust each school district tax rate established under Minnesota Statutes, chapters 120B to 127A, by multiplying the rate by the ratio of the statewide total tax capacity for assessment year 2012 as it existed prior to the passage of Regular Session 2013 House File No. 677, or a similarly styled bill passed in a special session, to the statewide total tax capacity for assessment year 2012. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Equalizing factors. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of education must adjust each school district equalizing factor established under Minnesota Statutes, chapters 120B to 127A, by dividing the equalizing factor by the ratio of the statewide total tax capacity for assessment year 2012 as it existed prior to the passage of Regular Session 2013 House File No. 677, or a similarly styled bill passed in a special session, to the statewide total tax capacity for assessment year 2012. new text end

Sec. 58.

new text begin APPROPRIATIONS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Department of Education. new text end

new text begin The sums indicated in this section are appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years designated. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin General education aid. new text end

new text begin For general education aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 126C.13, subdivision 4: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 6,051,766,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 6,370,640,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2015 new text end

new text begin The 2014 appropriation includes $781,842,000 for 2013 and $5,269,924,000 for 2014. new text end

new text begin The 2015 appropriation includes $823,040,000 for 2014 and $5,547,600,000 for 2015. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Enrollment options transportation. new text end

new text begin For transportation of pupils attending postsecondary institutions under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.09, or for transportation of pupils attending nonresident districts under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.03: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 44,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 48,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2015 new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Abatement revenue. new text end

new text begin For abatement aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 127A.49: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 2,747,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 3,136,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2015 new text end

new text begin The 2014 appropriation includes $301,000 for 2013 and $2,446,000 for 2014. new text end

new text begin The 2015 appropriation includes $385,000 for 2014 and $2,751,000 for 2015. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Consolidation transition. new text end

new text begin For districts consolidating under Minnesota Statutes, section 123A.485: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 472,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 480,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2015 new text end

new text begin The 2014 appropriation includes $40,000 for 2013 and $432,000 for 2014. new text end

new text begin The 2015 appropriation includes $68,000 for 2014 and $412,000 for 2015. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Nonpublic pupil education aid. new text end

new text begin For nonpublic pupil education aid under Minnesota Statutes, sections 123B.40 to 123B.43 and 123B.87: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 15,582,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 16,169,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2015 new text end

new text begin The 2014 appropriation includes $2,099,000 for 2013 and $13,483,000 for 2014. new text end

new text begin The 2015 appropriation includes $2,122,000 for 2014 and $14,047,000 for 2015. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Nonpublic pupil transportation. new text end

new text begin For nonpublic pupil transportation aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.92, subdivision 9: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 18,565,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 18,946,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2015 new text end

new text begin The 2014 appropriation includes $2,668,000 for 2013 and $15,897,000 for 2014. new text end

new text begin The 2015 appropriation includes $2,502,000 for 2014 and $16,444,000 for 2015. new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin One-room schoolhouse. new text end

new text begin For a grant to Independent School District No. 690, Warroad, to operate the Angle Inlet School: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 65,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 65,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2015 new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Compensatory revenue pilot project. new text end

new text begin For grants for participation in the compensatory revenue pilot program under Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 5, article 1, section 50, as amended by Laws 2007, chapter 146, article 1, section 21: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 7,325,000 new text end new text begin 2014 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 7,325,000 new text end new text begin 2015 new text end

new text begin Of this amount, $4,730,000 in each year is for a grant to Independent School District No. 11, Anoka-Hennepin; $240,000 in each year is for a grant to Independent School District No. 286, Brooklyn Center; $660,000 in each year is for a grant to Independent School District No. 279, Osseo; $500,000 in each year is for a grant to Independent School District No. 281, Robbinsdale; $520,000 in each year is for a grant to Independent School District No. 535, Rochester; $205,000 in each year is for a grant to Independent School District No. 833, South Washington; and $470,000 in each year is for a grant to Independent School District No. 241, Albert Lea. If a grant to a specific school district is not awarded, the commissioner may increase the aid amounts to any of the remaining participating school districts. The base budget for this program for fiscal year 2016 and later is $2,325,000, and the grants must be distributed in the same proportion as in fiscal year 2013. new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Compensatory pilot project formula aid. new text end

new text begin For grants for compensatory pilot project formula aid as calculated under Minnesota Statutes, section 126C.195: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 2,109,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end

new text begin The 2014 appropriation includes $2,109,000 for 2013 and $0 for 2014. new text end

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

new text begin Career and technical aid. new text end

new text begin For career and technical aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.4531, subdivision 1b: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 4,320,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 5,680,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2015 new text end

new text begin The 2014 appropriation includes $0 for 2014 and $4,320,000 for 2015. new text end

new text begin The 2015 appropriation includes $680,000 for 2014 and $5,000,000 for 2015. new text end

Sec. 59.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin (a) Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 120B.08; and 120B.09, new text end new text begin are repealed for fiscal year 2014 and later. new text end

new text begin (b) new text end new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 126C.10, subdivisions 31a, 31b, 31c, 34, 35, and 36; 126C.17, subdivision 13; and 127A.50, subdivisions 1 and 5, new text end new text begin are repealed for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

ARTICLE 2

STUDENT ACCOUNTABILITY

Section 1.

new text begin [120B.018] DEFINITIONS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Scope. new text end

new text begin The definitions in this section apply to this chapter. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Academic standard. new text end

new text begin "Academic standard" means a summary description of student learning in a required content area under section 120B.021 or elective content area under section 120B.022. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Benchmark. new text end

new text begin "Benchmark" means specific knowledge or skill that a student must master to complete part of an academic standard by the end of the grade level or grade band. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Credit. new text end

new text begin "Credit" means the determination by the local school district that a student has successfully completed an academic year of study or mastered the applicable subject matter. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Elective standard. new text end

new text begin "Elective standard" means a locally adopted expectation for student learning in career and technical education and world languages. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Required standard. new text end

new text begin "Required standard" means (1) a statewide adopted expectation for student learning in the content areas of language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, physical education, and the arts, or (2) a locally adopted expectation for student learning in health or the arts. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120B.02, is amended to read:

120B.02 EDUCATIONAL EXPECTATIONS new text begin AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS new text end FOR MINNESOTA'S STUDENTS.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Educational expectations. new text end

(a) The legislature is committed to establishing rigorous academic standards for Minnesota's public school students. To that end, the commissioner shall adopt in rule statewide academic standards. The commissioner shall not prescribe in rule or otherwise the delivery system, classroom assessments, or form of instruction that school sites must use. deleted text begin For purposes of this chapter, a school site is a separate facility, or a separate program within a facility that a local school board recognizes as a school site for funding purposes.deleted text end

(b) All commissioner actions regarding the rule must be premised on the following:

(1) the rule is intended to raise academic expectations for students, teachers, and schools;

(2) any state action regarding the rule must evidence consideration of school district autonomy; and

(3) the Department of Education, with the assistance of school districts, must make available information about all state initiatives related to the rule to students and parents, teachers, and the general public in a timely format that is appropriate, comprehensive, and readily understandable.

deleted text begin (c) When fully implemented, the requirements for high school graduation in Minnesota must require students to satisfactorily complete, as determined by the school district, the course credit requirements under section 120B.024, all state academic standards or local academic standards where state standards do not apply, and successfully pass graduation examinations as required under section 120B.30. deleted text end

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (c)new text end The commissioner shall periodically review and report on the state's assessment process.

deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (d)new text end School districts are not required to adopt specific provisions of the federal School-to-Work programs.

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Graduation requirements. new text end

new text begin To graduate from high school, students must demonstrate to their enrolling school district or school their satisfactory completion of the credit requirements under section 120B.024 and their understanding of academic standards on a nationally normed college entrance exam. A school district must adopt graduation requirements that meet or exceed state graduation requirements established in law or rule. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2013, and applies to students entering grade 9 in the 2013-2014 school year and later. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120B.021, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Required academic standards.

new text begin (a) new text end The following subject areas are required for statewide accountability:

(1) language arts;

(2) mathematics;

(3) science;

(4) social studies, including history, geography, economics, and government and citizenship;

(5) physical education;

(6) health, for which locally developed academic standards apply; and

(7) the arts, for which statewide or locally developed academic standards apply, as determined by the school district. Public elementary and middle schools must offer at least three and require at least two of the following four arts areas: dance; music; theater; and visual arts. Public high schools must offer at least three and require at least one of the following five arts areas: media arts; dance; music; theater; and visual arts.

deleted text begin The commissioner must submit proposed standards in science and social studies to the legislature by February 1, 2004. deleted text end

new text begin (b) new text end For purposes of applicable federal law, the academic standards for language arts, mathematics, and science apply to all public school students, except the very few students with extreme cognitive or physical impairments for whom an individualized education program team has determined that the required academic standards are inappropriate. An individualized education program team that makes this determination must establish alternative standards.

deleted text begin A school district, no later than the 2007-2008 school year, must adopt graduation requirements that meet or exceed state graduation requirements established in law or rule. A school district that incorporates these state graduation requirements before the 2007-2008 school year must provide students who enter the 9th grade in or before the 2003-2004 school year the opportunity to earn a diploma based on existing locally established graduation requirements in effect when the students entered the 9th grade.deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end District efforts to develop, implement, or improve instruction or curriculum as a result of the provisions of this section must be consistent with sections 120B.10, 120B.11, and 120B.20.

deleted text begin The commissioner must include the contributions of Minnesota American Indian tribes and communities as they relate to the academic standards during the review and revision of the required academic standards. deleted text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120B.023, is amended to read:

120B.023 BENCHMARKS.

Subdivision 1.

Benchmarks implement, supplement statewide academic standards.

(a) The commissioner must supplement required state academic standards with grade-level benchmarks. High school new text begin career and college ready new text end benchmarks may cover more than one grade. deleted text begin The benchmarks must implement statewide academic standards by specifying the academic knowledge and skills thatdeleted text end Schools must offer and students must achieve new text begin all benchmarks for an academic standard new text end to satisfactorily complete deleted text begin adeleted text end new text begin thatnew text end state standard. deleted text begin The commissioner must publish benchmarks to inform and guide parents, teachers, school districts, and other interested persons and to use in developing tests consistent with the benchmarks.deleted text end

(b) The commissioner shall publish benchmarks in the State Register and transmit the benchmarks in any other manner thatnew text begin informs and guides parents, teachers, school districts, and other interested persons andnew text end makes them accessible to the general public. new text begin The commissioner must use benchmarks in developing career and college readiness assessments under section 120B.30. new text end The commissioner may charge a reasonable fee for publications.

(c) Once established, the commissioner may change the benchmarks only with specific legislative authorization and after completing a review under subdivision 2.

deleted text begin (d) The commissioner must develop and implement a system for reviewing each of the required academic standards and related benchmarks and elective standards on a periodic cycle, consistent with subdivision 2. deleted text end

deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (d)new text end The benchmarks are not subject to chapter 14 and section 14.386 does not apply.

Subd. 2.

Revisions and reviews required.

(a) The commissioner of education must revise and appropriately embed technology and information literacy standards consistent with recommendations from school media specialists into the state's academic standards and graduation requirements and implement a deleted text begin reviewdeleted text end new text begin ten-yearnew text end cycle deleted text begin fordeleted text end new text begin to review and revisenew text end state academic standards and related benchmarks, consistent with this subdivision. During eachnew text begin ten-yearnew text end reviewnew text begin and revisionnew text end cycle, the commissioner also must examine the alignment of each required academic standard and related benchmark with the knowledge and skills students need fornew text begin career andnew text end college readiness and advanced work in the particular subject area.new text begin The commissioner must include the contributions of Minnesota American Indian tribes and communities as related to the academic standards during the review and revision of the required academic standards.new text end

deleted text begin (b) The commissioner in the 2006-2007 school year must revise and align the state's academic standards and high school graduation requirements in mathematics to require that students satisfactorily complete the revised mathematics standards, beginning in the 2010-2011 school year. Under the revised standards: deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) students must satisfactorily complete an algebra I credit by the end of eighth grade; and deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) students scheduled to graduate in the 2014-2015 school year or later must satisfactorily complete an algebra II credit or its equivalent. deleted text end

new text begin (b) new text end The commissioner deleted text begin alsodeleted text end must ensure that the statewide mathematics assessments administered to students in grades 3 through 8 and 11 are aligned with the state academic standards in mathematics, consistent with section 120B.30, subdivision 1, paragraph (b). The commissioner must implement a review of the academic standards and related benchmarks in mathematics beginning in the 2015-2016 school year.

(c) deleted text begin The commissioner in the 2007-2008 school year must revise and align the state's academic standards and high school graduation requirements in the arts to require that students satisfactorily complete the revised arts standards beginning in the 2010-2011 school year.deleted text end The commissioner must implement a review of the academic standards and related benchmarks in arts beginning in the 2016-2017 school year.

(d) deleted text begin The commissioner in the 2008-2009 school year must revise and align the state's academic standards and high school graduation requirements in science to require that students satisfactorily complete the revised science standards, beginning in the 2011-2012 school year. Under the revised standards, students scheduled to graduate in the 2014-2015 school year or later must satisfactorily complete a chemistry or physics credit or a career and technical education credit that meets standards underlying the chemistry, physics, or biology credit or a combination of those standards approved by the district.deleted text end The commissioner must implement a review of the academic standards and related benchmarks in science beginning in the 2017-2018 school year.

(e) deleted text begin The commissioner in the 2009-2010 school year must revise and align the state's academic standards and high school graduation requirements in language arts to require that students satisfactorily complete the revised language arts standards beginning in the 2012-2013 school year.deleted text end The commissioner must implement a review of the academic standards and related benchmarks in language arts beginning in the 2018-2019 school year.

(f) deleted text begin The commissioner in the 2010-2011 school year must revise and align the state's academic standards and high school graduation requirements in social studies to require that students satisfactorily complete the revised social studies standards beginning in the 2013-2014 school year.deleted text end The commissioner must implement a review of the academic standards and related benchmarks in social studies beginning in the 2019-2020 school year.

(g) School districts and charter schools must revise and align local academic standards and high school graduation requirements in health, world languages, and career and technical education to require students to complete the revised standards beginning in a school year determined by the school district or charter school. School districts and charter schools must formally establish a periodic review cycle for the academic standards and related benchmarks in health, world languages, and career and technical education.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120B.024, is amended to read:

120B.024 deleted text begin GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS; COURSEdeleted text end CREDITS.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Graduation requirements. new text end

deleted text begin (a)deleted text end Students beginning 9th grade in the 2011-2012 school year and later must successfully complete the following high school level deleted text begin coursedeleted text end credits for graduation:

(1) four credits of language artsnew text begin sufficient to satisfy all of the academic standards in English language artsnew text end ;

(2) three credits of mathematics, deleted text begin encompassing at least algebra, geometry, statistics, and probabilitydeleted text end new text begin including an algebra II credit or its equivalent,new text end sufficient to satisfy new text begin all of new text end the academic deleted text begin standarddeleted text end new text begin standards in mathematicsnew text end ;

new text begin (3) an algebra I credit by the end of 8th grade sufficient to satisfy all of the 8th grade standards in mathematics; new text end

deleted text begin (3)deleted text end new text begin (4)new text end three credits of science, including at leastdeleted text begin : (i)deleted text end one credit deleted text begin indeleted text end new text begin ofnew text end biologydeleted text begin ; and (ii) one chemistry or physics credit or a career and technical education credit that meets standards underlying the chemistry, physics, or biology credit or a combination of those standards approved by the district, but meeting biology standards under this item does not meet the biology requirement under item (i)deleted text end new text begin , one credit of chemistry or physics, and one elective credit of science. The combination of credits under this clause must be sufficient to satisfy (i) all of the academic standards in either chemistry or physics and (ii) all other academic standards in sciencenew text end ;

deleted text begin (4)deleted text end new text begin (5)new text end three and one-half credits of social studies, encompassing at least United States history, geography, government and citizenship, world history, and economics deleted text begin or three credits of social studies encompassing at least United States history, geography, government and citizenship, and world history, and one-half credit of economics taught in a school's social studies, agriculture education, or business departmentdeleted text end new text begin sufficient to satisfy all of the academic standards in social studiesnew text end ;

deleted text begin (5)deleted text end new text begin (6)new text end one credit deleted text begin indeleted text end new text begin ofnew text end the artsnew text begin sufficient to satisfy all of the state or local academic standards in the artsnew text end ; and

deleted text begin (6)deleted text end new text begin (7)new text end a minimum of seven elective deleted text begin coursedeleted text end credits.

deleted text begin A course credit is equivalent to a student successfully completing an academic year of study or a student mastering the applicable subject matter, as determined by the local school district. deleted text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Credit equivalencies. new text end

new text begin (a) A one-half credit of economics taught in a school's agriculture education or business department may fulfill a one-half credit in social studies under subdivision 1, clause (5), if the credit is sufficient to satisfy all of the academic standards in economics. new text end

(b) An agriculture science deleted text begin coursedeleted text end new text begin or career and technical education creditnew text end may fulfill deleted text begin adeleted text end new text begin the electivenew text end science credit requirement deleted text begin other than the specified science credit in biologydeleted text end under deleted text begin paragraph (a), clause (3).deleted text end new text begin subdivision 1, clause (4), if the course meets academic standards in science as approved by the district. An agriculture science or career and technical education credit may fulfill the credit in chemistry or physics or the elective science credit required under subdivision 1, clause (4), if (1) the credit meets the chemistry, physics, or biology academic standards or a combination of these academic standards as approved by the district and (2) the student satisfies either all of the chemistry academic standards, all of the physics academic standards, or all of the applicable elective science standards prior to graduation. An agriculture science or career and technical education credit may not fulfill the required biology credit under subdivision 1, clause (4).new text end

(c) A career and technical education deleted text begin coursedeleted text end new text begin creditnew text end may fulfill a mathematics or arts credit requirement deleted text begin or a science credit requirement other than the specified science credit in biologydeleted text end under deleted text begin paragraph (a)deleted text end new text begin subdivision 1new text end , clause (2)deleted text begin , (3),deleted text end or deleted text begin (5)deleted text end new text begin (6)new text end .

new text begin (d) An agriculture education teacher is not required to meet the requirements of Minnesota Rules, part 3505.1150, subpart 1, item B, to meet the credit equivalency requirements of paragraph (b) above. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2013, and applies to students entering 9th grade in the 2013-2014 school year and later. new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120B.11, is amended to read:

120B.11 SCHOOL DISTRICT PROCESS FOR REVIEWING CURRICULUM, INSTRUCTION, AND STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTnew text begin ; STRIVING FOR THE WORLD'S BEST WORKFORCEnew text end .

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

For the purposes of this section and section 120B.10, the following terms have the meanings given them.

(a) "Instruction" means methods of providing learning experiences that enable a student to meet state and district academic standards and graduation requirements.

(b) "Curriculum" means district or school adopted programs and written plans for providing students with learning experiences that lead to expected knowledge and skillsnew text begin and career and college readinessnew text end .

new text begin (c) "World's best workforce" means striving to: meet school readiness goals; have all third grade students achieve grade-level literacy; close the academic achievement gap among all racial and ethnic groups of students and between students living in poverty and students not living in poverty; have all students attain career and college readiness before graduating from high school; and have all students graduate from high school. new text end

new text begin Subd. 1a. new text end

new text begin Performance measures. new text end

new text begin Measures to determine school district and school site progress in striving to create the world's best workforce must include at least: new text end

new text begin (1) student performance on the National Association of Education Progress; new text end

new text begin (2) the size of the academic achievement gap by student subgroup; new text end

new text begin (3) student performance on the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments; new text end

new text begin (4) high school graduation rates; and new text end

new text begin (5) career and college readiness under section 120B.30, subdivision 1. new text end

Subd. 2.

Adopting deleted text begin policiesdeleted text end new text begin plans and budgetsnew text end .

A school boardnew text begin , at a public meeting,new text end shall deleted text begin have in place an adopted written policydeleted text end new text begin adopt a comprehensive, long-term strategic plan to support and improve teaching and learningnew text end that deleted text begin includes the followingdeleted text end new text begin is aligned with creating the world's best workforce and includesnew text end :

(1) new text begin clearly defined new text end district new text begin and school site new text end goalsnew text begin and benchmarksnew text end for instruction deleted text begin including the use of best practices, district and school curriculum,deleted text end and new text begin student new text end achievement for all student subgroupsnew text begin identified in section 120B.35, subdivision 3, paragraph (b), clause (2)new text end ;

(2) a process for new text begin assessing and new text end evaluating each student's progress toward meeting new text begin state and local new text end academic standards and identifying the strengths and weaknesses of instruction new text begin in pursuit of student and school success new text end and curriculum affecting students' progressnew text begin and growth toward career and college readiness and leading to the world's best workforcenew text end ;

(3) a system deleted text begin for periodically reviewing and evaluatingdeleted text end new text begin to periodically review and evaluate the effectiveness of new text end all instruction and curriculumnew text begin , taking into account strategies and best practices, student outcomes, school principal evaluations under section 123B.147, subdivision 3, and teacher evaluations under section 122A.40, subdivision 8, or 122A.41, subdivision 5new text end ;

(4) deleted text begin a plandeleted text end new text begin strategiesnew text end for improving instruction, curriculum, and student achievement; deleted text begin anddeleted text end

(5) deleted text begin andeleted text end education effectiveness deleted text begin plan aligned with section 122A.625deleted text end new text begin practicesnew text end that deleted text begin integratesdeleted text end new text begin integrate high-quality new text end instruction, new text begin rigorous new text end curriculum, deleted text begin anddeleted text end technologynew text begin , and a collaborative professional culture that develops and supports teacher quality, performance, and effectiveness; andnew text end

new text begin (6) an annual budget for continuing to implement the district plannew text end .

Subd. 3.

District advisory committee.

Each school board shall establish an advisory committee to ensure active community participation in all phases of planning and improving the instruction and curriculum affecting state and district academic standardsnew text begin , consistent with subdivision 2new text end . A district advisory committee, to the extent possible, shall reflect the diversity of the district and its deleted text begin learningdeleted text end new text begin schoolnew text end sites, and shall include teachers, parents, support staff, students, and other community residents. The district may establish deleted text begin buildingdeleted text end new text begin sitenew text end teams as subcommittees of the district advisory committee under subdivision 4. The district advisory committee shall recommend to the school board rigorous academic standards, student achievement goals and measuresnew text begin consistent with subdivision 1a and sections 120B.022, subdivision 1, paragraphs (b) and (c), and 120B.35new text end , new text begin district new text end assessments, and program evaluations. deleted text begin Learningdeleted text end new text begin Schoolnew text end sites may expand upon district evaluations of instruction, curriculum, assessments, or programs. Whenever possible, parents and other community residents shall comprise at least two-thirds of advisory committee members.

Subd. 4.

deleted text begin Buildingdeleted text end new text begin Sitenew text end team.

A school may establish a deleted text begin buildingdeleted text end new text begin sitenew text end team to develop and implement deleted text begin andeleted text end new text begin strategies andnew text end education effectiveness deleted text begin plandeleted text end new text begin practicesnew text end to improve instruction, curriculum, and student achievementnew text begin at the school site, consistent with subdivision 2new text end . The team deleted text begin shall advisedeleted text end new text begin advisesnew text end the board and the advisory committee about developing new text begin the annual budget and revising new text end an instruction and curriculum improvement plan that aligns curriculum, assessment of student progress new text begin and growth new text end in meeting state and district academic standardsdeleted text begin ,deleted text end and instruction.

Subd. 5.

Report.

deleted text begin (a) By October 1 of each year, the school board shall use standard statewide reporting procedures the commissioner develops and adopt a report that includes the following: deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) student achievement goals for meeting state academic standards; deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) results of local assessment data, and any additional test data; deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) the annual school district improvement plans including staff development goals under section 122A.60; deleted text end

deleted text begin (4) information about district and learning site progress in realizing previously adopted improvement plans; and deleted text end

deleted text begin (5) the amount and type of revenue attributed to each education site as defined in section 123B.04. deleted text end

deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin Consistent with requirements for school performance reports under section 120B.36, subdivision 1,new text end the school board shall publish a deleted text begin summary of thedeleted text end report in the local newspaper with the largest circulation in the district, by mail, or by electronic means deleted text begin such asdeleted text end new text begin onnew text end the district Web sitenew text begin . The school board shall hold an annual public meeting to review, and revise where appropriate, student achievement goals, local assessment outcomes, plans, strategies, and practices for improving curriculum and instruction, and to review district success in realizing the previously adopted student achievement goals and related benchmarks and the improvement plans leading to the world's best workforcenew text end . deleted text begin If electronic means are used, school districts must publish notice of the report in a periodical of general circulation in the district. School districts must make copies of the report available to the public on request.deleted text end

deleted text begin (c) The title of the report shall contain the name and number of the school district and read "Annual Report on Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Achievement." The report must include at least the following information about advisory committee membership: deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) the name of each committee member and the date when that member's term expires; deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) the method and criteria the school board uses to select committee members; and deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) the date by which a community resident must apply to next serve on the committee. deleted text end new text begin The school board must transmit an electronic summary of its report to the commissioner in the form and manner the commissioner determines. new text end

deleted text begin Subd. 6. deleted text end

deleted text begin Student evaluation. deleted text end

deleted text begin The school board annually shall provide high school graduates or GED recipients who receive a diploma or its equivalent from the school district with an opportunity to report to the board on the following: deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) the quality of district instruction, curriculum, and services; deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) the quality of district delivery of instruction, curriculum, and services; deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) the utility of district facilities; and deleted text end

deleted text begin (4) the effectiveness of district administration. deleted text end

Subd. 7.

Periodic report.

Each school district shall periodically deleted text begin askdeleted text end new text begin survey new text end affected constituencies about their new text begin connection to and new text end level of satisfaction with school. The district shall include the results of this evaluation in the new text begin summary new text end report required under subdivision 5.

deleted text begin Subd. 8. deleted text end

deleted text begin Biennial evaluation; assessment program. deleted text end

deleted text begin At least once every two years, the district report shall include an evaluation of the district testing programs, according to the following: deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) written objectives of the assessment program; deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) names of tests and grade levels tested; deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) use of test results; and deleted text end

deleted text begin (4) student achievement results compared to previous years. deleted text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Annual evaluation. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner must identify effective strategies, practices, and use of resources by districts and school sites in striving for the world's best workforce. The commissioner must assist districts and sites throughout the state in implementing these effective strategies, practices, and use of resources. new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must identify those districts in any consecutive three-year period not making sufficient progress toward improving teaching and learning and striving for the world's best workforce. The commissioner, in collaboration with the identified district, may require the district to use up to two percent of its basic general education revenue per fiscal year during the proximate three school years to implement commissioner-specified strategies and practices, consistent with paragraph (a), to improve and accelerate its progress in realizing its goals under this section. In implementing this section, the commissioner must consider districts' budget constraints and legal obligations. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for the 2013-2014 school year and later. new text end

Sec. 7.

new text begin [120B.115] REGIONAL CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE. new text end

new text begin (a) Regional centers of excellence are established to assist and support school boards, school districts, school sites, and charter schools in implementing research-based interventions and practices to increase the students' achievement within a region. The centers must develop partnerships with local and regional service cooperatives, postsecondary institutions, integrated school districts, the department, children's mental health providers, or other local or regional entities interested in providing a cohesive and consistent regional delivery system that serves all schools equitably. Centers must assist school districts, school sites, and charter schools in developing similar partnerships. Center support may include assisting school districts, school sites, and charter schools with common principles of effective practice, including: new text end

new text begin (1) defining measurable education goals under section 120B.11, subdivision 2; new text end

new text begin (2) implementing evidence-based practices; new text end

new text begin (3) engaging in data-driven decision-making; new text end

new text begin (4) providing multi-layered levels of support; new text end

new text begin (5) supporting culturally responsive teaching and learning aligning state and local academic standards and career and college readiness benchmarks; and new text end

new text begin (6) engaging parents, families, youth, and local community members in programs and activities at the school district, school site, or charter school. new text end

new text begin Centers must work with school site leadership teams to build capacity to implement programs that close the achievement gap, increase students' progress and growth toward career and college readiness, and increase student graduation rates. new text end

new text begin (b) The department must assist the regional centers of excellence to meet staff, facilities, and technical needs, provide the centers with programmatic support, and work with the centers to establish a coherent statewide system of regional support, including consulting, training, and technical support, to help school boards, school districts, school sites, and charter schools effectively and efficiently implement the world's best workforce goals under section 120B.11 and other state and federal education initiatives. new text end

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120B.125, is amended to read:

120B.125 PLANNING FOR STUDENTS' SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT; INVOLUNTARY CAREER TRACKING PROHIBITED.

