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

CHAPTER 239--H.F.No. 2949

An act

relating to education; providing for general education, education excellence, special education, and other programs; appropriating money;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 120A.20, subdivision 2; 120A.22, subdivisions 2, 11; 120B.024; 120B.13, subdivisions 1, 4; 122A.40, subdivision 13; 122A.415, subdivision 3; 123B.04; 123B.92, subdivision 3; 124D.08, by adding a subdivision; 124D.09, subdivisions 9, 12, 22, 24, by adding a subdivision; 124D.4531, subdivision 3, by adding a subdivision; 125A.14; 125A.19; 125A.515, subdivision 1; 126C.10, subdivision 28; 126C.19, subdivision 2; 127A.47, subdivision 1; 135A.101, subdivision 1; 471.975; Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, sections 120A.24, subdivisions 1, 2; 120B.023, subdivision 2; 120B.07; 120B.08; 120B.09; 120B.12, subdivision 2; 120B.30, subdivision 1; 122A.40, subdivision 5; 123B.147, subdivision 3; 124D.09, subdivision 7; 124D.10, subdivisions 3, 4, 6, 8, 13, 15, 17a, by adding a subdivision; 124D.4531, subdivision 1; 124D.98, subdivisions 2, 3; 126C.126; 126C.40, subdivision 1; 127A.45, subdivision 6a; Laws 2011, First Special Session chapter 11, article 2, section 50, subdivision 16; article 5, section 11; article 7, section 2, subdivision 8; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 120A.28; 120B.019; 120B.31, subdivision 3; 121A.60, subdivisions 3, 4; 121A.62; 121A.63; 122A.18, subdivision 9; 124D.09, subdivision 23; 124D.135, subdivisions 8, 9; 124D.16, subdivisions 6, 7; 124D.20, subdivisions 11, 12; 125A.16; 125A.80; 127A.47, subdivision 2; 475.53, subdivision 5.

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

ARTICLE 1

GENERAL EDUCATION

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 120A.20, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Education deleted text begin anddeleted text end new text begin ,new text end residencenew text begin , and transportationnew text end of homeless.

(a) Notwithstanding subdivision 1, a district must not deny free admission to a homeless deleted text begin person of school agedeleted text end new text begin pupilnew text end solely because the district cannot determine that the deleted text begin persondeleted text end new text begin pupilnew text end is a resident of the district.

(b) The school district of residence for a homeless deleted text begin person of school agedeleted text end new text begin pupilnew text end shall be the school district in which the deleted text begin homeless shelter or other program, center, or facility assisting the homeless person is located. The educational services a school district provides to a homeless person must allow the person to work toward meeting the graduation standards under section 120B.02.deleted text end new text begin parent or legal guardian resides, unless: (1) parental rights have been terminated by court order; (2) the parent or guardian is not living within the state; or (3) the parent or guardian having legal custody of the child is an inmate of a Minnesota correctional facility or is a resident of a halfway house under the supervision of the commissioner of corrections. If any of clauses (1) to (3) apply, the school district of residence shall be the school district in which the pupil resided when the qualifying event occurred. If no other district of residence can be established, the school district of residence shall be the school district in which the pupil currently resides. If there is a dispute between school districts regarding residency, the district of residence is the district designated by the commissioner of education.new text end

new text begin (c) The serving district is responsible for transporting a homeless pupil to and from the pupil's district of residence. The district may transport from a permanent home in another district but only through the end of the academic school year. When a pupil is enrolled in a charter school, the district or school that provides transportation for other pupils enrolled in the charter school is responsible for providing transportation. When a homeless student with or without an individualized education program attends a public school other than an independent or special school district or charter school, the district of residence is responsible for transportation. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 120A.22, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

Subd. 11.

Assessment of performance.

(a) Each year the performance of every child new text begin ages seven through 16 new text end who is not enrolled in a public school must be assessed using a nationally norm-referenced standardized achievement examination. The superintendent of the district in which the child receives instruction and the person in charge of the child's instruction must agree about the specific examination to be used and the administration and location of the examination.

