Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Office of the Revisor of Statutes

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

CHAPTER 5--H.F.No. 2

An act

relating to education finance; providing funding in early childhood, kindergarten through grade 12, and adult education, including general education, education excellence, teachers, special education, facilities and technology, nutrition, libraries, early childhood and family support, community education and prevention, self-sufficiency and lifelong learning, and state agencies; making forecast adjustments; restructuring Minnesota's teacher licensing system; establishing and transferring all teacher licensing and support personnel licensing and credentialing authority to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board; providing for rulemaking; requiring a report; appropriating money;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, sections 120A.22, subdivision 9; 120A.41; 120B.021, subdivisions 1, 3; 120B.022, subdivision 1b; 120B.12, subdivisions 2, 2a, 3; 120B.125; 120B.132; 120B.22, subdivision 2; 120B.23, subdivision 3; 120B.232, subdivision 1; 120B.30, subdivision 1; 120B.31, subdivisions 4, 4a, by adding a subdivision; 120B.35, subdivision 3; 120B.36, subdivision 1; 120B.363, subdivision 1; 121A.22, subdivision 2; 121A.221; 122A.06; 122A.07; 122A.08; 122A.09, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 4a, 6, 7, 9, 10; 122A.14, subdivision 9; 122A.17; 122A.18, subdivisions 1, 2, 2b, 7a, 7c, 8, by adding a subdivision; 122A.19; 122A.20; 122A.21, subdivisions 1, 2, by adding a subdivision; 122A.22; 122A.23, subdivision 3; 122A.26, subdivision 2; 122A.28; 122A.29; 122A.30; 122A.40, subdivision 10; 122A.41, by adding a subdivision; 122A.414, subdivision 2; 122A.415, subdivision 4; 123A.73, subdivision 2; 123B.41, subdivisions 2, 5a; 123B.52, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision; 123B.595, subdivisions 1, 4; 123B.71, subdivisions 11, 12; 123B.92, subdivision 1; 124D.03, subdivision 5a; 124D.09, subdivisions 3, 5, 10, 12, 13, by adding subdivisions; 124D.13, subdivision 11; 124D.151, subdivisions 5, 6; 124D.165, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4; 124D.454, subdivision 12; 124D.52, subdivision 7; 124D.549; 124D.55; 124D.59, subdivision 2; 124D.68, subdivision 2; 124D.695; 124D.75, subdivisions 1, 6; 124D.83, subdivision 2; 124E.03, subdivision 2; 124E.05, subdivision 7; 124E.11; 124E.22; 125A.083; 125A.0941; 125A.11, subdivision 1; 125A.21, subdivision 2; 125A.515; 125A.56, subdivision 1; 125A.67, subdivision 2; 125A.74, subdivision 1; 125A.76, subdivision 2c; 126C.05, subdivisions 1, 8; 126C.10, subdivisions 2, 2a, 3, 13a, by adding a subdivision; 126C.17, subdivision 9; 127A.05, subdivision 6; 127A.41, subdivision 3; 127A.45, subdivision 10; 129C.10, subdivisions 1, 4; 129C.105; 134.31, subdivision 2; 136A.1791, subdivisions 1, 2, 9; 214.04, subdivision 1; 214.045; 256B.0625, subdivision 26; 256J.08, subdivisions 38, 39; Laws 2015, First Special Session chapter 3, article 1, section 27, subdivisions 2, as amended, 3, 4, as amended, 6, as amended, 7, as amended, 9, as amended; article 2, section 70, subdivisions 2, as amended, 3, as amended, 4, as amended, 5, as amended, 7, as amended, 11, as amended; article 4, section 9, subdivision 2, as amended; article 5, section 30, subdivisions 2, as amended, 3, as amended, 5, as amended, 6; article 6, section 13, subdivisions 2, as amended, 3, as amended; article 7, section 7, subdivisions 2, as amended, 3, as amended, 4, as amended; article 9, section 8, subdivisions 5, as amended, 6, as amended; article 10, section 3, subdivision 2, as amended; article 11, section 3, subdivision 2, as amended; Laws 2016, chapter 189, article 25, sections 58; 62, subdivisions 7, 11, 17; article 30, section 25, subdivision 5; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapters 120A; 120B; 121A; 122A; 124D; 129C; 136A; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2016, sections 122A.09, subdivisions 5, 8, 11; 122A.14, subdivision 5; 122A.162; 122A.163; 122A.18, subdivisions 2a, 3, 3a, 4, 4a, 6, 7, 7b; 122A.21, subdivision 2; 122A.23, subdivisions 1, 2; 122A.245; 122A.25; 122A.40, subdivision 11; 122A.41, subdivision 14; 123A.73, subdivision 3; 124D.73, subdivision 2; 125A.085; 125A.75, subdivision 7; 125A.76, subdivision 2b; 129C.10, subdivision 5a; 129C.30; Minnesota Rules, part 3500.3100, subpart 4.

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

ARTICLE 1

GENERAL EDUCATION

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 120A.41, is amended to read:

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

new text begin (a) new text end 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 through 6, and 1,020 hours of instruction for a student in grades 7 through 12, not including summer school. The school calendar for all-day kindergarten must include at least 850 hours of instruction for the school year. The school calendar for a prekindergarten student under section 124D.151, if offered by the district, must include at least 350 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 unless a four-day week schedule has been approved by the commissioner under section 124D.126.

new text begin (b) A school board's annual school calendar may include plans for up to five days of instruction provided through online instruction due to inclement weather. The inclement weather plans must be developed according to section 120A.414. new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [120A.414] E-LEARNING DAYS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Days. new text end

new text begin "E-learning day" means a school day where a school offers full access to online instruction provided by students' individual teachers due to inclement weather. A school district or charter school that chooses to have e-learning days may have up to five e-learning days in one school year. An e-learning day is counted as a day of instruction and included in the hours of instruction under section 120A.41. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Plan. new text end

new text begin A school board may adopt an e-learning day plan after consulting with the exclusive representative of the teachers. A charter school may adopt an e-learning day plan after consulting with its teachers. The plan must include accommodations for students without Internet access at home and for digital device access for families without the technology or an insufficient amount of technology for the number of children in the household. A school's e-learning day plan must provide accessible options for students with disabilities under chapter 125A. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Annual notice. new text end

new text begin A school district or charter school must notify parents and students of the e-learning day plan at the beginning of the school year. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Daily notice. new text end

new text begin On an e-learning day declared by the school, a school district or charter school must notify parents and students at least two hours prior to the normal school start time that students need to follow the e-learning day plan for that day. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Teacher access. new text end

new text begin Each student's teacher must be accessible both online and by telephone during normal school hours on an e-learning day to assist students and parents. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for the 2017-2018 school year and later. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, 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 inhalernew text begin , consistent with section 121A.221,new text end 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) epinephrine auto-injectors, 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 epinephrine auto-injectors that the parent provides properly labeled to the school for the pupil as needed.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 121A.221, is amended to read:

121A.221 POSSESSION AND USE OF ASTHMA INHALERS BY ASTHMATIC STUDENTS.

(a) new text begin Consistent with section 121A.22, subdivision 2, clause (9), new text end in a school district that employs a school nurse or provides school nursing services under another arrangement, the school nurse or other appropriate party must assess the student's knowledge and skills to safely possess and use an asthma inhaler in a school setting and enter into the student's school health record a plan to implement safe possession and use of asthma inhalers.

(b) new text begin Consistent with section 121A.22, subdivision 2, clause (9), new text end in a school that does not have a school nurse or school nursing services, the student's parent or guardian must submit written verification from the prescribing professional that documents an assessment of the student's knowledge and skills to safely possess and use an asthma inhaler in a school setting has been completed.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 123B.41, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Textbook.

(a) "Textbook" means any book or book substitute, including electronic books as well as other printed materials delivered electronically, which a pupil uses as a text or text substitute in a particular class or program in the school regularly attended and a copy of which is expected to be available for the individual use of each pupil in this class or program.new text begin Textbook includes an online book with an annual subscription cost.new text end

(b) For purposes of calculating the annual nonpublic pupil aid entitlement for textbooks, the term shall be limited to books, workbooks, or manuals, whether bound or in loose-leaf form, as well as electronic books and other printed materials delivered electronically, intended for use as a principal source of study material for a given class or a group of students.

(c) For purposes of sections 123B.40 to 123B.48, the terms "textbook" and "software or other educational technology" include only such secular, neutral, and nonideological materials as are available, used by, or of benefit to Minnesota public school pupils.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2018 and later. new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 123B.41, subdivision 5a, is amended to read:

Subd. 5a.

Software or other educational technology.

For purposes of sections 123B.42 and 123B.43, "software or other educational technology" includes software, programs, applications, hardware, and any other electronic educational technology.new text begin Software or other educational technology includes course registration fees for advanced placement courses delivered online.new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2018 and later. new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, 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, the cost of providing transportation for children with disabilities includes (A) the additional cost of transporting new text begin a student in a shelter care facility as defined in section 260C.007, subdivision 30, new text end a homeless student deleted text begin from a temporary nonshelter homedeleted text end 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). 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 homelessnew text begin or in a shelter care facilitynew 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 retroactively from December 10, 2016. new text end

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 126C.05, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Average daily membership.

(a) Membership for pupils in grades kindergarten through 12 and for prekindergarten pupils with disabilities shall mean the number of pupils on the current roll of the school, counted from the date of entry until withdrawal. The date of withdrawal shall mean the day the pupil permanently leaves the school or the date it is officially known that the pupil has left or has been legally excused. However, a pupil, regardless of age, who has been absent from school for 15 consecutive school days during the regular school year or for five consecutive school days during summer school or intersession classes of flexible school year programs without receiving instruction in the home or hospital shall be dropped from the roll and classified as withdrawn. Nothing in this section shall be construed as waiving the compulsory attendance provisions cited in section 120A.22. Average daily membership equals the sum for all pupils of the number of days of the school year each pupil is enrolled in the district's schools divided by the number of days the schools are in sessionnew text begin or are providing e-learning days due to inclement weathernew text end . Days of summer school or intersession classes of flexible school year programs are only included in the computation of membership for pupils with a disability not appropriately served primarily in the regular classroom. A student must not be counted as more than 1.2 pupils in average daily membership under this sectionnew text begin and section 126C.10, subdivision 2a, paragraph (b)new text end . When the initial total average daily membership exceeds 1.2 for a pupil enrolled in more than one school district during the fiscal year, each district's average daily membership must be reduced proportionately.

(b) A student must not be counted as more than one pupil in average daily membership except for purposes of section 126C.10, subdivision 2a.

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 126C.10, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Basic revenue.

The basic revenue for each district equals the formula allowance times the adjusted pupil units for the school year. deleted text begin The formula allowance for fiscal year deleted text end deleted text begin 2015 is $5,831. The formula allowance for fiscal year 2016 is $5,948.deleted text end The formula allowance for fiscal year 2017 deleted text begin and laterdeleted text end is $6,067.new text begin The formula allowance for fiscal year 2018 is $6,188. The formula allowance for fiscal year 2019 and later is $6,312.new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2018 and later. new text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, 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 $5,117 and the sum of the adjusted 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) new text begin Extended time revenue for pupils placed in an on-site education program at the Prairie Lakes Education Center or the Lake Park School, located within the borders of Independent School District No. 347, Willmar, for instruction provided after the end of the preceding regular school year and before the beginning of the following regular school year equals membership hours divided by the minimum annual instructional hours in section 126C.05, subdivision 15, not to exceed 0.20, times the pupil unit weighting in section 126C.05, subdivision 1, times $5,117.new text end

new text begin (c) new text end A school district's extended time revenue may be used for extended day programs, extended week programs, summer school, vacation break academies such as spring break academies and summer term academies, and other programming authorized under the learning year program.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2018 and later. new text end

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 126C.10, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Compensatory education revenue.

(a) deleted text begin For fiscal year 2014, 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. For fiscal year 2015 and later,deleted text end 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 3new text begin . A district's compensatory revenue equals the sum of its compensatory revenue for each building in the district and the amounts designated under Laws 2015, First Special Session chapter 3, article 2, section 70, subdivision 8, for fiscal year 2017new 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.

new text begin (d) Of the amount of revenue under this subdivision, 1.7 percent for fiscal year 2018, 3.5 percent for fiscal year 2019, and for fiscal year 2020 and later, 3.5 percent plus the percentage change in the formula allowance from fiscal year 2019, must be used for extended time activities under subdivision 2a, paragraph (c). new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2018 and later. new text end

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 126C.10, subdivision 13a, is amended to read:

Subd. 13a.

Operating capital levy.

To obtain operating capital revenue, 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 pupil unit to the operating capital equalizing factor. The operating capital equalizing factor equals $15,740 for fiscal year 2017, deleted text begin $19,972deleted text end new text begin $20,548new text end for fiscal year 2018, deleted text begin and $22,912deleted text end new text begin $24,241new text end for fiscal year 2019new text begin , and $22,912 for fiscal year 2020new text end and later.

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 126C.10, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 18a. new text end

new text begin Pupil transportation adjustment. new text end

new text begin (a) An independent, common, or special school district's transportation sparsity revenue under Minnesota Statutes, section 126C.10, subdivision 18, is increased by the greater of zero or 18.2 percent of the difference between: new text end

new text begin (1) the lesser of the district's total cost for regular and excess pupil transportation under section 123B.92, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), including depreciation, for the previous fiscal year or 105 percent of the district's total cost for the second previous fiscal year; and new text end

new text begin (2) the sum of: new text end

new text begin (i) 4.66 percent of the district's basic revenue for the previous fiscal year; new text end

new text begin (ii) transportation sparsity revenue under Minnesota Statutes, section 126C.10, subdivision 18, for the previous fiscal year; and new text end

new text begin (iii) the district's charter school transportation adjustment for the previous fiscal year. new text end

new text begin (b) A charter school's pupil transportation adjustment equals the school district per pupil adjustment under paragraph (a). new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2018 and later. new text end

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 126C.17, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

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 adjusted pupil unit. The ballot may state a schedule, determined by the board, of increased revenue per adjusted 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 adjusted 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 adjusted pupil unit times the adjusted 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 deleted text begin prepare anddeleted text end deliver by deleted text begin first classdeleted text end 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 adjusted 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.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2017. new text end

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 127A.41, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Audits.

The commissioner shall establish procedures for conducting and shall conduct audits of district records and files for the purpose of verifying district pupil counts, levy limitations, and aid entitlements. The commissioner shall establish procedures for selecting and shall select districts to be audited. Disparities, if any, between pupil counts, levy limitations, or aid entitlements determined by audit of district records and files and data reported by districts in reports, claims and other documents shall be reviewed by the commissioner who shall order increases or decreases accordingly. Whenever possible, the commissioner shall audit at least 25 districts each year pursuant to this subdivision.new text begin Procedures adopted under this subdivision are not subject to chapter 14, including section 14.386, and may differ from the procedures under section 127A.42.new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2017. new text end

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 127A.45, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10.

Payments to school nonoperating funds.

Each fiscal year state general fund payments for a district nonoperating fund must be made at the current year aid payment percentage of the estimated entitlement during the fiscal year of the entitlement. This amount shall be paid in deleted text begin 12deleted text end new text begin sixnew text end equal monthly installmentsnew text begin from July through Decembernew text end . The amount of the actual entitlement, after adjustment for actual data, minus the payments made during the fiscal year of the entitlement must be paid prior to October 31 of the following school year. The commissioner may make advance payments of debt service equalization aid and state-paid tax credits for a district's debt service fund earlier than would occur under the preceding schedule if the district submits evidence showing a serious cash flow problem in the fund. The commissioner may make earlier payments during the year and, if necessary, increase the percent of the entitlement paid to reduce the cash flow problem.

Sec. 17.

new text begin NEVIS SCHOOL DISTRICT; LEVY ADJUSTMENT. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 126C.48, Independent School District No. 308, Nevis, at the discretion of its school board, may spread any levy adjustment remaining from the conversion of its operating referendum revenue over three or fewer years beginning with school property taxes for taxes payable in 2018. 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. 18.

new text begin EAGLE VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT DISSOLUTION; REORGANIZATION; BONDS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Reorganization operating debt determined. new text end

new text begin Independent School District No. 2759, Eagle Valley, must estimate its reorganization operating debt according to Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.82, and submit that amount to the commissioner of education for approval. The commissioner of education may adjust this amount based on any other school funding and pupil information available to the commissioner. The commissioner may apportion the total operating debt between Independent School District Nos. 786, Bertha-Hewitt, and 787, Browerville. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Bond sale; Bertha-Hewitt. new text end

new text begin Independent School District No. 786, Bertha-Hewitt, may issue general obligation bonds without an election under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 475, in an amount not to exceed the reorganization operating debt approved by the commissioner of education under subdivision 1 for that district. The bonds must be repaid within six years of issuance. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Bond sale; Browerville. new text end

new text begin Independent School District No. 787, Browerville, may issue general obligation bonds without an election under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 475, in an amount not to exceed the reorganization operating debt approved by the commissioner of education under subdivision 1 for that district. The bonds must be repaid within six years of issuance. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Repayment. new text end

new text begin The bonded debt issued under this section remains payable by the taxable property located within the boundaries of former Independent School District No. 2759, Eagle Valley. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Reorganization operating debt levy. new text end

new text begin A school district that otherwise is eligible to levy for reorganization operating debt amounts of the former Independent School District No. 2759, Eagle Valley, may levy under Minnesota Statutes, section 123A.73, subdivision 9, only upon approval of the commissioner of education and only for that portion of the reorganization operating debt not already included under subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Adjustments. new text end

new text begin The commissioner may adjust the assignment of assets and liabilities under Minnesota Statutes, section 123A.46, to reflect the funds raised by the bonds authorized under this section. 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 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 7,032,051,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 7,227,809,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin The 2018 appropriation includes $686,828,000 for 2017 and $6,345,223,000 for 2018. new text end

new text begin The 2019 appropriation includes $705,024,000 for 2018 and $6,522,785,000 for 2019. 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 29,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 31,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Abatement aid. 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 2,374,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 2,163,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin The 2018 appropriation includes $262,000 for 2017 and $2,112,000 for 2018. new text end

new text begin The 2019 appropriation includes $234,000 for 2018 and $1,929,000 for 2019. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Consolidation transition aid. 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 185,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 382,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin The 2018 appropriation includes $0 for 2017 and $185,000 for 2018. new text end

new text begin The 2019 appropriation includes $20,000 for 2018 and $362,000 for 2019. 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 18,197,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 19,225,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin The 2018 appropriation includes $1,687,000 for 2017 and $16,510,000 for 2018. new text end

new text begin The 2019 appropriation includes $1,834,000 for 2018 and $17,391,000 for 2019. 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 18,372,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 18,541,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin The 2018 appropriation includes $1,835,000 for 2017 and $16,537,000 for 2018. new text end

new text begin The 2019 appropriation includes $1,837,000 for 2018 and $16,704,000 for 2019. 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 2018 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 2019 new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. 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 4,561,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 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 2019 new text end

new text begin The 2018 appropriation includes $476,000 for 2017 and $4,085,000 for 2018. new text end

new text begin The 2019 appropriation includes $453,000 for 2018 and $3,672,000 for 2019. new text end

Sec. 20.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.73, subdivision 2, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

ARTICLE 2

EDUCATION EXCELLENCE

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 120A.22, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

deleted text begin Curriculumdeleted text end new text begin Knowledge and skillsnew text end .

Instruction must be provided in at least the following subject areas:

(1) basic communication skills including reading and writing, literature, and fine arts;

(2) mathematics and science;

(3) social studies including history, geography, deleted text begin anddeleted text end new text begin economics,new text end governmentnew text begin , and citizenshipnew text end ; and

(4) health and physical education.

Instruction, textbooks, and materials must be in the English language. Another language may be used pursuant to sections 124D.59 to 124D.61.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 120B.021, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Required academic standards.

(a) 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 that includes civics consistent with section 120B.02, subdivision 3;

(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.

(b) 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.

(c) deleted text begin Beginning in the 2016-2017 school year,deleted text end The department must adopt the most recent deleted text begin National Association of Sport and Physical Educationdeleted text end new text begin SHAPE America (Society of Health and Physical Educators)new text end kindergarten through grade 12 standards and benchmarks for physical education as the required physical education academic standards. The department may modify and adapt the national standards to accommodate state interest. The modification and adaptations must maintain the purpose and integrity of the national standards. The department must make available sample assessments, which school districts may use as an alternative to local assessments, to assess students' mastery of the physical education standards beginning in the 2018-2019 school year.

new text begin (d) A school district may include child sexual abuse prevention instruction in a health curriculum, consistent with paragraph (a), clause (6). Child sexual abuse prevention instruction may include age-appropriate instruction on recognizing sexual abuse and assault, boundary violations, and ways offenders groom or desensitize victims, as well as strategies to promote disclosure, reduce self-blame, and mobilize bystanders. A school district may provide instruction under this paragraph in a variety of ways, including at an annual assembly or classroom presentation. A school district may also provide parents information on the warning signs of child sexual abuse and available resources. new text end

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (e)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.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 120B.021, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Rulemaking.

The commissioner, consistent with the requirements of this section and section 120B.022, must adopt statewide rules under section 14.389 for implementing statewide rigorous core academic standards in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, physical education, and the arts. After the rules authorized under this subdivision are initially adopted, the commissioner may not amend or repeal these rules nor adopt new rules on the same topic without specific legislative authorization. deleted text begin The academic standards for language arts, mathematics, and the arts must be implemented for all students beginning in the 2003-2004 school year. The academic standards for science and social studies must be implemented for all students beginning in the 2005-2006 school year.deleted text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 120B.022, subdivision 1b, is amended to read:

Subd. 1b.

State bilingual and multilingual seals.

(a) Consistent with efforts to strive for the world's best workforce under sections 120B.11 and 124E.03, subdivision 2, paragraph (i), and close the academic achievement and opportunity gap under sections 124D.861 and 124D.862, voluntary state bilingual and multilingual seals are established to recognize high school students new text begin in any school district, charter school, or nonpublic school new text end who demonstrate an advanced-low level or an intermediate high level of functional proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing on either assessments aligned with American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages' (ACTFL) proficiency guidelines or on equivalent valid and reliable assessments in one or more languages in addition to English. American Sign Language is a language other than English for purposes of this subdivision and a world language for purposes of subdivision 1a.

(b) In addition to paragraph (a), to be eligible to receive a seal:

(1) students must satisfactorily complete all required English language arts credits; and

(2) students must demonstrate mastery of Minnesota's English language proficiency standards.

(c) Consistent with this subdivision, a high school student who demonstrates an intermediate high ACTFL level of functional proficiency in one language in addition to English is eligible to receive the state bilingual gold seal. A high school student who demonstrates an intermediate high ACTFL level of functional native proficiency in more than one language in addition to English is eligible to receive the state multilingual gold seal. A high school student who demonstrates an advanced-low ACTFL level of functional proficiency in one language in addition to English is eligible to receive the state bilingual platinum seal. A high school student who demonstrates an advanced-low ACTFL level of functional proficiency in more than one language in addition to English is eligible to receive the state multilingual platinum seal.

(d) School districts and charter schools may give students periodic opportunities to demonstrate their level of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in a language in addition to English. Where valid and reliable assessments are unavailable, a school district or charter school may rely on evaluators trained in assessing under ACTFL proficiency guidelines to assess a student's level of foreign, heritage, or indigenous language proficiency under this section. School districts and charter schools must maintain appropriate records to identify high school students eligible to receive the state bilingual or multilingual gold and platinum seals. The school district or charter school must affix the appropriate seal to the transcript of each high school student who meets the requirements of this subdivision and may affix the seal to the student's diploma. A school district or charter school must not charge the high school student a fee for this seal.

(e) A school district or charter school may award elective course credits in world languages to a student who demonstrates the requisite proficiency in a language other than English under this section.

(f) A school district or charter school may award community service credit to a student who demonstrates an intermediate high or advanced-low ACTFL level of functional proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in a language other than English and who participates in community service activities that are integrated into the curriculum, involve the participation of teachers, and support biliteracy in the school or local community.

(g) The commissioner must list on the Web page those assessments that are aligned to ACTFL proficiency guidelines.

(h) By August 1, 2015, the colleges and universities of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system must establish criteria to translate the seals into college credits based on the world language course equivalencies identified by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities faculty and staff and, upon request from an enrolled student, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities may award foreign language credits to a student who receives a Minnesota World Language Proficiency Certificate under subdivision 1a. A student who demonstrated the requisite level of language proficiency in grade 10, 11, or 12 to receive a seal or certificate and is enrolled in a Minnesota State Colleges and Universities institution must request college credits for the student's seal or proficiency certificate within three academic years after graduating from high school. The University of Minnesota is encouraged to award students foreign language academic credits consistent with this paragraph.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 120B.12, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Identification; report.

(a) Each school district shall identify before the end of kindergarten, grade 1, and grade 2 students who are not reading at grade level before the end of the current school yearnew text begin and shall identify students in grade 3 or higher who demonstrate a reading difficulty to a classroom teachernew text end . Reading assessments in English, and in the predominant languages of district students where practicable, must identify and evaluate students' areas of academic need related to literacy. The district also must monitor the progress and provide reading instruction appropriate to the specific needs of English learners. The district must use a locally adopted, developmentally appropriate, and culturally responsive assessment and annually report summary assessment results to the commissioner by July 1. The district also must annually report new text begin to the commissioner by July 1 new text end a summary of the district's efforts to screen and identify students withnew text begin :new text end

new text begin (1) new text end dyslexianew text begin , using screening tools such as those recommended by the department's dyslexia and literacy specialist;new text end or

new text begin (2) new text end convergence insufficiency disorder deleted text begin to the commissioner by July 1deleted text end .

(b) A student identified under this subdivision must be provided with alternate instruction under section 125A.56, subdivision 1.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 120B.12, subdivision 2a, is amended to read:

Subd. 2a.

Parent notification and involvement.

Schools, at least annually, must give the parent of each student who is not reading at or above grade level timely information about:

(1) new text begin the new text end student's reading proficiency as measured by a locally adopted assessment;

(2) reading-related services currently being provided to the studentnew text begin and the student's progressnew text end ; and

(3) strategies for parents to use at home in helping their student succeed in becoming grade-level proficient in reading in English and in their native language.

new text begin A district may not use this section to deny a student's right to a special education evaluation. new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 120B.12, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Intervention.

new text begin (a) new text end For each student identified under subdivision 2, the district shall provide reading intervention to accelerate student growth and reach the goal of reading at or above grade level by the end of the current grade and school year. new text begin If a student does not read at or above grade level by the end of grade 3, the district must continue to provide reading intervention until the student reads at grade level. new text end District intervention methods shall encourage family engagement and, where possible, collaboration with appropriate school and community programs. Intervention methods may include, but are not limited to, requiring attendance in summer school, intensified reading instruction that may require that the student be removed from the regular classroom for part of the school day, extended-day programs, or programs that strengthen students' cultural connections.

new text begin (b) A school district or charter school is strongly encouraged to provide a personal learning plan for a student who is unable to demonstrate grade-level proficiency, as measured by the statewide reading assessment in grade 3. The district or charter school must determine the format of the personal learning plan in collaboration with the student's educators and other appropriate professionals. The school must develop the learning plan in consultation with the student's parent or guardian. The personal learning plan must address knowledge gaps and skill deficiencies through strategies such as specific exercises and practices during and outside of the regular school day, periodic assessments, and reasonable timelines. The personal learning plan may include grade retention, if it is in the student's best interest. A school must maintain and regularly update and modify the personal learning plan until the student reads at grade level. This paragraph does not apply to a student under an individualized education program. new text end

Sec. 8.

new text begin [120B.122] DYSLEXIA SPECIALIST. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Purpose. new text end

new text begin The department must employ a dyslexia specialist to provide technical assistance for dyslexia and related disorders and to serve as the primary source of information and support for schools in addressing the needs of students with dyslexia and related disorders. The dyslexia specialist shall also act to increase professional awareness and instructional competencies to meet the educational needs of students with dyslexia or identified with risk characteristics associated with dyslexia and shall develop implementation guidance and make recommendations to the commissioner consistent with section 122A.06, subdivision 4, to be used to assist general education teachers and special education teachers to recognize educational needs and to improve literacy outcomes for students with dyslexia or identified with risk characteristics associated with dyslexia, including recommendations related to increasing the availability of online and asynchronous professional development programs and materials. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Definition. new text end

new text begin For purposes of this section, a "dyslexia specialist" means a dyslexia therapist, licensed psychologist, licensed speech-language pathologist, or certified dyslexia training specialist who has a minimum of three years of field experience in screening, identifying, and treating dyslexia and related disorders. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Requirements. new text end

new text begin A dyslexia specialist shall be highly trained in dyslexia and related disorders and in using interventions and treatments that are evidence-based, multisensory, direct, explicit, structured, and sequential in the areas of phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 120B.125, is amended to read:

120B.125 PLANNING FOR STUDENTS' SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT; PERSONAL LEARNING PLANS.

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

(1) provide a comprehensive plan to prepare for and complete a career and college ready curriculum by meeting state and local academic standards and developing career and employment-related skills such as team work, collaboration, creativity, communication, critical thinking, and good work habits;

(2) emphasize academic rigor and high expectationsnew text begin and inform the student, and the student's parent or guardian if the student is a minor, of the student's achievement level score on the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments that are administered during high schoolnew text end ;

(3) help students identify interests, aptitudes, aspirations, and personal learning styles that may affect their career and college ready goals and postsecondary education and employment choices;

(4) set appropriate career and college ready goals with timelines that identify effective means for achieving those goals;

(5) help students access education and career options;

(6) integrate strong academic content into career-focused courses and applied and experiential learning opportunities and integrate relevant career-focused courses and applied and experiential learning opportunities into strong academic content;

(7) help identify and access 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;

(8) help identify collaborative partnerships among prekindergarten through grade 12 schools, postsecondary institutions, economic development agencies, and local and regional employers that support students' transition to postsecondary education and employment and provide students with applied and experiential learning opportunities; and

(9) 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 making adequate progress to meet state and local academic standards and 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 or pursue a career, career interest, employment goals, or related job training.