(a) Consistent with sections 120B.128, 120B.13, 120B.131, 120B.132, 120B.14, 120B.15, new text begin 120B.30, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), new text end 125A.08, and other related sections, school districts deleted text begin are strongly encouraged todeleted text end new text begin , beginning in the 2013-2014 school year, mustnew text end assist all students by no later than grade 9 to explore their college and career interests and aspirations and develop a plan for a smooth and successful transition to postsecondary education or employment. All students' plans must be designed to:

(1) provide a comprehensive academic plan for completing a college and career-ready curriculum premised on meeting state and local academic standards and developing 21st century skills such as team work, collaboration, and good work habits;

(2) emphasize academic rigor and high expectations;

(3) help students identify personal learning styles that may affect their postsecondary education and employment choices;

(4) help students deleted text begin succeed at gainingdeleted text end new text begin gainnew text end access to postsecondary education and career options;

(5) integrate strong academic content into career-focused courses and integrate relevant career-focused courses into strong academic content;

(6) help students and families identify and gain access to appropriate counseling and other supports and assistance that enable students to complete required coursework, prepare for postsecondary education and careers, and obtain information about postsecondary education costs and eligibility for financial aid and scholarship;

(7) help students and families identify collaborative partnerships of kindergarten through grade 12 schools, postsecondary institutions, economic development agencies, and employers that support students' transition to postsecondary education and employment and provide students with experiential learning opportunities; and

(8) be reviewed and revised at least annually by the student, the student's parent or guardian, and the school or district to ensure that the student's course-taking schedule keeps the student deleted text begin "on track"deleted text end new text begin making adequate progressnew text end to meet state and local high school graduation requirements and with a reasonable chance to succeed with employment or postsecondary education without the need to first complete remedial course work.

(b) A school district may develop grade-level curricula or provide instruction that introduces students to various careers, but must not require any curriculum, instruction, or employment-related activity that obligates an elementary or secondary student to involuntarily select a career, career interest, employment goals, or related job training.

deleted text begin (c) School districts are encouraged to seek and use revenue and in-kind contributions from nonstate sources and to seek administrative cost savings through innovative local funding arrangements, such as the Collaboration Among Rochester Educators (CARE) model for funding postsecondary enrollment options, among other sources, for purposes of implementing this section. deleted text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120B.128, is amended to read:

120B.128 EDUCATIONAL PLANNING AND ASSESSMENT SYSTEM (EPAS) PROGRAM.

(a) School districts and charter schools may elect to participate in the Educational Planning and Assessment System (EPAS) program offered by ACT, Inc. to provide a longitudinal, systematic approach to student educational and career planning, assessment, instructional support, and evaluation. The EPAS achievement tests include English, reading, mathematics, science, and components on planning for high school and postsecondary education, interest inventory, needs assessments, and student education plans. These tests are linked to the ACT assessment for college admission and allow students, parents, teachers, and schools to determine the student's college readiness before grades 11 and 12.

(b) The commissioner of education shall provide ACT Explore tests for students in grade 8 and the ACT Plan test for students in grade 10 to assess individual student academic strengths and weaknesses, academic achievement and progress, higher order thinking skills, and college readiness.

new text begin (c) Students enrolled in grade 8 through the 2011-2012 school year who have not yet demonstrated proficiency on the Minnesota comprehensive assessments, the graduation-required assessments for diploma, or the basic skills testing requirements prior to high school graduation may satisfy state high school graduation requirements for assessments in reading, mathematics, and writing by taking the graduation-required assessment for diploma in reading, mathematics, or writing under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120B.30, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), clauses (1) and (2), the WorkKeys job skills assessment, the Compass college placement test, a nationally recognized armed services vocation aptitude test, or the ACT assessment for college admission. new text end

new text begin (d)new text end The state shall pay the test costs for deleted text begin school districts and charter schools that choose to participate in the EPAS programdeleted text end new text begin public school students to participate in the assessments under this sectionnew text end . The commissioner shall establish an application procedure and a process for state payment of costs.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120B.15, is amended to read:

120B.15 GIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENTS PROGRAMS.

(a) School districts may identify students, locally develop programsnew text begin addressing instructional and affective needsnew text end , provide staff development, and evaluate programs to provide gifted and talented students with challenging new text begin and appropriate new text end educational programs.

(b) School districts deleted text begin maydeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end adopt guidelines for assessing and identifying students for participation in gifted and talented programs. The guidelines should include the use of:

(1) multiple and objective criteria; and

(2) assessments and procedures that are valid and reliable, fair, and based on current theory and research.new text begin Assessments and procedures should be sensitive to underrepresented groups, including, but not limited to, low-income, minority, twice-exceptional, and English learners.new text end

(c) School districts must adopt procedures for the academic acceleration of gifted and talented students. These procedures must include how the district will:

(1) assess a student's readiness and motivation for acceleration; and

(2) match the level, complexity, and pace of the curriculum to a student to achieve the best type of academic acceleration for that student.

new text begin (d) School districts must adopt procedures consistent with section 124D.02, subdivision 1, for early admission to kindergarten or first grade of gifted and talented learners. The procedures must be sensitive to underrepresented groups. new text end

Sec. 11.

new text begin [120B.21] MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION. new text end

new text begin School districts and charter schools are encouraged to provide mental health instruction for students in grades 6 through 12 aligned with local health standards and integrated into existing programs, curriculum, or the general school environment of a district or charter school. The commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of human services and mental health organizations, is encouraged to provide districts and charter schools with: new text end

new text begin (1) age-appropriate model learning activities for grades 6 through 12 that encompass the mental health components of the National Health Education Standards and the benchmarks developed by the department's quality teaching network in health and best practices in mental health education; and new text end

new text begin (2) a directory of resources for planning and implementing age-appropriate mental health curriculum and instruction in grades 6 through 12. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120B.30, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Statewide testing.

(a) The commissioner, with advice from experts with appropriate technical qualifications and experience and stakeholders, consistent with subdivision 1a, shall include in the comprehensive assessment system, for each grade level to be tested, state-constructed tests developed deleted text begin from anddeleted text end new text begin as computer-adaptive reading and mathematics assessments for students that arenew text end aligned with the state's required academic standards under section 120B.021, include multiple choice questions, and deleted text begin bedeleted text end new text begin arenew text end administered annually to all students in grades 3 through deleted text begin 8deleted text end new text begin 7new text end . new text begin Reading and mathematics assessments for all students in grade 8 must be aligned with the state's required reading and mathematics standards, be administered annually, and include multiple choice questions. new text end State-developed high school tests aligned with the state's required academic standards under section 120B.021 and administered to all high school students in a subject other than writing must include multiple choice questions. The commissioner shall establish one or more months during which schools shall administer the tests to students each school year. deleted text begin For students enrolled in grade 8 before the 2005-2006 school year, Minnesota basic skills tests in reading, mathematics, and writing shall fulfill students' basic skills testing requirements for a passing state notation. The passing scores of basic skills tests in reading and mathematics are the equivalent of 75 percent correct for students entering grade 9 based on the first uniform test administered in February 1998. Students who have not successfully passed a Minnesota basic skills test by the end of the 2011-2012 school year must pass the graduation-required assessments for diploma under paragraph (c), except that for the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 school years only, these students may satisfy the state's graduation test requirement for math by complying with paragraph (d), clauses (1) and (3).deleted text end

new text begin (1) Students enrolled in grade 8 through the 2009-2010 school year are eligible to be assessed under (i) the graduation-required assessment for diploma in reading, mathematics, or writing under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120B.30, subdivision 1, paragraphs (c), clauses (1) and (2), and (d), (ii) the WorkKeys job skills assessment, (iii) the Compass college placement test, (iv) the ACT assessment for college admission, or (v) a nationally recognized armed services vocational aptitude test. new text end

new text begin (2) Students enrolled in grade 8 in the 2010-2011 or 2011-2012 school year are eligible to be assessed under (i) the graduation-required assessment for diploma in reading, mathematics, or writing under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120B.30, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), clauses (1) and (2), (ii) the WorkKeys job skills assessment, (iii) the Compass college placement test, (iv) the ACT assessment for college admission, or (v) a nationally recognized armed services vocational aptitude test. new text end

new text begin (3) For students under clause (1) or (2), a school district may substitute a score from an alternative, equivalent assessment to satisfy the requirements of this paragraph. new text end

(b) The state assessment system must be aligned to the most recent revision of academic standards as described in section 120B.023 in the following manner:

(1) mathematics;

(i) grades 3 through 8 beginning in the 2010-2011 school year; and

(ii) high school level beginning in the 2013-2014 school year;

(2) science; grades 5 and 8 and at the high school level beginning in the 2011-2012 school year; and

(3) language arts and reading; grades 3 through 8 and high school level beginning in the 2012-2013 school year.

(c) For students enrolled in grade 8 in the deleted text begin 2005-2006deleted text end new text begin 2012-2013new text end school year and later, deleted text begin only the following options shall fulfilldeleted text end students' state graduation deleted text begin testdeleted text end requirementsnew text begin , based on a longitudinal, systematic approach to student education and career planning, assessment, instructional support, and evaluation, include the followingnew text end :

deleted text begin (1) for reading and mathematics: deleted text end

deleted text begin (i) obtaining an achievement level equivalent to or greater than proficient as determined through a standard setting process on the Minnesota comprehensive assessments in grade 10 for reading and grade 11 for mathematics or achieving a passing score as determined through a standard setting process on the graduation-required assessment for diploma in grade 10 for reading and grade 11 for mathematics or subsequent retests; deleted text end

deleted text begin (ii) achieving a passing score as determined through a standard setting process on the state-identified language proficiency test in reading and the mathematics test for English learners or the graduation-required assessment for diploma equivalent of those assessments for students designated as English learners; deleted text end

deleted text begin (iii) achieving an individual passing score on the graduation-required assessment for diploma as determined by appropriate state guidelines for students with an individualized education program or 504 plan; deleted text end

deleted text begin (iv) obtaining achievement level equivalent to or greater than proficient as determined through a standard setting process on the state-identified alternate assessment or assessments in grade 10 for reading and grade 11 for mathematics for students with an individualized education program; or deleted text end

deleted text begin (v) achieving an individual passing score on the state-identified alternate assessment or assessments as determined by appropriate state guidelines for students with an individualized education program; and deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) for writing: deleted text end

deleted text begin (i) achieving a passing score on the graduation-required assessment for diploma; deleted text end

deleted text begin (ii) achieving a passing score as determined through a standard setting process on the state-identified language proficiency test in writing for students designated as English learners; deleted text end

deleted text begin (iii) achieving an individual passing score on the graduation-required assessment for diploma as determined by appropriate state guidelines for students with an individualized education program or 504 plan; or deleted text end

deleted text begin (iv) achieving an individual passing score on the state-identified alternate assessment or assessments as determined by appropriate state guidelines for students with an individualized education program. deleted text end

new text begin (1) demonstrate understanding of required academic standards on a nationally normed college entrance exam; new text end

new text begin (2) achievement and career and college readiness tests in mathematics, reading, and writing, consistent with paragraph (e) and to the extent available, to monitor students' continuous development of and growth in requisite knowledge and skills; analyze students' progress and performance levels, identifying students' academic strengths and diagnosing areas where students require curriculum or instructional adjustments, targeted interventions, or remediation; and, based on analysis of students' progress and performance data, determine students' learning and instructional needs and the instructional tools and best practices that support academic rigor for the student; and new text end

new text begin (3) consistent with this paragraph and section 120B.125, age-appropriate exploration and planning activities and career assessments to encourage students to identify personally relevant career interests and aptitudes and help students and their families develop a regularly reexamined transition plan for postsecondary education or employment without need for postsecondary remediation. new text end

new text begin Based on appropriate state guidelines, students with an individualized education program may satisfy state graduation requirements by achieving an individual score on the state-identified alternative assessments. new text end

new text begin Expectations of schools, districts, and the state for career or college readiness under this subdivision must be comparable in rigor, clarity of purpose, and rates of student completion. A student under clause (2) must receive targeted, relevant, academically rigorous, and resourced instruction, which may include a targeted instruction and intervention plan focused on improving the student's knowledge and skills in core subjects so that the student has a reasonable chance to succeed in a career or college without need for postsecondary remediation. Consistent with sections 120B.13, 124D.09, 124D.091, 124D.49, and related sections, an enrolling school or district must actively encourage a student in grade 11 or 12 who is identified as academically ready for a career or college to participate in courses and programs awarding college credit to high school students. Students are not required to achieve a specified score or level of proficiency on an assessment under this subdivision to graduate from high school. new text end

(d) deleted text begin Students enrolled in grade 8 in any school year from the 2005-2006 school year to the 2009-2010 school year who do not pass the mathematics graduation-required assessment for diploma under paragraph (c) are eligible to receive a high school diploma if they:deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) complete with a passing score or grade all state and local coursework and credits required for graduation by the school board granting the students their diploma; deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) participate in district-prescribed academic remediation in mathematics; and deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) fully participate in at least two retests of the mathematics GRAD test or until they pass the mathematics GRAD test, whichever comes first. deleted text end new text begin To improve the secondary and postsecondary outcomes of all students, the alignment between secondary and postsecondary education programs and Minnesota's workforce needs, and the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of secondary and postsecondary programs, the commissioner, after consulting with the chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and using a request for proposal process, shall contract for a series of assessments that are consistent with this subdivision, aligned with state academic standards, and include career and college readiness benchmarks. Mathematics, reading, and writing assessments for students in grades 8 and 10 must be predictive of a nationally normed assessment for career and college readiness. This nationally recognized assessment must be a college entrance exam and given to students in grade 11. This series of assessments must include a college placement diagnostic exam and contain career exploration elements. The commissioner and the chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities must collaborate in aligning instruction and assessments for adult basic education students to provide the students with diagnostic information about any targeted interventions they need so that they may seek postsecondary education or employment without need for postsecondary remediation. new text end

new text begin (1) Districts and schools, on an annual basis, must use the career exploration elements in these assessments to help students, beginning no later than grade 9, and their families explore and plan for postsecondary education or careers based on the students' interests, aptitudes, and aspirations. Districts and schools must use timely regional labor market information and partnerships, among other resources, to help students and their families successfully develop, pursue, review, and revise an individualized plan for postsecondary education or a career. This process must help increase students' engagement in and connection to school, improve students' knowledge and skills, and deepen students' understanding of career pathways as a sequence of academic and career courses that lead to an industry-recognized credential, an associate's degree, or a bachelor's degree and are available to all students, whatever their interests and career goals. new text end

new text begin (2) Students in grade 10 or 11 not yet academically ready for a career or college based on their growth in academic achievement between grades 8 and 10 must take the college placement diagnostic exam before taking the college entrance exam under clause (3). Students, their families, the school, and the district can then use the results of the college placement diagnostic exam for targeted instruction, intervention, or remediation and improve students' knowledge and skills in core subjects sufficient for a student to graduate and have a reasonable chance to succeed in a career or college without remediation. new text end

new text begin (3) All students except those eligible for alternative assessments must be given the college entrance part of these assessments in grade 11. A student under this clause who demonstrates attainment of required state academic standards, which include career and college readiness benchmarks, on these assessments is academically ready for a career or college and is encouraged to participate in courses awarding college credit to high school students. Such courses and programs may include sequential courses of study within broad career areas and technical skill assessments that extend beyond course grades. new text end

new text begin (4) As appropriate, students through grade 12 must continue to participate in targeted instruction, intervention, or remediation and be encouraged to participate in courses awarding college credit to high school students. new text end

new text begin (5) A study to determine the alignment between these assessments and state academic standards under this chapter must be conducted. Where alignment exists, the commissioner must seek federal approval to, and immediately upon receiving approval, replace the federally required assessments referenced under subdivision 1a and section 120B.35, subdivision 2, with assessments under this paragraph. new text end

new text begin (e) In developing, supporting, and improving students' academic readiness for a career or college, schools, districts, and the state must have a continuum of empirically derived, clearly defined benchmarks focused on students' attainment of knowledge and skills so that students, their parents, and teachers know how well students must perform to have a reasonable chance to succeed in a career or college without need for postsecondary remediation. The commissioner, in consultation with local school officials and educators, and Minnesota's public postsecondary institutions must ensure that the foundational knowledge and skills for students' successful performance in postsecondary employment or education and an articulated series of possible targeted interventions are clearly identified and satisfy Minnesota's postsecondary admissions requirements. new text end

new text begin (f) For students in grade 8 in the 2012-2013 school year and later,new text end a school, district, or charter school must deleted text begin placedeleted text end new text begin recordnew text end on the high school transcript a student's deleted text begin current pass status for each subject that has a required graduation assessmentdeleted text end new text begin progress toward career and college readiness, and for other students as soon as practicablenew text end .

deleted text begin In addition,deleted text end new text begin (g)new text end The school board granting deleted text begin thedeleted text end students their diplomas may formally decide to include a notation of high achievement on the high school diplomas of those graduating seniors who, according to established school board criteria, demonstrate exemplary academic achievement during high school.

deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (h)new text end The 3rd through deleted text begin 8thdeleted text end new text begin 7thnew text end gradenew text begin computer-adaptive assessment results and grade 8new text end and high school test results shall be available to districts for diagnostic purposes affecting student learning and district instruction and curriculum, and for establishing educational accountability. new text begin The commissioner must establish empirically derived benchmarks on adaptive assessments in grades 3 through 7 that reveal a trajectory toward career and college readiness. new text end The commissioner must disseminate to the public thenew text begin computer-adaptive assessments, grade 8, andnew text end high school test results upon receiving those results.

deleted text begin (f)deleted text end new text begin (i)new text end The deleted text begin 3rd through 8th gradedeleted text end new text begin grades 3 through 7 computer-adaptive assessments and grade 8 new text end and high school tests must be aligned with state academic standards. The commissioner shall determine the testing process and the order of administration. The statewide results shall be aggregated at the site and district level, consistent with subdivision 1a.

deleted text begin (g) In addition to the testing and reporting requirements under this section,deleted text end new text begin (j)new text end The commissioner shall include the following components in the statewide public reporting system:

(1) uniform statewide deleted text begin testingdeleted text end new text begin computer-adaptive assessmentsnew text end of all students in grades 3 through deleted text begin 8deleted text end new text begin 7new text end andnew text begin testingnew text end at the new text begin grade 8 and new text end high school deleted text begin leveldeleted text end new text begin levelsnew text end that provides appropriate, technically sound accommodations or alternate assessments;

(2) educational indicators that can be aggregated and compared across school districts and across time on a statewide basis, including average daily attendance, high school graduation rates, and high school drop-out rates by age and grade level;

(3) state results on the American College Test; and

(4) state results from participation in the National Assessment of Educational Progress so that the state can benchmark its performance against the nation and other states, and, where possible, against other countries, and contribute to the national effort to monitor achievement.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment and applies to the 2013-2014 school year and later, except that paragraph (a) applies the day following final enactment and the requirements for using computer-adaptive mathematics and reading assessments for grades 3 through 7 apply in the 2015-2016 school year and later. The series of assessments contracted for under paragraph (d) apply in the 2014-2015 school year and later. new text end

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120B.30, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:

Subd. 1a.

Statewide and local assessments; results.

(a)new text begin For purposes of this section, the following definitions have the meanings given them.new text end

new text begin (1) "Computer-adaptive assessments" means fully adaptive assessments. new text end

new text begin (2) "Fully adaptive assessments" include test items that are on-grade level and items that may be above or below a student's grade level. new text end

new text begin (3) "On-grade level" test items contain subject area content that is aligned to state academic standards for the grade level of the student taking the assessment. new text end

new text begin (4) "Above-grade level" test items contain subject area content that is above the grade level of the student taking the assessment and is considered aligned with state academic standards to the extent it is aligned with content represented in state academic standards above the grade level of the student taking the assessment. Notwithstanding the student's grade level, administering above-grade level test items to a student does not violate the requirement that state assessments must be aligned with state standards. new text end

new text begin (5) "Below-grade level" test items contain subject area content that is below the grade level of the student taking the test and is considered aligned with state academic standards to the extent it is aligned with content represented in state academic standards below the student's current grade level. Notwithstanding the student's grade level, administering below-grade level test items to a student does not violate the requirement that state assessments must be aligned with state standards. new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must use fully adaptive mathematics and reading assessments for grades 3 through 7 beginning in the 2015-2016 school year and later. new text end

new text begin (c)new text end For purposes of conforming with existing federal educational accountability requirements, the commissioner must developnew text begin and implement computer-adaptivenew text end reading and mathematics assessments for grades 3 through deleted text begin 8deleted text end new text begin 7new text end , state-developed new text begin grade 8 and new text end high school reading and mathematics tests aligned with state academic standards, and science assessments under clause (2) that districts and sites must use to monitor student growth toward achieving those standards. The commissioner must not develop statewide assessments for academic standards in social studies, health and physical education, and the arts. The commissioner must require:

(1) annualnew text begin computer-adaptivenew text end reading and mathematics assessments in grades 3 through deleted text begin 8deleted text end new text begin 7new text end , and new text begin grade 8 and new text end high school reading and mathematics tests; and

(2) annual science assessments in one grade in the grades 3 through 5 span, the grades 6 through 8 span, and a life sciences assessment in the grades 9 through 12 span, and the commissioner must not require students to achieve a passing score on high school science assessments as a condition of receiving a high school diploma.

new text begin (d) The commissioner must ensure that for annual computer-adaptive assessments: new text end

new text begin (1) individual student performance data and achievement reports are available within three school days of when students take an assessment except in a year when an assessment reflects new performance standards; new text end

new text begin (2) growth information is available for each student from the student's first assessment to each proximate assessment using a constant measurement scale; new text end

new text begin (3) parents, teachers, and school administrators are able to use elementary and middle school student performance data to project students' secondary and postsecondary achievement; and new text end

new text begin (4) useful diagnostic information about areas of students' academic strengths and weaknesses is available to teachers and school administrators for improving student instruction and indicating the specific skills and concepts that should be introduced and developed for students at given performance levels, organized by strands within subject areas, and aligned to state academic standards. new text end

deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin (e)new text end The commissioner must ensure that all deleted text begin statewidedeleted text end new text begin statenew text end tests administered to elementary and secondary students measure students' academic knowledge and skills and not students' values, attitudes, and beliefs.

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (f)new text end Reporting of new text begin statenew text end assessment results must:

(1) provide timely, useful, and understandable information on the performance of individual students, schools, school districts, and the state;

(2) include a deleted text begin value-addeddeleted text end growth indicator of student achievement deleted text begin under sectiondeleted text end deleted text begin 120B.35, subdivision 3deleted text end deleted text begin , paragraph (b)deleted text end ; and

(3)deleted text begin (i) for students enrolled in grade 8 before the 2005-2006 school year, determine whether students have met the state's basic skills requirements; anddeleted text end

deleted text begin (ii) for students enrolled in grade 8 in the 2005-2006 school year and later,deleted text end determine whether students have met the state's academic standards.

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (g)new text end Consistent with applicable federal law deleted text begin and subdivision 1, paragraph (d), clause (1)deleted text end , the commissioner must include appropriate, technically sound accommodations or alternative assessments for the very few students with disabilities for whom statewide assessments are inappropriate and for English learners.

deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (h) new text end A school, school district, and charter school must administer statewide assessments under this section, as the assessments become available, to evaluate student deleted text begin proficiencydeleted text end new text begin progress toward career and college readinessnew text end in the context of the state's deleted text begin grade leveldeleted text end academic standards. deleted text begin If a state assessment is not available, a school, school district, and charter school must determine locally if a student has met the required academic standards.deleted text end A school, school district, or charter school may use a student's performance on a statewide assessment as one of multiple criteria to determine grade promotion or retention. A school, school district, or charter school may use a high school student's performance on a statewide assessment as a percentage of the student's final grade in a course, or place a student's assessment score on the student's transcript.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for the 2013-2014 school year and later except the requirements for using computer-adaptive mathematics and reading assessments for grades 3 through 7 apply in the 2015-2016 school year and later. Results related to career and college readiness benchmarks apply in the 2014-2015 school year and later. new text end

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120B.31, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Educational accountability and public reporting.

Consistent with the direction to adopt statewide academic standards under section 120B.02, the department, in consultation with education and other system stakeholders, must establish a coordinated and comprehensive system of educational accountability and public reporting that promotes greater academic achievement, preparation for higher academic education, preparation for the world of work, citizenship deleted text begin under sections 120B.021, subdivision 1, clause (4), and 120B.024, paragraph (a), clause (4)deleted text end , and the arts.

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120B.35, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

State growth target; other state measures.

(a) The state's educational assessment system measuring individual students' educational growth is based on indicators of achievement growth that show an individual student's prior achievement. Indicators of achievement and prior achievement must be based on highly reliable statewide or districtwide assessments.

(b) The commissioner, in consultation with a stakeholder group that includes assessment and evaluation directors and staff and researchers must implement a model that uses a value-added growth indicator and includes criteria for identifying schools and school districts that demonstrate medium and high growth under section 120B.299, subdivisions 8 and 9, and may recommend other value-added measures under section 120B.299, subdivision 3. The model may be used to advance educators' professional development and replicate programs that succeed in meeting students' diverse learning needs. Data on individual teachers generated under the model are personnel data under section 13.43. The model must allow users to:

(1) report student growth consistent with this paragraph; and

(2) for all student categories, report and compare aggregated and disaggregated state growth data using the nine student categories identified under the federal 2001 No Child Left Behind Act and two student gender categories of male and female, respectively, following appropriate reporting practices to protect nonpublic student data.

The commissioner must report deleted text begin separatedeleted text end measures of student growth deleted text begin and proficiencydeleted text end , consistent with this paragraph.

(c) When reporting student performance under section 120B.36, subdivision 1, the commissioner annually, beginning July 1, 2011, must report two core measures indicating the extent to which current high school graduates are being prepared for postsecondary academic and career opportunities:

(1) a preparation measure indicating the number and percentage of high school graduates in the most recent school year who completed course work important to preparing them for postsecondary academic and career opportunities, consistent with the core academic subjects required for admission to Minnesota's public colleges and universities as determined by the Office of Higher Education under chapter 136A; and

(2) a rigorous coursework measure indicating the number and percentage of high school graduates in the most recent school year who successfully completed one or more college-level advanced placement, international baccalaureate, postsecondary enrollment options including concurrent enrollment, other rigorous courses of study under section 120B.021, subdivision 1a, or industry certification courses or programs.

When reporting the core measures under clauses (1) and (2), the commissioner must also analyze and report separate categories of information using the nine student categories identified under the federal 2001 No Child Left Behind Act and two student gender categories of male and female, respectively, following appropriate reporting practices to protect nonpublic student data.

(d) When reporting student performance under section 120B.36, subdivision 1, the commissioner annually, beginning July 1, 2014, must report summary data on school safety and students' engagement and connection at school. The summary data under this paragraph are separate from and must not be used for any purpose related to measuring or evaluating the performance of classroom teachers. The commissioner, in consultation with qualified experts on student engagement and connection and classroom teachers, must identify highly reliable variables that generate summary data under this paragraph. The summary data may be used at school, district, and state levels only. Any data on individuals received, collected, or created that are used to generate the summary data under this paragraph are nonpublic data under section 13.02, subdivision 9.

new text begin (e) For purposes of statewide educational accountability, the commissioner must identify and report measures that demonstrate the success of learning year program providers under sections 123A.05 and 124D.68, among other such providers, in improving students' graduation outcomes. The commissioner, beginning July 1, 2015, must annually report summary data on: new text end

new text begin (1) the four- and six-year graduation rates of students under this paragraph; new text end

new text begin (2) the percent of students under this paragraph whose progress and performance levels are meeting career and college readiness benchmarks under section 120B.30, subdivision 1; and new text end

new text begin (3) the success that learning year program providers experience in: new text end

new text begin (i) identifying at-risk and off-track student populations by grade; new text end

new text begin (ii) providing successful prevention and intervention strategies for at-risk students; new text end

new text begin (iii) providing successful recuperative and recovery or reenrollment strategies for off-track students; and new text end

new text begin (iv) improving the graduation outcomes of at-risk and off-track students. new text end

new text begin The commissioner may include in the annual report summary data on other education providers serving a majority of students eligible to participate in a learning year program. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin Paragraph (e) applies to data that are collected in the 2014-2015 school year and later and reported annually beginning July 1, 2015. new text end

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120B.36, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

School performance deleted text begin report cardsdeleted text end new text begin reportsnew text end .

(a) The commissioner shall report student academic performance under section 120B.35, subdivision 2; the percentages of students showing low, medium, and high growth under section 120B.35, subdivision 3, paragraph (b); school safety and student engagement and connection under section 120B.35, subdivision 3, paragraph (d); rigorous coursework under section 120B.35, subdivision 3, paragraph (c);new text begin the percentage of students under section 120B.35, subdivision 3, paragraph (b), clause (2), whose progress and performance levels are meeting career and college readiness benchmarks under sections 120B.30, subdivision 1, and 120B.35, subdivision 3, paragraph (e); longitudinal data on the progress of eligible districts in reducing disparities in students' academic achievement and racial and economic integration under section 124D.861;new text end two separate student-to-teacher ratios that clearly indicate the definition of teacher consistent with sections 122A.06 and 122A.15 for purposes of determining these ratios; staff characteristics excluding salaries; student enrollment demographics; district mobility; and extracurricular activities. The report also must indicate a school's adequate yearly progress statusnew text begin under applicable federal lawnew text end , and must not set any designations applicable to high- and low-performing schools due solely to adequate yearly progress status.