(b) To the extent the examination in paragraph (a) does not provide assessment in all of the subject areas in subdivision 9, the parent must assess the child's performance in the applicable subject area. This requirement applies only to a parent who provides instruction and does not meet the requirements of subdivision 10, clause (1), (2), or (3).

(c) If the results of the assessments in paragraphs (a) and (b) indicate that the child's performance on the total battery score is at or below the 30th percentile or one grade level below the performance level for children of the same age, the parent must obtain additional evaluation of the child's abilities and performance for the purpose of determining whether the child has learning problems.

(d) A child receiving instruction from a nonpublic school, person, or institution that is accredited by an accrediting agency, recognized according to section 123B.445, or recognized by the commissioner, is exempt from the requirements of this subdivision.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 120A.24, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Reports to superintendent.

(a) The person new text begin or nonpublic school new text end in charge of providing instruction to a child must submit to the superintendent of the district in which the child resides the name, birth date, and address of the child; the annual tests intended to be used under section 120A.22, subdivision 11, if required; the name of each instructor; and evidence of compliance with one of the requirements specified in section 120A.22, subdivision 10:

(1) by October 1 of the first school year the child receives instruction after reaching the age of seven;

(2) within 15 days of when a parent withdraws a child from public school after age seven to deleted text begin homeschooldeleted text end new text begin provide instruction in a nonpublic school that is not accredited by a state-recognized accredited agencynew text end ;

(3) within 15 days of moving out of a district; and

(4) by October 1 after a new resident district is established.

(b) The person new text begin or nonpublic school new text end in charge of providing instruction to a child between the ages of seven and 16 must submit, by October 1 of each school year, a letter of intent to continue to provide instruction under this section for all students under the person's new text begin or school's new text end supervision and any changes to the information required in paragraph (a) for each student.

(c) The superintendent may collect the required information under this section through an electronic or Web-based format, but must not require electronic submission of information under this section from the person in charge of reporting under this subdivision.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 120A.24, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Availability of documentation.

(a) The person new text begin or nonpublic school new text end in charge of providing instruction to a child must maintain documentation indicating that the subjects required in section 120A.22, subdivision 9, are being taught and proof that the tests under section 120A.22, subdivision 11, have been administered. This documentation must include class schedules, copies of materials used for instruction, and descriptions of methods used to assess student achievement.

(b) The parent of a child who enrolls full time in public school after having been enrolled in a deleted text begin home school under section deleted text begin 120A.22, subdivision 6deleted text end deleted text end new text begin nonpublic school that is not accredited by a state-recognized accrediting agencynew text end , must provide the enrolling public school or school district with the child's scores on any tests administered to the child under section 120A.22, subdivision 11, and other education-related documents the enrolling school or district requires to determine where the child is placed in school and what course requirements apply. This paragraph does not apply to a shared time student who does not seek a public school diploma.

(c) The person new text begin or nonpublic school new text end in charge of providing instruction to a child must make the documentation in this subdivision available to the county attorney when a case is commenced under section 120A.26, subdivision 5; chapter 260C; or when diverted under chapter 260A.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 120B.023, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Revisions and reviews required.

(a) The commissioner of education must revise and appropriately embed technology and information literacy standards consistent with recommendations from school media specialists into the state's academic standards and graduation requirements and implement a review cycle for state academic standards and related benchmarks, consistent with this subdivision. During each review cycle, the commissioner also must examine the alignment of each required academic standard and related benchmark with the knowledge and skills students need for college readiness and advanced work in the particular subject area.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 120B.024, is amended to read:

120B.024 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS; COURSE CREDITS.