(c) Educators must possess the knowledge and skills to effectively teach all English learners in their classrooms. School districts must provide appropriate curriculum, targeted materials, professional development opportunities for educators, and sufficient resources to enable English learners to become career and college ready.

(d) When assisting students in developing a plan for a smooth and successful transition to postsecondary education and employment, districts must recognize the unique possibilities of each student and ensure that the contents of each student's plan reflect the student's unique talents, skills, and abilities as the student grows, develops, and learns.

(e) If a student with a disability has an individualized education program (IEP) or standardized written plan that meets the plan components of this section, the IEP satisfies the requirement and no additional transition plan is needed.

new text begin (f) Students who do not meet or exceed Minnesota academic standards, as measured by the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments that are administered during high school, shall be informed that admission to a public school is free and available to any resident under 21 years of age or who meets the requirements of section 120A.20, subdivision 1, paragraph (c). A student's plan under this section shall continue while the student is enrolled. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2017. new text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 120B.132, is amended to read:

120B.132 RAISED ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT; ADVANCED PLACEMENT AND INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAMS.

Subdivision 1.

Establishment; eligibility.

A program is established to raise kindergarten through grade 12 academic achievement through increased student participation in preadvanced placement, advanced placement, and international baccalaureate programs, consistent with section 120B.13. Schools and charter schools eligible to participate under this section:

(1) must have a three-year plan approved by the local school board to establish a new international baccalaureate program leading to international baccalaureate authorization, expand an existing program that leads to international baccalaureate authorization, or expand an existing authorized international baccalaureate program; or

(2) must have a three-year plan approved by the local school board to create a new or expand an existing program to implement the college board advanced placement courses and exams or preadvanced placement initiative; and

(3) must propose to further raise students' academic achievement by:

(i) increasing the availability of and all students' access to advanced placement or international baccalaureate courses or programs;

(ii) expanding the breadth of advanced placement or international baccalaureate courses or programs that are available to students;

(iii) increasing the number and the diversity of the students who participate in advanced placement or international baccalaureate courses or programs and succeed;

(iv) providing low-income and other disadvantaged students with increased access to advanced placement or international baccalaureate courses and programs; or

(v) increasing the number of high school students, including low-income and other disadvantaged students, who receive college credit by successfully completing advanced placement or international baccalaureate courses or programs and achieving satisfactory scores on related exams.

Subd. 2.

Application and review process; funding priority.

(a) Charter schools and school districts in which eligible schools under subdivision 1 are located may apply to the commissioner, in the form and manner the commissioner determines, for competitive funding to further raise students' academic achievement. The application must detail the specific efforts the applicant intends to undertake in further raising students' academic achievement, consistent with subdivision 1, and a proposed budget detailing the district or charter school's current and proposed expenditures for advanced placement, preadvanced placement, and international baccalaureate courses and programs. The proposed budget must demonstrate that the applicant's efforts will support implementation of advanced placement, preadvanced placement, and international baccalaureate courses and programs. Expenditures for administration must not exceed five percent of the proposed budget. The commissioner may require an applicant to provide additional information.

(b) When reviewing applications, the commissioner must determine whether the applicant satisfied all the requirements in this subdivision and subdivision 1. The commissioner may give funding priority to an otherwise qualified applicant that demonstrates:

(1) a focus on developing or expanding preadvanced placement, advanced placement, or international baccalaureate courses or programs or increasing students' participation in, access to, or success with the courses or programs, including the participation, access, or success of low-income and other disadvantaged students;

(2) a compelling need for access to preadvanced placement, advanced placement, or international baccalaureate courses or programs;

(3) an effective ability to actively involve local business and community organizations in student activities that are integral to preadvanced placement, advanced placement, or international baccalaureate courses or programs;

(4) access to additional public or nonpublic funds or in-kind contributions that are available for preadvanced placement, advanced placement, or international baccalaureate courses or programs; deleted text begin ordeleted text end

(5) an intent to implement activities that target low-income and other disadvantaged studentsdeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ; ornew text end

new text begin (6) an intent to increase the advanced placement and international baccalaureate course offerings in science, technology, engineering, and math to low-income and other disadvantaged students. new text end

Subd. 3.

Funding; permissible funding uses.

(a) The commissioner shall award grants to applicant school districts and charter schools that meet the requirements of subdivisions 1 and 2. The commissioner must award grants on an equitable geographical basis to the extent feasible and consistent with this section. Grant awards must not exceed the lesser of:

(1) $85 times the number of pupils enrolled at the participating sites on October 1 of the previous fiscal year; deleted text begin ordeleted text end

(2) the approved supplemental expenditures based on the budget submitted under subdivision 2. For charter schools in their first year of operation, the maximum funding award must be calculated using the number of pupils enrolled on October 1 of the current fiscal year. The commissioner may adjust the maximum funding award computed using prior year data for changes in enrollment attributable to school closings, school openings, grade level reconfigurations, or school district reorganizations between the prior fiscal year and the current fiscal yearnew text begin ; ornew text end

new text begin (3) $150,000 per district or charter schoolnew text end .

(b) School districts and charter schools that submit an application and receive funding under this section must use the funding, consistent with the application, to:

(1) provide teacher training and instruction to more effectively serve students, including low-income and other disadvantaged students, who participate in preadvanced placement, advanced placement, or international baccalaureate courses or programs;

(2) further develop preadvanced placement, advanced placement, or international baccalaureate courses or programs;

(3) improve the transition between grade levels to better prepare students, including low-income and other disadvantaged students, for succeeding in preadvanced placement, advanced placement, or international baccalaureate courses or programs;

(4) purchase books and supplies;

(5) pay course or program fees;

(6) increase students' participation in and success with preadvanced placement, advanced placement, or international baccalaureate courses or programs;

(7) expand students' access to preadvanced placement, advanced placement, or international baccalaureate courses or programs through online learning;

(8) hire appropriately licensed personnel to teach additional advanced placement or international baccalaureate courses or programs; or

(9) engage in other deleted text begin activity directly relateddeleted text end new text begin activitiesnew text end to deleted text begin expandingdeleted text end new text begin expand low-income or disadvantagednew text end students' access to, participation in, and success with preadvanced placement, advanced placement, or international baccalaureate courses or programsdeleted text begin , includingdeleted text end new text begin . Other activities may include but are not limited to preparing and disseminating promotional materials tonew text end low-income and other disadvantaged studentsnew text begin and their familiesnew text end .

Subd. 4.

new text begin Grants; new text end annual reports.

(a) Each school district and charter school that receives a grant under this section annually must collect demographic and other student data to demonstrate and measure the extent to which the district or charter school raised students' academic achievement under this program and must report the data to the commissioner in the form and manner the commissioner determines. The commissioner annually by February 15 must make summary data about this program available to the education policy and finance committees of the legislature.

(b) Each school district and charter school that receives a grant under this section annually must report to the commissioner, consistent with the Uniform Financial Accounting and Reporting Standards, its actual expenditures for advanced placement, preadvanced placement, and international baccalaureate courses and programs. The report must demonstrate that the school district or charter school has maintained its effort from other sources for advanced placement, preadvanced placement, and international baccalaureate courses and programs compared with the previous fiscal year, and the district or charter school has expended all grant funds, consistent with its approved budget.

new text begin (c) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a grant under this section is available for three years from the date of the grant if the district or charter school meets the annual benchmarks in its plan under subdivision 1. new text end

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 120B.22, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

In-service training.

Each district is encouraged to provide training for district staff and school board members deleted text begin to helpdeleted text end new text begin on the following:new text end

new text begin (1) helpingnew text end students identify violence in the family and the community so that students may learn to resolve conflicts in effective, nonviolent waysnew text begin ;new text end

new text begin (2) responding to a disclosure of child sexual abuse in a supportive, appropriate manner; and new text end

new text begin (3) complying with mandatory reporting requirements under section 626.556new text end .

The in-service training must be ongoing and involve experts familiar with new text begin sexual abuse, new text end domestic violencenew text begin ,new text end and personal safety issues.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 120B.23, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Grant awards.

new text begin (a) new text end The commissioner may award grants for a violence prevention education program to eligible applicants as defined in subdivision 2. Grant amounts may not exceed $3 per resident pupil unit in the district or group of districts in the prior school year. Grant recipients should be geographically distributed throughout the state.

new text begin (b) School districts and charter schools may accept funds from private and other public sources for child sexual abuse prevention programs developed and implemented under sections 120B.021, subdivision 1, paragraph (d), and 120B.234, including federal funding under the Every Student Succeeds Act. new text end

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 120B.232, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Character development education.

(a) new text begin Character education is the shared responsibility of parents, teachers, and members of the community. new text end The legislature encourages districts to integrate or offer instruction on character education including, but not limited to, character qualities such as attentiveness, truthfulness, respect for authority, diligence, gratefulness, self-discipline, patience, forgiveness, respect for others, peacemaking, and resourcefulness. Instruction should be integrated into a district's existing programs, curriculum, or the general school environment. new text begin To the extent practicable, instruction should be integrated into positive behavioral intervention strategies, under section 122A.627. new text end The commissioner shall provide assistance at the request of a district to develop character education curriculum and programs.

(b) Character development education under paragraph (a) may include a voluntary elementary, middle, and high school program that incorporates the history and values of Congressional Medal of Honor recipients and may be offered as part of the social studies, English language arts, or other curriculum, as a schoolwide character building and veteran awareness initiative, or as an after-school program, among other possibilities.

Sec. 14.

new text begin [120B.234] CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION EDUCATION. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Purpose. new text end

new text begin The purpose of this section, which may be cited as "Erin's Law," is to encourage districts to integrate or offer instruction on child sexual abuse prevention to students and training to all school personnel on recognizing and preventing sexual abuse and sexual violence. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Curriculum. new text end

new text begin School districts may consult with other federal, state, or local agencies and community-based organizations, including the Child Information Gateway Web site maintained by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, to identify research-based tools, curricula, and programs to prevent child sexual abuse for use under section 120B.021, subdivision 1, paragraph (d). new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Other state programs. new text end

new text begin The child sexual abuse prevention instruction provided under this section is part of preventing sexual violence against children, which includes, but is not limited to, the following activities: new text end

new text begin (1) training on mandated reporting requirements provided on the Department of Education's Web site; new text end

new text begin (2) the Code of Ethics for Minnesota Teachers; and new text end

new text begin (3) consultation by the commissioner of education with the commissioners of health, human services, and public safety, and other state agencies to prevent violence against children. 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. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, 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 as computer-adaptive reading and mathematics assessments for students that are aligned with the state's required academic standards under section 120B.021, include multiple choice questions, and are administered annually to all students in grades 3 through 8. 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.

(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, (v) a nationally recognized armed services vocational aptitude test.

(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, (v) a nationally recognized armed services vocational aptitude test.

(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.

(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 2012-2013 school year and later, students' state graduation requirements, based on a longitudinal, systematic approach to student education and career planning, assessment, instructional support, and evaluation, include the following:

(1) deleted text begin an opportunity to participate on a nationally normed college entrance exam, in grade 11 or grade 12;deleted text end

deleted text begin (2)deleted text end achievement and career and college readiness in mathematics, reading, and writing, consistent with paragraph (k) 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

deleted text begin (3)deleted text end new text begin (2)new text end 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.

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.

(d) 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 paragraph (c), clause deleted text begin (2)deleted text end new text begin (1)new text end , 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.

(e) Though not a high school graduation requirement, students are encouraged to participate in a nationally recognized college entrance exam. To the extent state funding for college entrance exam fees is available, a district must pay the cost, one time, for an interested student in grade 11 or 12new text begin who is eligible for a free or reduced-price meal,new text end to take a nationally recognized college entrance exam before graduating. A student must be able to take the exam under this paragraph at the student's high school during the school day and at any one of the multiple exam administrations available to students in the district. A district may administer the ACT or SAT or both the ACT and SAT to comply with this paragraph. If the district administers only one of these two tests and a new text begin free or reduced-price meal eligible new text end student opts not to take that test and chooses instead to take the other of the two tests, the student may take the other test at a different time or location and remains eligible for the examination fee reimbursement.new text begin Notwithstanding sections 123B.34 to 123B.39, a school district may require a student that is not eligible for a free or reduced-price meal to pay the cost of taking a nationally recognized college entrance exam. The district must waive the cost for a student unable to pay.new text end

(f) The commissioner and the chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities must collaborate in aligning instruction and assessments for adult basic education students and English learners to provide the students with diagnostic information about any targeted interventions, accommodations, modifications, and supports they need so that assessments and other performance measures are accessible to them and they may seek postsecondary education or employment without need for postsecondary remediation. When administering formative or summative assessments used to measure the academic progress, including the oral academic development, of English learners and inform their instruction, schools must ensure that the assessments are accessible to the students and students have the modifications and supports they need to sufficiently understand the assessments.

(g) Districts and schools, on an annual basis, must use career exploration elements 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.

(h) A student who demonstrates attainment of required state academic standards, which include career and college readiness benchmarks, on high school assessments under subdivision 1a 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.

(i) 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.

(j) 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.

(k) For students in grade 8 in the 2012-2013 school year and later, a school, district, or charter school must record on the high school transcript a student's progress toward career and college readiness, and for other students as soon as practicable.

(l) The school board granting 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.

(m) The 3rd through 8th grade computer-adaptive assessment results 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. The commissioner must establish empirically derived benchmarks on adaptive assessments in grades 3 through 8. The commissioner, in consultation with the chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, must establish empirically derived benchmarks on the high school tests that reveal a trajectory toward career and college readiness consistent with section 136F.302, subdivision 1a. The commissioner must disseminate to the public the computer-adaptive assessments and high school test results upon receiving those results.

(n) The grades 3 through 8 computer-adaptive assessments 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.

(o) The commissioner shall include the following components in the statewide public reporting system:

(1) uniform statewide computer-adaptive assessments of all students in grades 3 through 8 and testing at the high school levels 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.

(p) For purposes of statewide accountability, "career and college ready" means a high school graduate has the knowledge, skills, and competencies to successfully pursue a career pathway, including postsecondary credit leading to a degree, diploma, certificate, or industry-recognized credential and employment. Students who are career and college ready are able to successfully complete credit-bearing coursework at a two- or four-year college or university or other credit-bearing postsecondary program without need for remediation.

(q) For purposes of statewide accountability, "cultural competence," "cultural competency," or "culturally competent" means the ability deleted text begin and willdeleted text end new text begin of families and educatorsnew text end to interact effectively with people of different cultures, native languages, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 120B.31, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 3a. new text end

new text begin Rollout sites; report. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of education shall designate up to six school districts or charter schools as rollout sites. new text end

new text begin (a) The rollout sites should represent urban school districts, suburban school districts, nonurban school districts, and charter schools. The commissioner shall designate rollout sites and notify the schools by August 1, 2017, and the designated school districts or charter schools shall have the right to opt in or out as rollout sites by September 1, 2017. new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must consult stakeholders and review the American Community Survey to develop recommendations for best practices for disaggregated data. Stakeholders consulted under this paragraph include at least: new text end

new text begin (1) the rollout sites; new text end

new text begin (2) parent groups; and new text end

new text begin (3) community representatives. new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner shall report to the legislative committees having jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education policy and finance by February 1, 2018. The commissioner may research best practices from other states that have disaggregated data beyond the requirements of the most recent reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The commissioner must consult with the stakeholders on how to measure a student's background as an immigrant or a refugee and provide a recommendation in the report on how to include the data in the statewide rollout. The recommendations may address: new text end

new text begin (1) the most meaningful use of disaggregated data, including but not limited to which reports should include further disaggregated data; new text end

new text begin (2) collection of additional student characteristics, including but not limited to ensuring enhanced enrollment forms: new text end

new text begin (i) provide context and the objective of additional data; new text end

new text begin (ii) are designed to convey respect and acknowledgment of the sensitive nature of the additional data; and new text end

new text begin (iii) are designed to collect data consistent with user feedback; new text end

new text begin (3) efficient data-reporting approaches when reporting additional information to the department; new text end

new text begin (4) the frequency by which districts and schools must update enrollment forms to meet the needs of the state's changing racial and ethnic demographics; and new text end

new text begin (5) the criteria for determining additional data. This recommendation should include a recommendation for frequency of reviews and updates of the additional data and should also identify the approach of updating any additional census data and data on new enrollees. This recommendation must consider additional student groups that may face education disparities and must take into account maintaining student privacy and providing nonidentifiable student level data. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for the 2018-2019 school year and later. new text end

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 120B.31, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Student performance data.

In developing policies and assessment processes to hold schools and districts accountable for high levels of academic standards under section 120B.021, the commissioner shall aggregate and disaggregate student data over time to report summary student performance and growth levels and, under section 120B.11, subdivision 2, clause (2), student learning and outcome data measured at the school, school district, and statewide level. The commissioner shall use the student categories identified under the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as most recently reauthorized, and student categories ofnew text begin :new text end

new text begin (1)new text end homelessnessdeleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin ;new text end

new text begin (2)new text end ethnicitydeleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin under section 120B.35, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (2);new text end

new text begin (3)new text end racedeleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin under section 120B.35, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (2);new text end

new text begin (4)new text end home languagedeleted text begin , immigrant, refugee status,deleted text end new text begin ;new text end

new text begin (5)new text end English learners under section 124D.59deleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin ;new text end

new text begin (6)new text end free or reduced-price lunchdeleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin ;new text end and

new text begin (7)new text end other categories designated by federal law to organize and report the data so that state and local policy makers can understand the educational implications of changes in districts' demographic profiles over time as data are available.

Any report the commissioner disseminates containing summary data on student performance must integrate student performance and the demographic factors that strongly correlate with that performance.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for the 2019-2020 school year and later. new text end

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 120B.31, subdivision 4a, is amended to read:

Subd. 4a.

Student participation.

new text begin (a) new text end The commissioner deleted text begin shalldeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end create and publish a form for parents and guardians deleted text begin to complete if they refuse to have their student participate in state or locally required standardized testing. The form must state why there are state academic standards, indicate which tests are aligned with state standards, and what consequences, if any, the school or student may face if a student does not participate in state or locally required standardized testing. This form must ask parents to indicate a reason for their refusaldeleted text end new text begin that:new text end

new text begin (1) explains the need for state academic standards; new text end

new text begin (2) identifies the state assessments that are aligned with state standards; new text end

new text begin (3) identifies the consequences, if any, the school or student may face if a student does not participate in state or locally required standardized assessments; new text end

new text begin (4) states that students who receive a college ready benchmark on the high school Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment are not required to take a remedial, noncredit course at a Minnesota state college or university in the corresponding subject area; new text end

new text begin (5) summarizes the provisions in section 120B.301, paragraphs (a) and (c); and new text end

new text begin (6) notifies a parent of the right to not have the parent's child participate in the state and locally required academic assessments, and asks a parent that chooses to not have a child participate in the assessments the basis for the decisionnew text end .

new text begin (b) A school district must post the form created by the commissioner on the district Web site and include it in the district's student handbook. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for the 2017-2018 school year and later. new text end

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 120B.35, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

State growth target; other state measures.

(a)(1) 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.

(2) For purposes of paragraphs (b), (c), and (d), the commissioner must analyze and report separate categories of information using the student categories identified under the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as most recently reauthorized, and, in addition to new text begin "other" for each race and ethnicity, and new text end the Karen community, deleted text begin other student categories as determined by the total Minnesota population at or above the 1,000-person threshold based on the most recent decennial census, including ethnicity; race; refugee statusdeleted text end new text begin seven of the most populous Asian and Pacific Islander groups, three of the most populous Native groups, seven of the most populous Hispanic/Latino groups, and five of the most populous Black and African Heritage groups as determined by the total Minnesota population based on the most recent American Community Surveynew text end ; English learners under section 124D.59; home language; free or reduced-price lunch; deleted text begin immigrant;deleted text end and all students enrolled in a Minnesota public school who are currently or were previously in foster care, except that such disaggregation and cross tabulation is not required if the number of students in a category is insufficient to yield statistically reliable information or the results would reveal personally identifiable information about an individual student.

(b) The commissioner, in consultation with a stakeholder group that includes assessment and evaluation directors, district staff, experts in culturally responsive teaching, 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 student growth and, under section 120B.11, subdivision 2, clause (2), student learning and outcome data using the student categories identified under the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as most recently reauthorized, and other student categories under paragraph (a), clause (2).

The commissioner must report measures of student growth and, under section 120B.11, subdivision 2, clause (2), student learning and outcome data, consistent with this paragraph, including the English language development, academic progress, and oral academic development of English learners and their native language development if the native language is used as a language of instruction, and include data on all pupils enrolled in a Minnesota public school course or program who are currently or were previously counted as an English learner under section 124D.59.

(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 student categories identified under the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as most recently reauthorized, and other student categories under paragraph (a), clause (2).

(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, consistent with the student categories identified under paragraph (a), clause (2). 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.

(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:

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

(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

(3) the success that learning year program providers experience in:

(i) identifying at-risk and off-track student populations by grade;

(ii) providing successful prevention and intervention strategies for at-risk students;

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

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

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.

(f) The commissioner, in consultation with recognized experts with knowledge and experience in assessing the language proficiency and academic performance of all English learners enrolled in a Minnesota public school course or program who are currently or were previously counted as an English learner under section 124D.59, must identify and report appropriate and effective measures to improve current categories of language difficulty and assessments, and monitor and report data on students' English proficiency levels, program placement, and academic language development, including oral academic language.

new text begin (g) When reporting four- and six-year graduation rates, the commissioner or school district must disaggregate the data by student categories according to paragraph (a), clause (2). new text end

new text begin (h) A school district must inform parents and guardians that volunteering information on student categories not required by the most recent reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act is optional and will not violate the privacy of students or their families, parents, or guardians. The notice must state the purpose for collecting the student data. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for the 2018-2019 school year and later for rollout sites under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.31, subdivision 3a. This section is effective for the 2019-2020 school year and later for all other schools. new text end

Sec. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 120B.36, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

School performance reportsnew text begin and public reportingnew text end .

(a) The commissioner shall report student academic performance data under section 120B.35, subdivisions 2 and 3; 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); 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 realizing racial and economic integration under section 124D.861; the acquisition of English, and where practicable, native language academic literacy, including oral academic language, and the academic progress of all English learners enrolled in a Minnesota public school course or program who are currently or were previously counted as English learners under section 124D.59; 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; foster care status, including all students enrolled in a Minnesota public school course or program who are currently or were previously in foster care, student homelessness, and district mobility; and extracurricular activities. deleted text begin The report also must indicate a school's status under applicable federal law.deleted text end

(b) new text begin The school performance report for a school site and a school district must include school performance reporting information and calculate proficiency rates as required by the most recently reauthorized Elementary and Secondary Education Act.new text end

new text begin (c) new text end The commissioner shall develop, annually update, and post on the department Web site school performance reportsnew text begin consistent with paragraph (a) and section 120B.11new text end .

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

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (e)new text end A school or district may appeal its results in a form and manner determined by the commissioner and consistent with federal law. The commissioner's decision to uphold or deny an appeal is final.

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

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for the 2017-2018 school year and later. new text end

Sec. 21.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.40, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10.

Negotiated unrequested leave of absence.

The school board and the exclusive bargaining representative of the teachers deleted text begin maydeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end negotiate a plan providing for unrequested leave of absence without pay or fringe benefits for as many teachers as may be necessary because of discontinuance of position, lack of pupils, financial limitations, or merger of classes caused by consolidation of districts. deleted text begin Failing to successfully negotiate such a plan, the provisions of subdivision 11 shall apply. The negotiated plan must not include provisions which would result in the exercise of seniority by a teacher holding a provisional license, other than a vocational education license, contrary to the provisions of subdivision 11, paragraph (c), or the reinstatement of a teacher holding a provisional license, other than a vocational education license, contrary to the provisions of subdivision 11, paragraph (e). The provisions of section 179A.16 do not apply for the purposes of this subdivision.deleted text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for collective bargaining agreements effective July 1, 2019, and thereafter. new text end

Sec. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.41, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 14a. new text end

new text begin Negotiated unrequested leave of absence. new text end

new text begin The school board and the exclusive bargaining representative of the teachers must negotiate a plan providing for unrequested leave of absence without pay or fringe benefits for as many teachers as may be necessary because of discontinuance of position, lack of pupils, financial limitations, or merger of classes caused by consolidation of districts. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for collective bargaining agreements effective July 1, 2019, and thereafter. new text end

Sec. 23.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.414, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Alternative teacher professional pay system.

(a) To participate in this program, a school district, an intermediate school district consistent with paragraph (d), a school site, or a charter school must have a world's best workforce plan under section 120B.11 and an alternative teacher professional pay system agreement under paragraph (b). A charter school participant also must comply with subdivision 2a.

(b) The alternative teacher professional pay system agreement must:

(1) describe how teachers can achieve career advancement and additional compensation;

(2) describe how the school district, intermediate school district, school site, or charter school will provide teachers with career advancement options that allow teachers to retain primary roles in student instruction and facilitate site-focused professional development that helps other teachers improve their skills;

(3) reform the "steps and lanes" salary schedule, prevent any teacher's compensation paid before implementing the pay system from being reduced as a result of participating in this system, base at least 60 percent of any compensation increase on teacher performance using:

(i) schoolwide student achievement gains under section 120B.35 or locally selected standardized assessment outcomes, or both;

(ii) measures of student growth and literacy that may include value-added models or student learning goals, consistent with section 122A.40, subdivision 8, paragraph (b), clause (9), or 122A.41, subdivision 5, paragraph (b), clause (9), and other measures that include the academic literacy, oral academic language, and achievement of English learners under section 122A.40, subdivision 8, paragraph (b), clause (10), or 122A.41, subdivision 5, paragraph (b), clause (10); and

(iii) an objective evaluation program under section 122A.40, subdivision 8, paragraph (b), clause (2), or 122A.41, subdivision 5, paragraph (b), clause (2);

(4) provide for participation in job-embedded learning opportunities such as professional learning communities to improve instructional skills and learning that are aligned with student needs under section 120B.11, consistent with the staff development plan under section 122A.60 and led during the school day by trained teacher leaders such as master or mentor teachers;

(5) allow any teacher in a participating school district, intermediate school district, school site, or charter school that implements an alternative pay system to participate in that system without any quota or other limit; and

(6) encourage collaboration rather than competition among teachers.

(c) The alternative teacher professional pay system may:

(1) include a hiring bonus or other added compensation deleted text begin fordeleted text end new text begin to provide students with equitable access tonew text end teachers whonew text begin , consistent with section 120B.11, subdivision 2, clause (3):new text end

new text begin (i) new text end are identified as effective or highly effective under the local teacher professional review cycle deleted text begin anddeleted text end new text begin or, when being considered for hire as first-year teachers, have demonstrated skills during student teaching for being highly effective at closing achievement gaps;new text end

new text begin (ii) new text end work in anew text begin high-need ornew text end hard-to-fill positionnew text begin ;new text end or

new text begin (iii) are hired to work new text end in a hard-to-staff school such as a school with a majority of students whose families meet federal poverty guidelines, a geographically isolated school, or a school identified by the state as eligible for targeted programs or services for its students; deleted text begin anddeleted text end

(2) include incentives for teachers to obtain a master's degree or other advanced certification new text begin with at least 18 credits new text end in their content field of licensurenew text begin required for teaching concurrent enrollment or college in the schools coursesnew text end , new text begin or to new text end pursue the training or education necessary to obtain an additional licensure in shortage areas identified by the district or charter schooldeleted text begin ,deleted text end new text begin ;new text end or

new text begin (3)new text end help fund a deleted text begin "grow your own"deleted text end new text begin Grow Your Ownnew text end new teacher initiativenew text begin involving nonlicensed educational professionals, including paraprofessionals and cultural liaisonsnew text end .

(d) An intermediate school district under this subdivision must demonstrate in a form and manner determined by the commissioner that it uses the aid it receives under this section for activities identified in the alternative teacher professional pay system agreement.

Sec. 24.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.415, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Basic alternative teacher compensation aid.

(a) 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 a charter school with a plan approved under section 122A.414, subdivisions 2a and 2b, 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.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) and subdivision 1, the state total basic alternative teacher compensation aid entitlement must not exceed $75,840,000 for fiscal year 2016 and $88,118,000 for fiscal year 2017 and later. The commissioner must limit the amount of alternative teacher compensation aid approved under this section so as not to exceed these limits by not approving new participants or by prorating the aid among participating districts, intermediate school districts, school sites, and charter schools. The commissioner may also reallocate a portion of the allowable aid for the biennium from the second year to the first year to meet the needs of approved participants.

new text begin (c) new text end Basic alternative teacher compensation aid for an intermediate district or other cooperative unit equals $3,000 times the number of licensed teachers employed by the intermediate district or cooperative unit on October 1 of the previous school year.

Sec. 25.

new text begin [122A.417] ALTERNATIVE TEACHER COMPENSATION REVENUE FOR ST. CROIX RIVER EDUCATION DISTRICT. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding section 122A.415, subdivision 4, paragraph (c), the St. Croix River Education District, No. 6009-61, is eligible to receive alternative teacher compensation revenue based on its staffing as of October 1 of the previous fiscal year as reported to the department in a manner determined by the commissioner. To qualify for alternative teacher compensation revenue, the St. Croix River Education District must meet all the requirements of sections 122A.414 and 122A.415 that apply to cooperative units, must report its staffing as of October 1 of each year to the department in a manner determined by the commissioner, and must annually report to the department by November 30 its expenditures for the alternative teacher professional pay system consistent with the uniform financial accounting and reporting standards. new text end

Sec. 26.

new text begin [122A.627] POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORTS. new text end

new text begin "Positive behavioral interventions and supports" or "PBIS" means an evidence-based framework for preventing problem behavior, providing instruction and support for positive and prosocial behaviors, and supporting social, emotional, and behavioral needs for all students. Schoolwide implementation of PBIS requires training, coaching, and evaluation for school staff to consistently implement the key components that make PBIS effective for all students, including: new text end

new text begin (1) establishing, defining, teaching, and practicing three to five positively stated schoolwide behavioral expectations that are representative of the local community and cultures; new text end

new text begin (2) developing and implementing a consistent system used by all staff to provide positive feedback and acknowledgment for students who display schoolwide behavioral expectations; new text end

new text begin (3) developing and implementing a consistent and specialized support system for students who do not display behaviors representative of schoolwide positive expectations; new text end

new text begin (4) developing a system to support decisions based on data related to student progress, effective implementation of behavioral practices, and screening for students requiring additional behavior supports; new text end

new text begin (5) using a continuum of evidence-based interventions that is integrated and aligned to support academic and behavioral success for all students; and new text end

new text begin (6) using a team-based approach to support effective implementation, monitor progress, and evaluate outcomes. new text end

new text begin Consistent with section 120B.232, subdivision 1, character education curriculum and programs may be used to support implementation of the key components of PBIS. new text end

Sec. 27.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.03, subdivision 5a, is amended to read:

Subd. 5a.