(b) The commissioner shall develop, annually update, and post on the department Web site school performance deleted text begin report cardsdeleted text end new text begin reportsnew text end .

(c) The commissioner must make available performance deleted text begin report cardsdeleted text end new text begin reportsnew text end by the beginning of each school year.

(d) A school or district may appeal its adequate yearly progress status in writing to the commissioner within 30 days of receiving the notice of its status. The commissioner's decision to uphold or deny an appeal is final.

(e) School performance deleted text begin report carddeleted text end data are nonpublic data under section 13.02, subdivision 9, until the commissioner publicly releases the data. The commissioner shall annually post school performance deleted text begin report cardsdeleted text end new text begin reportsnew text end to the department's public Web site no later than September 1, except that in years when the deleted text begin report card reflectsdeleted text end new text begin reports reflectnew text end new performance standards, the commissioner shall post the school performance deleted text begin report cardsdeleted text end new text begin reportsnew text end no later than October 1.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for the 2014-2015 school year and later. new text end

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 124D.52, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Standard high school diploma for adults. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall adopt rules for providing a standard adult high school diploma to persons who: new text end

new text begin (1) are not eligible for kindergarten through grade 12 services; new text end

new text begin (2) do not have a high school diploma; and new text end

new text begin (3) successfully complete an adult basic education program of instruction approved by the commissioner of education necessary to earn an adult high school diploma. new text end

new text begin (b) Persons participating in an approved adult basic education program of instruction must demonstrate the competencies, knowledge, and skills sufficient to ensure that postsecondary programs and institutions and potential employers regard persons with a standard high school diploma and persons with a standard adult high school diploma as equally well prepared and qualified graduates. Approved adult basic education programs of instruction under this subdivision must issue a standard adult high school diploma to persons who successfully demonstrate the competencies, knowledge, and skills required by the program. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2014. new text end

Sec. 18.

new text begin CAREER PATHWAYS AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION ADVISORY TASK FORCE. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Recommendations. new text end

new text begin (a) A career pathways and technical education advisory task force is established to recommend to the Minnesota legislature, consistent with Minnesota Statutes, sections 120B.30, subdivision 1, and 120B.35, subdivision 3, how to structurally redesign secondary and postsecondary education to: new text end

new text begin (1) improve secondary and postsecondary outcomes for students and adult learners; new text end

new text begin (2) align secondary and postsecondary education programs serving students and adult learners; new text end

new text begin (3) align secondary and postsecondary education programs and Minnesota's workforce needs; and new text end

new text begin (4) measure and evaluate the combined efficacy of Minnesota's public kindergarten through grade 12 and postsecondary education programs. new text end

new text begin (b) Advisory task force members, in preparing these recommendations, must seek the advice of education providers, employers, policy makers, and other interested stakeholders and must at least consider how to: new text end

new text begin (1) better inform students about career options, occupational trends, and educational paths leading to viable and rewarding careers and reduce the gap between the demand for and preparation of a skilled Minnesota workforce; new text end

new text begin (2) in consultation with a student's family, develop and periodically adapt, as needed, an education and work plan for each student aligned with the student's personal and professional interests, abilities, skills, and aspirations; new text end

new text begin (3) improve monitoring of high school students' progress with targeted interventions and support and remove the need for remedial instruction; new text end

new text begin (4) increase and accelerate opportunities for secondary school students to earn postsecondary credits leading to a certificate, industry license, or degree; new text end

new text begin (5) better align high school courses and expectations and postsecondary credit-bearing courses; new text end

new text begin (6) better align high school standards and assessments, postsecondary readiness measures and entrance requirements, and the expectations of Minnesota employers; new text end

new text begin (7) increase the rates at which students complete a postsecondary certificate, industry license, or degree; and new text end

new text begin (8) provide graduates of two-year and four-year postsecondary institutions with the foundational skills needed for civic engagement, ongoing employment, and continuous learning. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin The Career Pathways Advisory Task Force shall have 15 members appointed by July 15, 2013, as follows: new text end

new text begin (1) one member appointed by the Minnesota Association of Career and Technical Administrators; new text end

new text begin (2) one member appointed by the Minnesota Association for Career and Technical Education; new text end

new text begin (3) one member appointed by the University of Minnesota who is a faculty member working to develop career and technical educators in Minnesota; new text end

new text begin (4) one member appointed by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities who is a faculty member working to develop career and technical educators in Minnesota; new text end

new text begin (5) one member appointed by the National Research Center for Career and Technical Education; new text end

new text begin (6) one member appointed by the Minnesota Department of Education; new text end

new text begin (7) one member appointed by the Minnesota Board of Teaching; new text end

new text begin (8) one member appointed by the Minnesota Association of Colleges for Teacher Education; new text end

new text begin (9) one member appointed by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities from faculty for foundational skills and general education; new text end

new text begin (10) one member representing licensed career and technical education teachers appointed by Education Minnesota; new text end

new text begin (11) one member appointed by the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development; new text end

new text begin (12) one member appointed by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce; new text end

new text begin (13) one member appointed by the Minnesota Business Partnership; new text end

new text begin (14) one member appointed by the Minnesota Secondary School Principals Association; new text end

new text begin (15) one member appointed by the Minnesota Association of School Administrators; new text end

new text begin (16) one member appointed by the Minnesota School Counselors Association; new text end

new text begin (17) one member appointed by the Minnesota Association of Charter Schools; and new text end

new text begin (18) four members appointed by the commissioner of education who have expertise in any of the areas with which the task force has been charged in subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Terms. new text end

new text begin Each member shall serve until the task force sunsets, unless replaced by their appointing authority. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin First meeting; acting chair; chair. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of education shall convene the first meeting by August 15, 2013, and shall act as chair until the task force elects a chair from among its members at the first meeting. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Staff; technical assistance. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of education, on request by the task force, will provide technical assistance and provide staff assistance sufficient for the task force to carry out its duties. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin By February 15, 2014, the task force shall submit a written report describing its recommendations to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with primary jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Sunset. new text end

new text begin The task force expires the day after the task force reports to the legislature, or February 15, 2014, whichever is earlier. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 19.

new text begin STANDARD ADULT HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA ADVISORY TASK FORCE. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of education shall appoint a nine-member advisory task force to recommend programmatic requirements for adult basic education programs of instruction leading to a standard adult high school diploma under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.52, subdivision 8. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of education must appoint representatives from the following organizations to the task force by July 1, 2013: new text end

new text begin (1) one employee of the Department of Education with expertise in adult basic education; new text end

new text begin (2) five administrators and teachers with expertise in development of education curriculum from local adult basic education programs located in rural, suburban, and urban areas of the state, at least one of whom represents the Literacy Action network; new text end

new text begin (3) one employee of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities with expertise in adult basic education; new text end

new text begin (4) one employee of the Department of Employment and Economic Development with expertise in adult basic education and employment; and new text end

new text begin (5) one member of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce familiar with adult basic education programs under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.52. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin The duties of the task force shall include: new text end

new text begin (1) reviewing "Minnesota Adult Secondary Credential: a Student Strategy for Workforce Readiness and Individual Prosperity," a report submitted in 2012 by the Minnesota Adult Secondary Task Force, and other relevant materials; and new text end

new text begin (2) developing specific criteria to be used in awarding the new adult diploma. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin First meeting. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of education must convene the first meeting of the task force by August 1, 2013. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Chair. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall appoint a chair. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Assistance. new text end

new text begin The commissioner, upon request, must provide technical assistance to task force members. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin By February 1, 2014, the task force must submit its recommendations to the commissioner of education for providing a standard adult high school diploma to persons who are not eligible for kindergarten through grade 12 services, who do not have a high school diploma, and who successfully complete an approved adult basic education program of instruction necessary to earn an adult high school diploma. The commissioner must consider these recommendations when adopting rules under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.52, subdivision 8. new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Sunset. new text end

new text begin The task force sunsets the day after submitting its report under subdivision 7, or February 2, 2014, whichever is earlier. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 20.

new text begin APPROPRIATIONS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Department of Education. new text end

new text begin The sums indicated in this section are appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years designated. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Statewide testing and reporting system. new text end

new text begin For the statewide testing and reporting system under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.30: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 15,955,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 21,001,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2015 new text end

new text begin Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Educational planning and assessment system (EPAS) program. new text end

new text begin For the educational planning and assessment system program under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.128: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 829,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 0 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2015 new text end

new text begin Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year. new text end

Sec. 21.

new text begin REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION. new text end

new text begin The revisor of statutes shall renumber Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.023, subdivision 2, as Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.021, subdivision 4. The revisor shall make necessary cross-reference changes consistent with the renumbering. new text end

Sec. 22.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin (a) new text end new text begin Minnesota Rules, parts 3501.0505; 3501.0510; 3501.0515; 3501.0520; 3501.0525; 3501.0530; 3501.0535; 3501.0540; 3501.0545; and 3501.0550, new text end new text begin are repealed. new text end

new text begin (b) new text end new text begin Minnesota Rules, parts 3501.0010; 3501.0020; 3501.0030, subparts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16; 3501.0040; 3501.0050; 3501.0060; 3501.0090; 3501.0100; 3501.0110; 3501.0120; 3501.0130; 3501.0140; 3501.0150; 3501.0160; 3501.0170; 3501.0180; 3501.0200; 3501.0210; 3501.0220; 3501.0230; 3501.0240; 3501.0250; 3501.0270; 3501.0280, subparts 1 and 2; 3501.0290; 3501.1000; 3501.1020; 3501.1030; 3501.1040; 3501.1050; 3501.1110; 3501.1120; 3501.1130; 3501.1140; 3501.1150; 3501.1160; 3501.1170; 3501.1180; and 3501.1190, new text end new text begin are repealed. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

ARTICLE 3

EDUCATION EXCELLENCE

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120A.22, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Ages and terms.

(a) Every child between seven and deleted text begin 16deleted text end new text begin 17 new text end years of age must receive instruction new text begin unless the child has graduatednew text end . Every child under the age of seven who is enrolled in a half-day kindergarten, or a full-day kindergarten program on alternate days, or other kindergarten programs shall receive instruction. Except as provided in subdivision 6, a parent may withdraw a child under the age of seven from enrollment at any time.

(b) A school district by annual board action may require children subject to this subdivision to receive instruction in summer school. A district that acts to require children to receive instruction in summer school shall establish at the time of its action the criteria for determining which children must receive instruction.

new text begin (c) A pupil 16 years of age or older who meets the criteria of section 124D.68, subdivision 2, may be assigned to an area learning center. Such assignment may be made only after consultation with the principal, area learning center director, and parent or guardian. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for the 2014-2015 school year and later. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120A.22, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Withdrawal from school.

Any student deleted text begin between 16 and 18deleted text end new text begin who is 17 new text end years old who seeks to withdraw from school, and the student's parent or guardian must:

(1) attend a meeting with school personnel to discuss the educational opportunities available to the student, including alternative educational opportunities; and

(2) sign a written election to withdraw from school.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120A.22, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

Subd. 11.

Assessment of performance.

(a) Each year the performance of every child ages seven through 16 new text begin and every child ages 16 through 17 for which an initial report was filed pursuant to section 120A.24, subdivision 1, after the child is 16 and new text end who is not enrolled in a public school must be assessed using a nationally norm-referenced standardized achievement examination. The superintendent of the district in which the child receives instruction and the person in charge of the child's instruction must agree about the specific examination to be used and the administration and location of the examination.

(b) To the extent the examination in paragraph (a) does not provide assessment in all of the subject areas in subdivision 9, the parent must assess the child's performance in the applicable subject area. This requirement applies only to a parent who provides instruction and does not meet the requirements of subdivision 10, clause (1), (2), or (3).

(c) If the results of the assessments in paragraphs (a) and (b) indicate that the child's performance on the total battery score is at or below the 30th percentile or one grade level below the performance level for children of the same age, the parent must obtain additional evaluation of the child's abilities and performance for the purpose of determining whether the child has learning problems.

(d) A child receiving instruction from a nonpublic school, person, or institution that is accredited by an accrediting agency, recognized according to section 123B.445, or recognized by the commissioner, is exempt from the requirements of this subdivision.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for the 2014-2015 school year and later. new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120A.22, subdivision 12, is amended to read:

Subd. 12.

Legitimate exemptions.

new text begin (a) new text end A parent, guardian, or other person having control of a child may apply to a school district to have the child excused from attendance for the whole or any part of the time school is in session during any school year. Application may be made to any member of the board, a truant officer, a principal, or the superintendent. The school district may state in its school attendance policy that it may ask the student's parent or legal guardian to verify in writing the reason for the child's absence from school. A note from a physician or a licensed mental health professional stating that the child cannot attend school is a valid excuse. The board of the district in which the child resides may approve the application upon the following being demonstrated to the satisfaction of that board:

(1) that the child's physical or mental health is such as to prevent attendance at school or application to study for the period required, which includes:

(i) child illness, medical, dental, orthodontic, or counseling appointments;

(ii) family emergencies;

(iii) the death or serious illness or funeral of an immediate family member;

(iv) active duty in any military branch of the United States;

(v) the child has a condition that requires ongoing treatment for a mental health diagnosis; or

(vi) other exemptions included in the district's school attendance policy;

(2) that the child has already completed state and district standards required for graduation from high school; or

(3) that it is the wish of the parent, guardian, or other person having control of the child, that the child attend for a period or periods not exceeding in the aggregate three hours in any week, a school for religious instruction conducted and maintained by some church, or association of churches, or any Sunday school association incorporated under the laws of this state, or any auxiliary thereof. This school for religious instruction must be conducted and maintained in a place other than a public school building, and it must not, in whole or in part, be conducted and maintained at public expense. However, a child may be absent from school on such days as the child attends upon instruction according to the ordinances of some church.

new text begin (b) Notwithstanding subdivision 6, paragraph (a), a parent may withdraw a child from an all-day, every-day kindergarten program and put their child in a half-day program, if offered, or an alternate-day program without being truant. A school board must excuse a kindergarten child from a part of a school day at the request of the child's parent. new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120A.24, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Reports to superintendent.

(a) The person or nonpublic school in charge of providing instruction to a child must submit to the superintendent of the district in which the child resides the name, birth date, and address of the child; the annual tests intended to be used under section 120A.22, subdivision 11, if required; the name of each instructor; and evidence of compliance with one of the requirements specified in section 120A.22, subdivision 10:

(1) by October 1 of the first school year the child receives instruction after reaching the age of seven;

(2) within 15 days of when a parent withdraws a child from public school after age seven to provide instruction in a nonpublic school that is not accredited by a state-recognized accredited agency;

(3) within 15 days of moving out of a district; and

(4) by October 1 after a new resident district is established.

(b) The person or nonpublic school in charge of providing instruction to a child between the ages of seven and 16 new text begin and every child ages 16 through 17 for which an initial report was filed pursuant to this subdivision after the child is 16 new text end must submit, by October 1 of each school year, a letter of intent to continue to provide instruction under this section for all students under the person's or school's supervision and any changes to the information required in paragraph (a) for each student.

(c) The superintendent may collect the required information under this section through an electronic or Web-based format, but must not require electronic submission of information under this section from the person in charge of reporting under this subdivision.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for the 2014-2015 school year and later. new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 121A.22, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Exclusions.

In addition, this section does not apply to drugs or medicine that are:

(1) purchased without a prescription;

(2) used by a pupil who is 18 years old or older;

(3) used in connection with services for which a minor may give effective consent, including section 144.343, subdivision 1, and any other law;

(4) used in situations in which, in the judgment of the school personnel who are present or available, the risk to the pupil's life or health is of such a nature that drugs or medicine should be given without delay;

(5) used off the school grounds;

(6) used in connection with athletics or extra curricular activities;

(7) used in connection with activities that occur before or after the regular school day;

(8) provided or administered by a public health agency to prevent or control an illness or a disease outbreak as provided for in sections 144.05 and 144.12;

(9) prescription asthma or reactive airway disease medications self-administered by a pupil with an asthma inhaler if the district has received a written authorization from the pupil's parent permitting the pupil to self-administer the medication, the inhaler is properly labeled for that student, and the parent has not requested school personnel to administer the medication to the pupil. The parent must submit written authorization for the pupil to self-administer the medication each school year; or

(10) deleted text begin prescription nonsyringe injectors ofdeleted text end epinephrinenew text begin auto-injectorsnew text end , consistent with section 121A.2205, if the parent and prescribing medical professional annually inform the pupil's school in writing that (i) the pupil may possess the epinephrine or (ii) the pupil is unable to possess the epinephrine and requires immediate access to deleted text begin nonsyringe injectors ofdeleted text end epinephrine new text begin auto-injectors new text end that the parent provides properly labeled to the school for the pupil as needed.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 121A.2205, is amended to read:

121A.2205 POSSESSION AND USE OF deleted text begin NONSYRINGE INJECTORS OFdeleted text end EPINEPHRINEnew text begin AUTO-INJECTORSnew text end ; MODEL POLICY.

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin As used in this section: new text end

new text begin (1) "administer" means the direct application of an epinephrine auto-injector to the body of an individual; new text end

new text begin (2) "epinephrine auto-injector" means a device that automatically injects a premeasured dose of epinephrine; and new text end

new text begin (3) "school" means a public school under section 120A.22, subdivision 4, or a nonpublic school, excluding a home school, under section 120A.22, subdivision 4, that is subject to the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Plan for use of epinephrine auto-injectors. new text end

(a) At the start of each school year or at the time a student enrolls in school, whichever is first, a student's parent, school staff, including those responsible for student health care, and the prescribing medical professional must develop and implement an individualized written health plan for a student who is prescribed deleted text begin nonsyringe injectors ofdeleted text end epinephrine new text begin auto-injectors new text end that enables the student to:

(1) possess deleted text begin nonsyringe injectors ofdeleted text end epinephrinenew text begin auto-injectorsnew text end ; or

(2) if the parent and prescribing medical professional determine the student is unable to possess the epinephrine, have immediate access to deleted text begin nonsyringe injectors ofdeleted text end epinephrine new text begin auto-injectors new text end in close proximity to the student at all times during the instructional day.

The plan must designate the school staff responsible for implementing the student's health plan, including recognizing anaphylaxis and administering deleted text begin nonsyringe injectors ofdeleted text end epinephrine new text begin auto-injectors new text end when required, consistent with section 121A.22, subdivision 2, clause (10). This health plan may be included in a student's 504 plan.

(b) deleted text begin A school under this section is a public school under section 120A.22, subdivision 4, or a nonpublic school, excluding a home school, under section 120A.22, subdivision 4, that is subject to the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.deleted text end Other nonpublic schools are encouraged to develop and implement an individualized written health plan for students requiring deleted text begin nonsyringe injectors ofdeleted text end epinephrinenew text begin auto-injectorsnew text end , consistent with this section and section 121A.22, subdivision 2, clause (10).

(c) A school district and its agents and employees are immune from liability for any act or failure to act, made in good faith, in implementing this section new text begin and section 121A.2207new text end .

(d) The education commissioner may develop and transmit to interested schools a model policy and individualized health plan form consistent with this section and federal 504 plan requirements. The policy and form may:

(1) assess a student's ability to safely possess deleted text begin nonsyringe injectors ofdeleted text end epinephrinenew text begin auto-injectorsnew text end ;

(2) identify staff training needs related to recognizing anaphylaxis and administering epinephrine when needed;

(3) accommodate a student's need to possess or have immediate access to deleted text begin nonsyringe injectors ofdeleted text end epinephrine new text begin auto-injectors new text end in close proximity to the student at all times during the instructional day; and

(4) ensure that the student's parent provides properly labeled deleted text begin nonsyringe injectors of deleted text end epinephrine new text begin auto-injectors new text end to the school for the student as needed.

(e) Additional deleted text begin nonsyringe injectors ofdeleted text end epinephrinenew text begin auto-injectorsnew text end may be available in school first aid kits.

(f) The school board of the school district must define instructional day for the purposes of this section.

Sec. 8.

new text begin [121A.2207] LIFE-THREATENING ALLERGIES IN SCHOOLS; STOCK SUPPLY OF EPINEPHRINE AUTO-INJECTORS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Districts and schools permitted to maintain supply. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding section 151.37, districts and schools may obtain and possess epinephrine auto-injectors to be maintained and administered by school personnel to a student or other individual if, in good faith, it is determined that person is experiencing anaphylaxis regardless of whether the student or other individual has a prescription for an epinephrine auto-injector. The administration of an epinephrine auto-injector in accordance with this section is not the practice of medicine. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Arrangements with manufacturers. new text end

new text begin A district or school may enter into arrangements with manufacturers of epinephrine auto-injectors to obtain epinephrine auto-injectors at fair-market, free, or reduced prices. A third party, other than a manufacturer or supplier, may pay for a school's supply of epinephrine auto-injectors. new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 121A.39, is amended to read:

121A.39 SCHOOL COUNSELORS.

new text begin (a) new text end A school district is strongly encouraged to have an adequate student-to-counselor ratio for its students beginning in the 2015-2016 school year and later.

new text begin (b) A school counselor shall assist a student in meeting the requirements for high school graduation, college and career exploration, and selection, college affordability planning, and successful transitions into postsecondary education or training. new text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 122A.09, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

License and rules.

(a) The board must adopt rules to license public school teachers and interns subject to chapter 14.

(b) The board must adopt rules requiring a person to pass a skills examination in reading, writing, and mathematics as a requirement for initial teacher licensurenew text begin , except that the board may issue up to two additional temporary, one-year teaching licenses to an otherwise qualified candidate who has not yet passed the skills examnew text end . Such rules must require college and universities offering a board-approved teacher preparation program to provide remedial assistance to persons who did not achieve a qualifying score on the skills examination, including those for whom English is a second language.

(c) The board must adopt rules to approve teacher preparation programs. The board, upon the request of a postsecondary student preparing for teacher licensure or a licensed graduate of a teacher preparation program, shall assist in resolving a dispute between the person and a postsecondary institution providing a teacher preparation program when the dispute involves an institution's recommendation for licensure affecting the person or the person's credentials. At the board's discretion, assistance may include the application of chapter 14.

(d) The board must provide the leadership and adopt rules for the redesign of teacher education programs to implement a research based, results-oriented curriculum that focuses on the skills teachers need in order to be effective. The board shall implement new systems of teacher preparation program evaluation to assure program effectiveness based on proficiency of graduates in demonstrating attainment of program outcomes. Teacher preparation programs including alternative teacher preparation programs under section 122A.245, among other programs, must include a content-specific, board-approved, performance-based assessment that measures teacher candidates in three areas: planning for instruction and assessment; engaging students and supporting learning; and assessing student learning.

(e) The board must adopt rules requiring candidates for initial licenses to pass an examination of general pedagogical knowledge and examinations of licensure-specific teaching skills. The rules shall be effective by September 1, 2001. The rules under this paragraph also must require candidates for initial licenses to teach prekindergarten or elementary students to pass, as part of the examination of licensure-specific teaching skills, test items assessing the candidates' knowledge, skill, and ability in comprehensive, scientifically based reading instruction under section 122A.06, subdivision 4, and their knowledge and understanding of the foundations of reading development, the development of reading comprehension, and reading assessment and instruction, and their ability to integrate that knowledge and understanding.

(f) The board must adopt rules requiring teacher educators to work directly with elementary or secondary school teachers in elementary or secondary schools to obtain periodic exposure to the elementary or secondary teaching environment.

(g) The board must grant licenses to interns and to candidates for initial licenses based on appropriate professional competencies that are aligned with the board's licensing system and students' diverse learning needs. The board must include these licenses in a statewide differentiated licensing system that creates new leadership roles for successful experienced teachers premised on a collaborative professional culture dedicated to meeting students' diverse learning needs in the 21st century and formalizes mentoring and induction for newly licensed teachers that is provided through a teacher support framework.

(h) The board must design and implement an assessment system which requires a candidate for an initial license and first continuing license to demonstrate the abilities necessary to perform selected, representative teaching tasks at appropriate levels.

(i) The board must receive recommendations from local committees as established by the board for the renewal of teaching licenses.

(j) The board must grant life licenses to those who qualify according to requirements established by the board, and suspend or revoke licenses pursuant to sections 122A.20 and 214.10. The board must not establish any expiration date for application for life licenses.

(k) The board must adopt rules that require all licensed teachers who are renewing their continuing license to include in their renewal requirements further preparation in the areas of using positive behavior interventions and in accommodating, modifying, and adapting curricula, materials, and strategies to appropriately meet the needs of individual students and ensure adequate progress toward the state's graduation rule.

(l) In adopting rules to license public school teachers who provide health-related services for disabled children, the board shall adopt rules consistent with license or registration requirements of the commissioner of health and the health-related boards who license personnel who perform similar services outside of the school.

(m) The board must adopt rules that require all licensed teachers who are renewing their continuing license to include in their renewal requirements further reading preparation, consistent with section 122A.06, subdivision 4. The rules do not take effect until they are approved by law. Teachers who do not provide direct instruction including, at least, counselors, school psychologists, school nurses, school social workers, audiovisual directors and coordinators, and recreation personnel are exempt from this section.

(n) The board must adopt rules that require all licensed teachers who are renewing their continuing license to include in their renewal requirements further preparationnew text begin , first,new text end in understanding the key warning signs of early-onset mental illness in children and adolescentsnew text begin and then, during subsequent licensure renewal periods, preparation may include providing a more in-depth understanding of students' mental illness trauma, accommodations for students' mental illness, parents' role in addressing students' mental illness, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, autism, the requirements of section 125A.0942 governing restrictive procedures, and de-escalation methods, among other similar topicsnew text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin Paragraph (b) is effective the day following final enactment. Paragraph (n) is effective August 1, 2014. new text end

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 122A.18, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Teacher and support personnel qualifications.

(a) The Board of Teaching must issue licenses under its jurisdiction to persons the board finds to be qualified and competent for their respective positions.

(b) The board must require a person to pass an examination of skills in reading, writing, and mathematics before being granted an initial teaching license to provide direct instruction to pupils in prekindergarten, elementary, secondary, or special education programsnew text begin , except that the board may issue up to two additional temporary, one-year teaching licenses to an otherwise qualified candidate who has not yet passed the skills examnew text end . The board must require colleges and universities offering a board approved teacher preparation program to deleted text begin providedeleted text end new text begin make available upon requestnew text end remedial assistance that includes a formal diagnostic component to persons enrolled in their institution who did not achieve a qualifying score on the skills examination, including those for whom English is a second language. The colleges and universities must deleted text begin providedeleted text end new text begin make availablenew text end assistance in the specific academic areas of deficiency in which the person did not achieve a qualifying score. new text begin School districts may make available upon request similar, appropriate, and timely remedial assistance that includes a formal diagnostic component to those persons employed by the district who completed their teacher education program, who did not achieve a qualifying score on the skills examination, including those persons for whom English is a second language and persons under section 122A.23, subdivision 2, paragraph (h), who completed their teacher's education program outside the state of Minnesota, and who received a temporary license to teach in Minnesota. new text end The Board of Teaching shall report annually to the education committees of the legislature on the total number of teacher candidates during the most recent school year taking the skills examination, the number who achieve a qualifying score on the examination, the number who do not achieve a qualifying score on the examination, the distribution of all candidates' scores, the number of candidates who have taken the examination at least once before, and the number of candidates who have taken the examination at least once before and achieve a qualifying score.

(c) The Board of Teaching must grant continuing licenses only to those persons who have met board criteria for granting a continuing license, which includes passing the skills examination in reading, writing, and mathematicsnew text begin consistent with paragraph (b) and section 122A.09, subdivision 4, paragraph (b)new text end .

(d) All colleges and universities approved by the board of teaching to prepare persons for teacher licensure must include in their teacher preparation programs a common core of teaching knowledge and skills to be acquired by all persons recommended for teacher licensure. This common core shall meet the standards developed by the interstate new teacher assessment and support consortium in its 1992 "model standards for beginning teacher licensing and development." Amendments to standards adopted under this paragraph are covered by chapter 14. The board of teaching shall report annually to the education committees of the legislature on the performance of teacher candidates on common core assessments of knowledge and skills under this paragraph during the most recent school year.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 122A.23, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Applicants licensed in other states.

(a) Subject to the requirements of sections 122A.18, subdivision 8, and 123B.03, the Board of Teaching must issue a teaching license or a temporary teaching license under paragraphs (b) to (e) to an applicant who holds at least a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university and holds or held a similar out-of-state teaching license that requires the applicant to successfully complete a teacher preparation program approved by the issuing state, which includes field-specific teaching methods and student teaching or essentially equivalent experience.