(a) Students beginning 9th grade in the deleted text begin 2004-2005deleted text end new text begin 2011-2012new text end school year and later must successfully complete the following high school level course credits for graduation:

(1) four credits of language arts;

(2) three credits of mathematics, encompassing at least algebra, geometry, statistics, and probability sufficient to satisfy the academic standard;

(3) three credits of science, including at leastnew text begin : (i)new text end one credit in biology;new text begin and (ii) one chemistry or physics credit or a career and technical education credit that meets standards underlying the chemistry, physics, or biology credit or a combination of those standards approved by the district, but meeting biology standards under this item does not meet the biology requirement under item (i);new text end

(4) three and one-half credits of social studies, encompassing at least United States history, geography, government and citizenship, world history, and economics or three credits of social studies encompassing at least United States history, geography, government and citizenship, and world history, and one-half credit of economics taught in a school's social studies, agriculture education, or business department;

(5) one credit in the arts; and

(6) a minimum of seven elective course credits.

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

(b) An agriculture science course may fulfill a science credit requirement deleted text begin in addition todeleted text end new text begin other thannew text end the specified science deleted text begin creditsdeleted text end new text begin creditnew text end in biology deleted text begin and chemistry or physicsdeleted text end under paragraph (a), clause (3).

(c) A career and technical education course may fulfill a deleted text begin science,deleted text end mathematicsdeleted text begin ,deleted text end or arts credit requirement deleted text begin in addition to the specified science, mathematics, or arts creditsdeleted text end new text begin or a science credit requirement other than the specified science credit in biologynew text end under paragraph (a), clause (2), (3), or (5).

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 120B.07, is amended to read:

120B.07 EARLY GRADUATION.

deleted text begin (a)deleted text end Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, any secondary school student who has completed all required courses or standards may, with the approval of the student, the student's parent or guardian, and local school officials, graduate before the completion of the school year.

deleted text begin (b) General education revenue attributable to the student must be paid as though the student was in attendance for the entire year unless the student participates in the early graduation achievement scholarship program under section 120B.08 or the early graduation military service award program under section 120B.09. deleted text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for fiscal year 2012 and later. new text end

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 120B.08, is amended to read:

120B.08 EARLY GRADUATION ACHIEVEMENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

Subdivision 1.

Participation.

A student who qualifies for early graduation under section 120B.07new text begin , who meets the criteria in subdivision 1a and who has not participated in the early graduation military service award program under section 120B.09,new text end is eligible to participate in the early graduation achievement scholarship program.

new text begin Subd. 1a. new text end

new text begin Eligible student. new text end

new text begin For purposes of this section, an eligible student is a secondary student enrolled in a Minnesota public school who, at the time of graduation, generated Minnesota general education revenue and who graduates prior to the end of the fourth school year after first enrolling in ninth grade. new text end

Subd. 2.

Scholarship amounts.

A student who participates in the early graduation achievement scholarship program is eligible for a scholarship of $2,500 if the student deleted text begin qualifies for graduationdeleted text end new text begin graduatesnew text end one semester or two trimesters early, $5,000 if the student deleted text begin qualifies for graduationdeleted text end new text begin graduatesnew text end two semesters or three or four trimesters early, or $7,500 if the student deleted text begin qualifies for graduationdeleted text end new text begin graduatesnew text end three or more semesters or five or more trimesters early.new text begin Participation in the optional summer term, extended day sessions, and intersessions of a state-approved learning year program under section 124D.128 are considered a quarter for purposes of computing scholarship amounts.new text end

Subd. 3.

Scholarship uses.

An early graduation achievement scholarship may be used at any deleted text begin accrediteddeleted text end institution of higher educationnew text begin accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Educationnew text end .

Subd. 4.

Application.

A qualifying student may apply to the commissioner of education for an early graduation achievement scholarship. The application must be in the form and manner specified by the commissionernew text begin and must be received at the department within two calendar years of the date of graduationnew text end . Upon verification of the qualifying student's course completion necessary for graduation, the department must issue the student a certificate showing the student's scholarship amount.

Subd. 5.

Enrollment verification.

A student who qualifies under this section and enrolls in an accredited higher education institution must submit a form to the commissioner verifying the student's enrollment in the higher education institution and the tuition charges for that semester. Within deleted text begin 15deleted text end new text begin 45new text end days of receipt of a student's enrollment and tuition verification form, the commissioner must issue a scholarship check to the deleted text begin studentdeleted text end new text begin higher education institutionnew text end in the lesser of the tuition amount for that semester or the maximum amount of the student's early graduation achievement scholarship. A student may continue to submit enrollment verification forms to the commissioner until the student has used the full amount of the student's graduation achievement scholarshipnew text begin or six years from the date of the student's graduation, whichever occurs first. The scholarship cannot be renewednew text end .