Lotteries.

If a school district has more applications than available seats at a specific grade level, it must hold an impartial lottery following the January 15 deadline to determine which students will receive seats. new text begin The district must give priority to enrolling new text end siblings of currently enrolled students,new text begin students whosenew text end applications new text begin are new text end related to an approved integration and achievement plan, deleted text begin anddeleted text end children of the school district's staff deleted text begin must receive priority in the lottery.deleted text end new text begin , and students residing in that part of a municipality, defined under section 469.1812, subdivision 3, where:new text end

new text begin (1) the student's resident district does not operate a school building; new text end

new text begin (2) the municipality is located partially or fully within the boundaries of at least five school districts; new text end

new text begin (3) the nonresident district in which the student seeks to enroll operates one or more school buildings within the municipality; and new text end

new text begin (4) no other nonresident, independent, special, or common school district operates a school building within the municipality. new text end

The process for the school district lottery must be established in school district policy, approved by the school board, and posted on the school district's Web site.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for lotteries conducted beginning July 1, 2017. new text end

Sec. 28.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.09, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Definitions.

For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given to them.

(a) "Eligible institution" means a Minnesota public postsecondary institution, a private, nonprofit two-year trade and technical school granting associate degrees, an opportunities industrialization center accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, or a private, residential, two-year or four-year, liberal arts, degree-granting college or university located in Minnesota.

(b) "Course" means a course or program.

new text begin (c) "Concurrent enrollment" means nonsectarian courses in which an eligible pupil under subdivision 5 or 5b enrolls to earn both secondary and postsecondary credits, are taught by a secondary teacher or a postsecondary faculty member, and are offered at a high school for which the district is eligible to receive concurrent enrollment program aid under section 124D.091. new text end

Sec. 29.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.09, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Authorization; notification.

Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, an 11th or 12th grade pupil enrolled in a school or an American Indian-controlled tribal contract or grant school eligible for aid under section 124D.83, except a foreign exchange pupil enrolled in a district under a cultural exchange program, may apply to an eligible institution, as defined in subdivision 3, to enroll in nonsectarian courses offered by that postsecondary institution. deleted text begin Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a 9th or 10th grade pupil enrolled in a district or an American Indian-controlled tribal contract or grant school eligible for aid under section 124D.83, except a foreign exchange pupil enrolled in a district under a cultural exchange program, may apply to enroll in nonsectarian courses offered under subdivision 10, if (1) the school district and the eligible postsecondary institution providing the course agree to the student's enrollment or (2) the course is a world language course currently available to 11th and 12th grade students, and consistent with section 120B.022 governing world language standards, certificates, and seals.deleted text end If an institution accepts a secondary pupil for enrollment under this section, the institution shall send written notice to the pupil, the pupil's school or school district, and the commissioner deleted text begin within ten days of acceptancedeleted text end . The notice must indicate the course and hours of enrollment of that pupil. If the pupil enrolls in a course for postsecondary credit, the institution must notify the pupil about payment in the customary manner used by the institution.

Sec. 30.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.09, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 5b. new text end

new text begin Authorization; 9th or 10th grade pupil. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a 9th or 10th grade pupil enrolled in a district or an American Indian-controlled tribal contract or grant school eligible for aid under section 124D.83, except a foreign exchange pupil enrolled in a district under a cultural exchange program, may apply to enroll in nonsectarian courses offered under subdivision 10, if: new text end

new text begin (1) the school district and the eligible postsecondary institution providing the course agree to the student's enrollment; or new text end

new text begin (2) the course is a world language course currently available to 11th and 12th grade students, and consistent with section 120B.022 governing world language standards, certificates, and seals. new text end

Sec. 31.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.09, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10.

Courses according to agreements.

new text begin (a) new text end An eligible pupil, according to subdivision 5, may enroll in a nonsectarian course taught by a secondary teacher or a postsecondary faculty member and offered at a secondary school, or another location, according to an agreement between a public school board and the governing body of an eligible public postsecondary system or an eligible private postsecondary institution, as defined in subdivision 3. All provisions of this section shall apply to a pupil, public school board, district, and the governing body of a postsecondary institution, except as otherwise provided.

new text begin (b) To encourage students, especially American Indian students and students of color, to consider teaching as a profession, participating schools, school districts, and postsecondary institutions are encouraged to develop and offer an "Introduction to Teaching" or "Introduction to Education" course under this subdivision. An institution that receives a grant to develop a course under this paragraph must annually report to the commissioner in a form and manner determined by the commissioner on the participation rates of students in courses under this paragraph, including the number of students who apply for admission to colleges or universities with teacher preparation programs. new text end

Sec. 32.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.09, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 11a. new text end

new text begin Access to building and technology. new text end

new text begin (a) A school district must allow a student enrolled in a course under this section to remain at the school site during regular school hours. new text end

new text begin (b) A school district must adopt a policy that provides a student enrolled in a course under this section with reasonable access during regular school hours to a computer and other technology resources that the student needs to complete coursework for a postsecondary enrollment course. new text end

Sec. 33.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.09, subdivision 12, is amended to read:

Subd. 12.

Creditsnew text begin ; grade point average weighting policynew text end .

new text begin (a) new text end A pupil must not audit a course under this section.

new text begin (b) new text end A district shall grant academic credit to a pupil enrolled in a course for secondary credit if the pupil successfully completes the course. Seven quarter or four semester college credits equal at least one full year of high school credit. Fewer college credits may be prorated. A district must also grant academic credit to a pupil enrolled in a course for postsecondary credit if secondary credit is requested by a pupil. If no comparable course is offered by the district, the district must, as soon as possible, notify the commissioner, who shall determine the number of credits that shall be granted to a pupil who successfully completes a course. If a comparable course is offered by the district, the school board shall grant a comparable number of credits to the pupil. If there is a dispute between the district and the pupil regarding the number of credits granted for a particular course, the pupil may appeal the board's decision to the commissioner. The commissioner's decision regarding the number of credits shall be final.

new text begin (c) A school board must adopt a policy regarding weighted grade point averages for any high school or dual enrollment course. The policy must state whether the district offers weighted grades. A school board must annually publish on its Web site a list of courses for which a student may earn a weighted grade. new text end

new text begin (d) new text end The secondary credits granted to a pupil must be counted toward the graduation requirements and subject area requirements of the district. Evidence of successful completion of each course and secondary credits granted must be included in the pupil's secondary school record. A pupil shall provide the school with a copy of the pupil's grade in each course taken for secondary credit under this section. Upon the request of a pupil, the pupil's secondary school record must also include evidence of successful completion and credits granted for a course taken for postsecondary credit. In either case, the record must indicate that the credits were earned at a postsecondary institution.

new text begin (e) new text end If a pupil enrolls in a postsecondary institution after leaving secondary school, the postsecondary institution must award postsecondary credit for any course successfully completed for secondary credit at that institution. Other postsecondary institutions may award, after a pupil leaves secondary school, postsecondary credit for any courses successfully completed under this section. An institution may not charge a pupil for the award of credit.

new text begin (f) new text end The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota must, and private nonprofit and proprietary postsecondary institutions should, award postsecondary credit for any successfully completed courses in a program certified by the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships offered according to an agreement under subdivision 10. Consistent with section 135A.101, subdivision 3, all MnSCU institutions must give full credit to a secondary pupil who completes for postsecondary credit a postsecondary course or program that is part or all of a goal area or a transfer curriculum at a MnSCU institution when the pupil enrolls in a MnSCU institution after leaving secondary school. Once one MnSCU institution certifies as completed a secondary student's postsecondary course or program that is part or all of a goal area or a transfer curriculum, every MnSCU institution must consider the student's course or program for that goal area or the transfer curriculum as completed.

Sec. 34.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.09, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

Subd. 13.

Financial arrangements.

For a pupil enrolled in a course under this section, the department must make payments according to this subdivision for courses that were taken for secondary credit.

The department must not make payments to a school district or postsecondary institution for a course taken for postsecondary credit only. The department must not make payments to a postsecondary institution for a course from which a student officially withdraws during the first 14 days of the quarter or semester or who has been absent from the postsecondary institution for the first 15 consecutive school days of the quarter or semester and is not receiving instruction in the home or hospital.

A postsecondary institution shall receive the following:

(1) for an institution granting quarter credit, the reimbursement per credit hour shall be an amount equal to 88 percent of the product of the formula allowance minus $425, multiplied by 1.2, and divided by 45; or

(2) for an institution granting semester credit, the reimbursement per credit hour shall be an amount equal to 88 percent of the product of the general revenue formula allowance minus $425, multiplied by 1.2, and divided by 30.

The department must pay to each postsecondary institution 100 percent of the amount in clause (1) or (2) within deleted text begin 30deleted text end new text begin 45new text end days of receiving initial enrollment information each quarter or semester. If changes in enrollment occur during a quarter or semester, the change shall be reported by the postsecondary institution at the time the enrollment information for the succeeding quarter or semester is submitted. At any time the department notifies a postsecondary institution that an overpayment has been made, the institution shall promptly remit the amount due.

Sec. 35.

new text begin [124D.4535] INNOVATIVE DELIVERY OF CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS; SHARING OF DISTRICT RESOURCES. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment; requirements for participation. new text end

new text begin (a) A program is established to improve student, career and college readiness, and school outcomes by allowing groups of school districts to work together in partnership with local and regional postsecondary institutions and programs, community institutions, and other private, public, for-profit, and nonprofit workplace partners, to: new text end

new text begin (1) provide innovative education programs and activities that integrate core academic and career and technical subjects in students' programs of study through coordinated secondary and postsecondary career and technical programs leading to an industry certification or other credential; new text end

new text begin (2) provide embedded professional development for program participants; new text end

new text begin (3) use performance assessments in authentic settings to measure students' technical skills and progress toward attaining an industry certification or other credential; and new text end

new text begin (4) efficiently share district, institution, and workplace resources. new text end

new text begin (b) To participate in this program to improve student, career and college readiness, and school outcomes, a group of two or more school districts must collaborate with school staff and project partners and receive formal school board approval to form a partnership. The partnership must develop a plan to provide challenging programmatic options for students under paragraph (a); create professional development opportunities for educators and other program participants; increase student engagement and connection and challenging learning opportunities for diverse populations of students that are focused on employability skills and technical, job-specific skills related to a specific career pathway; or demonstrate efficiencies in delivering financial and other services needed to realize plan goals and objectives. The plan must include: new text end

new text begin (1) collaborative education goals and objectives; new text end

new text begin (2) strategies and processes to implement those goals and objectives, including a budget process with periodic expenditure reviews; new text end

new text begin (3) valid and reliable measures including performance assessments in authentic settings and progress toward attaining an industry certification or other credential, among other measures, to evaluate progress in realizing plan goals and objectives; new text end

new text begin (4) an implementation timeline; and new text end

new text begin (5) other applicable conditions, regulations, responsibilities, duties, provisions, fee schedules, and legal considerations needed to fully implement the plan. new text end

new text begin A partnership may invite additional districts or other participants under paragraph (a) to join the partnership after notifying the commissioner. new text end

new text begin (c) A partnership of interested districts must submit an application to the commissioner of education in the form and manner the commissioner determines, consistent with the requirements of this section. The application must contain the formal approval adopted by the school board in each district to participate in the plan. new text end

new text begin (d) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a participating school district under this section continues to: receive revenue and maintain its taxation authority; be organized and governed by an elected school board with general powers under section 123B.02; and be subject to employment agreements under chapter 122A and section 179A.20; and district employees continue to remain employees of the employing school district. new text end

new text begin (e) Participating districts must submit a biennial report by February 1 in each odd-numbered year to the education committees of the legislature and the commissioner of education that includes performance assessment, high school graduation, and career and technical certification data to show the success of the partnership in preparing diverse populations of students for careers and jobs. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Commissioner's role. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of education must convene an advisory panel to advise the commissioner on applicants' qualifications to participate in this program. The commissioner must ensure an equitable geographical distribution of program participants to the extent practicable. The commissioner must select only those applicants that fully comply with subdivision 1. The commissioner may terminate a program participant that fails to effectively implement the goals and objectives contained in its application and according to its stated timeline. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin (a) This section is effective the day following final enactment and applies to those applications submitted after that date. new text end

new text begin (b) Districts already approved for an innovation zone pilot project under Laws 2012, chapter 263, section 1, as amended by Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 15, section 24, may continue to operate. new text end

Sec. 36.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.68, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Eligible pupils.

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

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

(2) is behind in satisfactorily completing coursework or obtaining credits for graduation;

(3) is pregnant or is a parent;

(4) has been assessed as chemically dependent;

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

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

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

(8) has experienced mental health problems;

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

(10) speaks English as a second language or is an English learner; or

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

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

(b) For deleted text begin the 2016-2017 school yeardeleted text end new text begin fiscal years 2017 and 2018new text end only, a pupil otherwise qualifying under paragraph (a) who is at least 21 years of age and not yet 22 years of age, is an English learner with an interrupted formal education according to section 124D.59, subdivision 2a, and was in an early middle college program during the previous school year is eligible to participate in the graduation incentives program under section 124D.68 and in concurrent enrollment courses offered under section 124D.09, subdivision 10, and is funded in the same manner as other pupils under this section.

Sec. 37.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.695, is amended to read:

124D.695 APPROVED RECOVERY PROGRAM FUNDING.

Subdivision 1.

Approved recovery program.

"Approved recovery program" means a course of instruction offered by a recovery school that provides academic services, assistance with recovery, and continuing care to students recovering from substance abuse or dependency. A recovery program may be offered in a transitional academic setting designed to meet graduation requirements. A recovery program must be approved by the commissioner of education. The commissioner may specify the manner and form of the application for the approval of a recovery school or recovery program.new text begin The commissioner must also approve any unreimbursed pupil transportation costs incurred by students participating in an approved recovery program.new text end

Subd. 2.

Eligibility.

new text begin (a) new text end An approved recovery program is eligible for an annual recovery program grant of up to $125,000 to pay for a portion of the costs deleted text begin ofdeleted text end new text begin under this section fornew text end recovery program support staff deleted text begin under this sectiondeleted text end new text begin and approved pupil transportation expensesnew text end .

new text begin (b)new text end "Recovery program support staff" means licensed alcohol and chemical dependency counselors, licensed school counselors, licensed school psychologists, licensed school nurses, and licensed school social workers.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 38.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.83, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Revenue amount.

An American Indian-controlled tribal contract or grant school that is located on a reservation within the state and that complies with the requirements in subdivision 1 is eligible to receive tribal contract or grant school aid. The amount of aid is derived by:

(1) multiplying the formula allowance under section 126C.10, subdivision 2, less $170, times the difference between (i) the resident pupil units as defined in section 126C.05, subdivision 6, in average daily membership, excluding section 126C.05, subdivision 13, and (ii) the number of pupils for the current school year, weighted according to section 126C.05, subdivision 1, receiving benefits under section 123B.42 or 123B.44 or for which the school is receiving reimbursement under section 124D.69;

(2) adding to the result in clause (1) an amount equal to the product of the formula allowance under section 126C.10, subdivision 2, less $300 times the tribal contract compensation revenue pupil units;

(3) subtracting from the result in clause (2) the amount of money allotted to the school by the federal government through Indian School Equalization Program of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, according to Code of Federal Regulations, title 25, part 39, subparts A to E, for the basic program as defined by section 39.11, paragraph (b), for the base rate as applied to kindergarten through twelfth grade, excluding small school adjustments and additional weighting, but not money allotted through subparts F to L for contingency funds, school board training, student training, interim maintenance and minor repair, interim administration cost, prekindergarten, and operation and maintenance, and the amount of money that is received according to section 124D.69;

(4) dividing the result in clause (3) by the sum of the resident pupil units in average daily membership, excluding section 126C.05, subdivision 13, plus the tribal contract compensation revenue pupil units; and

(5) multiplying the sum of the resident pupil units, including section 126C.05, subdivision 13, in average daily membership plus the tribal contract compensation revenue pupil units by the lesser of $3,230 for fiscal years 2016 deleted text begin and 2017 ordeleted text end new text begin to 2019 and new text end $1,500 for fiscal year deleted text begin 2018deleted text end new text begin 2020new text end and later or the result in clause (4).

Sec. 39.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124E.03, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Certain 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 charter school must comply with the Minnesota Public School Fee Law, sections 123B.34 to 123B.39.

(d) A charter school is a district for the purposes of tort liability under chapter 466.

(e) A charter school must comply with the Pledge of Allegiance requirement under section 121A.11, subdivision 3.

(f) A charter school and charter school board of directors must comply with chapter 181 governing requirements for employment.

(g) A charter school must comply with continuing truant notification under section 260A.03.

(h) 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 (13)new text begin , and place students in classrooms in accordance with section 122A.40, subdivision 8, paragraph (d)new text end . The teacher evaluation process in this paragraph does not create any additional employment rights for teachers.

(i) A charter school must 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 begin (j) A charter school is subject to and must comply with the Pupil Fair Dismissal Act, sections 121A.40 to 121A.56. new text end

Sec. 40.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124E.05, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Withdrawal.

If the governing board of an approved authorizer votes to withdraw as an approved authorizer for a reason unrelated to any cause under section 124E.10, subdivision 4, the authorizer must notify all its chartered schools and the commissioner in writing by March 1 of its intent to withdraw as an authorizer on June 30 in the next calendar year, regardless of when the authorizer's five-year term of approval ends. new text begin Upon notification of the schools and commissioner, the authorizer must provide a letter to the school for distribution to families of students enrolled in the school that explains the decision to withdraw as an authorizer. new text end The commissioner may approve the transfer of a charter school to a new authorizer under section 124E.10, subdivision 5.

Sec. 41.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124E.11, is amended to read:

124E.11 ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND ENROLLMENT.

(a) A charter schoolnew text begin , including its preschool or prekindergarten program established under section 124E.06, subdivision 3, paragraph (b),new text end 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.

(b) A charter schoolnew text begin , including its preschool or prekindergarten program established under section 124E.06, subdivision 3, paragraph (b),new text end 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 publish, including on its Web site, a lottery policy and process that it must use when accepting pupils by lot.

(c) 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. A charter school that is located in Duluth township in St. Louis County and admits students in kindergarten through grade 6 must give enrollment preference to students residing within a five-mile radius of the school and to the siblings of enrolled children. A charter school may give enrollment preference to children currently enrolled in the school's free preschool or prekindergarten program under section 124E.06, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), who are eligible to enroll in kindergarten in the next school year.

(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).

(e) Except as permitted in paragraph (d), a charter schoolnew text begin , including its preschool or prekindergarten program established under section 124E.06, subdivision 3, paragraph (b),new text end 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 section.

(f) 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.

(g) Once a student is enrolled in the school, the student is considered enrolled in the school until the student formally withdraws or is expelled under the Pupil Fair Dismissal Act in sections 121A.40 to 121A.56. deleted text begin A charter school is subject to and must comply with the Pupil Fair Dismissal Act, sections 121A.40 to 121A.56.deleted text end

(h) A charter school with at least 90 percent of enrolled students who are eligible for special education services and have a primary disability of deaf or hard-of-hearing may enroll prekindergarten pupils with a disability under section 126C.05, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), and must comply with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act under Code of Federal Regulations, title 34, section 300.324, subsection (2), clause (iv).

Sec. 42.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124E.22, is amended to read:

124E.22 BUILDING LEASE AID.

(a) When a charter school finds it economically advantageous to rent or lease a building or land for any instructional purpose 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. 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. The commissioner must approve aid only for a facility lease that has (i) a sum certain annual cost and (ii) a closure clause to relieve the charter school of its lease obligations at the time the charter contract is terminated or not renewed. The closure clause under item (ii) must not be constructed or construed to relieve the charter school of its lease obligations in effect before the charter contract is terminated or not renewed.

(b) A charter school must not use the building lease aid it receives for custodial, maintenance service, utility, or other operating costs.

(c) The amount of annual building lease aid for a charter school shall not exceed the lesser of (1) 90 percent of the approved cost or (2) the product of thenew text begin charter school building lease aidnew text end pupil units served for the current school year times $1,314.

new text begin (d) A charter school's building lease aid pupil units equals the sum of the charter school pupil units under section 126C.05 and the pupil units for the portion of the day that the charter school's enrolled students are participating in the Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act under section 124D.09 and not otherwise included in the pupil count under section 126C.05. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for fiscal year 2018 and later. new text end

Sec. 43.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 125A.56, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Requirement.

(a) Before a pupil is referred for a special education evaluation, the district must conduct and document at least two instructional strategies, alternatives, or interventions using a system of scientific, research-based instruction and intervention in academics or behavior, based on the pupil's needs, while the pupil is in the regular classroom. The pupil's teacher must document the results. A special education evaluation team may waive this requirement when it determines the pupil's need for the evaluation is urgent. This section may not be used to deny a pupil's right to a special education evaluation.

(b) A school district shall use alternative intervention services, including the assurance of mastery program under section 124D.66, or an early intervening services program under subdivision 2 to serve at-risk pupils who demonstrate a need for alternative instructional strategies or interventions.

(c) A student identified as being unable to read at grade level under section 120B.12, subdivision 2, paragraph (a), must be provided with alternate instruction under this subdivisionnew text begin that is multisensory, systematic, sequential, cumulative, and explicitnew text end .

Sec. 44.

new text begin [136A.1276] ALTERNATIVE TEACHER PREPARATION GRANT PROGRAM. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

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

new text begin (b) "Alternative teacher preparation program" means an alternative teacher preparation program under section 122A.245, subdivision 2, or an experimental teacher preparation program under section 122A.09, subdivision 10. new text end

new text begin (c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education. new text end

new text begin (d) "Program" means a teacher preparation curriculum leading to specific licensure areas. new text end

new text begin (e) "Shortage area" means: new text end

new text begin (1) licensure fields and economic development regions reported by the commissioner of education as experiencing a teacher shortage; and new text end

new text begin (2) economic development regions where there is a shortage of licensed teachers who reflect the racial or ethnic diversity of students in the region. new text end

new text begin (f) "Unit" means an institution or defined subdivision of the institution that has primary responsibility for overseeing and delivering teacher preparation programs. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Establishment; eligibility. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner, in consultation with the Board of Teaching, must establish and administer a program annually awarding grants to eligible alternative teacher preparation programs consistent with this section. new text end

new text begin (b) To be eligible to receive a grant, an alternative teacher preparation program must certify that it: new text end

new text begin (1) is working to fill Minnesota's teacher shortage areas; and new text end

new text begin (2) is a school district, charter school, or nonprofit corporation organized under chapter 317A or under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for an education-related purpose that has been operating continuously for at least three years in Minnesota or any other state. new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner must give priority to applicants based in Minnesota when awarding grants under this section. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Use of grants. new text end

new text begin (a) An alternative teacher preparation program receiving a grant under this section must use the grant to: new text end

new text begin (1) establish initial unit approval to become an alternative teacher preparation program; new text end

new text begin (2) expand alternative teacher preparation programs by expanding program approval to other licensure areas identified as shortage areas by the commissioner of education; new text end

new text begin (3) recruit, select, and train teachers who reflect the racial or ethnic diversity of students in Minnesota; or new text end

new text begin (4) establish professional development programs for teachers who have obtained teaching licenses through alternative teacher preparation programs. new text end

new text begin An alternative teacher preparation program may expend grant funds on regional management and operations, development, and central support services, including financial support and support for technology and human services. new text end

new text begin (b) An alternative teacher preparation program may use grant funds awarded under this section as a match for nonstate funds, subject to paragraph (a). new text end

new text begin (c) Appropriations made to this program do not cancel and are available until expended. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin An alternative teacher preparation program receiving a grant under this section must submit a report to the commissioner and the Board of Teaching on the grantee's ability to fill teacher shortage areas and positively impact student achievement where data are available and do not identify individual teachers. A grant recipient must submit the report required under this subdivision by January 31, 2018, and each even-numbered year thereafter. The report must include disaggregated data regarding: new text end

new text begin (1) the racial and ethnic diversity of teachers and teacher candidates licensed through the program; and new text end

new text begin (2) program participant placement. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue in fiscal year 2018 and later. new text end

Sec. 45.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 136A.1791, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

(a) The terms used in this section have the meanings given them in this subdivision.

(b) "Qualified educational loan" means a government, commercial, or foundation loan for actual costs paid for tuition and reasonable educational and living expenses related to a teacher's preparation or further education.

(c) "School district" means an independent school district, special school district, intermediate district, education district, special education cooperative, service cooperative, a cooperative center for vocational education, or a charter school located in Minnesota.

(d) "Teacher" means an individual holding a teaching license issued by the licensing division in the Department of Education on behalf of the Board of Teaching who is employed by a school district to provide classroom instruction deleted text begin in a teacher shortage areadeleted text end .

(e) "Teacher shortage area" meansnew text begin :new text end

new text begin (1)new text end the licensure fields and economic development regions reported by the commissioner of education as experiencing a teacher shortagedeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ; andnew text end

new text begin (2) economic development regions where there is a shortage of licensed teachers who reflect the racial or ethnic diversity of students in the region as reported by the commissioner of education. new text end

(f) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education unless indicated otherwise.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2017. new text end

Sec. 46.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 136A.1791, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Program established; administration.

The commissioner shall establish and administer a teacher shortage loan forgiveness program. A teacher is eligible for the program if the teacher is teaching in deleted text begin a licensure field and in an economic development region withdeleted text end an identified teacher shortagenew text begin areanew text end under subdivision 3 and complies with the requirements of this section.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2017. new text end

Sec. 47.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 136A.1791, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Annual reporting.

By February 1 of each year, the commissioner must report to the chairs of the deleted text begin K-12deleted text end new text begin kindergarten through grade 12new text end and higher education committees of the legislature on the number of individuals who received loan forgiveness under this section,new text begin the race or ethnicity of the teachers participating in the program,new text end the licensure areas and economic development regions in which the teachers taught, the average amount paid to a teacher participating in the program, and other summary data identified by the commissioner as outcome indicators.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2017. new text end

Sec. 48.

Laws 2016, chapter 189, article 25, section 58, is amended to read:

Sec. 58.

deleted text begin NORTHWEST REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPdeleted text end new text begin STATEWIDEnew text end CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT new text begin TEACHER TRAINING new text end PROGRAM.

Subdivision 1.

Definition.

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

new text begin (b) new text end "Northwest Regional Partnership" means a voluntary association of the Lakes Country Service Cooperative, the Northwest Service Cooperative, and Minnesota State University-Moorhead that works together to provide coordinated higher learning opportunities for teachers.

new text begin (c) "State Partnership" means a voluntary association of the Northwest Regional Partnership and the Metropolitan Educational Cooperative Service Unit. new text end

new text begin (d) "Eligible postsecondary institution" means a public or private postsecondary institution that awards graduate credits. new text end

new text begin (e) "Eligible teacher" means a licensed teacher of secondary school courses for postsecondary credit. new text end

Subd. 2.

Establishment.

new text begin (a) new text end Lakes Country Service Cooperative, in consultation with the Northwest Service Cooperative, may develop a continuing education program to allow eligible teachers to attain the requisite graduate credits necessary to be qualified to teach secondary school courses for postsecondary credit.

new text begin (b) If established, the State Partnership must contract with one or more eligible postsecondary institutions to establish a continuing education credit program to allow eligible teachers to attain sufficient graduate credits to qualify to teach secondary school courses for postsecondary credit. Members of the State Partnership must work to eliminate duplication of service and develop the continuing education credit program efficiently and cost-effectively. new text end

Subd. 3.

Curriculum development.

deleted text begin Minnesota State University-Moorhead may developdeleted text end new text begin The continuing education program must use flexible delivery models, such asnew text end an online education curriculum deleted text begin todeleted text end new text begin , thatnew text end allow eligible secondary school teachers to attain graduate credit at a reduced credit rate.new text begin Information about the curriculum, including course length and course requirements, must be posted on the Web site of the eligible institution offering the course at least two weeks before eligible teachers are required to register for courses in the continuing education program.new text end

Subd. 4.

Funding for course development; scholarships; stipends.

new text begin (a) new text end Lakes Country Service Cooperative, in consultation with the other members of the Northwest Regional Partnership, shall:

(1) provide funding for course development for up to 18 credits in applicable postsecondary subject areas;

(2) provide scholarships for eligible teachers to enroll in the continuing education program; and

(3) develop criteria for awarding educator stipends on a per-credit basis to incentivize participation in the continuing education program.

new text begin (b) If established, the State Partnership must: new text end

new text begin (1) provide funding for course development for up to 18 credits in applicable postsecondary subject areas; new text end

new text begin (2) provide scholarships for eligible teachers to enroll in the continuing education program; and new text end

new text begin (3) develop criteria for awarding educator stipends on a per-credit basis to incentivize participation in the continuing education program. new text end

deleted text begin Subd. 5. deleted text end

deleted text begin Participant eligibility. deleted text end

deleted text begin Participation in the continuing education program is reserved for teachers of secondary school courses for postsecondary credit. Priority must be given to teachers employed by a school district that is a member of the Lakes Country Service Cooperative or Northwest Service Cooperative. Teachers employed by a school district that is not a member of the Lakes Country Service Cooperative or Northwest Service Cooperative may participate in the continuing education program as space allows. A teacher participating in this program is ineligible to participate in other concurrent enrollment teacher training grant programs. deleted text end

Subd. 6.