(b) The Board of Teaching must issue a teaching license to an applicant who:

(1) successfully completed all exams and human relations preparation components required by the Board of Teaching; and

(2) holds or held an out-of-state teaching license to teach the same content field and grade levels if the scope of the out-of-state license is no more than one grade level less than a similar Minnesota license.

(c) The Board of Teaching, consistent with board rules and paragraph (h), must issue up to three one-year temporary teaching licenses to an applicant who holds or held an out-of-state teaching license to teach the same content field and grade levels, where the scope of the out-of-state license is no more than one grade level less than a similar Minnesota license, but has not successfully completed all exams and human relations preparation components required by the Board of Teaching.

(d) The Board of Teaching, consistent with board rules, must issue up to three one-year temporary teaching licenses to an applicant who:

(1) successfully completed all exams and human relations preparation components required by the Board of Teaching; and

(2) holds or held an out-of-state teaching license to teach the same content field and grade levels, where the scope of the out-of-state license is no more than one grade level less than a similar Minnesota license, but has not completed field-specific teaching methods or student teaching or equivalent experience.

The applicant may complete field-specific teaching methods and student teaching or equivalent experience by successfully participating in a one-year school district mentorship program consistent with board-adopted standards of effective practice and Minnesota graduation requirements.

(e) The Board of Teaching must issue a temporary teaching license for a term of up to three years only in the content field or grade levels specified in the out-of-state license to an applicant who:

(1) successfully completed all exams and human relations preparation components required by the Board of Teaching; and

(2) holds or held an out-of-state teaching license where the out-of-state license is more limited in the content field or grade levels than a similar Minnesota license.

(f) The Board of Teaching must not issue to an applicant more than three one-year temporary teaching licenses under this subdivision.

(g) The Board of Teaching must not issue a license under this subdivision if the applicant has not attained the additional degrees, credentials, or licenses required in a particular licensure field.

(h) The Board of Teaching must require an applicant for a teaching license or a temporary teaching license under this subdivision to pass a skills examination in reading, writing, and mathematics before the board issues the license.new text begin Consistent with section 122A.18, subdivision 2, paragraph (b), and notwithstanding other provisions of this subdivision, the board may issue up to two additional temporary, one-year teaching licenses to an otherwise qualified applicant who has not yet passed the skills exam.new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 122A.28, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

K-12 license to teach deaf and hard-of-hearing studentsnew text begin ; relicensurenew text end .

new text begin (a) new text end The Board of Teaching must review and determine appropriate licensure requirements for a candidate for a license or an applicant for a continuing license to teach deaf and hard-of-hearing students in prekindergarten through grade 12. In addition to other requirements, a candidate must demonstrate the minimum level of proficiency in American sign language as determined by the board.

new text begin (b) Among other relicensure requirements, each teacher under this section must complete 30 continuing education clock hours on hearing loss topics, including American Sign Language, American Sign Language linguistics, or deaf culture, in each licensure renewal period. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 122A.33, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Notice of nonrenewal; opportunity to respond.

A school board that declines to renew the coaching contract of a licensed or nonlicensed head varsity coach must notify the coach within 14 days of that decision. If the coach requests reasons for not renewing the coaching contract, the board must give the coach its reasons in writing within ten days of receiving the request. new text begin The existence of parent complaints must not be the sole reason for a board not to renew a coaching contract. new text end Upon request, the board must provide the coach with a reasonable opportunity to respond to the reasons at a board meeting. The hearing may be opened or closed at the election of the coach unless the board closes the meeting under section 13D.05, subdivision 2, to discuss private data.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 122A.40, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Development, evaluation, and peer coaching for continuing contract teachers.

(a) To improve student learning and success, a school board and an exclusive representative of the teachers in the district, consistent with paragraph (b), may develop a teacher evaluation and peer review process for probationary and continuing contract teachers through joint agreement. If a school board and the exclusive representative of the teachers do not agree to an annual teacher evaluation and peer review process, then the school board and the exclusive representative of the teachers must implement the plan for evaluation and review under paragraph (c). The process must include having trained observers serve as peer coaches or having teachers participate in professional learning communities, consistent with paragraph (b).

(b) To develop, improve, and support qualified teachers and effective teaching practices and improve student learning and success, the annual evaluation process for teachers:

(1) must, for probationary teachers, provide for all evaluations required under subdivision 5;

(2) must establish a three-year professional review cycle for each teacher that includes an individual growth and development plan, a peer review process, the opportunity to participate in a professional learning community under paragraph (a), and at least one summative evaluation performed by a qualified and trained evaluator such as a school administrator. For the years when a tenured teacher is not evaluated by a qualified and trained evaluator, the teacher must be evaluated by a peer review;

(3) must be based on professional teaching standards established in rule;

(4) must coordinate staff development activities under sections 122A.60 and 122A.61 with this evaluation process and teachers' evaluation outcomes;

(5) may provide time during the school day and school year for peer coaching and teacher collaboration;

(6) may include mentoring and induction programs;

(7) must include an option for teachers to develop and present a portfolio demonstrating evidence of reflection and professional growth, consistent with section 122A.18, subdivision 4, paragraph (b), and include teachers' own performance assessment based on student work samples and examples of teachers' work, which may include video among other activities for the summative evaluation;

(8) deleted text begin must use an agreed upon teacher value-added assessment model for the grade levels and subject areas for which value-added data are available and establish state or local measures of student growth for the grade levels and subject areas for which value-added data are not available as a basis for 35 percent of teacher evaluation resultsdeleted text end new text begin must use data from valid and reliable assessments aligned to state and local academic standards and must use state and local measures of student growth that may include value-added models or student learning goals to determine 35 percent of teacher evaluation resultsnew text end ;

(9) must use longitudinal data on student engagement and connection, and other student outcome measures explicitly aligned with the elements of curriculum for which teachers are responsible;

(10) must require qualified and trained evaluators such as school administrators to perform summative evaluations;

(11) must give teachers not meeting professional teaching standards under clauses (3) through (10) support to improve through a teacher improvement process that includes established goals and timelines; and

(12) must discipline a teacher for not making adequate progress in the teacher improvement process under clause (11) that may include a last chance warning, termination, discharge, nonrenewal, transfer to a different position, a leave of absence, or other discipline a school administrator determines is appropriate.

Data on individual teachers generated under this subdivision are personnel data under section 13.43.

(c) The department, in consultation with parents who may represent parent organizations and teacher and administrator representatives appointed by their respective organizations, representing the Board of Teaching, the Minnesota Association of School Administrators, the Minnesota School Boards Association, the Minnesota Elementary and Secondary Principals Associations, Education Minnesota, and representatives of the Minnesota Assessment Group, the Minnesota Business Partnership, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, and Minnesota postsecondary institutions with research expertise in teacher evaluation, must create and publish a teacher evaluation process that complies with the requirements in paragraph (b) and applies to all teachers under this section and section 122A.41 for whom no agreement exists under paragraph (a) for an annual teacher evaluation and peer review process. The teacher evaluation process created under this subdivision does not create additional due process rights for probationary teachers under subdivision 5.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 122A.41, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Development, evaluation, and peer coaching for continuing contract teachers.

(a) To improve student learning and success, a school board and an exclusive representative of the teachers in the district, consistent with paragraph (b), may develop an annual teacher evaluation and peer review process for probationary and nonprobationary teachers through joint agreement. If a school board and the exclusive representative of the teachers in the district do not agree to an annual teacher evaluation and peer review process, then the school board and the exclusive representative of the teachers must implement the plan for evaluation and review developed under paragraph (c). The process must include having trained observers serve as peer coaches or having teachers participate in professional learning communities, consistent with paragraph (b).

(b) To develop, improve, and support qualified teachers and effective teaching practices and improve student learning and success, the annual evaluation process for teachers:

(1) must, for probationary teachers, provide for all evaluations required under subdivision 2;

(2) must establish a three-year professional review cycle for each teacher that includes an individual growth and development plan, a peer review process, the opportunity to participate in a professional learning community under paragraph (a), and at least one summative evaluation performed by a qualified and trained evaluator such as a school administrator;

(3) must be based on professional teaching standards established in rule;

(4) must coordinate staff development activities under sections 122A.60 and 122A.61 with this evaluation process and teachers' evaluation outcomes;

(5) may provide time during the school day and school year for peer coaching and teacher collaboration;

(6) may include mentoring and induction programs;

(7) must include an option for teachers to develop and present a portfolio demonstrating evidence of reflection and professional growth, consistent with section 122A.18, subdivision 4, paragraph (b), and include teachers' own performance assessment based on student work samples and examples of teachers' work, which may include video among other activities for the summative evaluation;

(8) deleted text begin must use an agreed upon teacher value-added assessment model for the grade levels and subject areas for which value-added data are available and establish state or local measures of student growth for the grade levels and subject areas for which value-added data are not available as a basis for 35 percent of teacher evaluation resultsdeleted text end new text begin must use data from valid and reliable assessments aligned to state and local academic standards and must use state and local measures of student growth that may include value-added models or student learning goals to determine 35 percent of teacher evaluation resultsnew text end ;

(9) must use longitudinal data on student engagement and connection and other student outcome measures explicitly aligned with the elements of curriculum for which teachers are responsible;

(10) must require qualified and trained evaluators such as school administrators to perform summative evaluations;

(11) must give teachers not meeting professional teaching standards under clauses (3) through (10) support to improve through a teacher improvement process that includes established goals and timelines; and

(12) must discipline a teacher for not making adequate progress in the teacher improvement process under clause (11) that may include a last chance warning, termination, discharge, nonrenewal, transfer to a different position, a leave of absence, or other discipline a school administrator determines is appropriate.

Data on individual teachers generated under this subdivision are personnel data under section 13.43.

(c) The department, in consultation with parents who may represent parent organizations and teacher and administrator representatives appointed by their respective organizations, representing the Board of Teaching, the Minnesota Association of School Administrators, the Minnesota School Boards Association, the Minnesota Elementary and Secondary Principals Associations, Education Minnesota, and representatives of the Minnesota Assessment Group, the Minnesota Business Partnership, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, and Minnesota postsecondary institutions with research expertise in teacher evaluation, must create and publish a teacher evaluation process that complies with the requirements in paragraph (b) and applies to all teachers under this section and section 122A.40 for whom no agreement exists under paragraph (a) for an annual teacher evaluation and peer review process. The teacher evaluation process created under this subdivision does not create additional due process rights for probationary teachers under subdivision 2.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 122A.415, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Basic alternative teacher compensation aid. new text end

new text begin (a) For fiscal year 2015 and later, the basic alternative teacher compensation aid for a school with a plan approved under section 122A.414, subdivision 2b, equals 65 percent of the alternative teacher compensation revenue under subdivision 1. The basic alternative teacher compensation aid for an intermediate school district or charter school with a plan approved under section 122A.414, subdivisions 2a and 2b, if the recipient is a charter school, equals $260 times the number of pupils enrolled in the school on October 1 of the previous year, or on October 1 of the current year for a charter school in the first year of operation, times the ratio of the sum of the alternative teacher compensation aid and alternative teacher compensation levy for all participating school districts to the maximum alternative teacher compensation revenue for those districts under subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) and subdivision 1, the state total basic alternative teacher compensation aid entitlement must not exceed $75,636,000 for fiscal year 2015 and later. The commissioner must limit the amount of alternative teacher compensation aid approved under this section so as not to exceed these limits. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 122A.415, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Alternative teacher compensation levy. new text end

new text begin For fiscal year 2015 and later, the alternative teacher compensation levy for a district receiving basic alternative teacher compensation aid equals the product of (1) the difference between the district's alternative teacher compensation revenue and the district's basic alternative teacher compensation aid, times (2) the lesser of one or the ratio of the district's adjusted net tax capacity per adjusted pupil unit to $6,100. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 122A.415, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Alternative teacher compensation equalization aid. new text end

new text begin (a) For fiscal year 2015 and later, a district's alternative teacher compensation equalization aid equals the district's alternative teacher compensation revenue minus the district's basic alternative teacher compensation aid minus the district's alternative teacher compensation levy. If a district does not levy the entire amount permitted, the alternative teacher compensation equalization aid must be reduced in proportion to the actual amount levied. new text end

new text begin (b) A district's alternative teacher compensation aid equals the sum of the district's basic alternative teacher compensation aid and the district's alternative teacher compensation equalization aid. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 122A.61, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Staff development revenue.

A district is required to reserve an amount equal to at least two percent of the basic revenue under section 126C.10, subdivision 2, for in-service education for programs under section 120B.22, subdivision 2, for staff development plans, including plans for challenging instructional activities and experiences under section 122A.60, and for curriculum development and programs, other in-service education,new text begin teachers' evaluation,new text end teachers' workshops, teacher conferences, the cost of substitute teachers staff development purposes, preservice and in-service education for special education professionals and paraprofessionals, and other related costs for staff development efforts. A district may annually waive the requirement to reserve their basic revenue under this section if a majority vote of the licensed teachers in the district and a majority vote of the school board agree to a resolution to waive the requirement. A district in statutory operating debt is exempt from reserving basic revenue according to this section. Districts may expend an additional amount of unreserved revenue for staff development based on their needs.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 21.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 124D.03, subdivision 12, is amended to read:

Subd. 12.

Termination of enrollment.

A district may terminate the enrollment of a nonresident student enrolled under this section or section 124D.08 at the end of a school year if the student meets the definition of a habitual truant under section 260C.007, subdivision 19, the student has been provided appropriate services under chapter 260A, and the student's case has been referred to juvenile court. A district may also terminate the enrollment of a nonresident student over the age of deleted text begin 16deleted text end new text begin 17new text end enrolled under this section if the student is absent without lawful excuse for one or more periods on 15 school days and has not lawfully withdrawn from school under section 120A.22, subdivision 8.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for the 2014-2015 school year and later. new text end

Sec. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 124D.095, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10.

Online new text begin and Digital new text end Learning Advisory Council.

(a) An Online new text begin and Digital new text end Learning Advisory Council is established. The term for each council member shall be three years. The advisory council is composed of deleted text begin 12deleted text end new text begin 14 new text end members from throughout the state who have demonstrated experience with or interest in online learning. new text begin Two members of the council must represent technology business. The remaining membership must represent the following interests:new text end

new text begin (1) superintendents; new text end

new text begin (2) special education specialists; new text end

new text begin (3) technology directors; new text end

new text begin (4) teachers; new text end

new text begin (5) rural, urban, and suburban school districts; new text end

new text begin (6) supplemental programs; new text end

new text begin (7) full-time programs; new text end

new text begin (8) consortia; new text end

new text begin (9) charter schools; new text end

new text begin (10) Board of Teaching-approved teacher preparation programs; and new text end

new text begin (11) parents. new text end

The members of the council shall be appointed by the commissioner.

new text begin (b) new text end The advisory council shall bring to the attention of the commissioner new text begin and the legislature new text end any matters related to online new text begin and digital new text end learning deleted text begin anddeleted text end new text begin . The advisory council shallnew text end provide input to the department new text begin and the legislature new text end in new text begin online learning new text end 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.

deleted text begin (b) By June 30, 2013,deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end The deleted text begin Online Learningdeleted text end advisory council with the support of the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Learning Commons shall:

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

(i) indexing of Minnesota academic standards with which curriculum is aligned;

(ii) a method for student and teacher users to provide evaluative feedback; and

(iii) a plan for ongoing maintenance; and

(2) recommend methods for including student performance data on the digital learning content within the catalog.

new text begin (d) The advisory council shall also consider and provide input to the department and legislature on digital learning matters including, but not limited to: new text end

new text begin (1) a review and approval process to ensure the quality of online learning providers based on teacher qualifications, support for special education services, definitions of student attendance, program design, and equal access; new text end

new text begin (2) effective use of technology and related instructional strategies to improve student outcomes and advance students' 21st century skills and knowledge; new text end

new text begin (3) measures to determine the impact of various forms of online and digital learning in and outside of the classroom; new text end

new text begin (4) resources to help parents, students, and schools choose among enrollment options in a transparent education system; new text end

new text begin (5) how to personalize or differentiate learning to meet the needs, abilities, and learning styles of each student and support students' ownership of their learning so that all students are digital learners and have access to high-quality digital curriculum in every class and grade level; new text end

new text begin (6) professional development in best practices to prepare current and future teachers, other education leaders, and other school staff to use and evaluate the effectiveness of digital tools and instructional strategies, provide personalized or differentiated instruction, and focus on competency-based learning and advancement so that all educators have a digital presence and use high-quality digital curriculum; new text end

new text begin (7) support for collaborative efforts to leverage resources for digital instructional content and curriculum; and new text end

new text begin (8) barriers to improving the use of classroom technology and methods to ensure that each student has access to a digital device and high-speed Internet at school and at home. new text end

new text begin (e) The advisory council shall make policy recommendations to the commissioner and committees of the legislature having jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education annually by December 15 of each year, including implementation plans based on recommendations from previous councils and task forces related to online and digital learning. new text end

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (f) new text end The Online new text begin and Digitalnew text end Learning Advisory Council under this subdivision expires June 30, deleted text begin 2013deleted text end new text begin 2016new text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 23.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 124D.122, is amended to read:

124D.122 ESTABLISHMENT OF FLEXIBLE LEARNING YEAR PROGRAM.

The board of any districtnew text begin or a consortium of districtsnew text end , with the approval of the commissioner, may establish and operate a flexible learning year program in one or more of the day or residential facilities for children with a disability within the district.new text begin Consortiums may use a single application and evaluation process, though results, public hearings, and board approvals must be obtained for each district as required under appropriate sections.new text end

Sec. 24.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 124D.42, is amended to read:

124D.42 READING new text begin AND MATH new text end CORPS.

Subd. 6.

Program training.

The commission must, within available resources:

(1) orient each grantee organization in the nature, philosophy, and purpose of the program;

(2) build an ethic of community service through general community service training; and

(3) provide guidance on integrating programmatic-based measurement into program models.

Subd. 8.

Minnesota reading corps program.

(a) A Minnesota reading corps program is established to provide ServeMinnesota deleted text begin Innovationdeleted text end new text begin AmeriCorpsnew text end members with a data-based problem-solving model of literacy instruction to use in helping to train local Head Start program providers, other prekindergarten program providers, and staff in schools with students in kindergarten through grade 3 to evaluate and teach early literacy skills, including comprehensive, scientifically based reading instruction under section 122A.06, subdivision 4, to children age 3 to grade 3.

(b) Literacy programs under this subdivision must comply with the provisions governing literacy program goals and data use under section 119A.50, subdivision 3, paragraph (b).

(c) The commission must submit a biennial report to the committees of the legislature with jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education that records and evaluates program data to determine the efficacy of the programs under this subdivision.

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Minnesota math corps program. new text end

new text begin (a) A Minnesota math corps program is established to give ServeMinnesota AmeriCorps members a data-based problem-solving model of mathematics instruction useful for providing elementary and middle school students and their teachers with instructional support to meet state academic standards in mathematics. new text end

new text begin (b) The commission must submit a biennial report to the committees of the legislature with jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education that records and evaluates program data to determine the efficacy of the programs under this subdivision. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 25.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 124D.65, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

School district EL revenue.

(a) A district's English learner programs revenue equals the product of (1) deleted text begin $700 in fiscal year 2004 and laterdeleted text end new text begin $704new text end times (2) the greater of 20 or the adjusted deleted text begin marginal costdeleted text end average daily membership of eligible English learners enrolled in the district during the current fiscal year.

(b) A pupil ceases to generate state English learner aid in the school year following the school year in which the pupil attains the state cutoff score on a commissioner-provided assessment that measures the pupil's emerging academic English.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 26.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 124D.79, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Community involvement.

The commissioner must provide for the maximum involvement of the state committees on American Indian education, parents of American Indian children, secondary students eligible to be served, American Indian language and culture education teachers, American Indian teachers, teachers' aides, representatives of community groups, and persons knowledgeable in the field of American Indian education, in the formulation of policy and procedures relating to the administration of sections 124D.71 to 124D.82.new text begin The commissioner must annually hold a field hearing on Indian education to gather input from American Indian educators, parents, and students on the state of American Indian education in Minnesota. Results of the hearing must be made available to all 11 tribal nations for review and comment.new text end

Sec. 27.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 124D.79, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Consultation with the tribal nations education committee. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall seek consultation with the Tribal Nations Education Committee on all issues relating to American Indian education including: new text end

new text begin (1) administration of the commissioner's duties under sections 124D.71 to 124D.82 and other programs; new text end

new text begin (2) administration of other programs for the education of American Indian people, as determined by the commissioner; new text end

new text begin (3) awarding of scholarships to eligible American Indian students; new text end

new text begin (4) administration of the commissioner's duties regarding awarding of American Indian postsecondary preparation grants to school districts; and new text end

new text begin (5) recommendations of education policy changes for American Indians. new text end

new text begin (b) Membership in the Tribal Nations Education Committee is the sole discretion of the committee and nothing in this subdivision gives the commissioner authority to dictate committee membership. new text end

Sec. 28.

new text begin [124D.791] INDIAN EDUCATION DIRECTOR. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Appointment. new text end

new text begin An Indian education director shall be appointed by the commissioner. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Qualifications. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall select the Indian education director on the basis of outstanding professional qualifications and knowledge of American Indian education, culture, practices, and beliefs. The Indian education director serves in the unclassified service. The commissioner may remove the Indian education director for cause. The commissioner is encouraged to seek qualified applicants who are enrolled members of a tribe. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Compensation. new text end

new text begin Compensation of the Indian education director shall be established under chapter 15A. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Duties; powers. new text end

new text begin The Indian education director shall: new text end

new text begin (1) serve as the liaison for the department with the Tribal Nations Education Committee, the 11 reservations, the Minnesota Chippewa tribe, the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, and the urban advisory council; new text end

new text begin (2) evaluate the state of American Indian education in Minnesota; new text end

new text begin (3) engage the tribal bodies, community groups, parents of children eligible to be served by American Indian education programs, American Indian administrators and teachers, persons experienced in the training of teachers for American Indian education programs, the tribally controlled schools, and other persons knowledgeable in the field of American Indian education and seek their advice on policies that can improve the quality of American Indian education; new text end

new text begin (4) advise the commissioner on American Indian education issues, including: new text end

new text begin (i) issues facing American Indian students; new text end

new text begin (ii) policies for American Indian education; new text end

new text begin (iii) awarding scholarships to eligible American Indian students and in administering the commissioner's duties regarding awarding of American Indian postsecondary preparation grants to school districts; and new text end

new text begin (iv) administration of the commissioner's duties under sections 124D.71 to 124D.82 and other programs for the education of American Indian people; new text end

new text begin (5) propose to the commissioner legislative changes that will improve the quality of American Indian education; new text end

new text begin (6) develop a strategic plan and a long-term framework for American Indian education, in conjunction with the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, that is updated every five years and implemented by the commissioner, with goals to: new text end

new text begin (i) increase American Indian student achievement, including increased levels of proficiency and growth on statewide accountability assessments; new text end

new text begin (ii) increase the number of American Indian teachers in public schools; new text end

new text begin (iii) close the achievement gap between American Indian students and their more advantaged peers; new text end

new text begin (iv) increase the statewide graduation rate for American Indian students; and new text end

new text begin (v) increase American Indian student placement in postsecondary programs and the workforce; and new text end

new text begin (7) keep the American Indian community informed about the work of the department by reporting to the Tribal Nations Education Committee at each committee meeting. new text end

Sec. 29.

new text begin [124D.861] ACHIEVEMENT AND INTEGRATION FOR MINNESOTA. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Program to close the academic achievement and opportunity gap; revenue uses. new text end

new text begin (a) The "Achievement and Integration for Minnesota" program is established to pursue racial and economic integration and increase student academic achievement, create equitable educational opportunities, and reduce academic disparities based on students' diverse racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds in Minnesota public schools. new text end

new text begin (b) For purposes of this section and section 124D.862, "eligible district" means a district required to submit a plan to the commissioner under Minnesota Rules governing school desegregation and integration, or be a member of a multidistrict integration collaborative that files a plan with the commissioner. new text end

new text begin (c) Eligible districts must use the revenue under section 124D.862 to pursue academic achievement and racial and economic integration through: (1) integrated learning environments that prepare all students to be effective citizens and enhance social cohesion; (2) policies and curricula and trained instructors, administrators, school counselors, and other advocates to support and enhance integrated learning environments under this section, including through magnet schools, innovative, research-based instruction, differentiated instruction, and targeted interventions to improve achievement; and (3) rigorous, career and college readiness programs for underserved student populations, consistent with section 120B.30, subdivision 1; integrated learning environments to increase student academic achievement; cultural fluency, competency, and interaction; graduation and educational attainment rates; and parent involvement. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Plan implementation; components. new text end

new text begin (a) The school board of each eligible district must formally develop and implement a long-term plan under this section. The plan must be incorporated into the district's comprehensive strategic plan under section 120B.11. Plan components may include: innovative and integrated prekindergarten through grade 12 learning environments that offer students school enrollment choices; family engagement initiatives that involve families in their students' academic life and success; professional development opportunities for teachers and administrators focused on improving the academic achievement of all students; increased programmatic opportunities focused on rigor and college and career readiness for underserved students, including students enrolled in alternative learning centers under section 123A.05, public alternative programs under section 126C.05, subdivision 15, and contract alternative programs under section 124D.69, among other underserved students; or recruitment and retention of teachers and administrators with diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. The plan must contain goals for: (1) reducing the disparities in academic achievement among all students and specific categories of students under section 120B.35, subdivision 3, paragraph (b), excluding the student categories of gender, disability, and English learners; and (2) increasing racial and economic integration in schools and districts. new text end

new text begin (b) Among other requirements, an eligible district must implement effective, research-based interventions that include formative assessment practices to reduce the disparities in student academic performance among the specific categories of students as measured by student progress and growth on state reading and math assessments and as aligned with section 120B.11. new text end

new text begin (c) Eligible districts must create efficiencies and eliminate duplicative programs and services under this section, which may include forming collaborations or a single, seven-county metropolitan areawide partnership of eligible districts for this purpose. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Public engagement; progress report and budget process. new text end

new text begin (a) To receive revenue under section 124D.862, the school board of an eligible district must incorporate school and district plan components under section 120B.11 into the district's comprehensive integration plan. new text end

new text begin (b) A school board must hold at least one formal annual hearing to publicly report its progress in realizing the goals identified in its plan. At the hearing, the board must provide the public with longitudinal data demonstrating district and school progress in reducing the disparities in student academic performance among the specified categories of students and in realizing racial and economic integration, consistent with the district plan and the measures in paragraph (a). At least 30 days before the formal hearing under this paragraph, the board must post its plan, its preliminary analysis, relevant student performance data, and other longitudinal data on the district Web site. A district must hold one hearing to meet the hearing requirements of both this section and section 120B.11 new text end

new text begin (c) The district must submit a detailed budget to the commissioner by March 15 in the year before it implements its plan. The commissioner must review, and approve or disapprove the district's budget by June 1 of that year. new text end

new text begin (d) The longitudinal data required under paragraph (a) must be based on student growth and progress in reading and mathematics, as defined under section 120B.30, subdivision 1, and student performance data and achievement reports from fully adaptive reading and mathematics assessments for grades 3 through 7 beginning in the 2015-2016 school year under section 120B.30, subdivision 1a, and either (i) school enrollment choices, (ii) the number of world language proficiency or high achievement certificates awarded under section 120B.022, subdivision 1, paragraphs (b) and (c), or (iii) school safety and students' engagement and connection at school under section 120B.35, subdivision 3, paragraph (d). Additional longitudinal data may be based on: students' progress toward career and college readiness under section 120B.30, subdivision 1; or rigorous coursework completed under section 120B.35, subdivision 3, paragraph (c), clause (2). new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Timeline and implementation. new text end

new text begin A board must approve its plan and submit it to the department by March 15. If a district that is part of a multidistrict council applies for revenue for a plan, the individual district shall not receive revenue unless it ratifies the plan adopted by the multidistrict council. Each plan has a term of three years. For the 2014-15 school year, an eligible district under this section must submit its plan to the commissioner for review by March 15, 2014. For the 2013-14 school year only, an eligible district may continue to implement its current plan until the commissioner approves a new plan under this section. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Evaluation. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must evaluate the efficacy of district plans in reducing the disparities in student academic performance among the specified categories of students within the district, and in realizing racial and economic integration. The commissioner shall report evaluation results to the kindergarten through grade 12 education committees of the legislature by February 1 of every odd-numbered year. new text end

Sec. 30.

new text begin [124D.862] ACHIEVEMENT AND INTEGRATION REVENUE. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Initial achievement and integration revenue. new text end

new text begin (a) An eligible district's initial achievement and integration revenue equals the sum of (1) $350 times the district's adjusted pupil units for that year times the ratio of the district's enrollment of protected students for the previous school year to total enrollment for the previous school year and (2) the greater of zero or 66 percent of the difference between the district's integration revenue for fiscal year 2013 and the district's integration revenue for fiscal year 2014 under clause (1). new text end

new text begin (b) In each year, 0.3 percent of each district's initial achievement and integration revenue is transferred to the department for the oversight and accountability activities required under this section and section 124D.861. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Incentive revenue. new text end

new text begin An eligible school district's maximum incentive revenue equals $10 per adjusted pupil unit. In order to receive this revenue, a district must be implementing a voluntary plan to reduce racial and economic enrollment disparities through intradistrict and interdistrict activities that have been approved as a part of the district's achievement and integration plan. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Achievement and integration revenue. new text end

new text begin Achievement and integration revenue equals the sum of initial achievement and integration revenue and incentive revenue. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Achievement and integration aid. new text end

new text begin For fiscal year 2015 and later, a district's achievement and integration aid equals 70 percent of its achievement and integration revenue. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Achievement and integration levy. new text end

new text begin A district's achievement and integration levy equals its achievement and integration revenue times the levy percentage specified in H.F. No. 677 or a similarly styled bill. For Special School District No. 1, Minneapolis, Independent School District No. 625, St. Paul, and Independent School District No. 709, Duluth, 100 percent of the levy certified under this subdivision is shifted into the prior calendar year for purposes of sections 123B.75, subdivision 5, and 127A.441. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Revenue uses. new text end

new text begin (a) At least 80 percent of a district's achievement and integration revenue received under this section must be used for innovative and integrated learning environments, school enrollment choices, family engagement activities, and other approved programs providing direct services to students. new text end

new text begin (b) Up to 20 percent of the revenue may be used for professional development and staff development activities and placement services. new text end

new text begin (c) No more than ten percent of the total amount of revenue may be spent on administrative services. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Revenue reserved. new text end

new text begin Integration revenue received under this section must be reserved and used only for the programs authorized in subdivision 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Commissioner authority to withhold revenue. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner must review the results of each district's integration and achievement plan by August 1 at the end of the third year of implementing the plan and determine if the district met its goals. new text end

new text begin (b) If a district met its goals, it may submit a new three-year plan to the commissioner for review. new text end

new text begin (c) If a district has not met its goals, the commissioner must: new text end

new text begin (1) develop a district improvement plan and timeline, in consultation with the affected district, that identifies strategies and practices designed to meet the district's goals under this section and section 120B.11; and new text end

new text begin (2) use up to 20 percent of the district's integration revenue, until the district's goals are reached, to implement the improvement plan. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2014 and later. Subdivision 5 is effective for taxes payable in 2014 only. new text end

Sec. 31.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 260C.007, subdivision 19, is amended to read:

Subd. 19.