Subd. 6.

General education money transferred.

The commissioner must transfer the amounts necessary to fund the early graduation achievement scholarships from the general education aid appropriation for that year.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for fiscal year 2012 and later. new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 120B.09, is amended to read:

120B.09 EARLY GRADUATION MILITARY SERVICE AWARD PROGRAM.

Subdivision 1.

Eligibility.

For purposes of this section, "eligible person" means a secondary student enrolled in any Minnesota public schoolnew text begin who, at the time of graduation, generated Minnesota general education revenue,new text end who qualifies for early graduation under section 120B.07new text begin , who graduated prior to the end of the fourth school year after first enrolling in ninth grade, who has not participated in the early graduation achievement scholarship program under section 120B.08,new text end and who, before the end of the calendar year of the student's graduation, enters into active service in either the active or reserve component of the United States armed forces and deploys for 60 days or longer to a military base or installation outside Minnesota for the purpose of attending basic military training or military school and, if required by the military, performing other military duty. The active service may be in accordance with United States Code, title 10 or title 32.

Subd. 2.

Application.

An eligible person may apply to the commissioner of education for an early graduation military service bonus. The application must be in the form and manner specified by the commissionernew text begin and must be received at the department within two calendar years of the date of graduationnew text end .

Subd. 3.

Verification and award.

new text begin The request for payment must be received at the department by the end of the second fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the student graduated. new text end Upon verification of the qualifying student's course completion necessary for graduation and eligibility for the military service bonus, the commissioner must issue payment to that person. Payment amounts must be determined according to section 120B.08, subdivision 2.new text begin Once the original amount of the award has been paid, it cannot be renewed.new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for fiscal year 2012 and later. new text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 120B.13, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

new text begin Rigorous course taking new text end informationnew text begin ; AP, IB, and PSEOnew text end .

The commissioner shall submit the following information new text begin on rigorous course taking new text end to the education committees of the legislature each year by February 1:

(1) the number of pupils enrolled in new text begin postsecondary enrollment options under section 124D.09, including concurrent enrollment, new text end advanced placementnew text begin ,new text end and international baccalaureate courses in each school district;

(2) the number of teachers in each district attending training programs offered by the college board deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin ,new text end International Baccalaureate North America, Inc.new text begin , or Minnesota concurrent enrollment programsnew text end ;

(3) the number of teachers in each district participating in support programs;

(4) recent trends in the field of new text begin postsecondary enrollment options under section 124D.09, including concurrent enrollment, new text end advanced placementnew text begin ,new text end and international baccalaureate programs;

(5) expenditures for each category in this sectionnew text begin and under sections 124D.09 and 124D.091new text end ; and

(6) other recommendations for the state programnew text begin or the postsecondary enrollment options under section 124D.09, including concurrent enrollmentnew text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for the 2012-2013 school year and later. new text end

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 122A.415, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Revenue timing.

(a) Districts, intermediate school districts, school sites, or charter schools with approved applications must receive alternative compensation revenue for each school year that the district, intermediate school district, school site, or charter school implements an alternative teacher professional pay system under this subdivision and section 122A.414. For fiscal year 2007 and later, a qualifying district, intermediate school district, school site, or charter school that received alternative teacher compensation aid for the previous fiscal year must receive at least an amount of alternative teacher compensation revenue equal to the lesser of the amount it received for the previous fiscal year or the amount it qualifies for under subdivision 1 for the current fiscal year if the district, intermediate school district, school site, or charter school submits a timely application and the commissioner determines that the district, intermediate school district, school site, or charter school continues to implement an alternative teacher professional pay system, consistent with its application under this section.