Private funding.

The deleted text begin partnershipdeleted text end new text begin partnershipsnew text end may receive private resources to supplement the available public money. All money received new text begin in fiscal year 2017 new text end shall be administered by the Lakes Country Service Cooperative.new text begin All money received in fiscal year 2018 and later shall be administered by the State Partnership.new text end

Subd. 7.

Report required.

new text begin (a) The new text end Northwest Regional Partnership must submit deleted text begin an annualdeleted text end new text begin anew text end report by January 15 deleted text begin of each yeardeleted text end new text begin , 2018,new text end on the progress of its activities to the legislature, commissioner of education, and Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. The deleted text begin annualdeleted text end report shall contain a financial report for the preceding year. deleted text begin The first report is due no later than January 15, 2018.deleted text end

new text begin (b) If established, the State Partnership must submit an annual joint report to the legislature and the Office of Higher Education by January 15 of each year on the progress of its activities. The report must include the number of teachers participating in the program, the geographic location of the teachers, the number of credits earned, and the subject areas of the courses in which participants earned credit. The report must include a financial report for the preceding year. 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. 49.

Laws 2016, chapter 189, article 25, section 62, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Education Innovation Partners Cooperative Center.

new text begin (a) new text end For a matching grant to Education Innovation Partners Cooperative Center, No. 6091-50, to provide research-based professional development services, on-site training, and leadership coaching to teachers and other school staff:

$ deleted text begin 500,000 deleted text end
new text begin 90,000 new text end
..... 2017
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 410,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end

new text begin (b) $410,000 of the $500,000 appropriation in Laws 2016, chapter 189, article 25, section 62, subdivision 7, is canceled to the state general fund on June 30, 2017. new text end

new text begin (c) new text end A grant under this subdivision must be matched with money or in-kind contributions from nonstate sources. This is a onetime appropriation.new text begin This appropriation is available until June 30, 2019.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. 50.

Laws 2016, chapter 189, article 25, section 62, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

Subd. 11.

Student teachers in shortage areas.

For transfer to the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education for the purpose of providing grants to student teachers in shortage areas under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1275:

$ 2,800,000 ..... 2017

new text begin Of this amount, up to two percent is for administration of the student teacher grant program in expectation that the Office of Higher Education will begin to disburse grants no later than September 1, 2017. new text end This is a onetime appropriation. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2019.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 51.

new text begin AGRICULTURAL EDUCATOR GRANTS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Grant program established. new text end

new text begin A grant program is established to support school districts in paying agricultural education teachers for work over the summer with high school students in extended programs. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Application. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of education shall develop the form and method for applying for the grants. The commissioner shall develop criteria for determining the allocation of the grants, including appropriate goals for the use of the grants. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Grant awards. new text end

new text begin Grant funding under this section must be matched by funding from the school district for the agricultural education teacher's summer employment. Grant funding for each teacher is limited to the one-half share of 40 working days. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Reports. new text end

new text begin School districts that receive grant funds shall report to the commissioner of education no later than December 31 of each year regarding the number of teachers funded by the grant program and the outcomes compared to the goals established in the grant application. The Department of Education shall develop the criteria necessary for the reports. new text end

Sec. 52.

new text begin INNOVATION RESEARCH ZONES PILOT PROGRAM. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment; requirements for participation; research zone plans. new text end

new text begin (a) The innovation research zone pilot program is established to improve student and school outcomes consistent with the world's best workforce requirements under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.11. Innovation zone partnerships allow school districts and charter schools to research and implement innovative education programming models designed to better prepare students for the world of the 21st century. new text end

new text begin (b) One or more school districts or charter schools may join together to form an innovation zone partnership. The partnership may include other nonschool partners, including postsecondary institutions, other units of local government, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit organizations. An innovation zone plan must be collaboratively developed in concert with the school's instructional staff. new text end

new text begin (c) An innovation research zone partnership must research and implement innovative education programs and models that are based on proposed hypotheses. An innovation zone plan may include an emerging practice not yet supported by peer-reviewed research. Examples of innovation zone research may include, but are not limited to: new text end

new text begin (1) personalized learning, allowing students to excel at their own pace and according to their interests, aspirations, and unique needs; new text end

new text begin (2) the use of competency outcomes rather than seat time and course completion to fulfill standards, credits, and other graduation requirements; new text end

new text begin (3) multidisciplinary, real-world, inquiry-based, and student-directed models designed to make learning more engaging and relevant, including documenting and validating learning that takes place beyond the school day and school walls; new text end

new text begin (4) models of instruction designed to close the achievement gap, including new models for age three to grade 3 models, English as a second language models, early identification and prevention of mental health issues, and others; new text end

new text begin (5) new partnerships between secondary schools and postsecondary institutions, employers, or career training institutions enabling students to complete industry certifications, postsecondary education credits, and other credentials; new text end

new text begin (6) new methods of collaborative leadership including the expansion of schools where teachers have larger professional roles; new text end

new text begin (7) new ways to enhance parental and community involvement in learning; new text end

new text begin (8) new models of professional development for educators, including embedded professional development; or new text end

new text begin (9) new models in other areas such as whole child instruction, social-emotional skill development, technology-based or blended learning, parent and community involvement, professional development and mentoring, and models that increase the return on investment. new text end

new text begin (d) An innovation zone plan submitted to the commissioner must describe: new text end

new text begin (1) how the plan will improve student and school outcomes consistent with the world's best workforce requirements under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.11; new text end

new text begin (2) the role of each partner in the zone; new text end

new text begin (3) the research methodology used for each proposed action in the plan; new text end

new text begin (4) the exemptions from statutes and rules in subdivision 2 that the research zone partnership will use; new text end

new text begin (5) a description of how teachers and other educational staff from the affected school sites will be included in the planning and implementation process; new text end

new text begin (6) a detailed description of expected outcomes and graduation standards; new text end

new text begin (7) a timeline for implementing the plan and assessing the outcomes; and new text end

new text begin (8) how results of the plan will be disseminated. new text end

new text begin The governing board for each partner must approve the innovation zone plan. new text end

new text begin (e) Upon unanimous approval of the initial innovation zone partners and approval of the commissioner of education, the innovation zone partnership may extend membership to other partners. A new partner's membership is effective 30 days after the innovation zone partnership notifies the commissioner of the proposed change in membership unless the commissioner disapproves the new partner's membership. new text end

new text begin (f) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a school district or charter school participating in an innovation zone partnership under this section continues to receive all revenue and maintains its taxation authority in the same manner as before its participation in the innovation zone partnership. The innovation zone school district and charter school partners remain organized and governed by their respective school boards with general powers under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 123B or 124E, and remain subject to any employment agreements under Minnesota Statutes, chapters 122A and 179A. School district and charter school employees participating in an innovation zone partnership remain employees of their respective school district or charter school. new text end

new text begin (g) An innovation zone partnership may submit its plan at any time to the commissioner in the form and manner specified by the commissioner. The commissioner must approve or reject the plan after reviewing the recommendation of the Innovation Research Zone Advisory Panel. An initial innovation zone plan that has been rejected by the commissioner may be resubmitted to the commissioner after the innovation zone partnership has modified the plan to meet each individually identified objection. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Exemptions from laws and rules. new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, an innovation zone partner with an approved plan is exempt from each of the following state education laws and rules specifically identified in its plan: new text end

new text begin (1) any law or rule from which a district-created, site-governed school under Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.045, is exempt; new text end

new text begin (2) any statute or rule from which the commissioner has exempted another district or charter school, as identified in the list published on the Department of Education's Web site under subdivision 4, paragraph (b); new text end

new text begin (3) online learning program approval under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.095, subdivision 7, if the school district or charter school offers a course or program online combined with direct access to a teacher for a portion of that course or program; new text end

new text begin (4) restrictions on extended time revenue under Minnesota Statutes, section 126C.10, subdivision 2a, for a student who meets the criteria of Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.68, subdivision 2; and new text end

new text begin (5) any required hours of instruction in any class or subject area for a student who is meeting all competencies consistent with the graduation standards described in the innovation zone plan. new text end

new text begin (b) The exemptions under this subdivision must not be construed as exempting an innovation zone partner from the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Innovation Research Zone Advisory Panel. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner must establish and convene an Innovation Research Zone Advisory Panel to review all innovation zone plans submitted for approval. new text end

new text begin (b) The panel must be composed of nine members. One member must be appointed by each of the following organizations: Educators for Excellence, Education Minnesota, Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals, Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association, Minnesota Association of School Administrators, Minnesota School Boards Association, Minnesota Association of Charter Schools, and the Office of Higher Education. The commissioner must appoint one member with expertise in evaluation and research. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Commissioner approval. new text end

new text begin (a) Upon recommendation of the Innovation Research Zone Advisory Panel, the commissioner may approve up to three innovation zone plans in the seven-county metropolitan area and up to three in greater Minnesota. If an innovation zone partnership fails to implement its innovation zone plan as described in its application and according to the stated timeline, upon recommendation of the Innovation Research Zone Advisory Panel, the commissioner must alert the partnership members and provide the opportunity to remediate. If implementation continues to fail, the commissioner must suspend or terminate the innovation zone plan. new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must publish a list of the exemptions the commissioner has granted to a district or charter school on the Department of Education's Web site by July 1, 2017. The list must be updated annually. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Project evaluation, dissemination, and report to legislature. new text end

new text begin Each research zone partnership must submit project data to the commissioner in the form and manner provided for in the approved application. At least once every two years, the commissioner must analyze each innovation zone's progress in realizing the objectives of the innovation zone partnership's plan. The commissioner must summarize and categorize innovation zone plans and submit a report to the legislative committees having jurisdiction over education by February 1 of each odd-numbered year in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 3.195. 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. 53.

new text begin COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION MUST SUBMIT ESSA PLAN TO LEGISLATURE. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin ESSA plan. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of education must submit the state plan developed pursuant to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act, United States Code, title 20, section 6311, to the education policy and finance committees of the legislature at least 30 days before submitting the plan to the United States Department of Education. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Alignment with World's Best Workforce measures. new text end

new text begin The state plan must be consistent and aligned, to the extent practicable, with the performance accountability measures required under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.11, subdivision 1a, to create a single accountability system for all public schools. 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. 54.

new text begin EDUCATIONAL STABILITY FOR STUDENTS IN FOSTER CARE. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin A pilot project is established to provide incentives for school districts and county governments to develop partnership agreements and implement transportation plans to help keep foster care students enrolled in their school of origin when a student is placed in a foster care setting outside the school of origin's boundaries. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Qualifying plans. new text end

new text begin A school district must submit an application in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner of education to participate in the program. To qualify for participation, one or more school districts and the local child welfare agency must have a written interagency agreement that describes the local plan for ensuring educational stability for foster care students. The parties to the agreement must seek Title IV-E reimbursement for eligible students and eligible transportation costs. The plan must describe: new text end

new text begin (1) how transportation services will be arranged and provided; and new text end

new text begin (2) how local transportation costs will be paid for if pilot project funds are insufficient to cover all costs. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Pilot project; funding. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must reimburse partnerships with qualifying plans under subdivision 2 at the end of the school year based on allowable expenditures and reimbursements and compliance with other reporting requirements. If the available appropriation is insufficient to fully fund all qualifying plans, the commissioner may prorate the available funds statewide among all school districts with qualifying plans. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin By February 1, 2018, the commissioner of education shall report on the pilot project to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over early childhood through grade 12 education. The report must include, at a minimum, the number of local agreements entered into for this project along with the number of school districts and counties participating in the agreements, baseline data showing the number of foster care students who were able to remain in their school of origin and the changes in the ratio over the time of the pilot project, data on expenditures for school stability transportation and federal reimbursements received for the pilot project with a midyear projection of end-of-year costs and revenues, and projected costs for statewide implementation of the program. new text end

Sec. 55.

new text begin RURAL CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION CONSORTIUM GRANTS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definition. new text end

new text begin "Rural career and technical education (CTE) consortium" means a voluntary collaboration of a service cooperative and other regional public and private partners, including school districts and higher education institutions, that work together to provide career and technical education opportunities within the service cooperative's multicounty service area. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin (a) A rural CTE consortium shall: new text end

new text begin (1) focus on the development of courses and programs that encourage collaboration between two or more school districts; new text end

new text begin (2) develop new career and technical programs that focus on the industry sectors that fuel the rural regional economy; new text end

new text begin (3) facilitate the development of highly trained and knowledgeable students who are equipped with technical and workplace skills needed by regional employers; new text end

new text begin (4) improve access to career and technical education programs for students who attend sparsely populated rural school districts by developing public and private partnerships with business and industry leaders and by increasing coordination of high school and postsecondary program options; new text end

new text begin (5) increase family and student awareness of the availability and benefit of career and technical education courses and training opportunities; and new text end

new text begin (6) provide capital start-up costs for items including but not limited to a mobile welding lab, medical equipment and lab, and industrial kitchen equipment. new text end

new text begin (b) In addition to the requirements in paragraph (a), a rural CTE consortium may: new text end

new text begin (1) address the teacher shortage crisis in career and technical education through incentive funding and training programs; and new text end

new text begin (2) provide transportation reimbursement grants to provide equitable opportunities throughout the region for students to participate in career and technical education. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Rural career and technical education advisory committee. new text end

new text begin In order to be eligible for a grant under this section, a service cooperative must establish a rural career and technical education advisory committee to advise the cooperative on the administration of the rural CTE consortium. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Private funding. new text end

new text begin A rural CTE consortium may receive other sources of funds to supplement state funding. All funds received shall be administered by the service cooperative that is a member of the consortium. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Reporting requirements. new text end

new text begin A rural CTE consortium must submit an annual report on the progress of its activities to the commissioner of education and the legislative committees with jurisdiction over secondary and postsecondary education. The annual report must contain a financial report for the preceding fiscal year. The first report is due no later than January 15, 2019. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Grant recipients. new text end

new text begin For fiscal years 2018 and 2019, the commissioner shall award a two-year grant to the consortium that is a collaboration of the Southwest/West Central Service Cooperative (SWWC), Southwest Minnesota State University, Minnesota West Community and Technical College, Ridgewater College, and other regional public and private partners. For fiscal years 2020 and 2021, the commissioner shall award a two-year grant to an applicant consortium that includes the South Central Service Cooperative or Southeast Service Cooperative and a two-year grant to an applicant consortium that includes the Northwest Service Cooperative or Northeast Service Cooperative. new text end

Sec. 56.

new text begin INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT MENTAL HEALTH INNOVATION GRANT PROGRAM; APPROPRIATION. new text end

new text begin (a) $2,450,000 in fiscal year 2018 and $2,450,000 in fiscal year 2019 are appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of human services for a grant program to fund innovative projects to improve mental health outcomes for youth attending a qualifying school unit. new text end

new text begin (b) A "qualifying school unit" means an intermediate district organized under Minnesota Statutes, section 136D.01, or a service cooperative organized under Minnesota Statutes, section 123A.21, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (2), that provides instruction to students in a setting of federal instructional level 4 or higher. Grants under paragraph (a) must be awarded to eligible applicants such that the services are proportionately provided among qualifying school units. The commissioner shall calculate the share of the appropriation to be used in each qualifying school unit by dividing the qualifying school unit's average daily membership in a setting of federal instructional level 4 or higher for fiscal year 2016 by the total average daily membership in a setting of federal instructional level 4 or higher for the same year for all qualifying school units. new text end

new text begin (c) An eligible applicant is an entity that has demonstrated capacity to serve the youth identified in paragraph (a) and that is: new text end

new text begin (1) certified under Minnesota Rules, parts 9520.0750 to 9520.0870; new text end

new text begin (2) a community mental health center under Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.0625, subdivision 5; new text end

new text begin (3) an Indian health service facility or facility owned and operated by a tribe or tribal organization operating under United States Code, title 25, section 5321; or new text end

new text begin (4) a provider of children's therapeutic services and supports as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.0943. new text end

new text begin (d) An eligible applicant must employ or contract with at least two licensed mental health professionals as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 245.4871, subdivision 27, clauses (1) to (6), who have formal training in evidence-based practices. new text end

new text begin (e) A qualifying school unit must submit an application to the commissioner in the form and manner specified by the commissioner. The commissioner may approve an application that describes models for innovative projects to serve the needs of the schools and students. The commissioner may provide technical assistance to the qualifying school unit. The commissioner shall then solicit grant project proposals and award grant funding to the eligible applicants whose project proposals best meet the requirements of this section and most closely adhere to the models created by the intermediate districts and service cooperatives. new text end

new text begin (f) To receive grant funding, an eligible applicant must obtain a letter of support for the applicant's grant project proposal from each qualifying school unit the eligible applicant is proposing to serve. An eligible applicant must also demonstrate the following: new text end

new text begin (1) the ability to seek third-party reimbursement for services; new text end

new text begin (2) the ability to report data and outcomes as required by the commissioner; and new text end

new text begin (3) the existence of partnerships with counties, tribes, substance use disorder providers, and mental health service providers, including providers of mobile crisis services. new text end

new text begin (g) Grantees shall obtain all available third-party reimbursement sources as a condition of receiving grant funds. For purposes of this grant program, a third-party reimbursement source does not include a public school as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 120A.20, subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin (h) The base budget for this program is $0. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2020. new text end

Sec. 57.

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 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 71,249,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 73,267,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin The 2018 appropriation includes $6,725,000 for 2017 and $64,524,000 for 2018. new text end

new text begin The 2019 appropriation includes $7,169,000 for 2018 and $66,098,000 for 2019. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. 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 47,264,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 47,763,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin The 2018 appropriation includes $4,597,000 for 2017 and $42,667,000 for 2018. new text end

new text begin The 2019 appropriation includes $4,740,000 for 2018 and $43,023,000 for 2019. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. 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 13,337,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 14,075,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. 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 3,623,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 4,018,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin The 2018 appropriation includes $323,000 for 2017 and $3,300,000 for 2018. new text end

new text begin The 2019 appropriation includes $366,000 for 2018 and $3,652,000 for 2019. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin American Indian education aid. new text end

new text begin For American Indian education aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.81, subdivision 2a: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 9,244,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 9,464,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin The 2018 appropriation includes $886,000 for 2017 and $8,358,000 for 2018. new text end

new text begin The 2019 appropriation includes $928,000 for 2018 and $8,536,000 for 2019. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Early childhood literacy programs. new text end

new text begin (a) 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 6,950,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 6,950,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin (b) Up to $6,950,000 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 training and teaching early literacy skills to children ages three to grade 3 and evaluating the impact of the program under Minnesota Statutes, sections 124D.38, subdivision 2, and 124D.42, subdivision 6. new text end

new text begin (c) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year. new text end

new text begin (d) The base for fiscal year 2020 is $7,950,000. new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. 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 4,000,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 4,000,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 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. 9. new text end

new text begin Expanded concurrent enrollment grants. new text end

new text begin For grants to institutions offering "Introduction to Teaching" or "Introduction to Education" college in the schools courses under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.09, subdivision 10, paragraph (b): new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 375,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 375,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin The department may retain up to five percent of the appropriation amount to monitor and administer the grant program. new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. 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 2018 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 2019 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. 11. 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 2018 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 2019 new text end

new text begin (a) $46,000 each year is for student organizations serving health occupations (HOSA). new text end

new text begin (b) $100,000 each year is for student organizations serving trade and industry occupations (Skills USA, secondary and postsecondary). new text end

new text begin (c) $95,000 each year is for student organizations serving business occupations (BPA, secondary and postsecondary). new text end

new text begin (d) $193,000 each year is for student organizations serving agriculture occupations (FFA, PAS). new text end

new text begin (e) $142,000 in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 is for student organizations serving family and consumer science occupations (FCCLA). Notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 3505.1000, subparts 28 and 31, the student organizations serving FCCLA shall continue to serve students younger than grade 9. Beginning in fiscal year 2020, the amount is $185,000. new text end

new text begin (f) $109,000 each year is for student organizations serving marketing occupations (DECA and DECA collegiate). new text end

new text begin (g) $40,000 each year is for the Minnesota Foundation for Student Organizations. new text end

new text begin (h) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year. new text end

new text begin (i) The base for fiscal year 2020 and later is $768,000. new text end

new text begin Subd. 12. new text end

new text begin Museums and education centers. new text end

new text begin For grants to museums and education centers: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 460,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 460,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin (a) $319,000 each year is for the Minnesota Children's Museum. Of the amount in this paragraph, $50,000 in each year is for the Minnesota Children's Museum, Rochester. new text end

new text begin (b) $50,000 each year is for the Duluth Children's Museum. new text end

new text begin (c) $41,000 each year is for the Minnesota Academy of Science. new text end

new text begin (d) $50,000 each year is for the Headwaters Science Center. 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. 13. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Center for the Book programming. new text end

new text begin For grants to the entity designated by the Library of Congress as the Minnesota Center for the Book to provide statewide programming related to the Minnesota Book Awards and for additional programming throughout the state related to the Center for the Book designation: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 50,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 50,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin The base for fiscal year 2020 is $0. new text end

new text begin Subd. 14. new text end

new text begin Singing-based pilot program to improve student reading. new text end

new text begin (a) For a grant to pilot a research-supported, computer-based educational program that uses singing to improve the reading ability of students in grades 2 through 5: 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 2018 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 2019 new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner of education shall award a grant to the Rock 'n' Read Project to implement a research-supported, computer-based educational program that uses singing to improve the reading ability of students in grades 2 through 5. The grantee shall be responsible for selecting participating school sites; providing any required hardware and software, including software licenses, for the duration of the grant period; providing technical support, training, and staff to install required project hardware and software; providing on-site professional development and instructional monitoring and support for school staff and students; administering preintervention and postintervention reading assessments; evaluating the impact of the intervention; and other project management services as required. To the extent practicable, the grantee must select participating schools in urban, suburban, and greater Minnesota, and give priority to schools in which a high proportion of students do not read proficiently at grade level and are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. new text end

new text begin (c) By February 15, 2019, the grantee must submit a report detailing expenditures and outcomes of the grant to the commissioner of education and the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education policy and finance. new text end

new text begin (d) This is a onetime appropriation. new text end

new text begin Subd. 15. new text end

new text begin Starbase MN. new text end

new text begin (a) For a grant to Starbase MN for a rigorous science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) program providing students in grades 4 through 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 1,350,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 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 2019 new text end

new text begin (b) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year. The base for fiscal year 2020 is $500,000. new text end

new text begin (c) All unspent funds, estimated at $850,000 from the Starbase MN appropriation under Laws 2015, First Special Session chapter 3, article 2, section 70, subdivision 17, are canceled the day following final enactment. new text end

new text begin Subd. 16. new text end

new text begin Recovery program grants. new text end

new text begin For recovery program grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.695: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 750,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 750,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 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. 17. 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 500,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 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 2019 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. 18. new text end

new text begin Civic education grants. new text end

new text begin For grants to the Minnesota Civic Education Coalition, Minnesota Civic Youth, Learning Law and Democracy Foundation, and YMCA Youth in Government to provide civic education programs for Minnesota youth age 18 and younger. 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 2018 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 2019 new text end

new text begin Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year. The budget base for this program is $0. new text end

new text begin Subd. 19. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Principals Academy. new text end

new text begin (a) For grants to the University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development for the operation of the Minnesota Principals Academy: 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 2018 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 2019 new text end

new text begin (b) Of these amounts, $50,000 must be used to pay the costs of attendance for principals and school leaders from schools identified for intervention under the state's accountability system as implemented to comply with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act. To the extent funds are available, the Department of Education is encouraged to use up to $200,000 of federal Title II funds to support additional participation in the Principals Academy by principals and school leaders from schools identified for intervention under the state's accountability system as implemented to comply with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act. new text end

new text begin (c) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year. new text end

new text begin Subd. 20. new text end

new text begin Educational stability for students living in foster care. new text end

new text begin For a pilot project to promote educational stability for students living in foster care: 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 2018 new text end

new text begin Up to five percent of the appropriation may be used for state and local administrative costs such as reporting, technical support, and establishing a Title IV-E reimbursement claiming process. This is a onetime appropriation. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2019. new text end

new text begin Subd. 21. 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 124E.22: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 73,341,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 78,802,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin The 2018 appropriation includes $6,850,000 for 2017 and $66,491,000 for 2018. new text end

new text begin The 2019 appropriation includes $7,387,000 for 2018 and $71,415,000 for 2019. new text end

new text begin Subd. 22. new text end

new text begin Race 2 Reduce. new text end

new text begin (a) For grants to support expanded Race 2 Reduce water conservation programming in Minnesota schools: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 307,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 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 2019 new text end

new text begin (b) $143,000 is for H2O for Life; $98,000 is for Independent School District No. 624, White Bear Lake; and $66,000 is for Independent School District No. 832, Mahtomedi. new text end

new text begin (c) The appropriation is available until June 30, 2019. The base for fiscal year 2020 is $0. new text end

new text begin Subd. 23. new text end

new text begin Paraprofessional pathway to teacher licensure. new text end

new text begin (a) For grants to school districts for Grow Your Own new teacher programs: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 1,500,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 1,500,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin (b) The grants are for school districts with more than 30 percent minority students for a Board of Teaching-approved nonconventional teacher residency pilot program. The program must provide tuition scholarships or stipends to enable school district employees or community members affiliated with a school district who seek an education license to participate in a nonconventional teacher preparation program. School districts that receive funds under this subdivision are strongly encouraged to recruit candidates of color and American Indian candidates to participate in the Grow Your Own new teacher programs. Districts or schools providing financial support may require a commitment as determined by the district to teach in the district or school for a reasonable amount of time that does not exceed five years. new text end

new text begin (c) School districts and charter schools may also apply for grants to develop innovative expanded Grow Your Own programs that encourage secondary school students to pursue teaching, including developing and offering dual-credit postsecondary course options in schools for "Introduction to Teaching" or "Introduction to Education" courses consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.09, subdivision 10. new text end

new text begin (d) Programs must annually report to the commissioner by the date determined by the commissioner on their activities under this section, including the number of participants, the percentage of participants who are of color or who are American Indian, and an assessment of program effectiveness, including participant feedback, areas for improvement, the percentage of participants continuing to pursue teacher licensure, and the number of participants hired in the school or district as teachers after completing preparation programs. new text end

new text begin (e) The department may retain up to three percent of the appropriation amount to monitor and administer the grant program. new text end

new text begin (f) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year. new text end

new text begin Subd. 24. 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 10,892,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 10,892,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 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. 25. new text end

new text begin College entrance examination reimbursement. new text end

new text begin To reimburse districts for students who qualify under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.30, subdivision 1, paragraph (e), for payment of their college entrance examination fee: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 1,511,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 1,511,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin The commissioner must reimburse school districts for their costs for free or reduced-price meal eligible students who take the ACT or SAT test under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.30, subdivision 1. 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. 26. new text end

new text begin Alternative teacher compensation aid. 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 89,863,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 89,623,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin The 2018 appropriation includes $8,917,000 for 2017 and $80,946,000 for 2018. new text end

new text begin The 2019 appropriation includes $8,994,000 for 2018 and $80,629,000 for 2019. new text end

new text begin Subd. 27. new text end

new text begin Collaborative urban and greater Minnesota educators of color program grants. new text end

new text begin (a) For collaborative urban and greater Minnesota educators of color program grants: 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 2018 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 2019 new text end

new text begin (b) Grants shall be awarded in equal amounts: $195,000 each year is for the Southeast Asian Teacher program at Concordia University, St. Paul; $195,000 each year is for the Collaborative Urban 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 the East Africa Student to Teacher program at Augsburg College. new text end

new text begin (c) By January 15 of each year, each institution shall prepare for the legislature a detailed report regarding the funds used to recruit, retain, and induct teacher candidates who are of color or who are American Indian. The report must include the total number of teacher candidates of color, disaggregated by race or ethnic group, who are recruited to the institution, are newly admitted to the licensure program, are enrolled in the licensure program, have completed student teaching, have graduated, and are licensed and newly employed as Minnesota teachers in their licensure field. The total number of teacher candidates who are of color or who are American Indian at each stage from recruitment to licensed teaching must be reported as a percentage of total candidates seeking the same licensure at the institution. The report must include the graduation rate for each cohort of teacher candidates, the placement rate for each graduating cohort of teacher candidates, and the retention rate for each graduating cohort of teacher candidates, among other program outcomes. new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner must establish a competitive grant process to award $220,000 each year to Board of Teaching-approved teacher preparation programs, including alternative teacher preparation programs. The competitive process must award grants based on program benchmarks, including licensure rates, participation rates, and on-time graduation rates. new text end

new text begin (e) For fiscal year 2020 and later, the commissioner must award all collaborative urban educator grants through the competitive grant program. new text end

new text begin (f) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year. new text end

new text begin Subd. 28. 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 2018 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 2019 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 International Baccalaureate Minnesota, 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. 29. new text end

new text begin Grants to increase science, technology, engineering, and math course offerings. new text end

new text begin For grants to schools to encourage low-income and other underserved students to participate in advanced placement and international baccalaureate programs according to Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.132: 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 2018 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 2019 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. 30. new text end

new text begin Agricultural educator grants. new text end

new text begin For agricultural educator grants under section 51: 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 2018 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 2019 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. 31. 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 460,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 460,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin Subd. 32. new text end

new text begin African American Registry. new text end

new text begin (a) For grants to the African American Registry for the Teacher's Forum: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 100,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 100,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin (b) The African American Registry must use the grant funds to establish partnerships with Metropolitan State University and the University of St. Thomas to improve the cultural competency of candidates seeking a first teaching license. By January 15 of each year, the African American Registry shall submit to the legislature a detailed report regarding the funds used. The report must include the number of teachers prepared. The base in fiscal year 2020 is $0. new text end

new text begin Subd. 33. new text end

new text begin Rural career and technical education consortium. new text end

new text begin (a) For rural career and technical education consortium grants: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 1,500,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 1,500,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin This appropriation is available until June 30, 2022. If the appropriation in the first year is insufficient, the 2019 appropriation is available. new text end

new text begin (b) The base in fiscal year 2020 is $3,000,000. new text end

new text begin Subd. 34. new text end

new text begin Sanneh Foundation. new text end

new text begin (a) For a grant to the Sanneh Foundation to provide all-day, in-school, and before- and after-school academic and behavioral interventions for low-performing and chronically absent students with a focus on low-income students and students of color throughout the school year and during the summer to decrease absenteeism, encourage school engagement, and improve grades and graduation rates. 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 2018 new text end

new text begin (b) Funds appropriated in this section must be used to establish and provide services in schools where the Sanneh Foundation does not currently operate, and must not be used for programs operating in schools as of June 30, 2017. new text end

new text begin (c) This is a onetime appropriation. Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year. new text end

new text begin Subd. 35. new text end

new text begin Alternative teacher preparation grant program. new text end

new text begin (a) For transfer to the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education for alternative teacher preparation program grants under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1276: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 750,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 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 2019 new text end

new text begin (b) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year. new text end

new text begin Subd. 36. new text end

new text begin Teacher shortage loan forgiveness. new text end

new text begin (a) For transfer to the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education for the loan forgiveness program under Minnesota Statutes, section 136A.1791: 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 2018 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 2019 new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner may use no more than three percent of this appropriation to administer the program under this subdivision. new text end

new text begin (c) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year. new text end

new text begin Subd. 37. new text end

new text begin Statewide concurrent enrollment teacher training program. new text end

new text begin For the statewide concurrent enrollment teacher training program under Laws 2016, chapter 189, article 25, section 58, as amended: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 375,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 375,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 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. 58.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2016, sections 122A.40, subdivision 11; and 122A.41, subdivision 14, new text end new text begin are repealed effective July 1, 2019. new text end

ARTICLE 3

TEACHER LICENSURE

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 120B.363, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Rulemaking.