Habitual truant.

"Habitual truant" means a child under the age of deleted text begin 16deleted text end new text begin 17 new text end years who is absent from attendance at school without lawful excuse for seven school days new text begin per school year new text end if the child is in elementary school or for one or more class periods on seven school days new text begin per school year new text end if the child is in middle school, junior high school, or high schooldeleted text begin ,deleted text end or a child who is deleted text begin 16 ordeleted text end 17 years of age who is absent from attendance at school without lawful excuse for one or more class periods on seven school days new text begin per school yearnew text end and who has not lawfully withdrawn from school under section 120A.22, subdivision 8.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for the 2014-2015 school year and later. new text end

Sec. 32.

new text begin ACHIEVEMENT AND INTEGRATION; RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONFORMING CHANGES. new text end

new text begin The education commissioner shall review Minnesota Rules, parts 3535.0100 to 3535.0180, for consistency with Minnesota Statutes, sections 124D.861 and 124D.862, and make recommendations to the education committees of the legislature by February 15, 2014, for revising the rules or amending applicable statutes. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 33.

new text begin TEACHER LICENSURE ADVISORY TASK FORCE. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment and duties. new text end

new text begin (a) A Teacher Licensure Advisory Task Force is established to make recommendations to the Board of Teaching, the education commissioner, and the education committees of the legislature on requirements for: teacher applicants to demonstrate mastery of reading, writing, and mathematics skills through nationally normed assessments, a professional skills portfolio, or accredited college coursework, among other methods of demonstrating skills mastery; and an alternative licensure pathway for nonnative English speakers seeking licensure to teach in a language immersion program. new text end

new text begin (b) Task force recommendations on how teacher candidates demonstrate skills mastery must encompass the following criteria: new text end

new text begin (1) assessment content must be relevant to the teacher's subject area licensure; new text end

new text begin (2) the scope of assessment content must be documented in sufficient detail to correspond to a similarly detailed description of relevant public school curriculum; new text end

new text begin (3) the scope of assessment content must be publicly available and readily accessible on the Web site of the Board of Teaching and all Minnesota board-approved teacher preparation programs and institutions; new text end

new text begin (4) the Board of Teaching and all Minnesota board-approved teacher preparation programs and institutions, upon request, must make available to the public at cost a written review of the scope of assessment content; new text end

new text begin (5) if applicable, and consistent with federal and state data practices laws including the definition of summary data under Minnesota Statutes, section 13.02, subdivision 19, the Board of Teaching and all Minnesota board-approved teacher preparation programs and institutions annually must post on their Web site up-to-date longitudinal summary data showing teacher candidates' overall passing rate and the passing rate for each demographic group of teacher candidates taking a skills assessment in that school year and in previous school years; new text end

new text begin (6) reliable evidence showing assessment content is not culturally biased; new text end

new text begin (7) the Board of Teaching and all Minnesota board-approved teacher preparation programs and institutions must appropriately accommodate teacher candidates with documented learning disabilities, including an appeals process if a request for accommodations is denied; and new text end

new text begin (8) if applicable, give timely, detailed item analysis feedback to teacher candidates who do not pass the skills assessment sufficient for the candidate to target specific areas of deficiency for appropriate remediation. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin The Teacher Licensure Advisory Task Force shall be composed of the following 20 members appointed by July 15, 2013: new text end

new text begin (1) two members of the Board of Teaching appointed by the board's chair; new text end

new text begin (2) two representatives from the Department of Education appointed by the commissioner of education; new text end

new text begin (3) two members of the house of representatives, one appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, and one appointed by the minority leader; new text end

new text begin (4) two senators, one appointed by the Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration, and one appointed by the minority leader; new text end

new text begin (5) one elementary school principal from rural Minnesota appointed by the Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association and one secondary school principal from the seven-county metropolitan area appointed by the Minnesota Secondary School Principals Association; new text end

new text begin (6) one licensed and practicing public elementary school teacher and one licensed and practicing secondary school teacher appointed by Education Minnesota; new text end

new text begin (7) one teacher preparation faculty member each from the University of Minnesota system appointed by the system president, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system appointed by the system chancellor, and the Minnesota Private Colleges and Universities system appointed by the Minnesota Private Colleges Council; new text end

new text begin (8) one member of the nonpublic education council appointed by the council; new text end

new text begin (9) one representative of Minnesota charter schools appointed by the Minnesota Charter Schools Association; new text end

new text begin (10) two representatives from the business community, appointed by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce; and new text end

new text begin (11) one representative from the Minnesota School Boards Association. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin First meeting; chair. new text end

new text begin The executive director of the Board of Teaching and the commissioner of education jointly must convene the task force by August 1, 2013, and shall appoint a chair from the membership of the task force. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin By February 1, 2014, task force members must submit to the Board of Teaching, the education commissioner, and to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house of representatives committees and divisions with primary jurisdiction over K-12 education their written recommendations on requirements for teacher applicants to demonstrate mastery of reading, writing, and mathematics skills and for an alternative licensure pathway for nonnative English speakers seeking licensure to teach in a language immersion program. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Sunset. new text end

new text begin The task force shall sunset the day after submitting the report under subdivision 6, or February 2, 2014, whichever is earlier. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Support. new text end

new text begin The executive director of the board and the commissioner of education must provide technical assistance to task force members upon request. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Board of Teaching rules. new text end

new text begin The Board of Teaching must consider the recommendations of the advisory task force and adopt revised rules by January 1, 2015, governing the skills portion of the teacher licensure exam. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 34.

new text begin STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES; TEAM STAFFING APPROACH. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of education shall develop and submit to the kindergarten through grade 12 education policy and finance committees of the legislature by February 1, 2014, recommendations for providing access to licensed student support services, including licensed school counselors, licensed school psychologists, licensed school nurses, licensed school social workers, and licensed chemical health counselors, to public school students throughout Minnesota using a multidisciplinary team staffing structure. The recommendations must reflect: new text end

new text begin (1) the extent to which students need academic, career, physical, emotional, social, and early-onset mental health services to ensure educational achievement, safety and enhancement of student's physical, emotional, and social well-being; new text end

new text begin (2) the extent to which such services or teams do not exist, are incomplete or inadequate given the number of students with unmet psychological, social, and health needs that interfere with learning; new text end

new text begin (3) existing funding streams and opportunities for additional funds to improve students' access to needed licensed student support services; and new text end

new text begin (4) caseloads and best practices when working to improve access to needed licensed student support services. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 35.

new text begin FISCAL YEAR 2014 ACHIEVEMENT AND INTEGRATION AID AND LEVY. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Achievement and integration aid. new text end

new text begin A district's achievement and integration aid for fiscal year 2014 equals the difference between the district's achievement and integration revenue and its achievement and integration levy for fiscal year 2014. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Achievement and integration levy. new text end

new text begin For fiscal year 2014 only, a district's achievement and integration levy equals the amount the district was authorized to levy under Laws 2011, First Special Session chapter 11, article 2, section 49, paragraph (f). new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2014 and later. new text end

Sec. 36.

new text begin SUCCESS FOR THE FUTURE GRANT APPLICATIONS. new text end

new text begin A school district may receive a success for the future grant in the 2012-2013 school year if the school district's grant application was postmarked on or before the Department of Education's deadline date for application. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 37.

new text begin APPROPRIATIONS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Department. new text end

new text begin The sums indicated in this section are appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years designated. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Integration aid. new text end

new text begin For integration aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.86: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 17,197,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 0 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2015 new text end

new text begin The 2014 appropriation includes $17,197,000 for 2013 and $0 for 2014. new text end

new text begin The 2015 appropriation includes $0 for 2014 and $0 for 2015. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Achievement and integration aid. new text end

new text begin For achievement and integration aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.862: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 58,911,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 68,623,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2015 new text end

new text begin The 2014 appropriation includes $0 for 2013 and $58,911,000 for 2014. new text end

new text begin The 2015 appropriation includes $9,273,000 for 2014 and $59,350,000 for 2015. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Literacy incentive aid. new text end

new text begin For literacy incentive aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.98: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 52,514,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 53,818,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2015 new text end

new text begin The 2014 appropriation includes $6,607,000 for 2013 and $45,907,000 for 2014. new text end

new text begin The 2015 appropriation includes $7,225,000 for 2014 and $46,593,000 for 2015. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Interdistrict desegregation or integration transportation grants. new text end

new text begin For interdistrict desegregation or integration transportation grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.87: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 13,968,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 14,712,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2015 new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Success for the future. new text end

new text begin For American Indian success for the future grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.81: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 2,137,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 2,137,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2015 new text end

new text begin The 2014 appropriation includes $290,000 for 2013 and $1,847,000 for 2014. new text end

new text begin The 2015 appropriation includes $290,000 for 2014 and $1,847,000 for 2015. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin American Indian teacher preparation grants. new text end

new text begin For joint grants to assist American Indian people to become teachers under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.63: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 190,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 190,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2015 new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Tribal contract schools. new text end

new text begin For tribal contract school aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.83: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 2,080,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 2,230,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2015 new text end

new text begin The 2014 appropriation includes $266,000 for 2013 and $1,814,000 for 2014. new text end

new text begin The 2015 appropriation includes $285,000 for 2014 and $1,945,000 for 2015. new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Early childhood programs at tribal schools. new text end

new text begin For early childhood family education programs at tribal contract schools under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.83, subdivision 4: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 68,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 68,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2015 new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Examination fees; teacher training and support programs. new text end

new text begin (a) For students' advanced placement and international baccalaureate examination fees under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.13, subdivision 3, and the training and related costs for teachers and other interested educators under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.13, subdivision 1: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 4,500,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 4,500,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2015 new text end

new text begin (b) The advanced placement program shall receive 75 percent of the appropriation each year and the international baccalaureate program shall receive 25 percent of the appropriation each year. The department, in consultation with representatives of the advanced placement and international baccalaureate programs selected by the Advanced Placement Advisory Council and the Minnesota Association of IB World Schools, respectively, shall determine the amounts of the expenditures each year for examination fees and training and support programs for each program. new text end

new text begin (c) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.13, subdivision 1, at least $500,000 each year is for teachers to attend subject matter summer training programs and follow-up support workshops approved by the advanced placement or international baccalaureate programs. The amount of the subsidy for each teacher attending an advanced placement or international baccalaureate summer training program or workshop shall be the same. The commissioner shall determine the payment process and the amount of the subsidy. new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner shall pay all examination fees for all students of low-income families under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.13, subdivision 3, and to the extent of available appropriations shall also pay examination fees for students sitting for an advanced placement examination, international baccalaureate examination, or both. new text end

new text begin Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year. new text end

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

new text begin Concurrent enrollment program. new text end

new text begin For concurrent enrollment programs under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.091: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 2,000,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 2,000,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2015 new text end

new text begin If the appropriation is insufficient, the commissioner must proportionately reduce the aid payment to each district. new text end

new text begin Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year. new text end

new text begin Subd. 12. new text end

new text begin Collaborative urban educator. new text end

new text begin For the collaborative urban educator grant program: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 782,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 782,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2015 new text end

new text begin $195,000 each year is for the Southeast Asian teacher program at Concordia University, St. Paul; $195,000 each year is for the collaborative educator program at the University of St. Thomas; $195,000 each year is for the Center for Excellence in Urban Teaching at Hamline University; and $195,000 each year is for East African teacher educator activities at Augsburg College. new text end

new text begin Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year. new text end

new text begin Each institution shall prepare for the legislature, by January 15 of each year, a detailed report regarding the funds used. The report must include the number of teachers prepared as well as the diversity for each cohort of teachers produced. new text end

new text begin Subd. 13. new text end

new text begin ServeMinnesota program. new text end

new text begin For funding ServeMinnesota programs under Minnesota Statutes, sections 124D.37 to 124D.45: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 900,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 900,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2015 new text end

new text begin A grantee organization may provide health and child care coverage to the dependents of each participant enrolled in a full-time ServeMinnesota program to the extent such coverage is not otherwise available. new text end

new text begin Subd. 14. new text end

new text begin Student organizations. new text end

new text begin For student organizations: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 725,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 725,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2015 new text end

new text begin $46,000 each year is for student organizations serving health occupations (HOSA). new text end

new text begin $43,000 each year is for student organizations serving service occupations (HERO). new text end

new text begin $100,000 each year is for student organizations serving trade and industry occupations (Skills USA, secondary and postsecondary). new text end

new text begin $95,000 each year is for student organizations serving business occupations (BPA, secondary and postsecondary). new text end

new text begin $150,000 each year is for student organizations serving agriculture occupations (FFA, PAS). new text end

new text begin $142,000 each year is for student organizations serving family and consumer science occupations (FCCLA). new text end

new text begin $109,000 each year is for student organizations serving marketing occupations (DECA and DECA collegiate). new text end

new text begin $40,000 each year is for the Minnesota Foundation for Student Organizations. new text end

new text begin Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year. new text end

new text begin Subd. 15. new text end

new text begin Early childhood literacy programs. new text end

new text begin For early childhood literacy programs under Minnesota Statutes, section 119A.50, subdivision 3: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 4,125,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 4,125,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2015 new text end

new text begin Up to $4,125,000 each year is for leveraging federal and private funding to support AmeriCorps members serving in the Minnesota Reading Corps program established by ServeMinnesota, including costs associated with the training and teaching of early literacy skills to children age three to grade 3 and the evaluation of the impact of the program under Minnesota Statutes, sections 124D.38, subdivision 2, and 124D.42, subdivision 6. new text end

new text begin Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year. new text end

new text begin Subd. 16. new text end

new text begin Minnesota math corps program. new text end

new text begin For the Minnesota math corps program under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.42, subdivision 9: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 250,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 250,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2015 new text end

new text begin Any unexpended balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year. new text end

new text begin Subd. 17. new text end

new text begin Regional centers of excellence. new text end

new text begin For regional centers of excellence under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.115, subdivision 4: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 1,000,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 1,000,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2015 new text end

new text begin The base for the regional centers of excellence in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 is $1,000,000 each year. new text end

new text begin Subd. 18. new text end

new text begin School Climate Center. new text end

new text begin For the School Climate Center: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 500,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 500,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2015 new text end

new text begin Subd. 19. new text end

new text begin Site decision-making grant program. new text end

new text begin For site decision-making grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.04, subdivision 2, paragraph (f): new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 200,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end

new text begin An education site having a written achievement contract under Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.04, subdivision 4, agreed to by the school board and the education site, may apply to the commissioner of education for a two-year grant not to exceed $10 per resident pupil unit at the site in the 2012-2013 school year. Each participating education site and its school board that are the parties to the achievement contract must report annually to the commissioner, in the form and manner determined by the commissioner, on the progress and success of the education site in achieving student or contract goals or other performance expectations or measures contained in the achievement contract. The commissioner must include the substance and an analysis of these reports in the next statewide report under Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.04, subdivision 5, clause (3), evaluating the effectiveness of site management agreements in redesigning learning programs and broadening the definition of student achievement. Any unexpended funds do not cancel but are available in fiscal year 2015. new text end

new text begin Subd. 20. new text end

new text begin Alternative compensation. new text end

new text begin For alternative teacher compensation aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.415, subdivision 4: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 60,340,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2015 new text end

new text begin The 2015 appropriation includes $0 for 2014 and $59,711,000 for 2015. new text end

new text begin Subd. 21. new text end

new text begin Teacher development and evaluation pilot grant program. new text end

new text begin For grants to school districts to participate in the teacher development and evaluation pilot grant program: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 683,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end

new text begin This is a onetime appropriation. new text end

new text begin Subd. 22. new text end

new text begin Starbase MN. new text end

new text begin For a grant to Starbase MN for rigorous science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) program providing students in grades 4 to 6 with a multisensory learning experience and a hands-on curriculum in an aerospace environment using state-of-the-art technology: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 500,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 500,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2015 new text end

new text begin Any balance in the first year does not cancel and is available in the second year. new text end

new text begin Subd. 23. new text end

new text begin Civic education grants. new text end

new text begin For grants to the Minnesota Civic Education Coalition: Kids Voting St. Paul, Learning Law and Democracy Foundation, and YMCA Youth in Government to provide civic education programs for Minnesota youth age 18 and under. Civic education is the study of constitutional principles and the democratic foundation of our national, state, and local institutions and the study of political processes and structures of government, grounded in the understanding of constitutional government under the rule of law. new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 125,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 125,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2015 new text end

new text begin Any balance in the first year does not cancel and is available in the second year. new text end

ARTICLE 4

CHARTER SCHOOLS

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 124D.10, is amended to read:

124D.10 CHARTER SCHOOLS.

Subdivision 1.

Purposes.

(a) The new text begin primary new text end purpose of this section is todeleted text begin :deleted text end

deleted text begin (1)deleted text end improve pupil learning and student achievementdeleted text begin ;deleted text end new text begin . Additional purposes include to:new text end

deleted text begin (2)deleted text end new text begin (1)new text end increase learning opportunities for pupils;

deleted text begin (3)deleted text end new text begin (2)new text end encourage the use of different and innovative teaching methods;

deleted text begin (4)deleted text end new text begin (3)new text end measure learning outcomes and create different and innovative forms of measuring outcomes;

deleted text begin (5)deleted text end new text begin (4)new text end establish new forms of accountability for schools; deleted text begin anddeleted text end new text begin ornew text end

deleted text begin (6)deleted text end new text begin (5)new text end create new professional opportunities for teachers, including the opportunity to be responsible for the learning program at the school site.

(b) This section does not provide a means to keep open a school that a school board decides to close. However, a school board may endorse or authorize the establishing of a charter school to replace the school the board decided to close. Applicants seeking a charter under this circumstance must demonstrate to the authorizer that the charter sought is substantially different in purpose and program from the school the board closed and that the proposed charter satisfies the requirements of this subdivision. If the school board that closed the school authorizes the charter, it must document in its affidavit to the commissioner that the charter is substantially different in program and purpose from the school it closed.

An authorizer shall not approve an application submitted by a charter school developer under subdivision 4, paragraph (a), if the application does not comply with this subdivision. The commissioner shall not approve an affidavit submitted by an authorizer under subdivision 4, paragraph (b), if the affidavit does not comply with this subdivision.

Subd. 2.

Applicability.

This section applies only to charter schools formed and operated under this section.

Subd. 3.

Authorizer.

(a) For purposes of this section, the terms defined in this subdivision have the meanings given them.

"Application" to receive approval as an authorizer means the proposal an eligible authorizer submits to the commissioner under paragraph (c) before that authorizer is able to submit any affidavit to charter to a school.

"Application" under subdivision 4 means the charter school business plan a school developer submits to an authorizer for approval to establish a charter school that documents the school developer's mission statement, school purposes, program design, financial plan, governance and management structure, and background and experience, plus any other information the authorizer requests. The application also shall include a "statement of assurances" of legal compliance prescribed by the commissioner.

"Affidavit" means a written statement the authorizer submits to the commissioner for approval to establish a charter school under subdivision 4 attesting to its review and approval process before chartering a school.

(b) The following organizations may authorize one or more charter schools:

(1) a school board, intermediate school district school board, or education district organized under sections 123A.15 to 123A.19;

(2) a charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, excluding a nonpublic sectarian or religious institution; any person other than a natural person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the nonpublic sectarian or religious institution; and any other charitable organization under this clause that in the federal IRS Form 1023, Part IV, describes activities indicating a religious purpose, that:

(i) is a member of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits or the Minnesota Council on Foundations;

(ii) is registered with the attorney general's office; and

(iii) is incorporated in the state of Minnesota and has been operating continuously for at least five years but does not operate a charter school;

(3) a Minnesota private college, notwithstanding clause (2), that grants two- or four-year degrees and is registered with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education under chapter 136A; community college, state university, or technical college governed by the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities; or the University of Minnesota;

(4) a nonprofit corporation subject to chapter 317A, described in section 317A.905, and exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, may authorize one or more charter schools if the charter school has operated for at least three years under a different authorizer and if the nonprofit corporation has existed for at least 25 years; or

(5) single-purpose authorizers that are charitable, nonsectarian organizations formed under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and incorporated in the state of Minnesota new text begin under chapter 317A as a corporation with no membersnew text end whose sole purpose is to charter schools. Eligible organizations interested in being approved as an authorizer under this paragraph must submit a proposal to the commissioner that includes the provisions of paragraph (c) and a five-year financial plan. Such authorizers shall consider and approve new text begin charter school new text end applications using the criteria provided in subdivision 4 and shall not limit the applications it solicits, considers, or approves to any single curriculum, learning program, or method.

(c) An eligible authorizer under this subdivision must apply to the commissioner for approval as an authorizer before submitting any affidavit to the commissioner to charter a school. The application for approval as a charter school authorizer must demonstrate the applicant's ability to implement the procedures and satisfy the criteria for chartering a school under this section. The commissioner must approve or disapprove an application within 45 business days of the application deadline. If the commissioner disapproves the application, the commissioner must notify the applicant of the specific deficiencies in writing and the applicant then has 20 business days to address the deficiencies to the commissioner's satisfaction. After the 20 business days expire, the commissioner has 15 business days to make a final decision to approve or disapprove the application. Failing to address the deficiencies to the commissioner's satisfaction makes an applicant ineligible to be an authorizer. The commissioner, in establishing criteria for approval, must consider the applicant's:

(1) capacity and infrastructure;

(2) application criteria and process;

(3) contracting process;

(4) ongoing oversight and evaluation processes; and

(5) renewal criteria and processes.

(d) An applicant must include in its application to the commissioner to be an approved authorizer at least the following:

(1) how chartering schools is a way for the organization to carry out its mission;

(2) a description of the capacity of the organization to serve as an authorizer, including the personnel who will perform the authorizing duties, their qualifications, the amount of time they will be assigned to this responsibility, and the financial resources allocated by the organization to this responsibility;

(3) a description of the application and review process the authorizer will use to make decisions regarding the granting of charters;

(4) a description of the type of contract it will arrange with the schools it charters that meets the provisions of subdivision 6;

(5) the process to be used for providing ongoing oversight of the school consistent with the contract expectations specified in clause (4) that assures that the schools chartered are complying with both the provisions of applicable law and rules, and with the contract;

(6) a description of the criteria and process the authorizer will use to grant expanded applications under subdivision 4, paragraph (j);

(7) the process for making decisions regarding the renewal or termination of the school's charter based on evidence that demonstrates the academic, organizational, and financial competency of the school, including its success in increasing student achievement and meeting the goals of the charter school agreement; and

(8) an assurance specifying that the organization is committed to serving as an authorizer for the full five-year term.

(e) A disapproved applicant under this section may resubmit an application during a future application period.

(f) If the governing board of an approved authorizer votes to withdraw as an approved authorizer for a reason unrelated to any cause under subdivision 23, the authorizer must notify all its chartered schools and the commissioner in writing by July 15 of its intent to withdraw as an authorizer on June 30 in the next calendar year. The commissioner may approve the transfer of a charter school to a new authorizer under this paragraph after the new authorizer submits an affidavit to the commissioner.

(g) The authorizer must participate in department-approved training.

deleted text begin (h) An authorizer that chartered a school before August 1, 2009, must apply by June 30, 2012, to the commissioner for approval, under paragraph (c), to continue as an authorizer under this section. For purposes of this paragraph, an authorizer that fails to submit a timely application is ineligible to charter a school. deleted text end

deleted text begin (i)deleted text end new text begin (h)new text end The commissioner shall review an authorizer's performance every five years in a manner and form determined by the commissioner and may review an authorizer's performance more frequently at the commissioner's own initiative or at the request of a charter school operator, charter school board member, or other interested party. The commissioner, after completing the review, shall transmit a report with findings to the authorizer. If, consistent with this section, the commissioner finds that an authorizer has not fulfilled the requirements of this section, the commissioner may subject the authorizer to corrective action, which may include terminating the contract with the charter school board of directors of a school it chartered. The commissioner must notify the authorizer in writing of any findings that may subject the authorizer to corrective action and the authorizer then has 15 business days to request an informal hearing before the commissioner takes corrective action. If the commissioner terminates a contract between an authorizer and a charter school under this paragraph, the commissioner may assist the charter school in acquiring a new authorizer.

deleted text begin (j)deleted text end new text begin (i)new text end The commissioner may at any time take corrective action against an authorizer, including terminating an authorizer's ability to charter a school for:

(1) failing to demonstrate the criteria under paragraph (c) under which the commissioner approved the authorizer;

(2) violating a term of the chartering contract between the authorizer and the charter school board of directors;

(3) unsatisfactory performance as an approved authorizer; or

(4) any good cause shown that provides the commissioner a legally sufficient reason to take corrective action against an authorizer.

Subd. 4.

Formation of school.

(a) An authorizer, after receiving an application from a school developer, may charter a licensed teacher under section 122A.18, subdivision 1, or a group of individuals that includes one or more licensed teachers under section 122A.18, subdivision 1, to operate a school subject to the commissioner's approval of the authorizer's affidavit under paragraph (b). The school must be organized and operated as a nonprofit corporation under chapter 317A and the provisions under the applicable chapter shall apply to the school except as provided in this section.

Notwithstanding sections 465.717 and 465.719, a school district, subject to this section and section 124D.11, may create a corporation for the purpose of establishing a charter school.

(b) Before the operators may establish and operate a school, the authorizer must file an affidavit with the commissioner stating its intent to charter a school. An authorizer must file a separate affidavit for each school it intends to charter. The affidavit must state the terms and conditions under which the authorizer would charter a school and how the authorizer intends to oversee the fiscal and student performance of the charter school and to comply with the terms of the written contract between the authorizer and the charter school board of directors under subdivision 6. The commissioner must approve or disapprove the authorizer's affidavit within 60 business days of receipt of the affidavit. If the commissioner disapproves the affidavit, the commissioner shall notify the authorizer of the deficiencies in the affidavit and the authorizer then has 20 business days to address the deficiencies. If the authorizer does not address deficiencies to the commissioner's satisfaction, the commissioner's disapproval is final. Failure to obtain commissioner approval precludes an authorizer from chartering the school that is the subject of this affidavit.

(c) The authorizer may prevent an approved charter school from opening for operation if, among other grounds, the charter school violates this section or does not meet the ready-to-open standards that are part of the authorizer's oversight and evaluation process or are stipulated in the charter school contract.