(b) The commissioner shall approve applications that comply with subdivision 1, and section 122A.414, subdivisions 2, paragraph (b), and 2a, if the applicant is a charter school, in the order in which they are received, select applicants that qualify for this program, notify school districts, intermediate school districts, school sites, and charter schools about the program, develop and disseminate application materials, and carry out other activities needed to implement this section.

(c) deleted text begin For applications approved under this section before August 1 of the fiscal year for which the aid is paid, the portion of the state total basic alternative teacher compensation aid entitlement allocated to charter schools must not exceed $522,000 for fiscal year 2006 and $3,374,000 for fiscal year 2007.deleted text end For fiscal year 2008 and later, the portion of the state total basic alternative teacher compensation aid entitlement allocated to charter schools must not exceed the product of $3,374,000 times the ratio of the state total charter school enrollment for the previous fiscal year to the state total charter school enrollment for deleted text begin the second previousdeleted text end new text begin fiscalnew text end yearnew text begin 2007new text end . Additional basic alternative teacher compensation aid may be approved for charter schools after August 1, not to exceed the charter school limit for the following fiscal year, if the basic alternative teacher compensation aid entitlement for school districts based on applications approved by August 1 does not expend the remaining amount under the limit.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 123B.92, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Alternative attendance programs.

(a) A district that enrolls nonresident pupils in programs under sections 123A.05 to 123A.08, 124D.03, 124D.08, and 124D.68, must provide authorized transportation to the pupil within the attendance area for the school that the pupil attends at the same level of service that is provided to resident pupils within the attendance area. The resident district need not provide or pay for transportation between the pupil's residence and the district's border.

(b) A district may provide transportation to allow a student who attends a high-need English language learner program and who resides within the transportation attendance area of the program to continue in the program until the student completes the highest grade level offered by the program.

new text begin (c) A homeless nonresident pupil enrolled under section 124D.08, subdivision 2a, must be provided transportation from the pupil's district of residence to and from the school of enrollment. new text end

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 124D.08, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 2a. new text end

new text begin Continued enrollment for homeless students. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding subdivision 2, a pupil who has been enrolled in a district, who is identified as homeless, and whose parent or legal guardian moves to another district, may continue to enroll in the nonresident district without the approval of the board of the nonresident district. The approval of the board of the pupil's resident district is not required. new text end

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 124D.09, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 5a. new text end

new text begin Authorization; career or technical education. new text end

new text begin A 10th, 11th, or 12th 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 enroll in a career or technical education course offered by a Minnesota state college or university. A 10th grade pupil applying for enrollment in a career or technical education course under this subdivision must have received a passing score on the 8th grade Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment in reading as a condition of enrollment. A secondary pupil may enroll in their first postsecondary options enrollment course under this subdivision. A student who is refused enrollment by a Minnesota state college or university under this subdivision, may apply to an eligible institution offering a career or technical education course. The postsecondary institution must give priority to its students according to subdivision 9. If a secondary student receives a grade of "C" or better in the career or technical education course taken under this subdivision, the postsecondary institution must allow the student to take additional postsecondary courses for secondary credit at that institution, not to exceed the limits in subdivision 8. A "career or technical course" is a course that is part of a career and technical education program that provides individuals with coherent, rigorous content aligned with academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in current and emerging professions and provide technical skill proficiency, an industry recognized credential, and a certificate, diploma, or an associate degree. new text end

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 124D.09, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Dissemination of information; notification of intent to enroll.

By March 1 of each year, a district must provide general information about the program to all pupils in grades 8, 9, 10, and 11. To assist the district in planning, a pupil shall inform the district by deleted text begin Marchdeleted text end new text begin May new text end 30 of each year of the pupil's intent to enroll in postsecondary courses during the following school year. A pupil is deleted text begin notdeleted text end bound by notifying or not notifying the district by deleted text begin Marchdeleted text end new text begin May new text end 30.

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 124D.09, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Enrollment priority.