The new text begin Professional Educator Licensing and Standards new text end Board deleted text begin of Teachingdeleted text end must adopt rules to implement a statewide credential for education paraprofessionals who assist a licensed teacher in providing student instruction. Any paraprofessional holding this credential or working in a local school district after meeting a state-approved local assessment is considered to be highly qualified under federal law. Under this subdivision, the new text begin Professional Educator Licensing and Standards new text end Board deleted text begin of Teachingdeleted text end , in consultation with the commissioner, must adopt qualitative criteria for approving local assessments that include an evaluation of a paraprofessional's knowledge of reading, writing, and math and the paraprofessional's ability to assist in the instruction of reading, writing, and math. The commissioner must approve or disapprove local assessments using these criteria. The commissioner must make the criteria available to the public.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.17, is amended to read:

122A.17 VALIDITY OF CERTIFICATES OR LICENSES.

new text begin (a) new text end A rule adopted by the Board of Teachingnew text begin or the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Boardnew text end must not affect the validity of certificates or licenses to teach in effect on July 1, 1974, or the rights and privileges of the holders thereof, except that any such certificate or license may be suspended or revoked for any of the causes and by the procedures specified by law.

new text begin (b) All teacher licenses in effect on January 1, 2018, shall remain valid for one additional year after the date the license is scheduled to expire. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.18, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Authority to license.

(a) The new text begin Professional Educator Licensing and Standards new text end Board deleted text begin of Teachingdeleted text end must deleted text begin license teachers, as defined in section 122A.15, subdivision 1, except for supervisory personnel, as defined in section 122A.15, subdivision 2.deleted text end new text begin issue the following teacher licenses to candidates who meet the qualifications prescribed by this chapter:new text end

new text begin (1) Tier 1 license under section 122A.181; new text end

new text begin (2) Tier 2 license under section 122A.182; new text end

new text begin (3) Tier 3 license under section 122A.183; and new text end

new text begin (4) Tier 4 license under section 122A.184. new text end

(b) The Board of School Administrators must license supervisory personnel as defined in section 122A.15, subdivision 2, except for athletic coaches.

deleted text begin (c) Licenses under the jurisdiction of the Board of Teaching, the Board of School Administrators, and the commissioner of education must be issued through the licensing section of the department. deleted text end

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (c)new text end The new text begin Professional Educator Licensing and Standards new text end Board deleted text begin of Teachingdeleted text end and the Department of Education must enter into a data sharing agreement to sharenew text begin :new text end

new text begin (1)new text end educational data at the E-12 level for the limited purpose of program approval and improvement for teacher education programs. The program approval process must include targeted redesign of teacher preparation programs to address identified E-12 student areas of concernnew text begin ; andnew text end

new text begin (2) data in the staff automated reporting system for the limited purpose of managing and processing funding to school districts and other entitiesnew text end .

deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (d)new text end The Board of School Administrators and the Department of Education must enter into a data sharing agreement to share educational data at the E-12 level for the limited purpose of program approval and improvement for education administration programs. The program approval process must include targeted redesign of education administration preparation programs to address identified E-12 student areas of concern.

deleted text begin (f)deleted text end new text begin (e)new text end For purposes of the data sharing agreements under paragraphs deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (c)new text end and deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (d)new text end , the new text begin Professional Educator Licensing and Standards new text end Board deleted text begin of Teachingdeleted text end , Board of School Administrators, and Department of Education may share private data, as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 12, on teachers and school administrators. The data sharing agreements must not include educational data, as defined in section 13.32, subdivision 1, but may include summary data, as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 19, derived from educational data.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.18, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

deleted text begin Teacher anddeleted text end Support personnel qualifications.

deleted text begin (a)deleted text end The new text begin Professional Educator Licensing and Standards new text end Board deleted text begin of Teachingdeleted text end must issue licenses new text begin and credentials new text end under its jurisdiction to persons the board finds to be qualified and competent for deleted text begin their respective positions, including those meeting the standards adopted under section 122A.09, subdivision 4, paragraph (n)deleted text end new text begin support personnel positions in accordance with section 120B.36new text end .

deleted text begin (b) The board must require a candidate for teacher licensure to demonstrate a passing score on a board-adopted examination of skills in reading, writing, and mathematics, before being granted a professional five-year teaching license to provide direct instruction to pupils in prekindergarten, elementary, secondary, or special education programs, except that the board may issue up to four temporary, one-year teaching licenses to an otherwise qualified candidate who has not yet passed a board-adopted skills exam. At the request of the employing school district or charter school, the Board of Teaching may issue an initial professional one-year teaching license to an otherwise qualified teacher not passing or demonstrating a passing score on a board-adopted skills examination in reading, writing, and mathematics. For purposes of this section, the initial professional one-year teaching license issued by the board is limited to the current subject or content matter the teacher is employed to teach and limited to the district or charter school requesting the initial professional one-year teaching license. If the board denies the request, it must provide a detailed response to the school administrator as to the reasons for the denial. The board must require colleges and universities offering a board approved teacher preparation program to make available upon request remedial assistance that includes a formal diagnostic component to persons enrolled in their institution who did not achieve a qualifying score on a board-adopted skills examination, including those for whom English is a second language. The colleges and universities must make available assistance in the specific academic areas of candidates' deficiency. 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 a board-adopted skills examination, and who received an initial professional one-year teaching license to teach in Minnesota. 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 a board-adopted skills examination, the number who achieve a qualifying score on the examination, the number who do not achieve a qualifying score on the examination, and the candidates who have not passed a content or pedagogy exam, disaggregated by categories of race, ethnicity, and eligibility for financial aid. deleted text end

deleted text begin (c) The Board of Teaching must grant professional five-year teaching licenses only to those persons who have met board criteria for that license, which includes passing a board-adopted skills examination in reading, writing, and mathematics, and the exceptions in section 122A.09, subdivision 4, paragraph (b), that are consistent with this paragraph. The requirement to pass a board-adopted reading, writing, and mathematics skills examination, does not apply to nonnative English speakers, as verified by qualified Minnesota school district personnel or Minnesota higher education faculty, who, after meeting the content and pedagogy requirements under this subdivision, apply for a professional five-year teaching license to provide direct instruction in their native language or world language instruction under section 120B.022, subdivision 1. deleted text end

deleted text begin (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. Among other requirements, teacher candidates must demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed to provide appropriate instruction to English learners to support and accelerate their academic literacy, including oral academic language, and achievement in content areas in a regular classroom setting. 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. deleted text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.18, subdivision 2b, is amended to read:

Subd. 2b.

Reading specialist.

deleted text begin Not later than July 1, 2002,deleted text end The new text begin Professional Educator Licensing and Standards new text end Board deleted text begin of Teachingdeleted text end must adopt rules providing for reading teacher licensure.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.18, subdivision 7a, is amended to read:

Subd. 7a.

Permission to substitute teach.

(a) The new text begin Professional Educator Licensing and Standards new text end Board deleted text begin of Teachingdeleted text end may allow a person who new text begin otherwise qualifies for a Tier 1 license in accordance with section 122A.181, subdivision 2, or new text end is enrolled in and making satisfactory progress in a board-approved teacher program and who has successfully completed student teaching to be employed as a short-call substitute teacher.

(b) The new text begin Professional Educator Licensing and Standards new text end Board deleted text begin of Teachingdeleted text end may issue a lifetime qualified short-call new text begin or long-call new text end substitute teaching license to a person who:

(1) was a qualified teacher under section 122A.16 while holding a deleted text begin professional five-yeardeleted text end new text begin Tier 3 or Tier 4 new text end teaching license issued by the board,new text begin under sections 122A.183 and 122A.184, respectively,new text end and receives a retirement annuity from the Teachers Retirement Association or the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association;

(2) holds an out-of-state teaching license and receives a retirement annuity as a result of the person's teaching experience; or

(3) held a deleted text begin professional five-yeardeleted text end new text begin Tier 3 or Tier 4new text end teaching license issued by the board,new text begin under sections 122A.183 and 122A.184, respectively,new text end taught at least three school years in an accredited nonpublic school in Minnesota, and receives a retirement annuity as a result of the person's teaching experience.

A person holding a lifetime qualified short-call new text begin or long-call new text end substitute teaching license is not required to complete continuing education clock hours. A person holding this license may reapply to the board for new text begin either:new text end

new text begin (i) new text end a deleted text begin professional five-yeardeleted text end new text begin Tier 3 or Tier 4new text end teaching licensenew text begin under sections 122A.183 and 122A.184, respectively,new text end and must again complete continuing education clock hours one school year after receiving the deleted text begin professional five-yeardeleted text end new text begin Tier 3 or Tier 4new text end teaching licensenew text begin ; ornew text end

new text begin (ii) a Tier 1 license under section 122A.181, provided that the candidate has a bachelor's degree, an associate's degree, or an appropriate professional credential in the content area the candidate will teach, in accordance with section 122A.181, subdivision 2new text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.18, subdivision 7c, is amended to read:

Subd. 7c.

Temporary military license.

The new text begin Professional Educator Licensing and Standards new text end Board deleted text begin of Teachingdeleted text end shall establish a temporary license in accordance with section 197.4552 for teaching. The fee for a temporary license under this subdivision shall be $87.90 for an online application or $86.40 for a paper application.new text begin The board must provide candidates for a license under this subdivision with information regarding the tiered licensure system provided in sections 122A.18 to 122A.184.new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.18, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Background checks.

(a) The new text begin Professional Educator Licensing and Standards new text end Board deleted text begin of Teachingdeleted text end and deleted text begin the commissioner of educationdeleted text end new text begin the Board of School Administratorsnew text end must request a criminal history background check from the superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension on all first-time teaching applicants for licenses under their jurisdiction. Applicants must include with their licensure applications:

(1) an executed criminal history consent form, including fingerprints; and

(2) a money order or cashier's check payable to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for the fee for conducting the criminal history background check.

(b) The superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension shall perform the background check required under paragraph (a) by retrieving criminal history data as defined in section 13.87 and shall also conduct a search of the national criminal records repository. The superintendent is authorized to exchange fingerprints with the Federal Bureau of Investigation for purposes of the criminal history check. The superintendent shall recover the cost to the bureau of a background check through the fee charged to the applicant under paragraph (a).

(c) The new text begin Professional Educator Licensing and Standards new text end Board deleted text begin of Teachingdeleted text end or the deleted text begin commissioner of educationdeleted text end new text begin Board of School Administratorsnew text end may issue a license pending completion of a background check under this subdivision, but must notify the individual new text begin and the school district or charter school employing the individual new text end that the individual's license may be revoked based on the result of the background check.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.18, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Licensure via portfolio. new text end

new text begin (a) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must adopt rules establishing a process for an eligible candidate to obtain any teacher license under subdivision 1, or to add a licensure field, via portfolio. The portfolio licensure application process must be consistent with the requirements in this subdivision. new text end

new text begin (b) A candidate for a license must submit to the board one portfolio demonstrating pedagogical competence and one portfolio demonstrating content competence. new text end

new text begin (c) A candidate seeking to add a licensure field must submit to the board one portfolio demonstrating content competence for each licensure field the candidate seeks to add. new text end

new text begin (d) The board must notify a candidate who submits a portfolio under paragraph (b) or (c) within 90 calendar days after the portfolio is received whether or not the portfolio is approved. If the portfolio is not approved, the board must immediately inform the candidate how to revise the portfolio to successfully demonstrate the requisite competence. The candidate may resubmit a revised portfolio at any time and the board must approve or disapprove the revised portfolio within 60 calendar days of receiving it. new text end

new text begin (e) A candidate must pay to the board a $300 fee for the first portfolio submitted for review and a $200 fee for any portfolio submitted subsequently. The revenue generated from the fee must be deposited in an education licensure portfolio account in the special revenue fund. The fees are nonrefundable for applicants not qualifying for a license. The board may waive or reduce fees for candidates based on financial need. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 10.

new text begin [122A.181] TIER 1 LICENSE. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Application requirements. new text end

new text begin The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must approve a request from a district or charter school to issue a Tier 1 license in a specified content area to a candidate if: new text end

new text begin (1) the candidate meets the professional requirement in subdivision 2; new text end

new text begin (2) the district or charter school affirms that the candidate has the necessary skills and knowledge to teach in the specified content area; and new text end

new text begin (3) the district or charter school demonstrates that: new text end

new text begin (i) a criminal background check under section 122A.18, subdivision 8, has been completed on the candidate; and new text end

new text begin (ii) the district or charter school has posted the teacher position but was unable to hire an acceptable teacher with a Tier 2, 3, or 4 license for the position. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Professional requirements. new text end

new text begin (a) A candidate for a Tier 1 license must have a bachelor's degree to teach a class or course outside a career and technical education or career pathways course of study. new text end

new text begin (b) A candidate for a Tier 1 license must have one of the following credentials in a relevant content area to teach a class in a career and technical education or career pathways course of study: new text end

new text begin (1) an associate's degree; new text end

new text begin (2) a professional certification; or new text end

new text begin (3) five years of relevant work experience. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Term of license and renewal. new text end

new text begin (a) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must issue an initial Tier 1 license for a term of one year. A Tier 1 license may be renewed subject to paragraphs (b) and (c). The board may submit written comments to the district or charter school that requested the renewal regarding the candidate. new text end

new text begin (b) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must renew a Tier 1 license if: new text end

new text begin (1) the district or charter school requesting the renewal demonstrates that it has posted the teacher position but was unable to hire an acceptable teacher with a Tier 2, 3, or 4 license for the position; new text end

new text begin (2) the teacher holding the Tier 1 license took a content examination in accordance with section 122A.185 and submitted the examination results to the teacher's employing district or charter school within one year of the board approving the request for the initial Tier 1 license; and new text end

new text begin (3) the teacher holding the Tier 1 license participated in cultural competency training consistent with section 120B.30, subdivision 1, paragraph (q), within one year of the board approving the request for the initial Tier 1 license. new text end

new text begin The requirement in clause (2) does not apply to a teacher that teaches a class in a career and technical education or career pathways course of study. new text end

new text begin (c) A Tier 1 license must not be renewed more than three times, unless the requesting district or charter school can show good cause for additional renewals. A Tier 1 license issued to teach (1) a class or course in a career and technical education or career pathway course of study or (2) in a shortage area, as defined in section 122A.06, subdivision 6, may be renewed without limitation. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Application. new text end

new text begin The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must accept applications for a Tier 1 teaching license beginning July 1 of the school year for which the license is requested and must issue or deny the Tier 1 teaching license within 30 days of receiving the completed application. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Limitations on license. new text end

new text begin (a) A Tier 1 license is limited to the content matter indicated on the application for the initial Tier 1 license under subdivision 1, clause (2), and limited to the district or charter school that requested the initial Tier 1 license. new text end

new text begin (b) A Tier 1 license does not bring an individual within the definition of a teacher for purposes of section 122A.40, subdivision 1, or 122A.41, subdivision 1, clause (a). new text end

new text begin (c) A Tier 1 license does not bring an individual within the definition of a teacher under section 179A.03, subdivision 18. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Mentorship and evaluation. new text end

new text begin (a) A teacher holding a Tier 1 license must participate in the employing district or charter school's mentorship program and professional development. new text end

new text begin (b) A teacher holding a Tier 1 license must participate in an evaluation aligned, to the extent practicable, with the evaluation under section 122A.40, subdivision 8, or 122A.41, subdivision 5. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 11.

new text begin [122A.182] TIER 2 LICENSE. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Requirements. new text end

new text begin (a) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must approve a request from a district or charter school to issue a Tier 2 license in a specified content area to a candidate if: new text end

new text begin (1) the candidate meets the educational or professional requirements in paragraph (b) or (c); new text end

new text begin (2) the candidate: new text end

new text begin (i) has completed the coursework required under subdivision 2; new text end

new text begin (ii) is enrolled in a Minnesota-approved teacher preparation program; or new text end

new text begin (iii) has a master's degree in the specified content area; and new text end

new text begin (3) the district or charter school demonstrates that a criminal background check under section 122A.18, subdivision 8, has been completed on the candidate. new text end

new text begin (b) A candidate for a Tier 2 license must have a bachelor's degree to teach a class outside a career and technical education or career pathways course of study. new text end

new text begin (c) A candidate for a Tier 2 license must have one of the following credentials in a relevant content area to teach a class or course in a career and technical education or career pathways course of study: new text end

new text begin (1) an associate's degree; new text end

new text begin (2) a professional certification; or new text end

new text begin (3) five years of relevant work experience. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Coursework. new text end

new text begin (a) A candidate for a Tier 2 license must meet the coursework requirement by demonstrating completion of two of the following: new text end

new text begin (1) at least eight upper division or graduate-level credits in the relevant content area; new text end

new text begin (2) field-specific methods of training, including coursework; new text end

new text begin (3) at least two years of teaching experience in a similar content area in any state, as determined by the board; new text end

new text begin (4) a passing score on the pedagogy and content exams under section 122A.185; or new text end

new text begin (5) completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program. new text end

new text begin (b) For purposes of paragraph (a), "upper division" means classes normally taken at the junior or senior level of college which require substantial knowledge and skill in the field. Candidates must identify the upper division credits that fulfill the requirement in paragraph (a), clause (1). new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Term of license and renewal. new text end

new text begin The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must issue an initial Tier 2 license for a term of two years. A Tier 2 license may be renewed three times. Before a Tier 2 license is renewed for the first time, a teacher holding a Tier 2 license must participate in cultural competency training consistent with section 120B.30, subdivision 1, paragraph (q). The board must issue rules setting forth the conditions for additional renewals after the initial license has been renewed three times. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Application. new text end

new text begin The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must accept applications for a Tier 2 teaching license beginning July 1 of the school year for which the license is requested and must issue or deny the Tier 2 teaching license within 30 days of receiving the completed application. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Limitations on license. new text end

new text begin (a) A Tier 2 license is limited to the content matter indicated on the application for the initial Tier 2 license under subdivision 1, paragraph (a), and limited to the district or charter school that requested the initial Tier 2 license. new text end

new text begin (b) A Tier 2 license shall not be construed to bring an individual within the definition of a teacher for purposes of section 122A.40, subdivision 1, or 122A.41, subdivision 1, clause (a). new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Application toward probationary period. new text end

new text begin (a) The time that a teacher works under a Tier 2 license must be credited towards the teacher's three-year probationary period under section 122A.40, subdivision 5, or 122A.41, subdivision 2. new text end

new text begin (b) The time credited towards the probationary period under paragraph (a) must not exceed two years. new text end

new text begin (c) The three years of the probationary period, including any time credited under this subdivision, must run consecutively, consistent with section 122A.40, subdivision 5, or section 122A.41, subdivision 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Mentorship and evaluation. new text end

new text begin (a) A teacher holding a Tier 2 license must participate in the employing district or charter school's mentorship and evaluation program, including an individual growth and development plan that includes cultural competency under section 120B.30, subdivision 1, paragraph (q). new text end

new text begin (b) A teacher holding a Tier 2 license must participate in an evaluation aligned, to the extent practicable, with the evaluation under section 122A.40, subdivision 8, or section 122A.41, subdivision 5. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 12.

new text begin [122A.183] TIER 3 LICENSE. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Requirements. new text end

new text begin (a) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must issue a Tier 3 license to a candidate who provides information sufficient to demonstrate all of the following: new text end

new text begin (1) the candidate meets the educational or professional requirements in paragraphs (b) and (c); new text end

new text begin (2) the candidate has obtained a passing score on the required licensure exams under section 122A.185; and new text end

new text begin (3) the candidate has completed the coursework required under subdivision 2. new text end

new text begin (b) A candidate for a Tier 3 license must have a bachelor's degree to teach a class or course outside a career and technical education or career pathways course of study. new text end

new text begin (c) A candidate for a Tier 3 license must have one of the following credentials in a relevant content area to teach a class or course in a career and technical education or career pathways course of study: new text end

new text begin (1) an associate's degree; new text end

new text begin (2) a professional certification; or new text end

new text begin (3) five years of relevant work experience. new text end

new text begin In consultation with the Governor's Workforce Development Council established under section 116L.665, the board must establish a list of qualifying certifications, and may add additional professional certifications in consultation with school administrators, teachers, and other stakeholders. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Coursework. new text end

new text begin A candidate for a Tier 3 license must meet the coursework requirement by demonstrating one of the following: new text end

new text begin (1) completion of a Minnesota-approved teacher preparation program; new text end

new text begin (2) completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program that includes field-specific student teaching equivalent to field-specific student teaching in Minnesota-approved teacher preparation programs. The field-specific student teaching requirement does not apply to a candidate that has two years of teaching experience; new text end

new text begin (3) submission of a content-specific licensure portfolio; new text end

new text begin (4) a professional teaching license from another state, evidence that the candidate's license is in good standing, and two years of teaching experience; or new text end

new text begin (5) three years of teaching experience under a Tier 2 license and evidence of summative teacher evaluations that did not result in placing or otherwise keeping the teacher on an improvement process pursuant to section 122A.40, subdivision 8, or section 122A.41, subdivision 5. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Term of license and renewal. new text end

new text begin The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must issue an initial Tier 3 license for a term of three years. A Tier 3 license may be renewed every three years without limitation. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Mentorship and evaluation. new text end

new text begin A teacher holding a Tier 3 license must participate in the employing district or charter school's mentorship and evaluation program, including an individual growth and development plan. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 13.

new text begin [122A.184] TIER 4 LICENSE. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Requirements. new text end

new text begin The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must issue a Tier 4 license to a candidate who provides information sufficient to demonstrate all of the following: new text end

new text begin (1) the candidate meets all requirements for a Tier 3 license under section 122A.183, and has completed a teacher preparation program under section 122A.183, subdivision 2, clause (1) or (2); new text end

new text begin (2) the candidate has at least three years of teaching experience in Minnesota; new text end

new text begin (3) the candidate has obtained a passing score on all required licensure exams under section 122A.185; and new text end

new text begin (4) the candidate's most recent summative teacher evaluation did not result in placing or otherwise keeping the teacher in an improvement process pursuant to section 122A.40, subdivision 8, or 122A.41, subdivision 5. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Term of license and renewal. new text end

new text begin The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must issue an initial Tier 4 license for a term of five years. A Tier 4 license may be renewed every five years without limitation. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Mentorship and evaluation. new text end

new text begin A teacher holding a Tier 4 license must participate in the employing district or charter school's mentorship and evaluation program, including an individual growth and development plan. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Five-year license. new text end

new text begin A five-year license issued by the commissioner of education before the effective date of this section must be treated as a Tier 4 license established under this section and section 122A.18. An expired five-year license issued by the commissioner of education before the effective date of this section fulfills the requirements of subdivision 1 for purposes of future licensure by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 14.

new text begin [122A.185] TEACHER LICENSURE ASSESSMENT. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Tests. new text end

new text begin (a) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must adopt rules requiring a candidate to demonstrate a passing score on a board-adopted examination of skills in reading, writing, and mathematics before being granted a Tier 4 teaching license under section 122A.184 to provide direct instruction to pupils in elementary, secondary, or special education programs. Candidates may obtain a Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 3 license to provide direct instruction to pupils in elementary, secondary, or special education programs if candidates meet the other requirements in section 122A.181, 122A.182, or 122A.183, respectively. new text end

new text begin (b) The board must adopt rules requiring candidates for Tier 3 and Tier 4 licenses to pass an examination of general pedagogical knowledge and examinations of licensure field specific content. The content examination requirement does not apply if no relevant content exam exists. new text end

new text begin (c) Candidates for initial Tier 3 and Tier 4 licenses to teach elementary students must pass test items assessing the candidates' knowledge, skill, and ability in comprehensive, scientifically based reading instruction under section 122A.06, subdivision 4, knowledge and understanding of the foundations of reading development, development of reading comprehension and reading assessment and instruction, and the ability to integrate that knowledge and understanding into instruction strategies under section 122A.06, subdivision 4. new text end

new text begin (d) The requirement to pass a board-adopted reading, writing, and mathematics skills examination does not apply to nonnative English speakers, as verified by qualified Minnesota school district personnel or Minnesota higher education faculty, who, after meeting the content and pedagogy requirements under this subdivision, apply for a teaching license to provide direct instruction in their native language or world language instruction under section 120B.022, subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Passing scores. new text end

new text begin The board must establish passing scores in all examinations required for licensure. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Testing accommodations. new text end

new text begin The board and the entity administering the content, pedagogy, and skills examinations must allow any individual who produces documentation of a disability in the form of an evaluation, 504 plan, or individual education program (IEP) to receive the same testing accommodations on the content, pedagogy, and skills examinations that the applicant received during the applicant's secondary or postsecondary education. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Remedial assistance. new text end

new text begin (a) A board-approved teacher preparation program must make available upon request remedial assistance that includes a formal diagnostic component to persons enrolled in their institution who did not achieve a qualifying score on a board-adopted skills examination, including those for whom English is a second language. The teacher preparation programs must make available assistance in the specific academic areas of candidates' deficiency. new text end

new text begin (b) 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 a board-adopted skills examination, and who received a Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 3 license under sections 122A.181, 122A.182, or 122A.183, respectively, to teach in Minnesota. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 15.

new text begin [122A.187] EXPIRATION AND RENEWAL. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin License form requirements. new text end

new text begin Each license issued under this chapter must bear the date of issue and the name of the state-approved teacher training provider or alternative teaching program, as applicable. Licenses must expire and be renewed according to rules adopted by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board or the Board of School Administrators. The rules adopted by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board for renewing a Tier 3 or Tier 4 license under sections 122A.183 and 122A.184, respectively, must include showing satisfactory evidence of successful teaching or administrative experience for at least one school year during the period covered by the license in grades or subjects for which the license is valid or completing such additional preparation as required under this section, or as the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board prescribes. The Board of School Administrators shall establish requirements for renewing the licenses of supervisory personnel except athletic coaches. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board shall establish requirements for renewing the licenses of athletic coaches. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Local committees. new text end

new text begin The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must receive recommendations from local committees as established by the board for the renewal of teaching licenses. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Professional growth. new text end

new text begin (a) Applicants for license renewal for a Tier 3 or Tier 4 license under sections 122A.183 and 122A.184, respectively, who have been employed as a teacher during the renewal period of the expiring license, as a condition of license renewal, must present to their local continuing education and relicensure committee or other local relicensure committee evidence of work that demonstrates professional reflection and growth in best teaching practices, including among other things, cultural competence in accordance with section 120B.30, subdivision 1, paragraph (q), and practices in meeting the varied needs of English learners, from young children to adults under section 124D.59, subdivisions 2 and 2a. A teacher may satisfy the requirements of this paragraph by submitting the teacher's most recent summative evaluation or improvement plan under section 122A.40, subdivision 8, or 122A.41, subdivision 5. new text end

new text begin (b) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must ensure that its teacher relicensing requirements include paragraph (a). new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Behavior interventions. new text end

new text begin The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must adopt rules that require all licensed teachers who are renewing a Tier 3 or Tier 4 teaching license under sections 122A.183 and 122A.184, respectively, to include in the 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. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Reading preparation. new text end

new text begin The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must adopt rules that require all licensed teachers who are renewing a Tier 3 or Tier 4 teaching license under sections 122A.183 and 122A.184, respectively, to include in the 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. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Mental illness. new text end

new text begin The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must adopt rules that require all licensed teachers renewing a Tier 3 or Tier 4 teaching license under sections 122A.183 and 122A.184, respectively, to include in the renewal requirements at least one hour of suicide prevention best practices in each licensure renewal period based on nationally recognized evidence-based programs and practices, among the continuing education credits required to renew a license under this subdivision, and further preparation, first, in understanding the key warning signs of early-onset mental illness in children and adolescents 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' roles 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 topics. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 16.

new text begin [122A.188] LICENSURE DENIAL; APPEAL. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Denial letter. new text end

new text begin (a) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must inform a candidate within 30 days of receiving a completed application whether the candidate's application for an initial teaching license or renewal of license has been approved or denied. A completed application must include all supporting information and the results of the background check or conduct determination by the board. When an application is denied, the notification letter must inform the candidate of the process for seeking review of the denial and of the appeals process provided in this section, including all deadlines for seeking review of the denial decision and filing an appeal. The notification letter must identify each licensure requirement the candidate failed to meet. new text end

new text begin (b) For purposes of this section, "denial" means denial of an initial license or a denial of a renewal license. Denial of an initial license includes a grant of a license that is a lower tier than the candidate applied for and denial of application for an additional field of licensure. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Review of denial. new text end

new text begin A candidate whose license application is denied may seek review of the denial by submitting a letter to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board within 30 calendar days of receipt of the denial letter. The candidate may include any documentation necessary to demonstrate that the candidate meets the licensure requirements. The board must review the denial within 60 calendar days of receipt of the letter seeking review. If the board affirms the denial, the board must send the candidate a letter identifying each licensure requirement the candidate failed to meet and informing the candidate of the appeal process provided under this section. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Appeal. new text end

new text begin A candidate whose application for license or license renewal has been denied under subdivisions 1 and 2 may appeal the decision by filing a written request with the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board within 30 days of notice that the board has affirmed the denial of license. The board must then initiate a contested case under the Administrative Procedure Act, sections 14.001 to 14.69. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.19, is amended to read:

122A.19 BILINGUAL AND ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE TEACHERS; LICENSES.