(d) The operators authorized to organize and operate a school, before entering into a contract or other agreement for professional or other services, goods, or facilities, must incorporate as a nonprofit corporation under chapter 317A and must establish a board of directors composed of at least five members who are not related parties until a timely election for members of the ongoing charter school board of directors is held according to the school's articles and bylaws under paragraph (f). A charter school board of directors must be composed of at least five members who are not related parties. Staff members employed at the school, including teachers providing instruction under a contract with a cooperative,new text begin members of the board of directors,new text end and all parents or legal guardians of children enrolled in the school are the voters eligible to elect the members of the school's board of directors. A charter school must notify eligible voters of the school board election dates at least 30 days before the election. Board of director meetings must comply with chapter 13D.

(e) A charter school shall publish and maintain on the school's official Web site: (1) the minutes of meetings of the board of directors, and of members and committees having any board-delegated authority, for at least one calendar year from the date of publication; (2) directory information for members of the board of directors and committees having board-delegated authority; and (3) identifying and contact information for the school's authorizer. Identifying and contact information for the school's authorizer must be included in other school materials made available to the public. Upon request of an individual, the charter school must also make available in a timely fashion financial statements showing all operations and transactions affecting income, surplus, and deficit during the school's last annual accounting period; and a balance sheet summarizing assets and liabilities on the closing date of the accounting period. A charter school also must deleted text begin post on its official Web site information identifying its authorizer and indicate how to contact that authorizer anddeleted text end include that same information about its authorizer in other school materials that it makes available to the public.

(f) Every charter school board member shall attend deleted text begin ongoingdeleted text end new text begin annualnew text end training throughout the member's term onnew text begin thenew text end board deleted text begin governance, includingdeleted text end new text begin . All new board members shall attend initialnew text end training on the board's role and responsibilities, employment policies and practices, and financial management. Anew text begin newnew text end board member who does not begin the required initial training within six months after being seated and complete that training within 12 months of being seated on the board is new text begin automatically new text end ineligible to continue to serve as a board member. The school shall include in its annual report the training attended by each board member during the previous year.

(g) The ongoing board must be elected before the school completes its third year of operation. Board elections must be held during the school year but may not be conducted on days when the school is closed for holidaysnew text begin , breaks,new text end or vacations. The charter school board of directors shall be composed of at least five nonrelated members and include: (i) at least one licensed teacher employed new text begin as a teacher new text end at the school or deleted text begin a licensed teacherdeleted text end providing instruction under contract between the charter school and a cooperative; (ii) deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin at least one new text end parent or legal guardian of a student enrolled in the charter school who is not an employee of the charter school; and (iii) deleted text begin andeleted text end new text begin at least onenew text end interested community member whonew text begin resides in Minnesota andnew text end is not employed by the charter school and does not have a child enrolled in the school. The board deleted text begin may be a teacher majority board composeddeleted text end new text begin may include a majority new text end of teachers described in this paragraphnew text begin or parents or community members, or it may have no clear majoritynew text end . The chief financial officer and the chief administrator may only serve as ex-officio nonvoting board members deleted text begin and may not serve as a voting member of the boarddeleted text end . new text begin No new text end charter school employees shall deleted text begin notdeleted text end serve on the board deleted text begin unlessdeleted text end new text begin other than teachers undernew text end item (i) deleted text begin appliesdeleted text end . Contractors providing facilities, goods, or services to a charter school shall not serve on the board of directors of the charter school. Board bylaws shall outline the process and procedures for changing the board's governance deleted text begin modeldeleted text end new text begin structurenew text end , consistent with chapter 317A. A board may change its governance deleted text begin modeldeleted text end new text begin structurenew text end only:

(1) by a majority vote of the board of directors andnew text begin a majority vote ofnew text end the licensed teachers employed by the schoolnew text begin as teachersnew text end , including licensed teachers providing instruction under a contract between the school and a cooperative; and

(2) with the authorizer's approval.

Any change in board governancenew text begin structurenew text end must conform with thenew text begin composition of thenew text end board deleted text begin structuredeleted text end established under this paragraph.

(h) The granting or renewal of a charter by an authorizer must not be conditioned upon the bargaining unit status of the employees of the school.

(i) The granting or renewal of a charter school by an authorizer must not be contingent on the charter school being required to contract, lease, or purchase services from the authorizer. Any potential contractdeleted text begin , lease,deleted text end or purchase of service from an authorizer must be disclosed to the commissioner, accepted through an open bidding process, and be a separate contract from the charter contract. The school must document the open bidding process. An authorizer must not enter into a contract to provide management and financial services for a school that it authorizes, unless the school documents that it received at least two competitive bids.

(j) An authorizer may permit the board of directors of a charter school to expand the operation of the charter school to additional sites or deleted text begin to add additionaldeleted text end grades at the school beyond those described in the authorizer's original affidavit as approved by the commissioner only after submitting a supplemental affidavit for approval to the commissioner in a form and manner prescribed by the commissioner. The supplemental affidavit must document that:

(1) the proposed expansion plan demonstrates need and projected enrollment;

(2) the expansion is warranted, at a minimum, by longitudinal data demonstrating students' improved academic performance and growth on statewide assessments under chapter 120B;

(3) the charter school is financially sound and the financing it needs to implement the proposed expansion exists; and

(4) the charter school has the governance structure and management capacity to carry out its expansion.

(k) The commissioner shall have 30 business days to review and comment on the supplemental affidavit. The commissioner shall notify the authorizer of any deficiencies in the supplemental affidavit and the authorizer then has 20 business days to address, to the commissioner's satisfaction, any deficiencies in the supplemental affidavit. The school may not expand grades or add sites until the commissioner has approved the supplemental affidavit. The commissioner's approval or disapproval of a supplemental affidavit is final.

Subd. 4a.

Conflict of interest.

(a) An individual is prohibited from serving as a member of the charter school board of directors if the individual, an immediate family member, or the individual's partner is deleted text begin andeleted text end new text begin a full or partnew text end ownerdeleted text begin , employee or agent of,deleted text end or deleted text begin a contractordeleted text end new text begin principalnew text end with a for-profit or nonprofit entity or deleted text begin individualdeleted text end new text begin independent contractornew text end with whom the charter school contracts, directly or indirectly, for professional services, goods, or facilities.new text begin An individual is prohibited from serving as a board member if an immediate family member is an employee of the school.new text end A violation of this prohibition renders a contract voidable at the option of the commissioner or the charter school board of directors. A member of a charter school board of directors who violates this prohibition is individually liable to the charter school for any damage caused by the violation.

(b) No member of the board of directors, employee, officer, or agent of a charter school shall participate in selecting, awarding, or administering a contract if a conflict of interest exists. A conflict exists when:

(1) the board member, employee, officer, or agent;

(2) the immediate family of the board member, employee, officer, or agent;

(3) the partner of the board member, employee, officer, or agent; or

(4) an organization that employs, or is about to employ any individual in clauses (1) to (3),

has a financial or other interest in the entity with which the charter school is contracting. A violation of this prohibition renders the contract void.

(c) Any employee, agent, or board member of the authorizer who participates in the initial review, approval, ongoing oversight, evaluation, or the charter renewal or nonrenewal process or decision is ineligible to serve on the board of directors of a school chartered by that authorizer.

(d) An individual may serve as a member of the board of directors if no conflict of interest under paragraph (a) exists.

(e) The conflict of interest provisions under this subdivision do not apply to compensation paid to a teacher employed new text begin as a teacher new text end by the charter school deleted text begin whodeleted text end new text begin or a teacher who provides instructional services to the charter school through a cooperative formed under chapter 308A when the teachernew text end also serves deleted text begin as a member ofdeleted text end new text begin onnew text end the new text begin charter school new text end board of directors.

deleted text begin (f) The conflict of interest provisions under this subdivision do not apply to a teacher who provides services to a charter school through a cooperative formed under chapter 308A when the teacher also serves on the charter school board of directors. deleted text end

Subd. 5.

Conversion of existing schools.

A board of an independent or special school district may convert one or more of its existing schools to charter schools under this section if 60 percent of the full-time teachers at the school sign a petition seeking conversion. The conversion must occur at the beginning of an academic year.

Subd. 6.

Charter contract.

The authorization for a charter school must be in the form of a written contract signed by the authorizer and the board of directors of the charter school. The contract must be completed within 45 business days of the commissioner's approval of the authorizer's affidavit. The authorizer shall submit to the commissioner a copy of the signed charter contract within ten business days of its execution. The contract for a charter school must be in writing and contain at least the following:

new text begin (1) a declaration that the charter school will carry out the primary purpose in subdivision 1 and how the school will report its implementation of the primary purpose; new text end

deleted text begin (1)deleted text end new text begin (2)new text end a declaration of thenew text begin additional purpose ornew text end purposes in subdivision 1 that the school intends to carry out and how the school will report its implementation of those purposes;

deleted text begin (2)deleted text end new text begin (3)new text end a description of the school program and the specific academic and nonacademic outcomes that pupils must achieve;

deleted text begin (3)deleted text end new text begin (4)new text end a statement of admission policies and procedures;

deleted text begin (4)deleted text end new text begin (5)new text end a governance, management, and administration plan for the school;

deleted text begin (5)deleted text end new text begin (6)new text end signed agreements from charter school board members to comply with all federal and state laws governing organizational, programmatic, and financial requirements applicable to charter schools;

deleted text begin (6)deleted text end new text begin (7)new text end the criteria, processes, and procedures that the authorizer will use deleted text begin for ongoing oversight of operational, financial, and academic performancedeleted text end new text begin to monitor and evaluate the fiscal, operational, and academic performance consistent with subdivision 15, paragraphs (a) and (b)new text end ;

deleted text begin (7)deleted text end new text begin (8) for contract renewal,new text end the new text begin formal written new text end performance evaluation new text begin of the school new text end that is a prerequisite for reviewing a charter contract under subdivision 15;

deleted text begin (8)deleted text end new text begin (9)new text end types and amounts of insurance liability coverage to be obtained by the charter schoolnew text begin , consistent with subdivision 8, paragraph (k)new text end ;

deleted text begin (9)deleted text end new text begin (10)new text end consistent with subdivision 25, paragraph (d), a provision to indemnify and hold harmless the authorizer and its officers, agents, and employees from any suit, claim, or liability arising from any operation of the charter school, and the commissioner and department officers, agents, and employees notwithstanding section 3.736;

deleted text begin (10)deleted text end new text begin (11)new text end the term of the initial contract, which may be up to five years plus an additional preoperational planning year, and up to five years for a renewed contract or a contract with a new authorizer after a transfer of authorizers, if warranted by the school's academic, financial, and operational performance;

deleted text begin (11)deleted text end new text begin (12)new text end how the board of directors or the operators of the charter school will provide special instruction and services for children with a disability under sections 125A.03 to 125A.24, and 125A.65, a description of the financial parameters within which the charter school will operate to provide the special instruction and services to children with a disability;

deleted text begin (12) the process and criteria the authorizer intends to use to monitor and evaluate the fiscal and student performance of the charter school, consistent with subdivision 15; and deleted text end

new text begin (13) the specific conditions for contract renewal that identify performance under the primary purpose of subdivision 1 as the most important factor in determining contract renewal; new text end

new text begin (14) the additional purposes under subdivision 1, paragraph (a), and related performance obligations under clause (7) contained in the charter contract as additional factors in determining contract renewal; and new text end

deleted text begin (13)deleted text end new text begin (15)new text end the plan for an orderly closing of the school under chapter 317A, deleted text begin ifdeleted text end new text begin whethernew text end the closure is a termination for cause, a voluntary termination, or a nonrenewal of the contract, deleted text begin anddeleted text end that includes establishing the responsibilities of the school board of directors and the authorizer and notifying the commissioner, authorizer, school district in which the charter school is located, and parents of enrolled students about the closure, new text begin information and assistance sufficient to enable the student to re-enroll in another school, new text end the transfer of student records deleted text begin to students' resident districtsdeleted text end new text begin under subdivision 8, paragraph (p)new text end , and procedures for closing financial operations.

Subd. 6a.

Audit report.

(a) The charter school must submit an audit report to the commissioner and its authorizer by December 31 each year.

(b) The charter school, with the assistance of the auditor conducting the audit, must include with the reportnew text begin , as supplemental information,new text end a copy of all charter school agreements for corporate management servicesnew text begin , including parent company or other administrative, financial, and staffing servicesnew text end . If the entity that provides the professional services to the charter school is exempt from taxation under section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, that entity must file with the commissioner by February 15 a copy of the annual return required under section 6033 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

new text begin (c) A charter school independent audit report shall include audited financial data of an affiliated building corporation or other component unit. new text end

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (d)new text end If the audit report finds that a material weakness exists in the financial reporting systems of a charter school, the charter school must submit a written report to the commissioner explaining how the material weakness will be resolved. An auditor, as a condition of providing financial services to a charter school, must agree to make available information about a charter school's financial audit to the commissioner and authorizer upon request.

Subd. 7.

Public status; exemption from statutes and rules.

A charter school is a public school and is part of the state's system of public education. A charter school is exempt from all statutes and rules applicable to a school, school board, or school district unless a statute or rule is made specifically applicable to a charter school or is included in this section.

Subd. 8.

Federal, state, and local requirements.

(a) A charter school shall meet all federal, state, and local health and safety requirements applicable to school districts.

(b) A school must comply with statewide accountability requirements governing standards and assessments in chapter 120B.

(c) A school authorized by a school board may be located in any district, unless the school board of the district of the proposed location disapproves by written resolution.

(d) A charter school must be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices, and all other operations. An authorizer may not authorize a charter school or program that is affiliated with a nonpublic sectarian school or a religious institution. A charter school student must be released for religious instruction, consistent with section 120A.22, subdivision 12, clause (3).

(e) Charter schools must not be used as a method of providing education or generating revenue for students who are being home-schooled. This paragraph does not apply to shared time aid under section 126C.19.

(f) The primary focus of a charter school must be to provide a comprehensive program of instruction for at least one grade or age group from five through 18 years of age. Instruction may be provided to people younger than five years and older than 18 years of age.

(g) A charter school may not charge tuition.

(h) A charter school is subject to and must comply with chapter 363A and section 121A.04.

(i) A charter school is subject to and must comply with the Pupil Fair Dismissal Act, sections 121A.40 to 121A.56, and the Minnesota Public School Fee Law, sections 123B.34 to 123B.39.

(j) A charter school is subject to the same financial audits, audit procedures, and audit requirements as a districtnew text begin , except as required under subdivision 6anew text end . Audits must be conducted in compliance with generally accepted governmental auditing standards, the federal Single Audit Act, if applicable, and section 6.65. A charter school is subject to and must comply with sections 15.054; 118A.01; 118A.02; 118A.03; 118A.04; 118A.05; 118A.06; 471.38; 471.391; 471.392; and 471.425. The audit must comply with the requirements of sections 123B.75 to 123B.83, except to the extent deviations are necessary because of the program at the school. Deviations must be approved by the commissioner and authorizer. The Department of Education, state auditor, legislative auditor, or authorizer may conduct financial, program, or compliance audits. A charter school determined to be in statutory operating debt under sections 123B.81 to 123B.83 must submit a plan under section 123B.81, subdivision 4.

(k) A charter school is a district for the purposes of tort liability under chapter 466.

(l) A charter school must comply with chapters 13 and 13D; and sections 120A.22, subdivision 7; 121A.75; and 260B.171, subdivisions 3 and 5.

(m) A charter school is subject to the Pledge of Allegiance requirement under section 121A.11, subdivision 3.

(n) A charter school offering online courses or programs must comply with section 124D.095.

(o) A charter school and charter school board of directors are subject to chapter 181.

(p) A charter school must comply with section 120A.22, subdivision 7, governing the transfer of students' educational records and sections 138.163 and 138.17 governing the management of local records.

(q) A charter school that provides early childhood health and developmental screening must comply with sections 121A.16 to 121A.19.

(r) A charter school that provides school-sponsored youth athletic activities must comply with section 121A.38.

new text begin (s) A charter school is subject to and must comply with continuing truant notification under section 260A.03. new text end

new text begin (t) A charter school must develop and implement a teacher evaluation and peer review process, under section 122A.40, subdivision 8, paragraph (b), clauses (2) to (12). new text end

new text begin (u) A charter school most adopt a policy, plan, budget, and process, consistent with section 120B.11, to review curriculum, instruction, and student achievement and strive for the world's best workforce. new text end

Subd. 8a.

Aid reduction.

The commissioner may reduce a charter school's state aid under section 127A.42 or 127A.43 if the charter school board fails to correct a violation under this section.

Subd. 8b.

Aid reduction for violations.

The commissioner may reduce a charter school's state aid by an amount not to exceed 60 percent of the charter school's basic revenue for the period of time that a violation of law occurs.

Subd. 9.

Admission requirements.

new text begin (a) new text end A charter school may limit admission to:

(1) pupils within an age group or grade level;

(2) pupils who are eligible to participate in the graduation incentives program under section 124D.68; or

(3) residents of a specific geographic area in which the school is located when the majority of students served by the school are members of underserved populations.

new text begin (b) new text end A charter school shall enroll an eligible pupil who submits a timely application, unless the number of applications exceeds the capacity of a program, class, grade level, or building. In this case, pupils must be accepted by lot. The charter school must develop and publishnew text begin , including on its Web site,new text end a lottery policy and process that it must use when accepting pupils by lot.

new text begin (c) new text end A charter school shall give enrollment preference to a sibling of an enrolled pupil and to a foster child of that pupil's parents and may give preference for enrolling children of the school's staff before accepting other pupils by lot.

new text begin (d) A person shall not be admitted to a charter school (1) as a kindergarten pupil, unless the pupil is at least five years of age on September 1 of the calendar year in which the school year for which the pupil seeks admission commences; or (2) as a first grade student, unless the pupil is at least six years of age on September 1 of the calendar year in which the school year for which the pupil seeks admission commences or has completed kindergarten; except that a charter school may establish and publish on its Web site a policy for admission of selected pupils at an earlier age, consistent with the enrollment process in paragraphs (b) and (c). new text end

new text begin (e) Except as permitted in paragraph (d), new text end a charter school may not limit admission to pupils on the basis of intellectual ability, measures of achievement or aptitude, or athletic ability and may not establish any criteria or requirements for admission that are inconsistent with this subdivision.

new text begin (f) new text end The charter school shall not distribute any services or goods of value to students, parents, or guardians as an inducement, term, or condition of enrolling a student in a charter school.

Subd. 10.

Pupil performance.

A charter school must design its programs to at least meet the outcomes adopted by the commissioner for public school students. In the absence of the commissioner's requirements, the school must meet the outcomes contained in the contract with the authorizer. The achievement levels of the outcomes contained in the contract may exceed the achievement levels of any outcomes adopted by the commissioner for public school students.

Subd. 11.

Employment and other operating matters.

(a) A charter school must employ or contract with necessary teachers, as defined by section 122A.15, subdivision 1, who hold valid licenses to perform the particular service for which they are employed in the school. The charter school's state aid may be reduced under section 127A.43 if the school employs a teacher who is not appropriately licensed or approved by the board of teaching. The school may employ necessary employees who are not required to hold teaching licenses to perform duties other than teaching and may contract for other services. The school may discharge teachers and nonlicensed employees. The charter school board is subject to section 181.932. When offering employment to a prospective employee, a charter school must give that employee a written description of the terms and conditions of employment and the school's personnel policies.

(b) A person, without holding a valid administrator's license, may perform administrative, supervisory, or instructional leadership duties. The board of directors shall establish qualifications for persons that hold administrative, supervisory, or instructional leadership roles. The qualifications shall include at least the following areas: instruction and assessment; human resource and personnel management; financial management; legal and compliance management; effective communication; and board, authorizer, and community relationships. The board of directors shall use those qualifications as the basis for job descriptions, hiring, and performance evaluations of those who hold administrative, supervisory, or instructional leadership roles. The board of directors and an individual who does not hold a valid administrative license and who serves in an administrative, supervisory, or instructional leadership position shall develop a professional development plan. Documentation of the implementation of the professional development plan of these persons shall be included in the school's annual report.

(c) The board of directors also shall decide new text begin and be responsible for policy new text end matters related to the operation of the school, including budgeting, curriculumnew text begin programming, personnel, new text end and operating procedures.new text begin The board shall adopt a policy on nepotism in employment. The board shall adopt personnel evaluation policies and practices that, at a minimum:new text end

new text begin (1) carry out the school's mission and goals; new text end

new text begin (2) evaluate the execution of charter contract goals and commitments; new text end

new text begin (3) evaluate student achievement, postsecondary and workforce readiness, and student engagement and connection goals; new text end

new text begin (4) establish a teacher evaluation process under subdivision 8, paragraph (t); and new text end

new text begin (5) provide professional development related to the individual's job responsibilities. new text end

Subd. 12.

Pupils with a disability.

A charter school must comply with sections 125A.02, 125A.03 to 125A.24, and 125A.65 and rules relating to the education of pupils with a disability as though it were a district.

Subd. 13.

Length of school year.

A charter school must provide instruction each year for at least the number of hours required by section 120A.41. It may provide instruction throughout the year according to sections 124D.12 to 124D.127 or 124D.128.

Subd. 14.

Annual public reports.

new text begin (a) new text end A charter school must publish an annual report approved by the board of directors. The annual report must at least include information on school enrollment, student attrition, governance and management, staffing, finances, academic performance, deleted text begin operational performance,deleted text end innovative practices and implementation, and future plans. A charter school must new text begin post the annual report on the school's official Web site. A charter school must also new text end distribute the annual report by publication, mail, or electronic means to deleted text begin the commissioner,deleted text end new text begin itsnew text end authorizer, school employees, and parents and legal guardians of students enrolled in the charter school deleted text begin and must also post the report on the charter school's official Web sitedeleted text end . The reports are public data under chapter 13.

new text begin (b) The commissioner shall establish specifications for an authorizer's annual public report that is part of the system to evaluate authorizer performance under subdivision 3, paragraph (h). The report shall at least include key indicators of school academic, operational, and financial performance. new text end

Subd. 15.

Review and comment.

(a) The authorizer shall provide a formal written evaluation of the school's performance before the authorizer renews the charter contract. The department must review and comment on the authorizer's evaluation process at the time the authorizer submits its application for approval and each time the authorizer undergoes its five-year review under subdivision 3, paragraph deleted text begin (i)deleted text end new text begin (h)new text end .

(b) An authorizer shall monitor and evaluate the deleted text begin fiscal,deleted text end new text begin academic, financial,new text end operational, and student performance of the school, and may for this purpose annually assess a charter school a fee according to paragraph (c). The agreed-upon fee structure must be stated in the charter school contract.

(c) The fee that deleted text begin each charter school pays to an authorizer each yeardeleted text end new text begin an authorizer may annually assessnew text end is the greater of:

(1) the basic formula allowance for that year; or

(2) the lesser of:

(i) the maximum fee factor times the basic formula allowance for that year; or

(ii) the fee factor times the basic formula allowance for that year times the charter school's adjusted deleted text begin marginal costdeleted text end pupil units for that year. The fee factor equals deleted text begin .005 in fiscal year 2010, .01 in fiscal year 2011, .013 in fiscal year 2012, anddeleted text end .015 deleted text begin in fiscal years 2013 and laterdeleted text end . The maximum fee factor equals deleted text begin 1.5 in fiscal year 2010, 2.0 in fiscal year 2011, 3.0 in fiscal year 2012, anddeleted text end 4.0 deleted text begin in fiscal years 2013 and laterdeleted text end .

(d) An authorizer may not assess a fee for any required services other than as provided in this subdivision.

(e) For the preoperational planning period, new text begin after a school is chartered, new text end the authorizer may assess a charter school a fee equal to the basic formula allowance.

(f) By September 30 of each year, an authorizer shall submit to the commissioner a statement of new text begin income and new text end expenditures related to chartering activities during the previous school year ending June 30. A copy of the statement shall be given to all schools chartered by the authorizer.

Subd. 16.

Transportation.

(a) A charter school after its first fiscal year of operation by March 1 of each fiscal year and a charter school by July 1 of its first fiscal year of operation must notify the district in which the school is located and the Department of Education if it will provide its own transportation or use the transportation services of the district in which it is located for the fiscal year.

(b) If a charter school elects to provide transportation for pupils, the transportation must be provided by the charter school within the district in which the charter school is located. The state must pay transportation aid to the charter school according to section 124D.11, subdivision 2.

For pupils who reside outside the district in which the charter school is located, the charter school is not required to provide or pay for transportation between the pupil's residence and the border of the district in which the charter school is located. A parent may be reimbursed by the charter school for costs of transportation from the pupil's residence to the border of the district in which the charter school is located if the pupil is from a family whose income is at or below the poverty level, as determined by the federal government. The reimbursement may not exceed the pupil's actual cost of transportation or 15 cents per mile traveled, whichever is less. Reimbursement may not be paid for more than 250 miles per week.

At the time a pupil enrolls in a charter school, the charter school must provide the parent or guardian with information regarding the transportation.

(c) If a charter school does not elect to provide transportation, transportation for pupils enrolled at the school must be provided by the district in which the school is located, according to sections 123B.88, subdivision 6, and 124D.03, subdivision 8, for a pupil residing in the same district in which the charter school is located. Transportation may be provided by the district in which the school is located, according to sections 123B.88, subdivision 6, and 124D.03, subdivision 8, for a pupil residing in a different district. If the district provides the transportation, the scheduling of routes, manner and method of transportation, control and discipline of the pupils, and any other matter relating to the transportation of pupils under this paragraph shall be within the sole discretion, control, and management of the district.

Subd. 17.

Leased space.

A charter school may lease space from an independent or special school board deleted text begin eligible to be an authorizerdeleted text end , other public organization, private, nonprofit nonsectarian organization, private property owner, or a sectarian organization if the leased space is constructed as a school facility. The department must review and approve or disapprove leases in a timely mannernew text begin for purposes of determining eligibility for lease aid under section 124D.11, subdivision 4new text end .

Subd. 17a.

Affiliated nonprofit building corporation.

(a) Before a charter school may organize an affiliated nonprofit building corporation (i) to renovate or purchase an existing facility to serve as a school or (ii) to new text begin expand an existing building or new text end construct a new school facility, an authorizer must submit an affidavit to the commissioner for approval in the form and manner the commissioner prescribes, and consistent with paragraphs (b) and (c) or (d).

(b) An affiliated nonprofit building corporation under this subdivision must:

(1) be incorporated under section 317A;

(2) comply with applicable Internal Revenue Service regulations, including regulations for "supporting organizations" as defined by the Internal Revenue Service;

(3) submit to the commissioner each fiscal year a list of current board members and a copy of its annual audit; and

(4) comply with government data practices law under chapter 13.

An affiliated nonprofit building corporation must not serve as the leasing agent for property or facilities it does not own. A charter school that leases a facility from an affiliated nonprofit building corporation that does not own the leased facility is ineligible to receive charter school lease aid. The state is immune from liability resulting from a contract between a charter school and an affiliated nonprofit building corporation.

(c) A charter school may organize an affiliated nonprofit building corporation to renovate or purchase an existing facility to serve as a school if the charter school:

(1) has been operating for at least five consecutive school years;

(2) has had a net positive unreserved general fund balance as of June 30 in the preceding five fiscal years;

(3) has a long-range strategic and financial plan;

(4) completes a feasibility study of available buildings;

(5) documents enrollment projections and the need to use an affiliated building corporation to renovate or purchase an existing facility to serve as a school; and

(6) has a plan for the renovation or purchase, which describes the parameters and budget for the project.

(d) A charter school may organize an affiliated nonprofit building corporation to expand an existing school facility or construct a new school facility if the charter school:

(1) demonstrates the lack of facilities available to serve as a school;

(2) has been operating for at least eight consecutive school years;

(3) has had a net positive unreserved general fund balance as of June 30 in the preceding five fiscal years;

(4) completes a feasibility study of facility options;

(5) has a long-range strategic and financial plan that includes enrollment projections and demonstrates the need for constructing a new school facility; and

(6) has a plan for the expansion or new school facility, which describes the parameters and budget for the project.

new text begin Subd. 17b. new text end

new text begin Positive review and comment. new text end

deleted text begin (e)deleted text end A charter school or an affiliated nonprofit building corporation organized by a charter school must not initiate an installment contract for purchase, or a lease agreement, or solicit bids for new construction, expansion, or remodeling of an educational facility that requires an expenditure in excess of $1,400,000, unless it meets the criteria in new text begin subdivision 17a, new text end paragraph (b) and paragraph (c) or (d), as applicable, and receives a positive review and comment from the commissioner under section 123B.71.

Subd. 19.

Disseminate information.