A postsecondary institution shall give priority to its postsecondary students when enrolling new text begin 10th, new text end 11thnew text begin ,new text end and 12th grade pupils in its courses. A postsecondary institution may provide information about its programs to a secondary school or to a pupil or parentdeleted text begin , but it may not advertise or otherwise recruit or solicit the participation of secondary pupils to enroll in its programs on financial groundsdeleted text end new text begin and it may advertise or otherwise recruit or solicit a secondary pupil to enroll in its programs on educational and programmatic grounds onlynew text end . An institution must not enroll secondary pupils, for postsecondary enrollment options purposes, in remedial, developmental, or other courses that are not college level. Once a pupil has been enrolled in a postsecondary course under this section, the pupil shall not be displaced by another student.

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 124D.09, subdivision 12, is amended to read:

Subd. 12.

Credits.

deleted text begin A pupil may enroll in a course under this section for either secondary credit or postsecondary credit. At the time a pupil enrolls in a course, the pupil shall designate whether the course is for secondary or postsecondary credit. A pupil taking several courses may designate some for secondary credit and some for postsecondary credit.deleted text end A pupil must not audit a course under this section.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 124D.09, subdivision 22, is amended to read:

Subd. 22.

Transportation.

new text begin (a) new text end A parent or guardian of a pupil enrolled in a course for secondary credit may apply to the pupil's district of residence for reimbursement for transporting the pupil between the secondary school in which the pupil is enrolled or the pupil's home and the postsecondary institution that the pupil attends. The state shall provide state aid to a district in an amount sufficient to reimburse the parent or guardian for the necessary transportation costs when the family's or guardian's income is at or below the poverty level, as determined by the federal government. The reimbursement shall be the pupil's actual cost of transportation or 15 cents per mile traveled, whichever is less. Reimbursement may not be paid for more than 250 miles per week. However, if the nearest postsecondary institution is more than 25 miles from the pupil's resident secondary school, the weekly reimbursement may not exceed the reimbursement rate per mile times the actual distance between the secondary school or the pupil's home and the nearest postsecondary institution times ten. The state must pay aid to the district according to this subdivision.

new text begin (b) A parent or guardian of an alternative pupil enrolled in a course for secondary credit may apply to the pupil's postsecondary institution for reimbursement for transporting the pupil between the secondary school in which the pupil is enrolled or the pupil's home and the postsecondary institution in an amount sufficient to reimburse the parent or guardian for the necessary transportation costs when the family's or guardian's income is at or below the poverty level, as determined by the federal government. The amount of the reimbursement shall be determined as in paragraph (a). The state must pay aid to the postsecondary institution according to this subdivision. new text end

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 124D.09, subdivision 24, is amended to read:

Subd. 24.

Limit; state obligation.

The provisions of subdivisions 13, 19, new text begin and new text end 22deleted text begin , and 23deleted text end shall not apply for any postsecondary courses in which a pupil is enrolled in addition to being enrolled full time in that pupil's district or for any postsecondary course in which a pupil is enrolled for postsecondary credit. The pupil is enrolled full time if the pupil attends credit-bearing classes in the high school or high school program for all of the available hours of instruction.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for the 2012-2013 school year and later. new text end

Sec. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 124D.10, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Federal, state, and local requirements.

(a) A charter school shall meet all federal, state, and local health and safety requirements applicable to school districts.

(b) A school must comply with statewide accountability requirements governing standards and assessments in chapter 120B.

(c) A school authorized by a school board may be located in any district, unless the school board of the district of the proposed location disapproves by written resolution.

(d) A charter school must be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices, and all other operations. An authorizer may not authorize a charter school or program that is affiliated with a nonpublic sectarian school or a religious institution. A charter school student must be released for religious instruction, consistent with section 120A.22, subdivision 12, clause (3).

(e) Charter schools must not be used as a method of providing education or generating revenue for students who are being home-schooled.new text begin This paragraph does not apply to shared time aid, under section 126C.19.new text end

(f) The primary focus of a charter school must be to provide a comprehensive program of instruction for at least one grade or age group from five through 18 years of age. Instruction may be provided to people younger than five years and older than 18 years of age.

(g) A charter school may not charge tuition.