Subdivision 1.

Bilingual and English as a second language licenses.

The new text begin Professional Educator Licensing and Standards new text end Board deleted text begin of Teachingdeleted text end , hereinafter the board, must grant teaching licenses in bilingual education and English as a second language to persons who present satisfactory evidence that they:

deleted text begin (a)deleted text end new text begin (1)new text end possess competence and communicative skills in English and in another language;

deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin (2)new text end possess a bachelor's degree or other academic degree approved by the board, and meet such requirements as to course of study and training as the board may prescribe, consistent with subdivision 4deleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ; andnew text end

new text begin (3) meet all other requirements for a teaching license provided in sections 122A.18 to 122A.184. new text end

Subd. 2.

Persons holding deleted text begin generaldeleted text end teaching licenses.

The board may license a person who holds a deleted text begin generaldeleted text end teaching license new text begin in any tier under sections 122A.181 to 122A.184, respectively, new text end and who presents the board with satisfactory evidence of competence and communicative skills in a language other than English under this section.

Subd. 4.

Teacher preparation programs.

new text begin (a) new text end For the purpose of licensing bilingual and English as a second language teachers, the board may approve programs at colleges or universities designed for their training. deleted text begin Thesedeleted text end

new text begin (b)new text end Programs new text begin that prepare English as a second language teachers new text end must provide instruction in implementing research-based practices designed specifically for English learners. The programs must focus on developing English learners' academic language proficiency in English, including oral academic language, giving English learners meaningful access to the full school curriculum, developing culturally relevant teaching practices appropriate for immigrant students, and providing more intensive instruction and resources to English learners with lower levels of academic English proficiency and varied needs, consistent with section 124D.59, subdivisions 2 and 2a.

Subd. 5.

Persons eligible for employment.

Any person licensed under this section is eligible for employment by a school board as a teacher in a bilingual education or English as a second language program in which the language for which the person is licensed is taught or used as a medium of instruction. A board may prescribe only those additional qualifications for teachers licensed under this section that are approved by the board deleted text begin of teachingdeleted text end .

Subd. 6.

Affirmative efforts in hiring.

In hiring for all bilingual education program positions, districts must give preference to and make affirmative efforts to seek, recruit, and employ persons who (1) are native speakers of the language which is the medium of instruction in the bilingual education program or share a native language with the majority of their students, and (2) share the culture of the English learners enrolled in the program. The district shall provide procedures for involving the parent advisory committees in designing the procedures for recruiting, screening, and selecting applicants. This section must not be construed to limit the school board's authority to hire and discharge personnel.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.20, is amended to read:

122A.20 SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF LICENSES.

Subdivision 1.

Grounds for revocation, suspension, or denial.

(a) The new text begin Professional Educator Licensing and Standards new text end Board deleted text begin of Teachingdeleted text end or Board of School Administrators, whichever has jurisdiction over a teacher's licensure, may, on the written complaint of the school board employing a teacher, a teacher organization, or any other interested person, refuse to issue, refuse to renew, suspend, or revoke a teacher's license to teach for any of the following causes:

(1) immoral character or conduct;

(2) failure, without justifiable cause, to teach for the term of the teacher's contract;

(3) gross inefficiency or willful neglect of duty;

(4) failure to meet licensure requirements; or

(5) fraud or misrepresentation in obtaining a license.

The written complaint must specify the nature and character of the charges.

(b) The new text begin Professional Educator Licensing and Standards new text end Board deleted text begin of Teachingdeleted text end or Board of School Administrators, whichever has jurisdiction over a teacher's licensure, shall refuse to issue, refuse to renew, or automatically revoke a teacher's license to teach without the right to a hearing upon receiving a certified copy of a conviction showing that the teacher has been convicted of child abuse, as defined in section 609.185, sex trafficking in the first degree under section 609.322, subdivision 1, sex trafficking in the second degree under section 609.322, subdivision 1a, engaging in hiring, or agreeing to hire a minor to engage in prostitution under section 609.324, subdivision 1, sexual abuse under section 609.342, 609.343, 609.344, 609.345, 609.3451, subdivision 3, or 617.23, subdivision 3, solicitation of children to engage in sexual conduct or communication of sexually explicit materials to children under section 609.352, interference with privacy under section 609.746 or stalking under section 609.749 and the victim was a minor, using minors in a sexual performance under section 617.246, possessing pornographic works involving a minor under section 617.247, or any other offense not listed in this paragraph that requires the person to register as a predatory offender under section 243.166, or a crime under a similar law of another state or the United States. The board shall send notice of this licensing action to the district in which the teacher is currently employed.

(c) A person whose license to teach has been revoked, not issued, or not renewed under paragraph (b), may petition the board to reconsider the licensing action if the person's conviction for child abuse or sexual abuse is reversed by a final decision of the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court or if the person has received a pardon for the offense. The petitioner shall attach a certified copy of the appellate court's final decision or the pardon to the petition. Upon receiving the petition and its attachment, the board shall schedule and hold a disciplinary hearing on the matter under section 214.10, subdivision 2, unless the petitioner waives the right to a hearing. If the board finds that, notwithstanding the reversal of the petitioner's criminal conviction or the issuance of a pardon, the petitioner is disqualified from teaching under paragraph (a), clause (1), the board shall affirm its previous licensing action. If the board finds that the petitioner is not disqualified from teaching under paragraph (a), clause (1), it shall reverse its previous licensing action.

(d) For purposes of this subdivision, the new text begin Professional Educator Licensing and Standards new text end Board deleted text begin of Teachingdeleted text end is delegated the authority to suspend or revoke coaching licenses.

Subd. 2.

Mandatory reporting.

new text begin (a) new text end A school board must report to the new text begin Professional Educator Licensing and Standards new text end Board deleted text begin of Teachingdeleted text end , the Board of School Administrators, or the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, whichever has jurisdiction over the teacher's or administrator's license, when its teacher or administrator is discharged or resigns from employment after a charge is filed with the school board under section 122A.41, subdivisions 6, clauses (1), (2), and (3), and 7, or after charges are filed that are grounds for discharge under section 122A.40, subdivision 13, paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (5), or when a teacher or administrator is suspended or resigns while an investigation is pending under section 122A.40, subdivision 13, paragraph (a) clauses (1) to (5); 122A.41, subdivisions 6, clauses (1), (2), and (3), and 7; or 626.556, or when a teacher or administrator is suspended without an investigation under section 122A.41, subdivisions 6, paragraph (a), clauses (1), (2), and (3), and 7; or 626.556. The report must be made to the appropriate licensing board within ten days after the discharge, suspension, or resignation has occurred. The licensing board to which the report is made must investigate the report for violation of subdivision 1 and the reporting board must cooperate in the investigation. Notwithstanding any provision in chapter 13 or any law to the contrary, upon written request from the licensing board having jurisdiction over the license, a board or school superintendent shall provide the licensing board with information about the teacher or administrator from the district's files, any termination or disciplinary proceeding, any settlement or compromise, or any investigative file. Upon written request from the appropriate licensing board, a board or school superintendent may, at the discretion of the board or school superintendent, solicit the written consent of a student and the student's parent to provide the licensing board with information that may aid the licensing board in its investigation and license proceedings. The licensing board's request need not identify a student or parent by name. The consent of the student and the student's parent must meet the requirements of chapter 13 and Code of Federal Regulations, title 34, section 99.30. The licensing board may provide a consent form to the district. Any data transmitted to any board under this section is private data under section 13.02, subdivision 12, notwithstanding any other classification of the data when it was in the possession of any other agency.

new text begin (b) new text end The licensing board to which a report is made must transmit to the Attorney General's Office any record or data it receives under this subdivision for the sole purpose of having the Attorney General's Office assist that board in its investigation. When the Attorney General's Office has informed an employee of the appropriate licensing board in writing that grounds exist to suspend or revoke a teacher's license to teach, that licensing board must consider suspending or revoking or decline to suspend or revoke the teacher's or administrator's license within 45 days of receiving a stipulation executed by the teacher or administrator under investigation or a recommendation from an administrative law judge that disciplinary action be taken.

new text begin (c) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board and Board of School Administrators must report to the appropriate law enforcement authorities a revocation, suspension, or agreement involving a loss of license, relating to a teacher or administrator's inappropriate sexual conduct with a minor. For purposes of this section, "law enforcement authority" means a police department, county sheriff, or tribal police department. A report by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board to appropriate law enforcement authorities does not diminish, modify, or otherwise affect the responsibilities of a school board or any person mandated to report abuse under section 626.556. new text end

Subd. 3.

Immunity from liability.

A school board, its members in their official capacity, and employees of the district run by the board are immune from civil or criminal liability for reporting or cooperating as required under subdivision 2, if their actions required under subdivision 2 are done in good faith and with due care.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.23, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Teacher licensure agreements with adjoining states.

(a) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the new text begin Professional Educator Licensing and Standards new text end Board deleted text begin of Teachingdeleted text end must enter into a National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) interstate agreement and other interstate agreements for teacher licensure to allow fully certified teachers from adjoining states to transfer their certification to Minnesota. The board must enter into these interstate agreements only after determining that the rigor of the teacher licensure or certification requirements in the adjoining state is commensurate with the rigor of Minnesota's teacher licensure requirements. The board may limit an interstate agreement to particular content fields or grade levels based on established priorities or identified shortages. This subdivision does not apply to out-of-state applicants holding only a provisional teaching license.

(b) The new text begin Professional Educator Licensing and Standards new text end Board deleted text begin of Teachingdeleted text end must work with designated authorities in adjoining states to establish interstate teacher licensure agreements under this section.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 20.

new text begin [122A.2451] ALTERNATIVE TEACHER PREPARATION PROVIDERS AND PROGRAMS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) "Provider" or "unit" means an eligible entity that seeks or has obtained approval for an alternative teacher preparation program consistent with this section. new text end

new text begin (b) "Program" means content provided by a provider that leads toward licensure in a specific content area. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Purpose. new text end

new text begin To provide alternative pathways towards Minnesota teacher licensure outside of the traditional means, improve ethnic and cultural diversity in the classroom, and to close the achievement gap, the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must approve qualified teacher preparation providers and programs under this section that are a means to acquire a Tier 2 license under section 122A.182 and prepare for acquiring a Tier 3 license under section 122A.183. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin A school district, charter school, or nonprofit corporation organized under chapter 317A for an education-related purpose is eligible to participate under this section. An eligible entity may apply for provider and program approval simultaneously. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Provider approval. new text end

new text begin An eligible entity must be approved as a provider before being approved to provide programs towards licensure. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must approve eligible entities under subdivision 3 that meet the following requirements: new text end

new text begin (1) has evidence and history of fiscal solvency, capacity, and operation; new text end

new text begin (2) has evidence of necessary infrastructure to provide accurate, timely, and secure data for the purposes of admission, candidate monitoring, testing, background checks, and license recommendations; new text end

new text begin (3) has policies and procedures in place ensuring the security of candidate records under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; and new text end

new text begin (4) has the instructional capacity or ability to obtain the instructional capacity to provide an adequate instructional phase under subdivision 5. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Program approval. new text end

new text begin The board must approve programs offered by approved providers based on nontraditional criteria. An approved program must have the following characteristics: new text end

new text begin (1) an instructional phase that provides intensive preparation and classroom experience that is commensurate with the scope of licensure standards defined under rule, before the teacher candidate assumes classroom responsibilities; new text end

new text begin (2) a research-based and results-oriented approach focused on best teaching practices to increase student proficiency and growth measured against state academic standards; new text end

new text begin (3) a strategy to combine pedagogy and best teaching practices to better inform teacher candidates' classroom instruction; new text end

new text begin (4) provide assessment, supervision, and evaluation of teacher candidates to determine their specific needs throughout the program, and to support efforts to successfully complete the program; new text end

new text begin (5) provide intensive and ongoing professional learning opportunities that accelerate teacher candidates' professional growth, support student learning, and provide a workplace orientation, professional staff development, mentoring and peer review, focused on standards of professional practice and continuous professional growth; and new text end

new text begin (6) a process to review a candidate's final proficiency of required licensure content standards that leads to potential candidate recommendation by the provider to the board for a Tier 3 teaching license under subdivision 8. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Nontraditional means; program instructors. new text end

new text begin (a) The board must permit alternative teacher preparation providers and teacher candidates to demonstrate pedagogy and content standard proficiency in school-based programs and through other nontraditional means. Nontraditional means may include previous work experiences, teaching experiences, educator evaluations, industry-recognized certifications, and other essentially equivalent demonstrations. new text end

new text begin (b) The board must use nontraditional criteria to determine qualifications of program instructors, including permitting instructors to hold a baccalaureate degree only. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Program disapproval, suspension. new text end

new text begin If the board determines that a teacher preparation provider or licensure program fails to meet or is deficient in any of the requirements of subdivision 5, it may suspend or revoke the approval of the provider or program after it notifies the provider of the deficiencies and gives the provider an opportunity to remedy the deficiencies. new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Candidate program completion; teacher licensure. new text end

new text begin (a) A candidate that completes an approved program must apply for a license under the tiered licensure system according to sections 122A.181 to 122A.184. new text end

new text begin (b) A person who successfully completes another state's alternative teacher preparation licensure program may apply to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board for a Tier 3 license under section 122A.183. new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Reports. new text end

new text begin (a) An approved alternative teacher preparation provider must report to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board on items that are defined in statute regarding program candidates, completion, and effectiveness or other items that are required under section 122A.09. new text end

new text begin (b) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must submit a biennial report on the alternative teacher preparation program and providers to legislative committees having jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education policy and finance by January 15 of each odd-numbered year. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 21.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.26, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Exceptions.

A person who teaches in a community education program which qualifies for aid pursuant to section 124D.52 shall continue to meet licensure requirements as a teacher. A person who teaches in an early childhood and family education program which is offered through a community education program and which qualifies for community education aid pursuant to section 124D.20 or early childhood and family education aid pursuant to section 124D.135 shall continue to meet licensure requirements as a teacher. A person who teaches in a community education course which is offered for credit for graduation to persons under 18 years of age shall continue to meet licensure requirements as a teacher. A person who teaches a driver training course which is offered through a community education program to persons under 18 years of age shall be licensed by the new text begin Professional Educator Licensing and Standards new text end Board deleted text begin of Teachingdeleted text end or be subject to section 171.35. A license which is required for an instructor in a community education program pursuant to this subdivision shall not be construed to bring an individual within the definition of a teacher for purposes of section 122A.40, subdivision 1, or 122A.41, subdivision 1, clause (a).

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.28, is amended to read:

122A.28 TEACHERS OF DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING STUDENTS; LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS.

Subdivision 1.

K-12 license to teach deaf and hard-of-hearing students; relicensure.

(a) The new text begin Professional Educator Licensing and Standards new text end Board deleted text begin of Teachingdeleted text end 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.

(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.

Subd. 2.

Licensure for teaching oral/aural deaf education programs.

(a) The new text begin Professional Educator Licensing and Standards new text end Board deleted text begin of Teachingdeleted text end shall adopt a separate licensure rule for a candidate for a license or an applicant for a continuing license to teach in oral/aural deaf education programs or to provide services, including itinerant oral/aural deaf education services, to deaf and hard-of-hearing students in prekindergarten through grade 12.

(b) The board shall design rule requirements for teaching oral/aural deaf education in collaboration with representatives of parents and educators of deaf and hard-of-hearing students, postsecondary programs preparing teachers of deaf and hard-of-hearing students, and the Department of Education.

(c) Rule requirements for teaching oral/aural deaf education shall reflect best practice research in oral/aural deaf education. Advanced competencies in teaching deaf and hard-of-hearing students through oral/aural modes shall be included.

(d) Licensure requirements for teachers of oral/aural deaf education must include minimum competency in American sign language, but are not subject to the guidelines established in Laws 1993, chapter 224, article 3, section 32, as amended by Laws 1998, chapter 398, article 2, section 47. The signed communication proficiency interview shall not be required for teachers licensed to teach deaf and hard-of-hearing students through oral/aural deaf education methods.

(e) Requirements for teachers or oral/aural deaf education shall include appropriate continuing education requirements for renewing this licensure.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 23.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.29, is amended to read:

122A.29 TEACHERS OF BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED STUDENTS; LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS.

Teachers licensed in the education of blind and visually impaired students must demonstrate competence in reading and writing Braille. The new text begin Professional Educator Licensing and Standards new text end Board deleted text begin of Teachingdeleted text end , at such time as a valid and reliable test is available, shall adopt a rule to assess these competencies that is consistent with the standards of the National Library Services for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 24.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.30, is amended to read:

122A.30 EXEMPTION FOR new text begin CAREER AND new text end TECHNICAL EDUCATION INSTRUCTORS.

(a) Notwithstanding section 122A.15, subdivision 1, and upon approval of the local employer school board, a person who teaches in a part-time vocational or career and technical education program is exempt from a license requirement. Nothing in this section shall exclude licensed career and technical educators from the definition of "teacher" in section 122A.40, 122A.41, or 179A.03.

(b) This section expires June 30, 2020.new text begin After this section expires, persons who teach in a part-time vocational or career and technical education program may apply for a teaching license provided in sections 122A.18 to 122A.184.new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 25.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.13, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

Subd. 11.

Teachers.

A school board must employ necessary licensed teachers for its early childhood family education programs. deleted text begin The Board of Teaching, at its discretion, may grant an applicant a variance under this subdivision, consistent with sections 122A.09, subdivision 10, and 122A.25, and Board of Teaching rules.deleted text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 26.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.454, subdivision 12, is amended to read:

Subd. 12.

Compliance with rules.

Aid must be paid under this section only for services rendered or for costs incurred in career and technical education programs approved by the commissioner and operated in accordance with rules promulgated by the commissioner. This aid shall be paid only for services rendered and for costs incurred by essential, licensed personnel who meet the requirements for licensure pursuant to the rules of the deleted text begin Minnesotadeleted text end new text begin Professional Educator Licensing and Standards new text end Board deleted text begin of Teachingdeleted text end . Licensed personnel means persons holding a valid career and technical license issued by the deleted text begin commissionerdeleted text end new text begin Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board under section 122A.30new text end . If an average of five or fewer secondary full-time equivalent students are enrolled per teacher in an approved postsecondary program at Intermediate District No. 287, 916, or 917, licensed personnel means persons holding a valid vocational license issued by the commissioner or the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. Notwithstanding section 127A.42, the commissioner may modify or withdraw the program or aid approval and withhold aid under this section without proceeding under section 127A.42 at any time. To do so, the commissioner must determine that the program does not comply with rules of the Department of Education or that any facts concerning the program or its budget differ from the facts in the district's approved application.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 27.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.75, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

American Indian language and culture education licenses.

The new text begin Professional Educator Licensing and Standards new text end Board deleted text begin of Teachingdeleted text end , in consultation with the Tribal Nations Education Committee, must grant initial and continuing teaching licenses in American Indian language and culture education that bear the same duration as other initial and continuing licenses. The board must grant licenses to persons who present satisfactory evidence that they:

(1) possess competence in an American Indian language or possess unique qualifications relative to or knowledge and understanding of American Indian history and culture; or

(2) possess a bachelor's degree or other academic degree approved by the board or meet such requirements as to course of study and training as the board may prescribe, or possess such relevant experience as the board may prescribe.

This evidence may be presented by affidavits, tribal resolutions, or by such other methods as the board may prescribe. Individuals may present applications for licensure on their own behalf or these applications may be submitted by the superintendent or other authorized official of a school district, participating school, or an American Indian school.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 28.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.75, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Persons eligible for employment; exemptions.

Any person licensed under this section shall be eligible for employment by a school board or a participating school as a teacher in an American Indian education program in which the American Indian language or culture in which the person is licensed is taught. A school district or participating school may prescribe only those additional qualifications for teachers licensed under this section as are approved by the new text begin Professional Educator Licensing and Standards new text end Board deleted text begin of Teachingdeleted text end . Any school board or participating school upon request may be exempted from the licensure requirements of this section in the hiring of one or more American Indian language and culture education teachers for any school year in which compliance would, in the opinion of the deleted text begin commissionerdeleted text end new text begin Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Boardnew text end , create a hardship in the securing of the teachers.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 29.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 125A.67, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Teacher standards.

A teacher deleted text begin or administratordeleted text end at the academies is subject to the licensure standards of the new text begin Professional Educator Licensing and Standards new text end Board deleted text begin of Teaching or the commissioner of educationdeleted text end .new text begin An administrator at the academies is subject to the licensure standards of the Board of School Administrators.new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 30.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 136A.1791, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

(a) The terms used in this section have the meanings given them in this subdivision.

(b) "Qualified educational loan" means a government, commercial, or foundation loan for actual costs paid for tuition and reasonable educational and living expenses related to a teacher's preparation or further education.

(c) "School district" means an independent school district, special school district, intermediate district, education district, special education cooperative, service cooperative, a cooperative center for vocational education, or a charter school located in Minnesota.

(d) "Teacher" means an individual holding a teaching license issued by the deleted text begin licensing division in the Department of Education on behalf of thedeleted text end deleted text begin Board of Teachingdeleted text end new text begin Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Boardnew text end who is employed by a school district to provide classroom instruction in a teacher shortage area.

(e) "Teacher shortage area" means the licensure fields and economic development regions reported by the commissioner of education as experiencing a teacher shortage.

(f) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education unless indicated otherwise.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 31.

new text begin TEACHER OF SPECIAL EDUCATION LICENSE REVIEW. new text end

new text begin The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must conduct a review of all the available teacher of special education licenses and determine the options for cross-categorical licenses for teachers of special education. The board must report its findings and draft legislation, if needed, to the legislative committees having jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education by December 14, 2018. new text end

Sec. 32.

new text begin RULE CHANGE; ACADEMIC AND BEHAVIORAL STRATEGIST LICENSURE. new text end

new text begin No later than September 1, 2017, the Board of Teaching must amend Minnesota Rules, part 8710.5050, subpart 4, so that academic and behavioral strategist continuing licenses under that part may be issued and renewed according to rules of the Board of Teaching governing continuing licenses and without requiring the candidate to hold or be recommended for licensure in any other licensure field. The board shall use the good cause exemption under Minnesota Statutes, section 14.388, subdivision 1, clause (3), to adopt rules under this section, and Minnesota Statutes, section 14.386, does not apply except as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 14.388. 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 LICENSES UNDER JURISDICTION OF THE BOARD OF TEACHING. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin One-year license. new text end

new text begin A one-year license issued by the commissioner of education before the effective date of this section must be treated as a Tier 1 license established under Minnesota Statutes, sections 122A.18 and 122A.181. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Two-year license. new text end

new text begin A two-year license issued by the commissioner of education before the effective date of this section must be treated as a Tier 2 license established under Minnesota Statutes, sections 122A.18 and 122A.182. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Five-year license. new text end

new text begin A five-year license must be treated in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.184, subdivision 4. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 34.

new text begin PERMISSIONS, WAIVERS, EXCEPTIONS, AND VARIANCES. new text end

new text begin The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board may grant an extension of up to one year for a permission, waiver, variance, or temporary limited license in effect on January 1, 2018. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective January 1, 2018. new text end

Sec. 35.

new text begin TEACHERS OF ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE. new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding the teacher's field of licensure, a teacher may provide content instruction in a district or charter school until the end of the 2018-2019 school year if the teacher: new text end

new text begin (1) held a kindergarten through grade 12 English as a second language (ESL) license during the 2016-2017 school year; new text end

new text begin (2) provided content instruction as a highly qualified teacher under the No Child Left Behind Act to English language learners, as defined under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.59; and new text end

new text begin (3) taught in a classroom where both state content standards and English language development standards were satisfied. new text end

new text begin (b) For the 2019-2020 school year and later, a teacher with an ESL license must meet all applicable licensing requirements in chapter 122A and rules adopted by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board. 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. 36.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin (a) new text end new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2016, sections 122A.14, subdivision 5; and 122A.162, new text end new text begin are repealed effective January 1, 2018. new text end

new text begin (b) new text end new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2016, sections 122A.163; 122A.18, subdivisions 2a, 3, 3a, 4, 4a, 6, 7, and 7b; 122A.21, subdivision 2; 122A.23, subdivisions 1 and 2; 122A.245; and 122A.25, new text end new text begin are repealed effective July 1, 2018. new text end

ARTICLE 4

SPECIAL EDUCATION

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 125A.083, is amended to read:

125A.083 STUDENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS; TRANSFERRING RECORDS.

deleted text begin (a)deleted text end To efficiently and effectively meet federal and state compliance and accountability requirements using an online case management reporting system, beginning July 1, 2018, a school district may contract only for a student information system that is Schools Interoperability Framework compliant.

deleted text begin (b) Beginning on July 1 of the fiscal year following the year that the commissioner of education certifies to the legislature under paragraph (c) that a compatible compliant system exists, a school district must use an online system for compliance reporting under section 125A.085. A district's information system under this section must facilitate the seamless transfer of student records for a student with disabilities who transfers between school districts, including records containing the student's evaluation report, service plan, and other due process forms and information, regardless of what information system any one district uses. deleted text end

deleted text begin (c) As a part of the annual report required under section 125A.085, paragraph (f), the commissioner must specify whether a compatible compliant system exists and if so, list each vendor's systems that meet the criteria in paragraph (b). deleted text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, 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. 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.

(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 a child or other individual from physical 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 appropriatelynew text begin , including the key components under section 122A.627new text end .

(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. Restrictive procedures must not be used to punish or otherwise discipline a child.

(g) "Seclusion" means confining a child alone in a room from which egress is barred. Egress may be barred by an adult locking or closing the door in the room or preventing the child from leaving the room. Removing a child from an activity to a location where the child cannot participate in or observe the activity is not seclusion.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 125A.11, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Nonresident tuition rate; other costs.

(a) For fiscal year 2015 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, paragraphs (b) to (d), 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, plus (2) the amount of general education revenue, excluding local optional revenue, plus local optional aid 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 under section 125A.76 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. 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.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), when a charter school receiving special education aid under section 124E.21, subdivision 3, provides special instruction and services for a pupil with a disability as defined in section 125A.02, excluding a pupil for whom an adjustment to special education aid is calculated according to section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraphs (b) to (e), special education aid paid to the resident district must be reduced by an amount equal to that calculated under paragraph (a) as if the charter school received aid under section 124E.21, subdivision 1. Notwithstanding paragraph (a), special education aid paid to the charter school providing special instruction and services for the pupil must not be increased by the amount of the reduction in the aid paid to the resident district.

(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) and section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraphs (b) to (d):

(1) an intermediate district or a special education cooperative may recover unreimbursed costs of serving pupils with a disability, including building lease, debt service, and indirect costs necessary for the general operation of the organization, by billing membership fees and nonmember access fees to the resident district;

(2) 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,new text begin a site constructed according to Laws 1992, chapter 558, section 7, subdivision 7, to meet the educational needs of court-placed adolescents,new text end or a special education cooperative 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;

(3) the billing under clause (1) or application under clause (2) 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 clause (2) must be included in the aid adjustments under paragraph (a), or section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraphs (b) to (d), as applicable.

(d) For purposes of this subdivision and section 127A.47, subdivision 7, paragraph (b), "general education revenue and referendum equalization aid" means the sum of the general education revenue according to section 126C.10, subdivision 1, excluding the local optional levy according to section 126C.10, subdivision 2e, paragraph (c), plus the referendum equalization aid according to section 126C.17, subdivision 7.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 125A.21, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Third-party reimbursement.

(a) Beginning July 1, 2000, districts shall seek reimbursement from insurers and similar third parties for the cost of services provided by the district whenever the services provided by the district are otherwise covered by the child's health coverage. Districts shall request, but may not require, the child's family to provide information about the child's health coverage when a child with a disability begins to receive services from the district of a type that may be reimbursable, and shall request, but may not require, updated information after that as needed.

(b) For children enrolled in medical assistance under chapter 256B or MinnesotaCare under chapter 256L who have no other health coverage, a district shall provide an initial and annual written notice to the enrolled child's parent or legal representative of its intent to seek reimbursement from medical assistance or MinnesotaCare fornew text begin :new text end

new text begin (1) the evaluations required as part ofnew text end the individualized education program new text begin process new text end or individualized family service plannew text begin process; andnew text end

new text begin (2)new text end health-related services provided by the districtnew text begin according to the individualized education program or individualized family service plannew text end .

The initial notice must give the child's parent or legal representative the right to request a copy of the child's education records on the health-related services that the district provided to the child and disclosed to a third-party payer.

(c) The district shall give the parent or legal representative annual written notice of:

(1) the district's intent to seek reimbursement from medical assistance or MinnesotaCare for new text begin evaluations required as part of the new text end individualized education programnew text begin processnew text end or individualized family service plannew text begin process, and fornew text end health-related services provided by the districtnew text begin according to the individualized education program or individualized family service plannew text end ;

(2) the right of the parent or legal representative to request a copy of all records concerning individualized education program or individualized family service plan health-related services disclosed by the district to any third party; and

(3) the right of the parent or legal representative to withdraw consent for disclosure of a child's records at any time without consequence.