(a) deleted text begin The authorizer, the operators,deleted text end new text begin Authorizersnew text end and the department must disseminate information to the public on how to form and operate a charter school. Charter schools must disseminate information about how to use the offerings of a charter school. Targeted groups include low-income families and communities, students of color, and students who are at risk of academic failure.

(b) Authorizers, operators, and the department also may disseminate information about the successful best practices in teaching and learning demonstrated by charter schools.

Subd. 20.

Leave to teach in a charter school.

If a teacher employed by a district makes a written request for an extended leave of absence to teach at a charter school, the district must grant the leave. The district must grant a leave not to exceed a total of five years. Any request to extend the leave shall be granted only at the discretion of the school board. The district may require that the request for a leave or extension of leave be made before February 1 in the school year preceding the school year in which the teacher intends to leave, or February 1 of the calendar year in which the teacher's leave is scheduled to terminate. Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision and except for section 122A.46, subdivision 7, the leave is governed by section 122A.46, including, but not limited to, reinstatement, notice of intention to return, seniority, salary, and insurance.

During a leave, the teacher may continue to aggregate benefits and credits in the Teachers' Retirement Association account under chapters 354 and 354A, consistent with subdivision 22.

Subd. 21.

Collective bargaining.

Employees of the board of directors of a charter school may, if otherwise eligible, organize under chapter 179A and comply with its provisions. The board of directors of a charter school is a public employer, for the purposes of chapter 179A, upon formation of one or more bargaining units at the school. Bargaining units at the school must be separate from any other units within an authorizing district, except that bargaining units may remain part of the appropriate unit within an authorizing district, if the employees of the school, the board of directors of the school, the exclusive representative of the appropriate unit in the authorizing district, and the board of the authorizing district agree to include the employees in the appropriate unit of the authorizing district.

Subd. 22.

Teacher and other employee retirement.

(a) Teachers in a charter school must be public school teachers for the purposes of chapters 354 and 354A.

(b) Except for teachers under paragraph (a), employees in a charter school must be public employees for the purposes of chapter 353.

Subd. 23.

Causes for nonrenewal or termination of charter school contract.

(a) The duration of the contract with an authorizer must be for the term contained in the contract according to subdivision 6. The authorizer may or may not renew a contract at the end of the term for any ground listed in paragraph (b). An authorizer may unilaterally terminate a contract during the term of the contract for any ground listed in paragraph (b). At least 60 business days before not renewing or terminating a contract, the authorizer shall notify the board of directors of the charter school of the proposed action in writing. The notice shall state the grounds for the proposed action in reasonable detail and that the charter school's board of directors may request in writing an informal hearing before the authorizer within 15 business days of receiving notice of nonrenewal or termination of the contract. Failure by the board of directors to make a written request for an informal hearing within the 15-business-day period shall be treated as acquiescence to the proposed action. Upon receiving a timely written request for a hearing, the authorizer shall give ten business days' notice to the charter school's board of directors of the hearing date. The authorizer shall conduct an informal hearing before taking final action. The authorizer shall take final action to renew or not renew a contract no later than 20 business days before the proposed date for terminating the contract or the end date of the contract.

(b) A contract may be terminated or not renewed upon any of the following grounds:

(1) failure to deleted text begin meetdeleted text end new text begin demonstrate satisfactory academic achievement for all students, includingnew text end the requirements for pupil performance contained in the contract;

(2) failure to meet generally accepted standards of fiscal management;

(3) violations of law; or

(4) other good cause shown.

If a contract is terminated or not renewed under this paragraph, the school must be dissolved according to the applicable provisions of chapter 317A.

deleted text begin (c) If the authorizer and the charter school board of directors mutually agree to terminate or not renew the contract, a change in authorizers is allowed if the commissioner approves the change to a different eligible authorizer to authorize the charter school. deleted text end deleted text begin Both parties must jointly submit their intent in writing to the commissioner to mutually terminate the contract. The authorizer that is a party to the existing contract must inform the proposed authorizer about the fiscal and operational status and student performance of the school. Before the commissioner determines whether to approve a change in authorizer, the proposed authorizer must identify any outstanding issues in the proposed charter contract that were unresolved in the previous charter contract and have the charter school agree to resolve those issues. If no change in authorizer is approved, the school must be dissolved according to applicable law and the terms of the contract. deleted text end

new text begin (c) If the authorizer and the charter school board of directors mutually agree not to renew the contract, a change in authorizers is allowed. The authorizer and the school board must jointly submit a written and signed letter of their intent to the commissioner to mutually not renew the contract. The authorizer that is a party to the existing contract must inform the proposed authorizer about the fiscal, operational, and student performance status of the school, as well as any outstanding contractual obligations that exist. The charter contract between the proposed authorizer and the school must identify and provide a plan to address any outstanding obligations from the previous contract. The proposed contract must be submitted at least 105 business days before the end of the existing charter contract. The commissioner shall have 30 business days to review and make a determination. The proposed authorizer and the school shall have 15 business days to respond to the determination and address any issues identified by the commissioner. A final determination by the commissioner shall be made no later than 45 business days before the end of the current charter contract. If no change in authorizer is approved, the school and the current authorizer may withdraw their letter of nonrenewal and enter into a new contract. If the transfer of authorizers is not approved and the current authorizer and the school do not withdraw their letter and enter into a new contract, the school must be dissolved according to applicable law and the terms of the contract. new text end

(d) The commissioner, after providing reasonable notice to the board of directors of a charter school and the existing authorizer, and after providing an opportunity for a public hearing, may terminate the existing contract between the authorizer and the charter school board if the charter school has a history of:

(1) failure to meet pupil performance requirements consistent with state law;

(2) financial mismanagement or failure to meet generally accepted standards of fiscal management; or

(3) repeated or major violations of the law.

Subd. 23a.

Related party lease costs.

(a) A charter school is prohibited from entering a lease of real property with a related party unless the lessor is a nonprofit corporation under chapter 317A or a cooperative under chapter 308A, and the lease cost is reasonable under section 124D.11, subdivision 4, clause (1).

(b) For purposes of this section and section 124D.11:

(1) "related party" means an affiliate or immediate relative of the other party in question, an affiliate of an immediate relative, or an immediate relative of an affiliate;

(2) "affiliate" means a person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with another person;

(3) "immediate family" means an individual whose relationship by blood, marriage, adoption, or partnering is no more remote than first cousin;

(4) "person" means an individual or entity of any kind; and

(5) "control" means the ability to affect the management, operations, or policy actions or decisions of a person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise.

(c) A lease of real property to be used for a charter school, not excluded in paragraph (a), must contain the following statement: "This lease is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.10, subdivision 23a."

(d) If a charter school enters into as lessee a lease with a related party and the charter school subsequently closes, the commissioner has the right to recover from the lessor any lease payments in excess of those that are reasonable under section 124D.11, subdivision 4, clause (1).

Subd. 24.

Pupil enrollment upon nonrenewal or termination of charter school contract.

If a contract is not renewed or is terminated according to subdivision 23, a pupil who attended the school, siblings of the pupil, or another pupil who resides in the same place as the pupil may enroll in the resident district or may submit an application to a nonresident district according to section 124D.03 at any time. Applications and notices required by section 124D.03 must be processed and provided in a prompt manner. The application and notice deadlines in section 124D.03 do not apply under these circumstances. The closed charter school must transfer the student's educational records within ten business days of closure to the student's school district of residence where the records must be retained or transferred under section 120A.22, subdivision 7.

Subd. 25.

Extent of specific legal authority.

(a) The board of directors of a charter school may sue and be sued.

(b) The board may not levy taxes or issue bonds.

(c) The commissioner, an authorizer, members of the board of an authorizer in their official capacity, and employees of an authorizer are immune from civil or criminal liability with respect to all activities related to a charter school they approve or authorize. The board of directors shall obtain at least the amount of and types of insurance up to the applicable tort liability limits under chapter 466. The charter school board must submit a copy of the insurance policy to its authorizer deleted text begin and the commissionerdeleted text end before starting operations. The charter school board must submit changes in its insurance carrier or policy to its authorizer deleted text begin and the commissionerdeleted text end within 20 business days of the change.

(d) Notwithstanding section 3.736, the charter school shall assume full liability for its activities and indemnify and hold harmless the authorizer and its officers, agents, and employees from any suit, claim, or liability arising from any operation of the charter school and the commissioner and department officers, agents, and employees. A charter school is not required to indemnify or hold harmless a state employee if the state would not be required to indemnify and hold the employee harmless under section 3.736, subdivision 9.

Subd. 27.

Collaboration between charter school and school district.

(a) A charter school board may voluntarily enter into a two-year, renewable agreement for collaboration to enhance student achievement with a school district within whose geographic boundary it operates.

(b) A school district need not be an approved authorizer to enter into a collaboration agreement with a charter school. A charter school need not be authorized by the school district with which it seeks to collaborate.

(c) A charter school authorizer is prohibited from requiring a collaboration agreement as a condition of entering into or renewing a charter contract as defined in subdivision 6.

(d) Nothing in this subdivision or in the collaboration agreement may impact in any way the authority or autonomy of the charter school.

(e) Nothing in this subdivision or in the collaboration agreement shall cause the state to pay twice for the same student, service, or facility or otherwise impact state funding, or the flow thereof, to the school district or the charter school.

(f) The collaboration agreement may include, but need not be limited to, collaboration regarding facilities, transportation, training, student achievement, assessments, mutual performance standards, and other areas of mutual agreement.

(g) The school district may include the academic performance of the students of a collaborative charter school site operating within the geographic boundaries of the school district, for purposes of student assessment and reporting to the state.

(h) Districts, authorizers, or charter schools entering into a collaborative agreement are equally and collectively subject to the same state and federal accountability measures for student achievement, school performance outcomes, and school improvement strategies. The collaborative agreement and all accountability measures must be posted on the district, charter school, and authorizer Web sites.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013, except subdivision 6 is effective August 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 124D.11, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

General education revenue.

deleted text begin (a)deleted text end General education revenue must be paid to a charter school as though it were a district. The general education revenue for each adjusted deleted text begin marginal costdeleted text end pupil unit is the state average general education revenue per pupil unit, plus the referendum equalization aid allowance in the pupil's district of residence, minus an amount equal to the product of the formula allowance according to section 126C.10, subdivision 2, times deleted text begin .0485deleted text end new text begin .0466new text end , calculated without basic skills revenue, extended time revenue, deleted text begin alternative teacher compensation revenue,deleted text end new text begin pension adjustment revenue, new text end transition revenue, and transportation sparsity revenue, plus basic skills revenue, extended time revenue, deleted text begin basic alternative teacher compensation aid according to section 126C.10, subdivision 34,deleted text end new text begin pension adjustment revenue, new text end and transition revenue as though the school were a school district. The general education revenue for each extended time deleted text begin marginal costdeleted text end pupil unit equals deleted text begin $4,378deleted text end new text begin $4,794new text end .

deleted text begin (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), for charter schools in the first year of operation, general education revenue shall be computed using the number of adjusted pupil units in the current fiscal year. deleted text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 124D.11, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Transportation revenue.

Transportation revenue must be paid to a charter school that provides transportation services according to section 124D.10, subdivision 16, according to this subdivision. Transportation aid shall equal transportation revenue.

In addition to the revenue under subdivision 1, a charter school providing transportation services must receive general education aid equal to the sum of the product of (i) an amount equal to the product of the formula allowance according to section 126C.10, subdivision 2, times deleted text begin .0485deleted text end new text begin .0466new text end , plus the transportation sparsity allowance for the school district in which the charter school is located times (ii) the adjusted deleted text begin marginal costdeleted text end pupil units, plus the product of $223 times the extended time deleted text begin marginal costdeleted text end pupil units.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 124D.11, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Building lease aid.

new text begin (a) new text end When a charter school finds it economically advantageous to rent or lease a building or land for any instructional purposes and it determines that the total operating capital revenue under section 126C.10, subdivision 13, is insufficient for this purpose, it may apply to the commissioner for building lease aid for this purpose. The commissioner must review and either approve or deny a lease aid application using the following criteria:

(1) the reasonableness of the price based on current market values;

(2) the extent to which the lease conforms to applicable state laws and rules; and

(3) the appropriateness of the proposed lease in the context of the space needs and financial circumstances of the charter school.new text begin The commissioner must approve aid only for a facility lease that has (i) a sum certain annual cost and (ii) an escape clause the charter school may exercise if its charter contract is terminated or not renewed.new text end

A charter school must not use the building lease aid it receives for custodial, maintenance service, utility, or other operating costs.

new text begin (b) new text end The amount of new text begin annual new text end building lease aid deleted text begin per pupil unit serveddeleted text end for a charter school deleted text begin for any yeardeleted text end shall not exceed the lesser of deleted text begin (a)deleted text end new text begin (1)new text end 90 percent of the approved cost or deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin (2)new text end the product of the pupil units served for the current school year times deleted text begin $1,200deleted text end new text begin $1,314new text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2014. new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 260A.02, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Continuing truant.

"Continuing truant" means a child who is subject to the compulsory instruction requirements of section 120A.22 and is absent from instruction in a school, as defined in section 120A.05, without valid excuse within a single school year for:

(1) three days if the child is in elementary school; or

(2) three or more class periods on three days if the child is in middle school, junior high school, or high school.

Nothing in this section shall prevent a school district new text begin or charter school new text end from notifying a truant child's parent or legal guardian of the child's truancy or otherwise addressing a child's attendance problems prior to the child becoming a continuing truant.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 260A.03, is amended to read:

260A.03 NOTICE TO PARENT OR GUARDIAN WHEN CHILD IS A CONTINUING TRUANT.

Upon a child's initial classification as a continuing truant, the school attendance officer or other designated school official shall notify the child's parent or legal guardian, by first-class mail or other reasonable means, of the following:

(1) that the child is truant;

(2) that the parent or guardian should notify the school if there is a valid excuse for the child's absences;

(3) that the parent or guardian is obligated to compel the attendance of the child at school pursuant to section 120A.22 and parents or guardians who fail to meet this obligation may be subject to prosecution under section 120A.34;

(4) that this notification serves as the notification required by section 120A.34;

(5) that alternative educational programs and services may be available in the new text begin child's enrolling or resident new text end district;

(6) that the parent or guardian has the right to meet with appropriate school personnel to discuss solutions to the child's truancy;

(7) that if the child continues to be truant, the parent and child may be subject to juvenile court proceedings under chapter 260C;

(8) that if the child is subject to juvenile court proceedings, the child may be subject to suspension, restriction, or delay of the child's driving privilege pursuant to section 260C.201; and

(9) that it is recommended that the parent or guardian accompany the child to school and attend classes with the child for one day.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 260A.05, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Establishment.

A school district new text begin or charter school new text end may establish one or more school attendance review boards to exercise the powers and duties in this section. The school district new text begin or charter school new text end board shall appoint the members of the school attendance review board and designate the schools within the board's jurisdiction. Members of a school attendance review board may include:

(1) the superintendent of the school district or the superintendent's designeenew text begin or charter school director or the director's designeenew text end ;

(2) a principal and one or more other school officials from within the districtnew text begin or charter schoolnew text end ;

(3) parent representatives;

(4) representatives from community agencies that provide services for truant students and their families;

(5) a juvenile probation officer;

(6) school counselors and attendance officers; and

(7) law enforcement officers.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 260A.07, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Establishment; referrals.

A county attorney may establish a truancy mediation program for the purpose of resolving truancy problems without court action. If a student is in a school districtnew text begin or charter schoolnew text end that has established a school attendance review board, the student may be referred to the county attorney under section 260A.06, subdivision 3. If the student's school district new text begin or charter school new text end has not established a board, the student may be referred to the county attorney by the school district new text begin or charter school new text end if the student continues to be truant after the parent or guardian has been sent or conveyed the notice under section 260A.03.

Sec. 9.

new text begin APPROPRIATIONS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Department. new text end

new text begin The sums indicated in this section are appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years designated. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Charter school building lease aid. new text end

new text begin For building lease aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.11, subdivision 4: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 54,484,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2014 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 59,533,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2015 new text end

new text begin The 2014 appropriation includes $6,819,000 for 2013 and $47,665,000 for 2014. new text end

new text begin The 2015 appropriation includes $7,502,000 for 2014 and $52,031,000 for 2015. new text end

Sec. 10.

new text begin REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION; CHARTER SCHOOLS RECODIFICATION. new text end

new text begin The revisor of statutes, in consultation with K-12 education staff in House Research and Senate Counsel and Research, shall prepare a recodification of Minnesota Statutes, sections 124D.10 and 124D.11, including corresponding technical corrections and other needed technical changes and shall submit the completed recodification to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees having jurisdiction over K-12 education policy and finance. new text end

ARTICLE 5

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 15.059, subdivision 5b, is amended to read:

Subd. 5b.

Continuation dependent on federal law.

Notwithstanding this section, the following councils and committees do not expire unless federal law no longer requires the existence of the council or committee:

(1) Rehabilitation Council for the Blind, created in section 248.10;

(2) Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee, created in section 299A.72;

(3) Governor's Workforce Development Council, created in section 116L.665;

(4) local workforce councils, created in section 116L.666, subdivision 2;

(5) Rehabilitation Council, created in section 268A.02, subdivision 2; deleted text begin anddeleted text end

(6) Statewide Independent Living Council, created in section 268A.02, subdivision 2new text begin ; andnew text end

new text begin (7) Interagency Coordinating Council, created in section 125A.28new text end .

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 124D.11, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Special education aid.

(a) Except as provided in subdivision 2, special education aid must be paid to a charter school according to section 125A.76, as though it were a school district.

deleted text begin (b) For fiscal year 2006, the charter school may charge tuition to the district of residence as follows: deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) if the charter school does not receive general education revenue on behalf of the student according to subdivision 1, tuition shall be charged as provided in section 125A.11; or deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) if the charter school receives general education revenue on behalf of the student according to subdivision 1, tuition shall be charged as provided in section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraph (d). deleted text end

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (b)new text end For fiscal year deleted text begin 2007deleted text end new text begin 2015new text end and later, the special education aid paid to the charter school shall be adjusted as follows:

(1) if the charter school does not receive general education revenue on behalf of the student according to subdivision 1, the aid shall be adjusted as provided in section 125A.11; or

(2) if the charter school receives general education revenue on behalf of the student according to subdivision 1, the aid shall be adjusted as provided in section 127A.47, subdivision 7, deleted text begin paragraphdeleted text end new text begin paragraphs (b) tonew text end (d).

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 125A.0941, is amended to read:

125A.0941 DEFINITIONS.

(a) The following terms have the meanings given them.

(b) "Emergency" means a situation where immediate intervention is needed to protect a child or other individual from physical injury deleted text begin or to prevent serious property damagedeleted text end .new text begin Emergency does not mean circumstances such as: a child who does not respond to a task or request and instead places his or her head on a desk or hides under a desk or table; a child who does not respond to a staff person's request unless failing to respond would result in physical injury to the child or other individual; or an emergency incident has already occurred and no threat of physical injury currently exists.new text end

(c) "Physical holding" means physical intervention intended to hold a child immobile or limit a child's movement, where body contact is the only source of physical restraint, and where immobilization is used to effectively gain control of a child in order to protect deleted text begin thedeleted text end new text begin anew text end child or other deleted text begin persondeleted text end new text begin individualnew text end from new text begin physical new text end injury. The term physical holding does not mean physical contact that:

(1) helps a child respond or complete a task;

(2) assists a child without restricting the child's movement;

(3) is needed to administer an authorized health-related service or procedure; or

(4) is needed to physically escort a child when the child does not resist or the child's resistance is minimal.

(d) "Positive behavioral interventions and supports" means interventions and strategies to improve the school environment and teach children the skills to behave appropriately.

(e) "Prone restraint" means placing a child in a face down position.

(f) "Restrictive procedures" means the use of physical holding or seclusion in an emergency.new text begin Restrictive procedures must not be used to punish or otherwise discipline a child.new text end

(g) "Seclusion" means confining a child alone in a room from which egress is barred. new text begin Egress may be barred by an adult locking or closing the door in the room or preventing the child from leaving the room. new text end Removing a child from an activity to a location where the child cannot participate in or observe the activity is not seclusion.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 125A.0942, is amended to read:

125A.0942 STANDARDS FOR RESTRICTIVE PROCEDURES.

Subdivision 1.

Restrictive procedures plan.

new text begin (a) new text end Schools that intend to use restrictive procedures shall maintain and make publicly accessiblenew text begin in an electronic format on a school or district Web site or make a paper copy available upon request describingnew text end a restrictive procedures plan for children new text begin with disabilities new text end that deleted text begin includesdeleted text end at least deleted text begin the followingdeleted text end :

(1) new text begin lists new text end the deleted text begin list ofdeleted text end restrictive procedures the school intends to use;

(2) new text begin describes how the school will implement a range of positive behavior strategies and provide links to mental health services;new text end

new text begin (3) describes new text end how the school will monitor and review the use of restrictive procedures, includingnew text begin :new text end

new text begin (i) new text end conducting post-use debriefingsnew text begin , consistent with subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (5);new text end and

new text begin (ii) new text end convening an oversight committeenew text begin to undertake a quarterly review of the use of restrictive procedures based on patterns or problems indicated by similarities in the time of day, day of the week, duration of the use of a procedure, the individuals involved, or other factors associated with the use of restrictive procedures; the number of times a restrictive procedure is used schoolwide and for individual children; the number and types of injuries, if any, resulting from the use of restrictive procedures; whether restrictive procedures are used in nonemergency situations; the need for additional staff training; and proposed actions to minimize the use of restrictive proceduresnew text end ; and

deleted text begin (3)deleted text end new text begin (4) includesnew text end a written description and documentation of the training staff completed under subdivision 5.

new text begin (b) Schools annually must publicly identify oversight committee members who must at least include: new text end

new text begin (1) a mental health professional, school psychologist, or school social worker; new text end

new text begin (2) an expert in positive behavior strategies; new text end

new text begin (3) a special education administrator; and new text end

new text begin (4) a general education administrator. new text end

Subd. 2.

Restrictive procedures.

(a) Restrictive procedures may be used only by a licensed special education teacher, school social worker, school psychologist, behavior analyst certified by the National Behavior Analyst Certification Board, a person with a master's degree in behavior analysis, other licensed education professional, paraprofessional under section 120B.363, or mental health professional under section 245.4871, subdivision 27, who has completed the training program under subdivision 5.

(b) A school shall make reasonable efforts to notify the parent on the same day a restrictive procedure is used on the child, or if the school is unable to provide same-day notice, notice is sent within two days by written or electronic means or as otherwise indicated by the child's parent under paragraph (d).

(c) deleted text begin When restrictive procedures are used twice in 30 days or when a pattern emerges and restrictive procedures are not included in a child's individualized education program or behavior intervention plan,deleted text end The district must hold a meeting of the individualized education program team, conduct or review a functional behavioral analysis, review data, consider developing additional or revised positive behavioral interventions and supports, consider actions to reduce the use of restrictive procedures, and modify the individualized education program or behavior intervention plan as appropriate. new text begin The district must hold the meeting: within ten calendar days after district staff use restrictive procedures on two separate school days within 30 calendar days or a pattern of use emerges and the child's individualized education program or behavior intervention plan does not provide for using restrictive procedures in an emergency; or at the request of a parent or the district after restrictive procedures are used. The district must review use of restrictive procedures at a child's annual individualized education program meeting when the child's individualized education program provides for using restrictive procedures in an emergency.new text end

new text begin (d) If the individualized education program team under paragraph (c) determines that existing interventions and supports are ineffective in reducing the use of restrictive procedures or the district uses restrictive procedures on a child on ten or more school days during the same school year, the team, as appropriate, either must consult with other professionals working with the child; consult with experts in behavior analysis, mental health, communication, or autism; consult with culturally competent professionals; review existing evaluations, resources, and successful strategies; or consider whether to reevaluate the child. new text end

new text begin (e) new text end At the new text begin individualized education program new text end meetingnew text begin under paragraph (c)new text end , the team must review any known medical or psychological limitationsnew text begin , including any medical information the parent provides voluntarily,new text end that contraindicate the use of a restrictive procedure, consider whether to prohibit that restrictive procedure, and document any prohibition in the individualized education program or behavior intervention plan.

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (f)new text end An individualized education program team may plan for using restrictive procedures and may include these procedures in a child's individualized education program or behavior intervention plan; however, the restrictive procedures may be used only in response to behavior that constitutes an emergency, consistent with this section. The individualized education program or behavior intervention plan shall indicate how the parent wants to be notified when a restrictive procedure is used.

Subd. 3.

Physical holding or seclusion.

(a) Physical holding or seclusion may be used only in an emergency. A school that uses physical holding or seclusion shall meet the following requirements:

(1) deleted text begin thedeleted text end physical holding or seclusion deleted text begin must bedeleted text end new text begin isnew text end the least intrusive intervention that effectively responds to the emergency;

(2) new text begin physical holding or seclusion is not used to discipline a noncompliant child;new text end

new text begin (3) new text end physical holding or seclusion deleted text begin must enddeleted text end new text begin ends new text end when the threat of harm ends and the staff determines deleted text begin thatdeleted text end the child can safely return to the classroom or activity;

deleted text begin (3)deleted text end new text begin (4)new text end staff deleted text begin mustdeleted text end directly deleted text begin observedeleted text end new text begin observesnew text end the child while physical holding or seclusion is being used;

deleted text begin (4)deleted text end new text begin (5)new text end each time physical holding or seclusion is used, the staff person who implements or oversees the physical holding or seclusion deleted text begin shall documentdeleted text end new text begin documentsnew text end , as soon as possible after the incident concludes, the following information:

(i) a description of the incident that led to the physical holding or seclusion;

(ii) why a less restrictive measure failed or was determined by staff to be inappropriate or impractical;

(iii) the time the physical holding or seclusion began and the time the child was released; and

(iv) a brief record of the child's behavioral and physical status;

deleted text begin (5)deleted text end new text begin (6)new text end the room used for seclusion must:

(i) be at least six feet by five feet;

(ii) be well lit, well ventilated, adequately heated, and clean;

(iii) have a window that allows staff to directly observe a child in seclusion;

(iv) have tamperproof fixtures, electrical switches located immediately outside the door, and secure ceilings;

(v) have doors that open out and are unlocked, locked with keyless locks that have immediate release mechanisms, or locked with locks that have immediate release mechanisms connected with a fire and emergency system; and

(vi) not contain objects that a child may use to injure the child or others;

deleted text begin (6)deleted text end new text begin (7)new text end before using a room for seclusion, a school must:

(i) receive written notice from local authorities that the room and the locking mechanisms comply with applicable building, fire, and safety codes; and

(ii) register the room with the commissioner, who may view that room; and

deleted text begin (7)deleted text end new text begin (8)new text end until August 1, deleted text begin 2013deleted text end new text begin 2015new text end , a school district may use prone restraints with children age five or older deleted text begin under the following conditionsdeleted text end new text begin ifnew text end :

(i) deleted text begin adeleted text end new text begin thenew text end district has provided to the department a list of staff who have had specific training on the use of prone restraints;

(ii) deleted text begin adeleted text end new text begin thenew text end district provides information on the type of training that was provided and by whom;

(iii) deleted text begin prone restraints maydeleted text end only deleted text begin be used bydeleted text end staff who deleted text begin havedeleted text end received specific trainingnew text begin use prone restraintsnew text end ;

(iv) each incident of the use of prone restraints is reported to the department within five working days on a form provided by the department; and

(v) deleted text begin adeleted text end new text begin thenew text end district, deleted text begin prior todeleted text end new text begin beforenew text end using prone restraints, must review any known medical or psychological limitations that contraindicate the use of prone restraints.

deleted text begin The department will report back to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over education policy by February 1, 2013, on the use of prone restraints in the schools. Consistent with item (iv),deleted text end The department must collect data on districts' use of prone restraints and publish the data in a readily accessible format on the department's Web site on a quarterly basis.

(b) deleted text begin The department must develop a statewide plan by February 1, 2013, to reduce districts' use of restrictive procedures that includesdeleted text end new text begin By March 1, 2014, stakeholders must recommend to the commissioner specific and measurable implementation and outcome goals for reducing the use of restrictive procedures and the commissioner must submit to the legislature a report on districts' progress in reducing the use of restrictive procedures that recommends how to further reduce these procedures and eliminate the use of prone restraints. The statewide plan includes the following componentsnew text end : measurable goals; the resources, training, technical assistance, mental health services, and collaborative efforts needed to significantly reduce districts' use of prone restraints; and recommendations to clarify and improve the law governing districts' use of restrictive procedures. The deleted text begin department must convenedeleted text end new text begin commissioner must consult withnew text end interested stakeholders deleted text begin to develop the statewide plan and identify the need for technical assistancedeleted text end new text begin when preparing the reportnew text end , including representatives of advocacy organizations, special education directors, new text begin teachers, paraprofessionals, new text end intermediate school districts, school boards, day treatment providers, new text begin county social services, new text end state human services department staff, mental health professionals, and autism experts. deleted text begin To assist the department and stakeholders under this paragraph, school districts must report summary data to the department by July 1, 2012, on districts' use of restrictive procedures during the 2011-2012 school year, including data on the number of incidents involving restrictive procedures, the total number of students on which restrictive procedures were used, the number of resulting injuries, relevant demographic data on the students and school, and other relevant data collected by the district.deleted text end new text begin By June 30 each year, districts must report summary data on their use of restrictive procedures to the department, in a form and manner determined by the commissioner.new text end

Subd. 4.

Prohibitions.

The following actions or procedures are prohibited:

(1) engaging in conduct prohibited under section 121A.58;

(2) requiring a child to assume and maintain a specified physical position, activity, or posture that induces physical pain;

(3) totally or partially restricting a child's senses as punishment;

(4) presenting an intense sound, light, or other sensory stimuli using smell, taste, substance, or spray as punishment;

(5) denying or restricting a child's access to equipment and devices such as walkers, wheelchairs, hearing aids, and communication boards that facilitate the child's functioning, except when temporarily removing the equipment or device is needed to prevent injury to the child or others or serious damage to the equipment or device, in which case the equipment or device shall be returned to the child as soon as possible;

(6) interacting with a child in a manner that constitutes sexual abuse, neglect, or physical abuse under section 626.556;

(7) withholding regularly scheduled meals or water;

(8) denying access to bathroom facilities; and

(9) physical holding that restricts or impairs a child's ability to breathe, restricts or impairs a child's ability to communicate distress, places pressure or weight on a child's head, throat, neck, chest, lungs, sternum, diaphragm, back, or abdomen, or results in straddling a child's torso.

Subd. 5.

Training for staff.

(a) To meet the requirements of subdivision 1, staff who use restrictive proceduresnew text begin , including paraprofessionals,new text end shall complete training in the following skills and knowledge areas:

(1) positive behavioral interventions;

(2) communicative intent of behaviors;

(3) relationship building;

(4) alternatives to restrictive procedures, including techniques to identify events and environmental factors that may escalate behavior;

(5) de-escalation methods;

(6) standards for using restrictive proceduresnew text begin only in an emergencynew text end ;

(7) obtaining emergency medical assistance;

(8) the physiological and psychological impact of physical holding and seclusion;

(9) monitoring and responding to a child's physical signs of distress when physical holding is being used; deleted text begin anddeleted text end

(10) recognizing the symptoms of and interventions that may cause positional asphyxia when physical holding is useddeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ;new text end

new text begin (11) district policies and procedures for timely reporting and documenting each incident involving use of a restricted procedure; and new text end

new text begin (12) schoolwide programs on positive behavior strategies. new text end

(b) The commissioner, after consulting with the commissioner of human services, must develop and maintain a list of training programs that satisfy the requirements of paragraph (a). new text begin The commissioner also must develop and maintain a list of experts to help individualized education program teams reduce the use of restrictive procedures. new text end The district shall maintain records of staff who have been trained and the organization or professional that conducted the training. The district may collaborate with children's community mental health providers to coordinate trainings.

Subd. 6.

Behavior supports.

School districts are encouraged to establish effective schoolwide systems of positive behavior interventions and supports. Nothing in this section or section 125A.0941 precludes the use of reasonable force under sections 121A.582; 609.06, subdivision 1; and 609.379.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2013. new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 125A.11, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Nonresident tuition rate; other costs.

deleted text begin (a) For fiscal year 2006, when a school district provides instruction and services outside the district of residence, board and lodging, and any tuition to be paid, shall be paid by the district of residence. The tuition rate to be charged for any child with a disability, excluding a pupil for whom tuition is calculated according to section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraph (d), must be the sum of (1) the actual cost of providing special instruction and services to the child including a proportionate amount for special transportation and unreimbursed building lease and debt service costs for facilities used primarily for special education, plus (2) the amount of general education revenue and referendum aid attributable to the pupil, minus (3) the amount of special education aid for children with a disability received on behalf of that child, minus (4) if the pupil receives special instruction and services outside the regular classroom for more than 60 percent of the school day, the amount of general education revenue and referendum aid, excluding portions attributable to district and school administration, district support services, operations and maintenance, capital expenditures, and pupil transportation, attributable to that pupil for the portion of time the pupil receives special instruction and services outside of the regular classroom. If the boards involved do not agree upon the tuition rate, either board may apply to the commissioner to fix the rate. Notwithstanding chapter 14, the commissioner must then set a date for a hearing or request a written statement from each board, giving each board at least ten days' notice, and after the hearing or review of the written statements the commissioner must make an order fixing the tuition rate, which is binding on both school districts. General education revenue and referendum equalization aid attributable to a pupil must be calculated using the resident district's average general education revenue and referendum equalization aid per adjusted pupil unit. deleted text end

deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin (a)new text end For fiscal year deleted text begin 2007deleted text end new text begin 2015new text end and later, when a school district provides special instruction and services for a pupil with a disability as defined in section 125A.02 outside the district of residence, excluding a pupil for whom an adjustment to special education aid is calculated according to section 127A.47, subdivision 7, deleted text begin paragraph (e)deleted text end new text begin paragraphs (b) to (d)new text end , special education aid paid to the resident district must be reduced by an amount equal to (1) the actual cost of providing special instruction and services to the pupil, including a proportionate amount for special transportation and unreimbursed building lease and debt service costs for facilities used primarily for special education, plus (2) the amount of general education revenue and referendum equalization aid attributable to that pupil, calculated using the resident district's average general education revenue and referendum equalization aid per adjusted pupil unit excluding basic skills revenue, elementary sparsity revenue and secondary sparsity revenue, minus (3) the amount of special education aid for children with a disability new text begin under section 125A.76 new text end received on behalf of that child, minus (4) if the pupil receives special instruction and services outside the regular classroom for more than 60 percent of the school day, the amount of general education revenue and referendum equalization aid, excluding portions attributable to district and school administration, district support services, operations and maintenance, capital expenditures, and pupil transportation, attributable to that pupil for the portion of time the pupil receives special instruction and services outside of the regular classroom, calculated using the resident district's average general education revenue and referendum equalization aid per adjusted pupil unit excluding basic skills revenue, elementary sparsity revenue and secondary sparsity revenue and the serving district's basic skills revenue, elementary sparsity revenue and secondary sparsity revenue per adjusted pupil unit. Notwithstanding clauses (1) and (4), for pupils served by a cooperative unit without a fiscal agent school district, the general education revenue and referendum equalization aid attributable to a pupil must be calculated using the resident district's average general education revenue and referendum equalization aid excluding compensatory revenue, elementary sparsity revenue, and secondary sparsity revenue. Special education aid paid to the district or cooperative providing special instruction and services for the pupil must be increased by the amount of the reduction in the aid paid to the resident district. Amounts paid to cooperatives under this subdivision and section 127A.47, subdivision 7, shall be recognized and reported as revenues and expenditures on the resident school district's books of account under sections 123B.75 and 123B.76. If the resident district's special education aid is insufficient to make the full adjustment, the remaining adjustment shall be made to other state aid due to the district.

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (b)new text end Notwithstanding deleted text begin paragraphsdeleted text end new text begin paragraphnew text end (a) deleted text begin and (b)deleted text end and section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraphs new text begin (b) to new text end (d) deleted text begin and (e)deleted text end , a charter school where more than 30 percent of enrolled students receive special education and related services, a site approved under section 125A.515, an intermediate district, a special education cooperative, or a school district that served as the applicant agency for a group of school districts for federal special education aids for fiscal year 2006 may apply to the commissioner for authority to charge the resident district an additional amount to recover any remaining unreimbursed costs of serving pupils with a disability. The application must include a description of the costs and the calculations used to determine the unreimbursed portion to be charged to the resident district. Amounts approved by the commissioner under this paragraph must be included in the tuition billings or aid adjustments under paragraph (a) deleted text begin or (b)deleted text end , or section 127A.47, subdivision 7, deleted text begin paragraph (d) or (e)deleted text end new text begin paragraphs (b) to (d)new text end , as applicable.

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (c)new text end For purposes of this subdivision and section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraphs (d) and (e), "general education revenue and referendum equalization aid" means the sum of the general education revenue according to section 126C.10, subdivision 1, deleted text begin excluding alternative teacher compensation revenue,deleted text end plus the referendum equalization aid according to section 126C.17, subdivision 7deleted text begin , as adjusted according to section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraphs (a) to (c)deleted text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for fiscal year 2015 and later. new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 125A.27, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Eligibility for Part C.

"Eligibility for Part C" means eligibility for deleted text begin early childhood special educationdeleted text end new text begin infant and toddler intervention servicesnew text end under section 125A.02 and Minnesota Rules.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 125A.27, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

Subd. 11.

Interagency child find systems.

"Interagency child find systems" means activities developed on an interagency basis with the involvement of interagency early intervention committees and other relevant community groupsnew text begin , including primary referral sources included in Code of Federal Regulations, title 34, section 303.303(c),new text end using rigorous standards to actively seek out, identify, and refer infants and young children, with, or at risk of, disabilities, and their families, deleted text begin including a childdeleted text end new text begin to reduce the need for future services. The child find system must mandate referrals for a childnew text end under the age of three who: (1) is deleted text begin involved indeleted text end new text begin the subject ofnew text end a substantiated case of abuse or neglect, or (2) is identified as new text begin directly new text end affected by illegal substance abuse, or withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal drug exposure, to reduce the need for future services.new text begin The referral procedures must specify that a referral must occur within seven calendar days from the date of identification.new text end

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 125A.27, subdivision 14, is amended to read:

Subd. 14.

Parent.

"Parent" means deleted text begin the biological parent with parental rights, adoptive parent, legal guardian, or surrogate parentdeleted text end new text begin "parent" as defined by Code of Federal Regulations, title 34, section 303.27, or a surrogate parent appointed in accordance with Code of Federal Regulations, title 34, section 303.422, or United States Code, title 20, section 1439(a)(5)new text end .

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 125A.28, is amended to read:

125A.28 STATE INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COUNCIL.

An Interagency Coordinating Council of at least 17, but not more than 25 members is established, in compliance with Public Law 108-446, section 641. The members must be appointed by the governornew text begin and reasonably represent the population of Minnesotanew text end . Council members must elect the council chairnew text begin , who may not be a representative of the Department of Educationnew text end . deleted text begin The representative of the commissioner may not serve as the chair.deleted text end The council must be composed of at least five parents, including persons of color, of children with disabilities under age 12, including at least three parents of a child with a disability under age seven, five representatives of public or private providers of services for children with disabilities under age five, including a special education director, county social service director, local Head Start director, and a community health services or public health nursing administrator, one member of the senate, one member of the house of representatives, one representative of teacher preparation programs in early childhood-special education or other preparation programs in early childhood intervention, at least one representative of advocacy organizations for children with disabilities under age five, one physician who cares for young children with special health care needs, one representative each from the commissioners of commerce, education, health, human services, a representative from the state agency responsible for child care, foster care, mental health, homeless coordinator of education of homeless children and youth, and a representative from Indian health services or a tribal council. Section 15.059, subdivisions 2 to 5, apply to the council. The council must meet at least quarterly.

The council must address methods of implementing the state policy of developing and implementing comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary interagency programs of early intervention services for children with disabilities and their families.

The duties of the council include recommending policies to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated system of all state and local agency services for children under age five with disabilities and their families. The policies must address how to incorporate each agency's services into a unified state and local system of multidisciplinary assessment practices, individual intervention plans, comprehensive systems to find children in need of services, methods to improve public awareness, and assistance in determining the role of interagency early intervention committees.

On the date that Minnesota Part C Annual Performance Report is submitted to the federal Office of Special Education, the council must recommend to the governor and the commissioners of education, health, human services, commerce, and employment and economic development policies for a comprehensive and coordinated system.

new text begin Annually, the council must prepare and submit a report to the governor and the secretary of the federal Department of Education on the status of early intervention services and programs for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, United States Code, title 20, sections 1471 to 1485 (Part C, Public Law 102-119), as operated in Minnesota. The Minnesota Part C annual performance report may serve as the report. new text end

Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the State Interagency Coordinating Council deleted text begin expires on June 30, 2014deleted text end new text begin does not expire unless federal law no longer requires the existence of the council or committeenew text end .

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 125A.29, is amended to read:

125A.29 RESPONSIBILITIES OF COUNTY BOARDS AND SCHOOL BOARDS.

(a) It is the joint responsibility of county boards and school boards to coordinate, provide, and pay for appropriate services, and to facilitate payment for services from public and private sources. Appropriate services for children eligible under section 125A.02 must be determined in consultation with parents, physicians, and other educational, medical, health, and human services providers. The services provided must be in conformity with:

(1) an IFSP for each eligible infant and toddler from birth through age two and the infant's or toddler's family including:

(i) American Indian infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families residing on a reservation geographically located in the state;

(ii) infants and toddlers with disabilities who are homeless children and their families; and

(iii) infants and toddlers with disabilities who are wards of the state; or

(2) an individualized education program (IEP) or individual service plan (ISP) for each eligible child ages three through four.

(b) Appropriate new text begin early intervention new text end services include deleted text begin family education and counseling, home visits, occupational and physical therapy, speech pathology, audiology, psychological services, special instruction, nursing, respite, nutrition, assistive technology, transportation and related costs, social work, vision services, case managementdeleted text end new text begin services provided in conformity with an IFSP that are designed to meet the special developmental needs of an eligible child and the needs of the child's family related to enhancing the child's development and that are selected in collaboration with the parent. These services include core early intervention services and additional early intervention services listed in this section and infant and toddler intervention services defined under United States Code, title 20, sections 1431 to 1444, and Code of Federal Regulations, title 34, section 303,new text end including service coordination under section 125A.33deleted text begin , medical services for diagnostic and evaluation purposes, early identification, and screening, assessment, and health services necessary to enable children with disabilities to benefit from early intervention servicesdeleted text end .

(c) School and county boards shall coordinate early intervention services. In the absence of agreements established according to section 125A.39, service responsibilities for children birth through age two are as follows:

(1) school boards must provide, pay for, and facilitate payment for special education and related services required under sections 125A.03 and 125A.06;

(2) county boards must provide, pay for, and facilitate payment for noneducational services of social work, psychology, transportation and related costs, nursing, respite, and nutrition services not required under clause (1).

(d) School and county boards may develop an interagency agreement according to section 125A.39 to establish agency responsibility that assures early intervention services are coordinated, provided, paid for, and that payment is facilitated from public and private sources.

(e) County and school boards must jointly determine the primary agency in this cooperative effort and must notify the commissioner of the state lead agency of their decision.

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 125A.30, is amended to read:

125A.30 INTERAGENCY EARLY INTERVENTION COMMITTEES.

(a) A school district, group of districts, or special education cooperative, in cooperation with the health and human service agencies located in the county or counties in which the district or cooperative is located, must establish an Interagency Early Intervention Committee for children with disabilities under age five and their families under this section, and for children with disabilities ages three to 22 consistent with the requirements under sections 125A.023 and 125A.027. Committees must include representatives of local health, education, and county human service agencies, county boards, school boards, early childhood family education programs, Head Start, parents of young children with disabilities under age 12, child care resource and referral agencies, school readiness programs, current service providers, new text begin and agencies that serve families experiencing homelessness,new text end and may also include representatives from other private or public agencies and school nurses. The committee must elect a chair from among its members and must meet at least quarterly.

(b) The committee must develop and implement interagency policies and procedures concerning the following ongoing duties:

(1) develop public awareness systems designed to inform potential recipient families, especially parents with premature infants, or infants with other physical risk factors associated with learning or development complications, of available programs and services;

(2) to reduce families' need for future services, and especially parents with premature infants, or infants with other physical risk factors associated with learning or development complications, implement interagency child find systems designed to actively seek out, identify, and refer infants and young children with, or at risk of, disabilities, including a child under the age of three who: (i) is deleted text begin involved indeleted text end new text begin the subject ofnew text end a substantiated case of abuse or neglect or (ii) is identified as new text begin directly new text end affected by illegal substance abuse, or withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal drug exposure;

(3) establish and evaluate the identification, referral, deleted text begin childdeleted text end new text begin screening, evaluation, child-new text end and familynew text begin -directednew text end assessment systems, procedural safeguard process, and community learning systems to recommend, where necessary, alterations and improvements;

(4) assure the development of individualized family service plans for all eligible infants and toddlers with disabilities from birth through age two, and their families, and individualized education programs and individual service plans when necessary to appropriately serve children with disabilities, age three and older, and their families and recommend assignment of financial responsibilities to the appropriate agencies;

(5) implement a process for assuring that services involve cooperating agencies at all steps leading to individualized programs;

(6) facilitate the development of a deleted text begin transitionaldeleted text end new text begin transitionnew text end plan deleted text begin if a service provider is not recommended to continue to provide servicesdeleted text end new text begin in the individual family service plan by the time a child is two years and nine months oldnew text end ;

(7) identify the current services and funding being provided within the community for children with disabilities under age five and their families;

(8) develop a plan for the allocation and expenditure of deleted text begin additional state anddeleted text end federal early intervention funds under United States Code, title 20, section 1471 et seq. (Part C, Public Law 108-446) and United States Code, title 20, section 631, et seq. (Chapter I, Public Law 89-313); and

(9) develop a policy that is consistent with section 13.05, subdivision 9, and federal law to enable a member of an interagency early intervention committee to allow another member access to data classified as not public.

(c) The local committee shall alsodeleted text begin :deleted text end

deleted text begin (1)deleted text end participate in needs assessments and program planning activities conducted by local social service, health and education agencies for young children with disabilities and their familiesdeleted text begin ; anddeleted text end new text begin .new text end

deleted text begin (2) review and comment on the early intervention section of the total special education system for the district, the county social service plan, the section or sections of the community health services plan that address needs of and service activities targeted to children with special health care needs, the section on children with special needs in the county child care fund plan, sections in Head Start plans on coordinated planning and services for children with special needs, any relevant portions of early childhood education plans, such as early childhood family education or school readiness, or other applicable coordinated school and community plans for early childhood programs and services, and the section of the maternal and child health special project grants that address needs of and service activities targeted to children with chronic illness and disabilities. deleted text end

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 125A.32, is amended to read:

125A.32 INDIVIDUALIZED FAMILY SERVICE PLAN (IFSP).

(a) A team must participate in IFSP meetings to develop the IFSP. The team shall include:

(1) a parent or parents of the childnew text begin , as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 34, section 303.27new text end ;

(2) other family members, as requested by the parent, if feasible to do so;

(3) an advocate or person outside of the family, if the parent requests that the person participate;

(4) the service coordinator who has been working with the family since the initial referral, or who has been designated by the public agency to be responsible for implementation of the IFSP and coordination with other agencies including transition services; deleted text begin anddeleted text end

(5) a person or persons involved in conducting evaluations and assessmentsdeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ; andnew text end

new text begin (6) as appropriate, persons who will be providing early intervention services under the plan to the child or family. new text end

(b) The IFSP must include:

(1) information about the child's developmental status;

(2) family information, with the consent of the family;

(3) measurable results or major outcomes expected to be achieved by the child with the family's assistance, that include developmentally appropriate preliteracy and language skills for the child, and the criteria, procedures, and timelines;

(4) specific early intervention services based on peer-reviewed research, to the extent practicable, necessary to meet the unique needs of the child and the family to achieve the outcomes;

(5) payment arrangements, if any;

(6) medical and other services that the child needs, but that are not required under the Individual with Disabilities Education Act, United States Code, title 20, section 1471 et seq. (Part C, Public Law 108-446) including funding sources to be used in paying for those services and the steps that will be taken to secure those services through public or private sources;

(7) dates and duration of early intervention services;

(8) name of the service coordinator;

(9) steps to be taken to support a child's transition from deleted text begin earlydeleted text end new text begin infant and toddlernew text end intervention services to other appropriate services, including convening a transition conference at least 90 days or, at the discretion of all parties, not more than nine months before the child is eligible for preschool services; and

(10) deleted text begin signature of the parent anddeleted text end authorized signatures of the agencies responsible for providing, paying for, or facilitating payment, or any combination of these, for deleted text begin earlydeleted text end new text begin infant and toddlernew text end intervention services.

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 125A.33, is amended to read:

125A.33 SERVICE COORDINATION.

(a) The team new text begin responsible for the initial evaluation and the child- and family-directed assessment and for new text end developing the IFSP under section 125A.32new text begin , if appropriate,new text end must select a service coordinator to carry out service coordination activities on an interagency basis. Service coordination must actively promote a family's capacity and competency to identify, obtain, coordinate, monitor, and evaluate resources and services to meet the family's needs. Service coordination activities include:

(1) coordinating the performance of evaluations and assessments;

(2) facilitating and participating in the development, review, and evaluation of individualized family service plans;

(3) assisting families in identifying available service providers;

(4) coordinating and monitoring the delivery of available services;

(5) informing families of the availability of advocacy services;

(6) coordinating with medical, health, and other service providers;

(7) facilitating the development of a transition plan new text begin to preschool, school, or if appropriate, to other services, new text end at least 90 days before the time the child is no longer eligible for deleted text begin earlydeleted text end new text begin infant and toddlernew text end intervention services or, at the discretion of all parties, not more than nine months prior to the child's deleted text begin eligibility for preschool servicesdeleted text end new text begin third birthdaynew text end , if appropriate;

(8) managing the early intervention record and submitting additional information to the local primary agency at the time of periodic review and annual evaluations; and

(9) notifying a local primary agency when disputes between agencies impact service delivery required by an IFSP.

(b) A service coordinator must be knowledgeable about children and families receiving services under this section, requirements of state and federal law, and services available in the interagency early childhood intervention system.new text begin The IFSP must include the name of the services coordinator from the profession most relevant to the child's or family's needs or who is otherwise qualified to carry out all applicable responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, United States Code, title 20, sections 1471 to 1485 (Part C, Public Law 102-119), who will be responsible for implementing the early intervention services identified in the child's IFSP, including transition services, and coordination with other agencies and persons.new text end

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 125A.35, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Lead agency; allocation of resources.

The state lead agency must administer the early intervention account that consists of federal allocations. The Part C state plan must state the amount of federal resources in the early intervention account available for use by local agencies. The state lead agency must distribute the funds to the local primary agency new text begin designated by an Interagency Early Intervention Committee new text end based on a new text begin formula that includes a new text end December 1 count of the prior year of Part C eligible children for the following purposes:

(1) as provided in Code of Federal Regulations, title 34, part deleted text begin 303.425deleted text end new text begin 303.430new text end , to arrange for payment for early intervention services not elsewhere available, or to pay for services during the pendency of a conflict procedure, including mediation, complaints, due process hearings, and interagency disputes; and

(2) to support interagency child find system activities.

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 125A.36, is amended to read:

125A.36 PAYMENT FOR SERVICES.

Core early intervention services must be provided at public expense with no cost to parents. Parents must be requested to assist in the cost of additional early intervention services by using third-party payment sources deleted text begin and applying for available resourcesdeleted text end . Payment structures permitted under state law must be used to pay for additional early intervention services. Parental financial responsibility must be clearly defined in the IFSP. A parent's inability to pay must not prohibit a child from receiving needed early intervention services.

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 125A.43, is amended to read:

125A.43 MEDIATION PROCEDURE.

(a) The commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, of the state lead agency must use federal funds to provide mediation for the activities in paragraphs (b) and (c).

(b) A parent may resolve a dispute regarding issues in section 125A.42, paragraph (b), clause (5), through mediation. If the parent chooses mediation, mediation must be voluntary on the part of the parties. The parent and the public agencies must complete the mediation process within 30 calendar days of the date the deleted text begin Office of Dispute Resolutiondeleted text end new text begin Department of Educationnew text end receives a parent's written request for mediationnew text begin unless a district declines mediationnew text end . The mediation process may not be used to delay a parent's right to a due process hearing. The deleted text begin resolution of thedeleted text end new text begin written, signed new text end mediation new text begin agreement new text end is deleted text begin notdeleted text end binding on deleted text begin any partydeleted text end new text begin both parties and is enforceable in any state court of competent jurisdiction or in a district court of the United Statesnew text end .

(c) Resolution of a dispute through mediation, or other form of alternative dispute resolution, is not limited to formal disputes arising from the objection of a parent or guardian and is not limited to the period following a request for a due process hearing.

(d) The commissioner shall provide training and resources to school districts to facilitate early identification of disputes and access to mediation.

(e) The local primary agency may request mediation on behalf of involved agencies when there are disputes between agencies regarding responsibilities to coordinate, provide, pay for, or facilitate payment for early intervention services.

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 125A.76, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

new text begin (a) new text end For the purposes of this sectionnew text begin and section 125A.79new text end , the definitions in this subdivision apply.

deleted text begin (a)deleted text end new text begin (b)new text end "Basic revenue" has the meaning given it in section 126C.10, subdivision 2. For the purposes of computing basic revenue pursuant to this section, each child with a disability shall be counted as prescribed in section 126C.05, subdivision 1.

deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin (c)new text end "Essential personnel" means teachers, cultural liaisons, related services, and support services staff providing services to students. Essential personnel may also include special education paraprofessionals or clericals providing support to teachers and students by preparing paperwork and making arrangements related to special education compliance requirements, including parent meetings and individualized education programs. Essential personnel does not include administrators and supervisors.

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (d)new text end "Average daily membership" has the meaning given it in section 126C.05.

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (e)new text end "Program growth factor" means 1.046 for fiscal deleted text begin yeardeleted text end new text begin yearsnew text end 2012 new text begin though 2015, 1.0 for fiscal year 2016, 1.046 for fiscal year 2017, and the product of 1.046 and the program growth factor for the previous year for fiscal year 2018 new text end and later.

new text begin (f) "Nonfederal special education expenditure" means all direct expenditures that are necessary and essential to meet the district's obligation to provide special instruction and services to children with a disability according to sections 124D.454, 125A.03 to 125A.24, 125A.259 to 125A.48, and 125A.65 as submitted by the district and approved by the department under section 125A.75, subdivision 4, excluding expenditures: new text end

new text begin (1) reimbursed with federal funds; new text end

new text begin (2) reimbursed with other state aids under this chapter; new text end

new text begin (3) for general education costs of serving students with a disability; new text end

new text begin (4) for facilities; new text end

new text begin (5) for pupil transportation; and new text end

new text begin (6) for postemployment benefits. new text end

new text begin (g) "Old formula special education expenditures" means expenditures eligible for revenue under Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 125A.76, subdivision 2. new text end

new text begin For the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf and the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind, expenditures are limited to the salary and fringe benefits of one-to-one instructional and behavior management aides assigned to a child attending the academy, if the aides are required by the child's individualized education program. new text end

new text begin (h) "Cross subsidy reduction aid percentage" means 1.0 percent for fiscal year 2014 and 4.48 percent for fiscal year 2015. new text end

new text begin (i) "Cross subsidy reduction aid limit" means $20 for fiscal year 2014 and $48 for fiscal year 2015. new text end

new text begin (j) "Special education aid increase limit" means $80 for fiscal year 2016, $100 for fiscal year 2017, and, for fiscal year 2018 and later, the sum of the special education aid increase limit for the previous fiscal year and $40. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for fiscal year 2014 and later. new text end

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 125A.76, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 2a. new text end

new text begin Special education initial aid. new text end

new text begin For fiscal year 2016 and later, a district's special education initial aid equals the sum of: new text end

new text begin (1) the lesser of 62 percent of the district's old formula special education expenditures for the prior fiscal year, 50 percent of the district's nonfederal special education expenditures for the prior year, or 56 percent of the product of the sum of the following amounts, computed using prior fiscal year data, and the program growth factor: new text end

new text begin (i) the product of the district's average daily membership served and the sum of: new text end

new text begin (A) $450; plus new text end

new text begin (B) $400 times the ratio of the sum of the number of pupils enrolled on October 1 who are eligible to receive free lunch plus one-half of the pupils enrolled on October 1 who are eligible to receive reduced-price lunch to the total October 1 enrollment; plus new text end

new text begin (C) .008 times the district' s average daily membership served; plus new text end

new text begin (ii) $10,400 times the December 1 child count for the primary disability areas of autism spectrum disorders, developmental delay, and severely multiply impaired; plus new text end

new text begin (iii) $18,000 times the December 1 child count for the primary disability areas of deaf and hard-of-hearing and emotional or behavioral disorders; plus new text end

new text begin (iv) $27,000 times the December 1 child count for the primary disability areas of developmentally cognitive mild-moderate, developmentally cognitive severe-profound, physically impaired, visually impaired, and deafblind; plus new text end

new text begin (2) the cost of providing transportation services for children with disabilities under section 123B.92, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), clause (4). new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for fiscal year 2016 and later. new text end

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 125A.76, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 2b. new text end

new text begin Cross subsidy reduction aid. new text end

new text begin For fi