The written notice shall be provided as part of the written notice required by Code of Federal Regulations, title 34, section 300.504 or 303.520. The district must ensure that the parent of a child with a disability is given notice, in understandable language, of federal and state procedural safeguards available to the parent under this paragraph and paragraph (b).

(d) In order to access the private health care coverage of a child who is covered by private health care coverage in whole or in part, a district must:

(1) obtain annual written informed consent from the parent or legal representative, in compliance with subdivision 5; and

(2) inform the parent or legal representative that a refusal to permit the district or state Medicaid agency to access their private health care coverage does not relieve the district of its responsibility to provide all services necessary to provide free and appropriate public education at no cost to the parent or legal representative.

(e) If the commissioner of human services obtains federal approval to exempt covered individualized education program or individualized family service plan health-related services from the requirement that private health care coverage refuse payment before medical assistance may be billed, paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) shall also apply to students with a combination of private health care coverage and health care coverage through medical assistance or MinnesotaCare.

(f) In the event that Congress or any federal agency or the Minnesota legislature or any state agency establishes lifetime limits, limits for any health care services, cost-sharing provisions, or otherwise provides that individualized education program or individualized family service plan health-related services impact benefits for persons enrolled in medical assistance or MinnesotaCare, the amendments to this subdivision adopted in 2002 are repealed on the effective date of any federal or state law or regulation that imposes the limits. In that event, districts must obtain informed consent consistent with this subdivision as it existed prior to the 2002 amendments and subdivision 5, before seeking reimbursement for children enrolled in medical assistance under chapter 256B or MinnesotaCare under chapter 256L who have no other health care coverage.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2017. new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 125A.515, is amended to read:

125A.515 PLACEMENT OF STUDENTS; APPROVAL OF EDUCATION PROGRAM.

Subdivision 1.

Approval of new text begin on-site new text end education programs.

The commissioner shall approve on-site education programs for placement of children and youth in residential facilities including detention centers, before being licensed by the Department of Human Services or the Department of Corrections. Education programs in these facilities shall conform to state and federal education laws including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This section applies only to placements in new text begin children's residential new text end facilities licensed by the Department of Human Services or the Department of Corrections. For purposes of this section, "on-site education program" means the educational services provided directly on the grounds of the deleted text begin care and treatmentdeleted text end new text begin children's residential new text end facility to children and youth placed for care and treatment.

Subd. 3.

Responsibilities for providing education.

(a) The district in which the new text begin children's new text end residential facility is located must provide education services, including special education if eligible, to all students placed in a facility.

(b) For education programs operated by the Department of Corrections, the providing district shall be the Department of Corrections. For students remanded to the commissioner of corrections, the providing and resident district shall be the Department of Corrections.

Subd. 3a.

Students without a disability from other states.

A school district is not required to provide education services under this section to a student who:

(1) is not a resident of Minnesota;

(2) does not have an individualized education program; and

(3) does not have a tuition arrangement or agreement to pay the cost of education from the placing authority.

Subd. 4.

Education services required.

(a) Education services must be provided to a student beginning within three business days after the student enters the deleted text begin care and treatmentdeleted text end new text begin children's residentialnew text end facility. The first four days of the student's placement may be used to screen the student for educational and safety issues.

(b) If the student does not meet the eligibility criteria for special education, regular education services must be provided to that student.

Subd. 5.

Education programs for students placed in new text begin children's new text end residential facilities.

(a) When a student is placed in a new text begin children's residential new text end facility deleted text begin approveddeleted text end under this section that has an on-site education program, the providing district, upon notice from the deleted text begin care and treatmentdeleted text end new text begin children's residential new text end facility, must contact the resident district within one business day to determine if a student has been identified as having a disability, and to request at least the student's transcript, and for students with disabilities, the most recent individualized education program (IEP) and evaluation reportdeleted text begin , and to determine if the student has been identified as a student with a disabilitydeleted text end . The resident district must send a facsimile copy to the providing district within two business days of receiving the request.

(b) If a student placed under this section has been identified as having a disability and has an individualized education program in the resident district:

(1) the providing agency must conduct an individualized education program meeting to reach an agreement about continuing or modifying special education services in accordance with the current individualized education program goals and objectives and to determine if additional evaluations are necessary; and

(2) at least the following people shall receive written notice or documented phone call to be followed with written notice to attend the individualized education program meeting:

(i) the person or agency placing the student;

(ii) the resident district;

(iii) the appropriate teachers and related services staff from the providing district;

(iv) appropriate staff from the new text begin children's new text end residential facility;

(v) the parents or legal guardians of the student; and

(vi) when appropriate, the student.

(c) For a student who has not been identified as a student with a disability, a screening must be conducted by the providing districts as soon as possible to determine the student's educational and behavioral needs and must include a review of the student's educational records.

Subd. 6.

Exit report summarizing educational progress.

If a student has been placed in a facility under this section for 15 or more business days, the providing district must prepare an exit report summarizing the regular education, special education, evaluation, educational progress, and service information and must send the report to the resident district and the next providing district if different, the parent or legal guardian, and any appropriate social service agency. For students with disabilities, this report must include the student's IEP.

Subd. 7.

Minimum educational services required.

When a student is placed in a new text begin children's residential new text end facility deleted text begin approveddeleted text end under this section, at a minimum, the providing district is responsible for:

(1) the education necessary, including summer school services, for a student who is not performing at grade level as indicated in the education record or IEP; and

(2) a school day, of the same length as the school day of the providing district, unless the unique needs of the student, as documented through the IEP or education record in consultation with treatment providers, requires an alteration in the length of the school day.

Subd. 8.

Placement, services, and due process.

When a student's treatment and educational needs allow, education shall be provided in a regular educational setting. The determination of the amount and site of integrated services must be a joint decision between the student's parents or legal guardians and the treatment and education staff. When applicable, educational placement decisions must be made by the IEP team of the providing district. Educational services shall be provided in conformance with the least restrictive environment principle of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The providing district and deleted text begin care and treatmentdeleted text end new text begin children's residentialnew text end facility shall cooperatively develop discipline and behavior management procedures to be used in emergency situations that comply with the Minnesota Pupil Fair Dismissal Act and other relevant state and federal laws and regulations.

Subd. 9.

Reimbursement for education services.

(a) Education services provided to students who have been placed under this section are reimbursable in accordance with special education and general education statutes.

(b) Indirect or consultative services provided in conjunction with regular education prereferral interventions and assessment provided to regular education students suspected of being disabled and who have demonstrated learning or behavioral problems in a screening are reimbursable with special education categorical aids.

(c) Regular education, including screening, provided to students with or without disabilities is not reimbursable with special education categorical aids.

Subd. 10.

Students unable to attend school but not covered under this section.

Students who are absent from, or predicted to be absent from, school for 15 consecutive or intermittent days, and placed at home or in facilities not licensed by the Departments of Corrections or Human Services are entitled to regular and special education services consistent with this section or Minnesota Rules, part 3525.2325. These students include students with and without disabilities who are home due to accident or illness, in a hospital or other medical facility, or in a day treatment center.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 125A.74, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Eligibility.

A district may enroll as a provider in the medical assistance program and receive medical assistance payments for covered new text begin evaluations and new text end special education services provided to persons eligible for medical assistance under chapter 256B. To receive medical assistance payments, the district must pay the nonfederal share of medical assistance services provided according to section 256B.0625, subdivision 26, and comply with relevant provisions of state and federal statutes and regulations governing the medical assistance program.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2017. new text end

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 125A.76, subdivision 2c, is amended to read:

Subd. 2c.

Special education aid.

(a) For fiscal year 2016 and later, a district's special education aid equals the sum of the district's special education initial aid under subdivision 2a and the district's excess cost aid under section 125A.79, subdivision 5.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), for fiscal year 2016, the special education aid for a school district must not exceed the sum of the special education aid the district would have received for fiscal year 2016 under Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 125A.76 and 125A.79, as adjusted according to Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 125A.11 and 127A.47, subdivision 7, and the product of the district's average daily membership served and the special education aid increase limit.

(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), for fiscal year 2017 and later, the special education aid for a school district must not exceed the sum of: (i) the product of the district's average daily membership served and the special education aid increase limit and (ii) the product of the sum of the special education aid the district would have received for fiscal year 2016 under Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 125A.76 and 125A.79, as adjusted according to Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 125A.11 and 127A.47, subdivision 7, the ratio of the district's average daily membership served for the current fiscal year to the district's average daily membership served for fiscal year 2016, and the program growth factor.

(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), for fiscal year 2016 and later the special education aid for a school district, not including a charter school or cooperative unit as defined in section 123A.24, must not be less than the lesser of (1) the district's nonfederal special education expenditures for that fiscal year or (2) the product of the sum of the special education aid the district would have received for fiscal year 2016 under Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 125A.76 and 125A.79, as adjusted according to Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 125A.11 and 127A.47, subdivision 7, the ratio of the district's adjusted daily membership for the current fiscal year to the district's average daily membership for fiscal year 2016, and the program growth factor.

(e) Notwithstanding subdivision 2a and section 125A.79, a charter school in its first year of operation shall generate special education aid based on current year data. A newly formed cooperative unit as defined in section 123A.24 may apply to the commissioner for approval to generate special education aid for its first year of operation based on current year data, with an offsetting adjustment to the prior year data used to calculate aid for programs at participating school districts or previous cooperatives that were replaced by the new cooperative.new text begin The department shall establish procedures to adjust the prior year data and fiscal year 2016 old formula aid used in calculating special education aid to exclude costs that have been eliminated for districts where programs have closed or where a substantial portion of the program has been transferred to a cooperative unit.new text end

(f) The department shall establish procedures through the uniform financial accounting and reporting system to identify and track all revenues generated from third-party billings as special education revenue at the school district level; include revenue generated from third-party billings as special education revenue in the annual cross-subsidy report; and exclude third-party revenue from calculation of excess cost aid to the districts.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2018 and later. new text end

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 256B.0625, subdivision 26, is amended to read:

Subd. 26.

Special education services.

(a) Medical assistance covers new text begin evaluations necessary in making a determination for eligibility for individualized education program and individualized family service plan services and for new text end medical services identified in a recipient's individualized education program new text begin and individualized family service plan new text end and covered under the medical assistance state plan. Covered services include occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language therapy, clinical psychological services, nursing services, school psychological services, school social work services, personal care assistants serving as management aides, assistive technology devices, transportation services, health assessments, and other services covered under the medical assistance state plan. Mental health services eligible for medical assistance reimbursement must be provided or coordinated through a children's mental health collaborative where a collaborative exists if the child is included in the collaborative operational target population. The provision or coordination of services does not require that the individualized education program be developed by the collaborative.

The services may be provided by a Minnesota school district that is enrolled as a medical assistance provider or its subcontractor, and only if the services meet all the requirements otherwise applicable if the service had been provided by a provider other than a school district, in the following areas: medical necessity, physician's orders, documentation, personnel qualifications, and prior authorization requirements. The nonfederal share of costs for services provided under this subdivision is the responsibility of the local school district as provided in section 125A.74. Services listed in a child's individualized education program are eligible for medical assistance reimbursement only if those services meet criteria for federal financial participation under the Medicaid program.

(b) Approval of health-related services for inclusion in the individualized education program does not require prior authorization for purposes of reimbursement under this chapter. The commissioner may require physician review and approval of the plan not more than once annually or upon any modification of the individualized education program that reflects a change in health-related services.

(c) Services of a speech-language pathologist provided under this section are covered notwithstanding Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0390, subpart 1, item L, if the person:

(1) holds a masters degree in speech-language pathology;

(2) is licensed by the Minnesota Board of Teaching as an educational speech-language pathologist; and

(3) either has a certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech and Hearing Association, has completed the equivalent educational requirements and work experience necessary for the certificate or has completed the academic program and is acquiring supervised work experience to qualify for the certificate.

(d) Medical assistance coverage for medically necessary services provided under other subdivisions in this section may not be denied solely on the basis that the same or similar services are covered under this subdivision.

(e) The commissioner shall develop and implement package rates, bundled rates, or per diem rates for special education services under which separately covered services are grouped together and billed as a unit in order to reduce administrative complexity.

(f) The commissioner shall develop a cost-based payment structure for payment of these services. Only costs reported through the designated Minnesota Department of Education data systems in distinct service categories qualify for inclusion in the cost-based payment structure. The commissioner shall reimburse claims submitted based on an interim rate, and shall settle at a final rate once the department has determined it. The commissioner shall notify the school district of the final rate. The school district has 60 days to appeal the final rate. To appeal the final rate, the school district shall file a written appeal request to the commissioner within 60 days of the date the final rate determination was mailed. The appeal request shall specify (1) the disputed items and (2) the name and address of the person to contact regarding the appeal.

(g) Effective July 1, 2000, medical assistance services provided under an individualized education program or an individual family service plan by local school districts shall not count against medical assistance authorization thresholds for that child.

(h) Nursing services as defined in section 148.171, subdivision 15, and provided as an individualized education program health-related service, are eligible for medical assistance payment if they are otherwise a covered service under the medical assistance program. Medical assistance covers the administration of prescription medications by a licensed nurse who is employed by or under contract with a school district when the administration of medications is identified in the child's individualized education program. The simple administration of medications alone is not covered under medical assistance when administered by a provider other than a school district or when it is not identified in the child's individualized education program.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2017. new text end

Sec. 9.

Laws 2016, chapter 189, article 25, section 62, subdivision 17, is amended to read:

Subd. 17.

Southwest Minnesota State University special education teacher education program.

new text begin (a) new text end For the Southwest Minnesota State University special education teacher education program to support Minnesota deleted text begin residentdeleted text end new text begin residents working toward licensure in an online program, including persons currently employed as:new text end

new text begin (1) new text end special education paraprofessionals deleted text begin working toward licensure in an online programdeleted text end new text begin ;new text end

new text begin (2) teachers without a special education license working on a variance; or new text end

new text begin (3) individuals teaching with a community expert licensenew text end :

$ deleted text begin 385,000 deleted text end
new text begin 132,000 new text end
..... 2017
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 253,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end

new text begin (b) $253,000 of the $385,000 appropriation in Laws 2016, chapter 189, article 25, section 62, subdivision 17, is canceled to the state general fund on June 30, 2017. new text end

deleted text begin The base for this program in fiscal year 2018 is $0. deleted text end new text begin (c) The 2018 appropriation is available until June 30, 2019. 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. 10.

new text begin SPECIAL EDUCATION ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY STUDY. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Study. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of education must examine the use of assistive technology in Minnesota school districts. The commissioner may examine financial data, survey school officials, and use other methods to collect data on the use of assistive technology by Minnesota's students. The commissioner must consult with the Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council and other interested organizations to determine the scope and focus of the study. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Data reporting. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must examine the federally required uniform financial accounting and reporting standards object codes and, if necessary, recommend changes to better capture school district spending on assistive technology. The commissioner must examine approaches to collecting additional student-level assistive technology data through the electronic data reporting system. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Assistive technology manual. new text end

new text begin The commissioner must examine the department's assistive technology manual, and determine whether to prepare a revised manual. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of education must report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education by February 15, 2018, on the use of assistive technology by Minnesota's students and recommend statutory changes to encourage individualized education programs and individualized family service plans to incorporate a child-centered assistive technology plan. new text end

Sec. 11.

new text begin SPECIAL EDUCATION ADJUSTMENT; MONTICELLO SCHOOL DISTRICT. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 125A.76 and 127A.45, special education aid payments to Independent School District No. 882, Monticello, must be increased by $800,000 in fiscal year 2018 to mitigate cash flow problems created by an unforeseeable reduction in the district's special education aid for fiscal year 2016 as a result of the combined effects of converting from a host district cooperative to a joint powers cooperative and implementation of a new special education aid formula in the same fiscal year. Special education aid payments to Independent School District No. 882, Monticello, must be reduced by the same amount in fiscal year 2019 to offset the fiscal year 2018 increase. new text end

Sec. 12.

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 Special education; regular. new text end

new text begin For special education aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 125A.75: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 1,341,161,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 1,426,827,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin The 2018 appropriation includes $156,403,000 for 2017 and $1,184,758 for 2018. new text end

new text begin The 2019 appropriation includes $131,639,000 for 2018 and $1,295,188 for 2019. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Aid for children with disabilities. new text end

new text begin For aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 125A.75, subdivision 3, for children with disabilities placed in residential facilities within the district boundaries for whom no district of residence can be determined: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 1,597,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 1,830,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin If the appropriation for either year is insufficient, the appropriation for the other year is available. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Travel for home-based services. new text end

new text begin For aid for teacher travel for home-based services under Minnesota Statutes, section 125A.75, subdivision 1: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 508,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 532,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin The 2018 appropriation includes $48,000 for 2017 and $460,000 for 2018. new text end

new text begin The 2019 appropriation includes $51,000 for 2018 and $481,000 for 2019. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Court-placed special education revenue. new text end

new text begin For reimbursing serving school districts for unreimbursed eligible expenditures attributable to children placed in the serving school district by court action under Minnesota Statutes, section 125A.79, subdivision 4: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 46,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 47,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Special education out-of-state tuition. new text end

new text begin For special education out-of-state tuition under Minnesota Statutes, section 125A.79, subdivision 8: 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 2018 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 2019 new text end

Sec. 13.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2016, sections 125A.085; 125A.75, subdivision 7; and 125A.76, subdivision 2b, new text end new text begin are repealed effective for fiscal year 2018 and later. new text end

ARTICLE 5

FACILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY

Section 1.

new text begin [121A.335] LEAD IN SCHOOL DRINKING WATER. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Model plan. new text end

new text begin The commissioners of health and education shall jointly develop a model plan to require school districts to accurately and efficiently test for the presence of lead in water in public school buildings serving students in kindergarten through grade 12. To the extent possible, the commissioners shall base the plan on the standards established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The plan may be based on the technical guidance in the Department of Health's document, "Reducing Lead in Drinking Water: A Technical Guidance for Minnesota's School and Child Care Facilities." new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin School plans. new text end

new text begin By July 1, 2018, the board of each school district or charter school must adopt the commissioners' model plan or develop and adopt an alternative plan to accurately and efficiently test for the presence of lead in water in school buildings serving prekindergarten students and students in kindergarten through grade 12. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Frequency of testing. new text end

new text begin The plan under subdivision 2 must include a testing schedule for every building serving prekindergarten through grade 12 students. The schedule must require that each building be tested at least once every five years. A school district must begin testing school buildings by July 1, 2018, and complete testing of all buildings that serve students within five years. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Ten-year facilities plan. new text end

new text begin A school district may include lead testing and remediation as a part of its ten-year facilities plan under section 123B.595. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Reporting. new text end

new text begin A school district that has tested its buildings for the presence of lead shall make the results of the testing available to the public for review and must notify parents of the availability of the information. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2017. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 123A.73, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

deleted text begin Involuntarydeleted text end Dissolutionnew text begin ;new text end referendum revenue.

As of the effective date of the new text begin voluntary or new text end involuntary dissolution of a district and its attachment to one or more existing districts pursuant to sections 123A.60 or 123A.64 to 123A.72, the authorization for any referendum revenue previously approved by the voters of the dissolved district in that district pursuant to section 126C.17, subdivision 9, or its predecessor or successor provision, is canceled. The authorization for any referendum revenue previously approved by the voters of a district to which all or part of the dissolved district is attached shall not be affected by the attachment and shall apply to the entire area of the district as enlarged by the attachment.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective retroactively from January 1, 2017. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 123B.595, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Long-term facilities maintenance revenue.

(a) For fiscal year 2017 only, long-term facilities maintenance revenue equals the greater of (1) the sum of (i) $193 times the district's adjusted pupil units times the lesser of one or the ratio of the district's average building age to 35 years, plus the cost approved by the commissioner for indoor air quality, fire alarm and suppression, and asbestos abatement projects under section 123B.57, subdivision 6, with an estimated cost of $100,000 or more per site, plus (ii) for a school district with an approved voluntary prekindergarten program under section 124D.151, the cost approved by the commissioner for remodeling existing instructional space to accommodate prekindergarten instruction, or (2) the sum of (i) the amount the district would have qualified for under Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 123B.57, Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 123B.59, and Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 123B.591, and (ii) for a school district with an approved voluntary prekindergarten program under section 124D.151, the cost approved by the commissioner for remodeling existing instructional space to accommodate prekindergarten instruction.

(b) For fiscal year 2018 only, long-term facilities maintenance revenue equals the greater of (1) the sum of (i) $292 times the district's adjusted pupil units times the lesser of one or the ratio of the district's average building age to 35 years, plus (ii) the cost approved by the commissioner for indoor air quality, fire alarm and suppression, and asbestos abatement projects under section 123B.57, subdivision 6, with an estimated cost of $100,000 or more per site, plus (iii) for a school district with an approved voluntary prekindergarten program under section 124D.151, the cost approved by the commissioner for remodeling existing instructional space to accommodate prekindergarten instruction, or (2) the sum of (i) the amount the district would have qualified for under Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 123B.57, Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 123B.59, and Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 123B.591, and (ii) for a school district with an approved voluntary prekindergarten program under section 124D.151, the cost approved by the commissioner for remodeling existing instructional space to accommodate prekindergarten instruction.

(c) For fiscal year 2019 and later, long-term facilities maintenance revenue equals the greater of (1) the sum of (i) $380 times the district's adjusted pupil units times the lesser of one or the ratio of the district's average building age to 35 years, plus (ii) the cost approved by the commissioner for indoor air quality, fire alarm and suppression, and asbestos abatement projects under section 123B.57, subdivision 6, with an estimated cost of $100,000 or more per site, plus (iii) for a school district with an approved voluntary prekindergarten program under section 124D.151, the cost approved by the commissioner for remodeling existing instructional space to accommodate prekindergarten instruction, or (2) the sum of (i) the amount the district would have qualified for under Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 123B.57, Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 123B.59, and Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 123B.591, and (ii) for a school district with an approved voluntary prekindergarten program under section 124D.151, the cost approved by the commissioner for remodeling existing instructional space to accommodate prekindergarten instruction.

new text begin (d) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a), (b), and (c), a school district that qualified for eligibility under Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 123B.59, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), for fiscal year 2010 remains eligible for funding under this section as a district that would have qualified for eligibility under Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 123B.59, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), for fiscal year 2017 and later. 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. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 123B.595, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Facilities plans.

(a) To qualify for revenue under this section, a school district or intermediate district, not including a charter school, must have a ten-year facility plan adopted by the school board and approved by the commissioner. The plan must include provisions for implementing a health and safety program that complies with health, safety, and environmental regulations and best practices, including indoor air quality managementnew text begin and remediation of lead hazardsnew text end .

(b) The district must annually update the plan, submit the plan to the commissioner for approval by July 31, and indicate whether the district will issue bonds to finance the plan or levy for the costs.

(c) For school districts issuing bonds to finance the plan, the plan must include a debt service schedule demonstrating that the debt service revenue required to pay the principal and interest on the bonds each year will not exceed the projected long-term facilities revenue for that year.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2018 and later. new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 123B.71, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

Subd. 11.

Review of proposals.

In reviewing each proposal, the commissioner shall submit to the school board, within 60 days of receiving the proposal, the review and comment about the educational and economic advisability of the project. new text begin The commissioner must include comments from residents of the school district in the review and comment. new text end The review and comment shall be based on information submitted with the proposal and other information the commissioner determines is necessary. If the commissioner submits a negative review and comment for a portion of a proposal, the review and comment shall clearly specify which portion of the proposal received a negative review and comment and which portion of the proposal received a positive review and comment.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 123B.71, subdivision 12, is amended to read:

Subd. 12.

Publication.

(a) At least 20 days but not more than 60 days before a referendum for bonds or solicitation of bids for a project that has received a positive or unfavorable review and comment under section 123B.70, the school board shall publish a summary of the commissioner's review and comment of that project in the legal newspaper of the district. new text begin The school board must hold a public meeting to discuss the commissioner's review and comment before the referendum for bonds. new text end Supplementary information shall be available to the public.

(b) The publication requirement in paragraph (a) does not apply to alternative facilities projects approved under section deleted text begin 123B.59deleted text end new text begin 123B.595new text end .

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 129C.10, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Governance.

(a) The board of the Perpich Center for Arts Education shall consist of deleted text begin 15deleted text end new text begin 16new text end personsdeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin , including the commissioner of education or a person designated by the commissioner of education who must serve as an ex officio member. new text end The new text begin remaining 15 new text end members of the board shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. At least one member must be appointed from each congressional district.

(b) All board members must complete board training requirements consistent with section 127A.19.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 129C.10, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Employees.

(a)(1) The board must appoint a director of the Center for Arts Education who shall serve in the unclassified service.new text begin The director must hold a Minnesota superintendent license.new text end

(2) The board must employ, upon recommendation of the director, a coordinator of resource programs who shall serve in the unclassified service.

(3) The board must employ, upon recommendation of the director, up to six department chairs who shall serve in the unclassified service. The chairs shall be licensed teachers unless no licensure exists for the subject area or discipline for which the chair is hired.

(4) The board may employ other necessary employees, upon recommendation of the director.

(5) The board must employ, upon recommendation of the director, an executive secretary for the director, who shall serve in the unclassified service.

new text begin (6) All persons employed as teachers must hold Minnesota teaching licenses in their respective fields or be approved by the Board of Teaching. new text end

(b) The employees hired under this subdivision and other necessary employees hired by the board shall be state employees in the executive branch.

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 129C.105, is amended to read:

129C.105 BOARD MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE OR OTHER ELECTRONIC MEANS.

(a) Notwithstanding section 13D.01 and if complying with section 13D.02 is impractical, the Board of the Perpich Center for Arts Education may conduct a meeting of its members by telephone or other electronic means when:

(1) all members of the board participating in the meeting, wherever the members' physical locations, can hear one another and all discussion and testimony;

(2) members of the public present at the regular meeting location of the board can hear all discussion and testimony and all votes of members of the board;

(3) at least one member of the board is physically present at the regular meeting location; and

(4) all votes are conducted by roll call, so each member's vote on each issue can be identified and recorded.

(b) Each member of the board participating in a meeting by telephone or other electronic means is considered present at the meeting for purposes of determining a quorum and participating in all proceedings.

(c) If telephone or other electronic means is used to conduct a meeting, the board, to the extent practical, shall allow a person to monitor the meeting electronically from a remote location. The board may require the person making such a connection to pay for documented marginal costs that the board incurs as a result of the additional connection.

(d) If telephone or other electronic means is used to conduct a regular, special, or emergency meeting, the board shall provide notice of the regular meeting location, of the fact that some members may participate by telephone or other electronic means, and of the provisions of paragraph (c). The timing and method of providing notice is governed by section 13D.04.

new text begin (e) The board must publish minutes of all meetings on the center's Web site. new text end

Sec. 10.

new text begin [129C.27] ANNUAL DIRECTOR REPORT. new text end

new text begin The director must report the following to the education committees of the legislature by January 15 of each year in accordance with section 3.195: new text end

new text begin (1) outreach activities, including the number of districts, teachers, and administrators that have participated in outreach programs; new text end

new text begin (2) the impact of the center's outreach activities; new text end

new text begin (3) enrollment trends, including the number of students from each congressional district admitted to the Perpich Arts High School and efforts to increase enrollment by 20 percent by 2019; and new text end

new text begin (4) students' academic achievement, including performance on standard assessments, graduation rates, and the number of students enrolled in postsecondary education. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2017. new text end

Sec. 11.

Laws 2016, chapter 189, article 30, section 25, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Early repayment aid incentive.

(a) For incentive grants for a district that repays the full outstanding original principal on its capital loan by November 30, 2016, under Laws 2011, First Special Session chapter 11, article 4, section 8, as amended by this act:

$ deleted text begin 2,200,000 deleted text end new text begin 2,350,000 new text end ..... 2017

(b) Of this amount, new text begin $150,000 is for a grant to Independent School District No. 36, Kelliher; new text end $180,000 is for a grant to Independent School District No. 95, Cromwell; $495,000 is for a grant to Independent School District No. 299, Caledonia; $220,000 is for a grant to Independent School District No. 306, Laporte; $150,000 is for a grant to Independent School District No. 362, Littlefork; $650,000 is for a grant to Independent School District No. 682, Roseau; and $505,000 is for a grant to Independent School District No. 2580, East Central.

(c) The grant may be used for any school-related purpose.

(d) The base appropriation for 2022 is zero.

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.

new text begin DISPOSITION OF CROSSWINDS SCHOOL; PROCEEDS OF SALE. new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding the appropriation of state general obligation bond proceeds in Laws 1998, chapter 404, section 5, subdivision 5; Laws 1999, chapter 240, article 1, section 3; Laws 2000, chapter 492, article 1, section 5, subdivision 2; Laws 2001, First Special Session chapter 12, section 2, subdivision 2; and Laws 2005, chapter 20, article 1, section 5, subdivision 3, to acquire and better the Crosswinds school facilities by the Joint Powers District No. 6067, East Metro Integration District, in Woodbury, the Crosswinds school may be conveyed or sold by the commissioner of administration in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, sections 16B.281 to 16B.287. new text end

new text begin (b) As soon as practicable following July 1, 2017, and consistent with Minnesota Statutes, sections 16A.695 and 16B.281 to 16B.287, and constraints on the disposition of bond-financed property, the commissioner of administration shall offer the Crosswinds school property for sale. Before offering the Crosswinds school property for sale, the commissioner of administration must determine that the property is no longer needed to carry out the governmental program for which it was acquired or constructed. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2017. new text end

Sec. 13.

new text begin TRANSITION REQUIREMENTS; CROSSWINDS SCHOOL. new text end

new text begin For the 2017-2018 school year only, for a school district or charter school enrolling pupils at the Crosswinds school, the Department of Education must calculate compensatory revenue, literacy aid, and alternative compensation revenue for the Crosswinds school based on the October 1, 2016, enrollment counts at that site. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2017. new text end

Sec. 14.

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 Debt service equalization aid. new text end

new text begin For debt service equalization aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.53, subdivision 6: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 24,908,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 22,360,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin The 2018 appropriation includes $2,324,000 for 2017 and $22,584,000 for 2018. new text end

new text begin The 2019 appropriation includes $2,509,000 for 2018 and $19,851,000 for 2019. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Long-term facilities maintenance equalized aid. new text end

new text begin For long-term facilities maintenance equalized aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.595, subdivision 9: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 80,179,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 103,460,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin The 2018 appropriation includes $5,815,000 for 2017 and $74,364,000 for 2018. new text end

new text begin The 2019 appropriation includes $8,262,000 for 2018 and $95,198,000 for 2019. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Equity in telecommunications access. new text end

new text begin For equity in telecommunications access: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 3,750,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 3,750,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin If the appropriation amount is insufficient, the commissioner shall reduce the reimbursement rate in Minnesota Statutes, section 125B.26, subdivisions 4 and 5, and the revenue for fiscal years 2018 and 2019 shall be prorated. 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. 5. new text end

new text begin Early repayment aid incentive. new text end

new text begin (a) For incentive grants for a district that repays the full outstanding original principal on its capital loan by November 30, 2016, under Laws 2011, First Special Session chapter 11, article 4, section 8, as amended by Laws 2016, chapter 189, article 30, section 22: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 2,350,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 2,350,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin (b) Of this amount, $150,000 is for a grant to Independent School District No. 36, Kelliher; $180,000 is for a grant to Independent School District No. 95, Cromwell; $495,000 is for a grant to Independent School District No. 299, Caledonia; $220,000 is for a grant to Independent School District No. 306, Laporte; $150,000 is for a grant to Independent School District No. 362, Littlefork; $650,000 is for a grant to Independent School District No. 682, Roseau; and $505,000 is for a grant to Independent School District No. 2580, East Central. new text end

new text begin (c) The grant may be used for any school-related purpose. new text end

new text begin (d) The base for 2022 is $0. new text end

Sec. 15.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin (a) new text end new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 123A.73, subdivision 3, new text end new text begin is repealed retroactively from January 1, 2017. new text end

new text begin (b) new text end new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2016, sections 129C.10, subdivision 5a; and 129C.30, new text end new text begin are repealed effective July 1, 2017. new text end

ARTICLE 6

NUTRITION

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 123B.52, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Contracts.

A contract for work or labor, or for the purchase of furniture, fixtures, or other property, except books registered under the copyright laws and information systems software, or for the construction or repair of school houses, the estimated cost or value of which shall exceed that specified in section 471.345, subdivision 3, must not be made by the school board without first advertising for bids or proposals by two weeks' published notice in the official newspaper. This notice must state the time and place of receiving bids and contain a brief description of the subject matter.

Additional publication in the official newspaper or elsewhere may be made as the board shall deem necessary.

After taking into consideration conformity with the specifications, terms of delivery, and other conditions imposed in the call for bids, every such contract for which a call for bids has been issued must be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, be duly executed in writing, and be otherwise conditioned as required by law. The person to whom the contract is awarded shall give a sufficient bond to the board for its faithful performance. Notwithstanding section 574.26 or any other law to the contrary, on a contract limited to the purchase of a finished tangible product, a board may require, at its discretion, a performance bond of a contractor in the amount the board considers necessary. A record must be kept of all bids, with names of bidders and amount of bids, and with the successful bid indicated thereon. A bid containing an alteration or erasure of any price contained in the bid which is used in determining the lowest responsible bid must be rejected unless the alteration or erasure is corrected as provided in this section. An alteration or erasure may be crossed out and the correction thereof printed in ink or typewritten adjacent thereto and initialed in ink by the person signing the bid. In the case of identical low bids from two or more bidders, the board may, at its discretion, utilize negotiated procurement methods with the tied low bidders for that particular transaction, so long as the price paid does not exceed the low tied bid price. In the case where only a single bid is received, the board may, at its discretion, negotiate a mutually agreeable contract with the bidder so long as the price paid does not exceed the original bid. If no satisfactory bid is received, the board may readvertise. Standard requirement price contracts established for supplies or services to be purchased by the district must be established by competitive bids. Such standard requirement price contracts may contain escalation clauses and may provide for a negotiated price increase or decrease based upon a demonstrable industrywide or regional increase or decrease in the vendor's costs. Either party to the contract may request that the other party demonstrate such increase or decrease. The term of such contracts must not exceed two years with an option on the part of the district to renew for an additional two yearsnew text begin , except as provided in subdivision 7new text end . Contracts for the purchase of perishable food items, except milk for school lunches and vocational training programs, in any amount may be made by direct negotiation by obtaining two or more written quotations for the purchase or sale, when possible, without advertising for bids or otherwise complying with the requirements of this section or section 471.345, subdivision 3. All quotations obtained shall be kept on file for a period of at least one year after receipt.

Every contract made without compliance with the provisions of this section shall be void. Except in the case of the destruction of buildings or injury thereto, where the public interest would suffer by delay, contracts for repairs may be made without advertising for bids.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for contracts entered into on or after July 1, 2017. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 123B.52, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Food service contracts. new text end

new text begin A contract between a school board and a food service management company that complies with Code of Federal Regulations, title 7, section 210.16, may be renewed annually after its initial term for not more than four additional years. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for contracts entered into on or after July 1, 2017. new text end

Sec. 3.

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 School lunch. new text end

new text begin For school lunch aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.111, and Code of Federal Regulations, title 7, section 210.17: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 16,721,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 17,223,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin School breakfast. new text end

new text begin For traditional school breakfast aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.1158: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 10,601,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 11,359,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Kindergarten milk. new text end

new text begin For kindergarten milk aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.118: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 758,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 758,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Summer school food service replacement aid. new text end

new text begin For summer school food service replacement aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.119: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 150,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 150,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

ARTICLE 7

LIBRARIES

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 134.31, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Advice and instruction.

The Department of Education shall give advice and instruction to the managers of any public library or to any governing body maintaining a library or empowered to do so by law upon any matter pertaining to the organization, maintenance, or administration of libraries. The department may also give advice and instruction, as requested, to postsecondary educational institutions, new text begin school districts or charter schools, new text end state agencies, governmental units, nonprofit organizations, or private entities. It shall assist, to the extent possible, in the establishment and organization of library service in those areas where adequate services do not exist, and may aid in improving previously established library services. The department shall also provide assistance to school districts, regional library systems, and member libraries interested in offering joint library services at a single location.

Sec. 2.

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 Basic system support. new text end

new text begin For basic system support aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 134.355: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 13,570,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 13,570,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin The 2018 appropriation includes $1,357,000 for 2017 and $12,213,000 for 2018. new text end

new text begin The 2019 appropriation includes $1,357,000 for 2018 and $12,213,000 for 2019. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Multicounty, multitype library systems. new text end

new text begin For aid under Minnesota Statutes, sections 134.353 and 134.354, to multicounty, multitype library systems: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 1,300,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 1,300,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin The 2018 appropriation includes $130,000 for 2017 and $1,170,000 for 2018. new text end

new text begin The 2019 appropriation includes $130,000 for 2018 and $1,170,000 for 2019. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Electronic library for Minnesota. new text end

new text begin For statewide licenses to online databases selected in cooperation with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education for school media centers, public libraries, state government agency libraries, and public or private college or university libraries: 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 2018 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 2019 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. 5. new text end

new text begin Regional library telecommunications aid. new text end

new text begin For regional library telecommunications aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 134.355: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 2,300,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 2,300,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin The 2018 appropriation includes $230,000 for 2017 and $2,070,000 for 2018. new text end

new text begin The 2019 appropriation includes $230,000 for 2018 and $2,070,000 for 2019. new text end

ARTICLE 8

EARLY CHILDHOOD AND FAMILY SUPPORT

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.151, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Application process; priority for high poverty schools.

(a) To qualify for program approval for fiscal year 2017, a district or charter school must submit an application to the commissioner by July 1, 2016. To qualify for program approval for fiscal year 2018 and later, a district or charter school must submit an application to the commissioner by January 30 of the fiscal year prior to the fiscal year in which the program will be implemented. The application must include:

(1) a description of the proposed program, including the number of hours per week the program will be offered at each school site or mixed-delivery location;

(2) an estimate of the number of eligible children to be served in the program at each school site or mixed-delivery location; and

(3) a statement of assurances signed by the superintendent or charter school director that the proposed program meets the requirements of subdivision 2.

(b) The commissioner must review all applications submitted for fiscal year 2017 by August 1, 2016, and must review all applications submitted for fiscal year 2018 and later by March 1 of the fiscal year in which the applications are received and determine whether each application meets the requirements of paragraph (a).

(c) The commissioner must divide all applications for new or expanded new text begin voluntary prekindergarten new text end programs new text begin under this section new text end meeting the requirements of paragraph (a) new text begin and school readiness plus programs new text end into four groups as follows: the Minneapolis and St. Paul school districts; other school districts located in the metropolitan equity region as defined in section 126C.10, subdivision 28; school districts located in the rural equity region as defined in section 126C.10, subdivision 28; and charter schools. Within each group, the applications must be ordered by rank using a sliding scale based on the following criteria:

(1) concentration of kindergarten students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches by school site on October 1 of the previous school year.new text begin A school site may contract to partner with a community based provider or Head Start under subdivision 3 or establish an early childhood center and use the concentration of kindergarten students eligible for free or reduced-price meals from a specific school site as long as those eligible children are prioritized and guaranteed services at the mixed-delivery site or early education center. new text end For school district programs to be operated at locations that do not have free and reduced-price lunch concentration data for kindergarten programs for October 1 of the previous school year, including mixed-delivery programs, the school district average concentration of kindergarten students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches must be used for the rank ordering;

(2) presence or absence of a three- or four-star Parent Aware rated program within the school district or close proximity of the district. School sites with the highest concentration of kindergarten students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches that do not have a three- or four-star Parent Aware program within the district or close proximity of the district shall receive the highest priority, and school sites with the lowest concentration of kindergarten students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches that have a three- or four-star Parent Aware rated program within the district or close proximity of the district shall receive the lowest prioritynew text begin ; and new text end

new text begin (3) whether the district has implemented a mixed delivery systemnew text end .

(d) The deleted text begin aid availabledeleted text end new text begin limit on participation new text end for the deleted text begin programdeleted text end new text begin programs new text end as specified in subdivision 6, deleted text begin paragraph (b),deleted text end must initially be allocated among the four groups based on each group's percentage share of the statewide kindergarten enrollment on October 1 of the previous school year. Within each group, the deleted text begin available aiddeleted text end new text begin participation limit for fiscal years 2018 and 2019 must first be allocated to school sites approved for aid in the previous year to ensure that those sites are funded for the same number of participants as approved for the previous year. The remainder of the participation limit for each group new text end must be allocated among school sites in priority order until that region's share of the deleted text begin aiddeleted text end new text begin participation new text end limit is reached. If the deleted text begin aiddeleted text end new text begin participation new text end limit is not reached for all groups, the remaining amount must be allocated to the highest priority school sites, as designated under this section, not funded in the initial allocation on a statewide basis.new text begin For fiscal year 2020 and later, the participation limit must first be allocated to school sites approved for aid in fiscal year 2017, and then to school sites approved for aid in fiscal year 2018 based on the statewide rankings under paragraph(c).new text end

(e) Once a school sitenew text begin or a mixed delivery site under subdivision 3 new text end is approved for aid under this subdivision, it shall remain eligible for aid if it continues to meet program requirements, regardless of changes in the concentration of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches.

(f) If the total deleted text begin aid entitlementdeleted text end new text begin number of participants new text end approved based on applications submitted under paragraph (a) is less than thedeleted text begin aid entitlementdeleted text end new text begin participation new text end limit under subdivision 6, deleted text begin paragraph (b),deleted text end the commissioner must notify all school districts and charter schools of the amount that remains available within 30 days of the initial application deadline under paragraph (a), and complete a second round of allocations based on applications received within 60 days of the initial application deadline.

(g) Procedures for approving applications submitted under paragraph (f) shall be the same as specified in paragraphs (a) to (d), except that the allocations shall be made to the highest priority school sites not funded in the initial allocation on a statewide basis.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for fiscal year 2018 and later. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.151, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

deleted text begin Program and aid entitlementdeleted text end new text begin Participationnew text end limits.

(a) Notwithstanding section 126C.05, subdivision 1, paragraph (d), the pupil units for a voluntary prekindergarten program for an eligible school district or charter school must not exceed 60 percent of the kindergarten pupil units for that school district or charter school under section 126C.05, subdivision 1, paragraph (e).

(b) In reviewing applications under subdivision 5, the commissioner must limit the estimated state aid entitlement approved under this section to $27,092,000 for fiscal year 2017deleted text begin , $27,239,000 for fiscal year 2018, and $26,399,000 for fiscal year 2019 and laterdeleted text end . If the actual state aid entitlement based on final data exceeds the limit in any year, the aid of the participating districts must be prorated so as not to exceed the limit.

new text begin (c) The commissioner must limit the total number of funded participants in the voluntary prekindergarten program under this section to not more than 3,160. new text end

new text begin (d) Notwithstanding paragraph (c), the commissioner must limit the total number of participants in the voluntary prekindergarten and school readiness plus programs to not more than 6,160 participants for fiscal year 2018 and 7,160 participants for fiscal year 2019. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal year 2018 and later. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.165, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Establishment; purpose.

There is established an early learning scholarships program in order to deleted text begin increasedeleted text end new text begin close the opportunity gap by increasingnew text end access to high-quality early childhood programs deleted text begin for children ages three to fivedeleted text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2017. new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.165, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Family eligibility.

(a) For a family to receive an early learning scholarship, parents or guardians must meet the following eligibility requirements:

(1) have deleted text begin adeleted text end new text begin an eligiblenew text end child deleted text begin three or four years of age on September 1 of the current school year, who has not yet started kindergartendeleted text end ; and

(2) have income equal to or less than 185 percent of federal poverty level income in the current calendar year, or be able to document their child's current participation in the free and reduced-price lunch program or child and adult care food program, National School Lunch Act, United States Code, title 42, sections 1751 and 1766; the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, Food and Nutrition Act, United States Code, title 7, sections 2011-2036; Head Start under the federal Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007; Minnesota family investment program under chapter 256J; child care assistance programs under chapter 119B; the supplemental nutrition assistance program; or placement in foster care under section 260C.212.

deleted text begin (b) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, a parent under age 21 who is pursuing a high school or general education equivalency diploma is eligible for an early learning scholarship if the parent has a child age zero to five years old and meets the income eligibility guidelines in this subdivision. deleted text end

deleted text begin (c) Any siblings between the ages zero to deleted text end new text begin (b) An "eligible child" means a child who has not yet enrolled in kindergarten and is: new text end

new text begin (1) at least three but not yet five years of age on September 1 of the current school year; new text end

new text begin (2) a sibling from birth to agenew text end five deleted text begin years olddeleted text end of a child who has been awarded a scholarship under this section deleted text begin must be awarded a scholarship upon request,deleted text end provided the sibling attends the same program as long as funds are availablenew text begin ;new text end

new text begin (3) the child of a parent under age 21 who is pursuing a high school degree or a course of study for a high school equivalency test; or new text end

new text begin (4) homeless, in foster care, or in need of child protective servicesnew text end .

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (c)new text end A child who has received a scholarship under this section must continue to receive a scholarship each year until that child is eligible for kindergarten under section 120A.20 and as long as funds are available.

deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (d)new text end Early learning scholarships may not be counted as earned income for the purposes of medical assistance under chapter 256B, MinnesotaCare under chapter 256L, Minnesota family investment program under chapter 256J, child care assistance programs under chapter 119B, or Head Start under the federal Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007.

deleted text begin (f)deleted text end new text begin (e)new text end A child from an adjoining state whose family resides at a Minnesota address as assigned by the United States Postal Service, who has received developmental screening under sections 121A.16 to 121A.19, who intends to enroll in a Minnesota school district, and whose family meets the criteria of paragraph (a) is eligible for an early learning scholarship under this section.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2017. new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.165, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Administration.

(a) The commissioner shall establish application timelines and determine the schedule for awarding scholarships that meets operational needs of eligible families and programs. new text begin The commissioner must give highest priority to applications from children who:new text end

new text begin (1) have a parent under age 21 who is pursuing a high school diploma or a course of study for a high school equivalency test; new text end

new text begin (2) are in foster care or otherwise in need of protection or services; or new text end

new text begin (3) have experienced homelessness in the last 24 months, as defined under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, United States Code, title 42, section 11434a. new text end

The commissioner may prioritize applications on new text begin additional new text end factors including family income, geographic location, and whether the child's family is on a waiting list for a publicly funded program providing early education or child care services.

(b) deleted text begin For fiscal years 2014 and 2015 only, scholarships may not exceed $5,000 per year for each eligible child. For fiscal year 2016 and later,deleted text end The commissioner shall establish a target for the average scholarship amount per child based on the results of the rate survey conducted under section 119B.02.

(c) A four-star rated program that has children eligible for a scholarship enrolled in or on a waiting list for a program beginning in July, August, or September may notify the commissioner, in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner, each year of the program's desire to enhance program services or to serve more children than current funding provides. The commissioner may designate a predetermined number of scholarship slots for that program and notify the program of that numbernew text begin . For fiscal year 2018 and later, the statewide amount of funding directly designated by the commissioner must not exceed the funding directly designated for fiscal year 2017new text end . Beginning July 1, 2016, a school district or Head Start program qualifying under this paragraph may use its established registration process to enroll scholarship recipients and may verify a scholarship recipient's family income in the same manner as for other program participants.

(d) A scholarship is awarded for a 12-month period. If the scholarship recipient has not been accepted and subsequently enrolled in a rated program within ten months of the awarding of the scholarship, the scholarship cancels and the recipient must reapply in order to be eligible for another scholarship. A child may not be awarded more than one scholarship in a 12-month period.

(e) A child who receives a scholarship who has not completed development screening under sections 121A.16 to 121A.19 must complete that screening within 90 days of first attending an eligible program.

(f) For fiscal year 2017 and later, a school district or Head Start program enrolling scholarship recipients under paragraph (c) may apply to the commissioner, in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner, for direct payment of state aid. Upon receipt of the application, the commissioner must pay each program directly for each approved scholarship recipient enrolled under paragraph (c) according to the metered payment system or another schedule established by the commissioner.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.165, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Early childhood program eligibility.

(a) In order to be eligible to accept an early learning scholarship, a program must:

(1) participate in the quality rating and improvement system under section 124D.142; and

(2) beginning July 1, deleted text begin 2016deleted text end new text begin 2020new text end , have a three- or four-star rating in the quality rating and improvement system.

(b) Any program accepting scholarships must use the revenue to supplement and not supplant federal funding.

(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), all Minnesota early learning foundation scholarship program pilot sites are eligible to accept an early learning scholarship under this section.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.59, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

English learner.

(a) "English learner" means a pupil in kindergarten through grade 12 or a prekindergarten student enrolled in an approved voluntary prekindergarten program under section 124D.151 new text begin or a school readiness plus program new text end who meets the requirements under subdivision 2a or the following requirements:

(1) the pupil, as declared by a parent or guardian first learned a language other than English, comes from a home where the language usually spoken is other than English, or usually speaks a language other than English; and

(2) the pupil is determined by a valid assessment measuring the pupil's English language proficiency and by developmentally appropriate measures, which might include observations, teacher judgment, parent recommendations, or developmentally appropriate assessment instruments, to lack the necessary English skills to participate fully in academic classes taught in English.

(b) A pupil enrolled in a Minnesota public school in any grade 4 through 12 who in the previous school year took a commissioner-provided assessment measuring the pupil's emerging academic English, shall be counted as an English learner in calculating English learner pupil units under section 126C.05, subdivision 17, and shall generate state English learner aid under section 124D.65, subdivision 5, if the pupil scored below the state cutoff score or is otherwise counted as a nonproficient participant on the assessment measuring the pupil's emerging academic English, or, in the judgment of the pupil's classroom teachers, consistent with section 124D.61, clause (1), the pupil is unable to demonstrate academic language proficiency in English, including oral academic language, sufficient to successfully and fully participate in the general core curriculum in the regular classroom.

(c) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b), a pupil in prekindergarten under section 124D.151, through grade 12 shall not be counted as an English learner in calculating English learner pupil units under section 126C.05, subdivision 17, and shall not generate state English learner aid under section 124D.65, subdivision 5, if:

(1) the pupil is not enrolled during the current fiscal year in an educational program for English learners under sections 124D.58 to 124D.64; or

(2) the pupil has generated seven or more years of average daily membership in Minnesota public schools since July 1, 1996.

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, 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 chapter 124E; 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 1.0 with a minimum average daily membership of 0.28, but not more than 1.0 pupil unit.

(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 1.0.

(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) A prekindergarten pupil who is not included in paragraph (a) or (b) and is enrolled in an approved voluntary prekindergarten program under section 124D.151 is counted as the ratio of the number of hours of instruction to 850 times 1.0, but not more than 0.6 pupil units.

(e) A kindergarten pupil who is not included in paragraph (c) is counted as 1.0 pupil unit 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 unit, if the pupil is not enrolled in a free all-day, every day kindergarten program available to all kindergarten pupils at the pupil's school.

(f) A pupil who is in any of grades 1 to 6 is counted as 1.0 pupil unit.

(g) A pupil who is in any of grades 7 to 12 is counted as 1.2 pupil units.

(h) A pupil who is in the postsecondary enrollment options program is counted as 1.2 pupil units.

new text begin (i) For fiscal years 2018 and 2019 only, a prekindergarten pupil who; new text end

new text begin (1) is not included in paragraphs (a), (b), or (d); new text end

new text begin (2) is enrolled in a school readiness plus program; and new text end

new text begin (3) has one or more of the risk factors specified by the eligibility requirements for a school readiness plus program; new text end

new text begin is counted as the ratio of the number of hours of instruction to 850 times 1.0, but not more than 0.6 pupil units. A pupil qualifying under this paragraph must be counted in the same manner as a voluntary prekindergarten student for all general education and other school funding formulas. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin Paragraph (i) of this section expires at the end of fiscal year 2019. new text end

Sec. 9.

new text begin SCHOOL READINESS PLUS PROGRAM. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment; purpose. new text end

new text begin A district, a charter school, or a group of districts and charter schools may establish a school readiness plus program for children age four to kindergarten entrance. The purpose of a school readiness plus program is to prepare children for success as they enter kindergarten in the following year. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Program requirements. new text end

new text begin A school readiness plus program provider must: new text end

new text begin (1) assess each child's cognitive and language skills with a comprehensive child assessment instrument when the child enters and again before the child leaves the program to improve program planning and implementation, communicate with parents, and promote kindergarten readiness; new text end

new text begin (2) provide comprehensive program content and intentional instructional practice aligned with the state early childhood learning guidelines and kindergarten standards and based on early childhood research and professional practice that is focused on children's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills and development and prepares children for the transition to kindergarten, including early literacy and language skills; new text end

new text begin (3) coordinate appropriate kindergarten transition with parents and kindergarten teachers; new text end

new text begin (4) involve parents in program planning and decision making; new text end

new text begin (5) coordinate with relevant community-based services; new text end

new text begin (6) cooperate with adult basic education programs and other adult literacy programs; new text end

new text begin (7) ensure staff-to-child ratios of one-to-ten and a maximum group size of 20 children with at least one licensed teacher; new text end

new text begin (8) have teachers knowledgeable in early childhood curriculum content, assessment, native and English language development programs, and instruction; and new text end

new text begin (9) provide instructional content and activities that are of sufficient length and intensity to address learning needs including offering a program with at least 350 hours of instruction per school year. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Mixed delivery of services. new text end

new text begin A district or charter school may contract with a charter school, Head Start or child care center, family child care program licensed under Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.03, or a community-based organization to provide eligible children with developmentally appropriate services that meet the program requirements in subdivision 2. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin (a) A child who is four years of age as of September 1 in the calendar year in which the school year commences and has one or more of the risk factors under paragraph (b) is eligible to participate in a school readiness plus program free of charge. A child who is four years of age as of September 1 in the calendar year in which the school year commences and does not have one or more of the risk factors under paragraph (b) may participate on a fee-for-service basis. A district must adopt a sliding fee schedule based on a family's income but must waive a fee for a participant unable to pay. School districts and charter schools must use school readiness plus aid for eligible children. Each eligible child must complete a health and developmental screening within 90 days of program enrollment under Minnesota Statutes, sections 121A.16 to 121A.19, and provide documentation of required immunizations under section 121A.15. new text end

new text begin (b) An at-risk four-year-old child may participate in the school readiness plus program free of charge if the child: new text end

new text begin (1) qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch; new text end

new text begin (2) is an English language learner; new text end

new text begin (3) is homeless; new text end

new text begin (4) has an individualized education program, or individual interagency intervention plan; new text end

new text begin (5) is identified through health and developmental screening under Minnesota Statutes, sections 121A.16 to 121.19, with a potential risk factor that may influence learning; or new text end

new text begin (6) is in foster care. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Application process; priority for high poverty schools. new text end

new text begin (a) For 2017-2018 school year, a school district or charter school that did not apply to participate in a voluntary prekindergarten program under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.151, may apply to the commissioner by July 1, 2017, to participate in a school readiness plus program in the form and manner specified by the commissioner. By June 15, 2017, the commissioner must notify districts and charter schools of the availability of additional money for voluntary prekindergarten and school readiness plus programs. A school district or charter school that previously applied to participate in a voluntary prekindergarten program may amend its application by July 1, 2017, to apply instead for school readiness plus. The commissioner must review all applications for school readiness plus and notify applicant districts and charter schools by August 1, 2017, whether they have been selected for participation. new text end

new text begin (b) For the 2018-2019 school year, a school district or charter school may apply to the commissioner by January 30, 2018, to participate in school readiness plus in the form and manner specified by the commissioner. new text end

new text begin (c) A district or charter school submitting an application under this section must include: (1) a description of the proposed program, including the number of hours per week the program will be offered at each school site or mixed-delivery location; (2) an estimate of the number of eligible children to be served in the program at each school site or mixed-delivery location; (3) the number of children being served that will be new to the program; and (4) a statement of assurances signed by the superintendent or charter school director that the proposed program meets the requirements of subdivision 2. new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner must award funding for school readiness plus programs across school districts and charter schools in the same manner as for the voluntary prekindergarten program. new text end

new text begin (e) A school site or mixed-delivery site approved for aid under this subdivision remains eligible for aid if the site continues to meet program requirements, regardless of changes in the concentration of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin No supplanting. new text end

new text begin For a site first qualifying in fiscal year 2018 or 2019, mixed delivery revenue, including voluntary prekindergarten and school readiness plus program revenue, must be used to supplement not supplant existing state, federal, and local revenue for prekindergarten activities. 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. 10.

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 School readiness. new text end

new text begin For revenue for school readiness programs under Minnesota Statutes, sections 124D.15 and 124D.16: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 33,683,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 33,683,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin The 2018 appropriation includes $3,368,000 for 2017 and $30,315,000 for 2018. new text end

new text begin The 2019 appropriation includes $3,368,000 for 2018 and $30,315,000 for 2019. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Mixed delivery prekindergarten programs. new text end

new text begin (a) For mixed delivery prekindergarten programs and school readiness plus programs: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 21,429,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 28,571,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin (b) The fiscal year 2018 appropriation includes $0 for 2017 and $21,429,000 for 2018. new text end

new text begin (c) The fiscal year 2019 appropriation includes $2,381,000 for 2018 and $26,190,000 for 2019. new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner must proportionately allocate the amounts appropriated in this subdivision among each education funding program affected by the enrollment of mixed delivery system prekindergarten pupils. new text end

new text begin (e) The appropriation under this subdivision is reduced by any other amounts specifically appropriated for those purposes. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Early learning scholarships. new text end

new text begin (a) For the early learning scholarship program under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.165: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 70,209,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 70,209,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin (b) Up to $950,000 each year is for administration of this program. new text end

new text begin (c) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year. new text end

new text begin (d) The base for fiscal year 2020 is $70,709,000. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Head Start program. new text end

new text begin For Head Start programs under Minnesota Statutes, section 119A.52: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 25,100,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 25,100,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin Subd. 5a. new text end

new text begin Early childhood family education aid. new text end

new text begin For early childhood family education aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.135: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 30,405,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 31,977,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin The 2018 appropriation includes $2,904,000 for 2017 and $27,501,000 for 2018. new text end

new text begin The 2019 appropriation includes $3,055,000 for 2018 and $28,922,000 for 2019. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Developmental screening aid. new text end

new text begin For developmental screening aid under Minnesota Statutes, sections 121A.17 and 121A.19: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 3,606,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 3,629,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin The 2018 appropriation includes $358,000 for 2017 and $3,248,000 for 2018. new text end

new text begin The 2019 appropriation includes $360,000 for 2018 and $3,269,000 for 2019. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Parent-child home program. new text end

new text begin For a grant to the parent-child home program: 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 2018 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 2019 new text end

new text begin The grant must be used for an evidence-based and research-validated early childhood literacy and school readiness program for children ages 16 months to four years at its existing suburban program location. The program must include urban and rural program locations for fiscal years 2018 and 2019. new text end

new text begin The base for this program for fiscal year 2020 and later is $900,000. new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Kindergarten entrance assessment initiative and intervention program. new text end

new text begin For the kindergarten entrance assessment initiative and intervention program under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.162: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 281,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 281,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Quality rating and improvement system. new text end

new text begin (a) For transfer to the commissioner of human services for the purposes of expanding the quality rating and improvement system under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.142, in greater Minnesota and increasing supports for providers participating in the quality rating and improvement system: new text end

new text begin $ new text end new text begin 1,750,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2018 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin 1,750,000 new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin (b) The amounts in paragraph (a) must be in addition to any federal funding under the child care and development block grant authorized under Public Law 101-508 in that year for the system under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.142. new text end

new text begin (c) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year. new text end

new text begin (d) The base for this program in fiscal year 2020 and later is $1,750,000. new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. 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