(h) A charter school is subject to and must comply with chapter 363A and section 121A.04.

(i) A charter school is subject to and must comply with the Pupil Fair Dismissal Act, sections 121A.40 to 121A.56, and the Minnesota Public School Fee Law, sections 123B.34 to 123B.39.

(j) A charter school is subject to the same financial audits, audit procedures, and audit requirements as a district. Audits must be conducted in compliance with generally accepted governmental auditing standards, the federal Single Audit Act, if applicable, and section 6.65. A charter school is subject to and must comply with sections 15.054; 118A.01; 118A.02; 118A.03; 118A.04; 118A.05; 118A.06; 471.38; 471.391; 471.392; and 471.425. The audit must comply with the requirements of sections 123B.75 to 123B.83, except to the extent deviations are necessary because of the program at the school. Deviations must be approved by the commissioner and authorizer. The Department of Education, state auditor, legislative auditor, or authorizer may conduct financial, program, or compliance audits. A charter school determined to be in statutory operating debt under sections 123B.81 to 123B.83 must submit a plan under section 123B.81, subdivision 4.

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

(l) A charter school must comply with chapters 13 and 13D; and sections 120A.22, subdivision 7; 121A.75; and 260B.171, subdivisions 3 and 5.

(m) A charter school is subject to the Pledge of Allegiance requirement under section 121A.11, subdivision 3.

(n) A charter school offering online courses or programs must comply with section 124D.095.

(o) A charter school and charter school board of directors are subject to chapter 181.

(p) A charter school must comply with section 120A.22, subdivision 7, governing the transfer of students' educational records and sections 138.163 and 138.17 governing the management of local records.

(q) A charter school that provides early childhood health and developmental screening must comply with sections 121A.16 to 121A.19.

(r) A charter school that provides school-sponsored youth athletic activities must comply with section 121A.38.

Sec. 21.

Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 124D.4531, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Career and technical levy.

(a) A district with a career and technical program approved under this section for the fiscal year in which the levy is certified may levy an amount equal to deleted text begin the greater of:deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) $80 times the district's average daily membership in grades 9 through 12 for the fiscal year in which the levy is certified; or deleted text end

deleted text begin (2)deleted text end 35 percent of approved expenditures in the fiscal year in which the levy is certified for the following:

deleted text begin (i)deleted text end new text begin (1) new text end salaries paid to essential, licensed personnel providing direct instructional services to students in that fiscal year, including extended contracts, for services rendered in the district's approved career and technical education programs;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(d) The amount of the levy certified under this subdivision may not exceed $17,850,000 for taxes payable in 2012, $15,520,000 for taxes payable in 2013, and deleted text begin $15,545,000deleted text end new text begin $15,393,000new text end for taxes payable in 2014.

(e) If the estimated levy exceeds the amount in paragraph (d), the commissioner must reduce the percentage in paragraph (a), clause (2), until the estimated levy no longer exceeds the limit in paragraph (d).

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 124D.4531, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Levy guarantee.

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

(1) the district's career and technical education levy authority for the previous fiscal year; or

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

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 23.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 124D.4531, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 3a. new text end

new text begin Levy, pay 2012-2014. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding subdivisions 1 and 3, for taxes payable in 2012 to 2014 only, the department must calculate the career and technical levy authority for each district according to Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 124D.4531, and adjust the levy authority for each district proportionately to meet the statewide levy target under subdivision 1, paragraph (d). For purposes of calculating the levy guarantee under subdivision 3, the career and technical education levy authority for the previous fiscal year is the levy authority according to Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 124D.4531, before adjustments to meet the statewide levy target. 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. 24.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 126C.10, subdivision 28, is amended to read:

Subd. 28.

Equity region.

For the purposes of computing equity revenue under subdivision 24, a district deleted text begin whosedeleted text end new text begin with its new text end administrative deleted text begin offices on July 1, 1999, isdeleted text end new text begin officenew text end located in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington Countynew text begin on January 1, 2012,new text end is part of the metro equity region. deleted text begin Districts whose administrative offices on July 1, 1999, are not located in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington Countydeleted text end new text begin All other districtsnew text end are part of the rural equity region.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for revenue for fiscal years 2013 and later. new text end

Sec. 25.

Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 126C.126, is amended to read:

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

deleted text begin (a) In order to provide additional revenue for an optional all-day kindergarten program, a district may reallocate general education revenue attributable to 12th grade students who have graduated early under section 120B.07 and who do not participate in the early graduation achievement scholarship program under section 120B.08 or the early graduation military service award program under section 120B.09. deleted text end

deleted text begin (b)deleted text end A school district may spend general education revenue on extended time kindergarten and prekindergarten programs.

Sec. 26.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 126C.19, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Exception.

Notwithstanding subdivision 1, the resident district of a shared time pupil attending shared time classes in another district deleted text begin maydeleted text end new text begin or a charter school must new text end grant the district new text begin or charter school new text end of attendance, upon its request, permission to claim the pupil as a resident for state aid purposes. In this case, state aid must be paid to the district new text begin or charter school new text end of attendance deleted text begin and, upon agreementdeleted text end new text begin . If the resident district agreesnew text end , the district of attendance may bill the resident district for any unreimbursed education costs, but not for unreimbursed transportation costs. The deleted text begin agreement may, however, providedeleted text end new text begin resident district and the district or charter school of attendance may negotiate an agreement new text end for the resident district to pay the cost of any of the particular transportation categories specified in section 123B.92, subdivision 1, and in this case, aid for those categories must be paid to the district of residence rather than to the district of attendance.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 27.

Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 127A.45, subdivision 6a, is amended to read:

Subd. 6a.

Cash flow adjustment.

The board of directors of any charter school serving fewer than deleted text begin 150deleted text end new text begin 200new text end students where the percent of students eligible for special education services equals at least 90 percent of the charter school's total enrollment may request that the commissioner of education accelerate the school's cash flow under this section. The commissioner must approve a properly submitted request within 30 days of its receipt. The commissioner must accelerate the school's regular special education aid payments according to the schedule in the school's request and modify the payments to the school under subdivision 3 accordingly. A school must not receive current payments of regular special education aid exceeding 90 percent of its estimated aid entitlement for the fiscal year. The commissioner must delay the special education aid payments to all other school districts and charter schools in proportion to each district or charter school's total share of regular special education aid such that the overall aid payment savings from the aid payment shift remains unchanged for any fiscal year.

Sec. 28.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 127A.47, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Aid to serving district.

(a) Unless otherwise specifically provided by law, general education aid must be paid according to this subdivision.

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c), general education aid must be paid to the serving district.

(c) If the resident district pays tuition for a pupil 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, general education aid, excluding basic skills revenue under section 126C.10, subdivision 4, must be paid to the resident district.new text begin For a student enrolled under section 124D.08, subdivision 2a, that is enrolled in other than an independent or special school district or charter school, the general education revenue shall be paid to the resident district.new text end

Sec. 29.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 135A.101, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Requirements for participation.

To participate in the postsecondary enrollment options program, a college or university must abide by the provisions in this section. The institution may provide information about its programs to a secondary school or to a pupil or parentdeleted text begin , but may not recruit or solicit participation on financial groundsdeleted text end new text begin and may recruit or solicit participation on educational and programmatic groundsnew text end .

Sec. 30.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 471.975, is amended to read:

471.975 MAY PAY DIFFERENTIAL OF RESERVE ON ACTIVE DUTY.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), a statutory or home rule charter city, county, town, or other political subdivision may pay to each eligible member of the National Guard or other reserve component of the armed forces of the United States an amount equal to the difference between the member's base active duty military salary and the salary the member would be paid as an active political subdivision employee, including any adjustments the member would have received if not on leave of absence. This payment may be made only to a person whose base active duty military salary is less than the salary the person would be paid as an active political subdivision employee. Back pay authorized by this section may be paid in a lump sum. Payment under this section must not extend beyond four years from the date the employee reported for active service, plus any additional time the employee may be legally required to serve.

(b) deleted text begin Subject to the limits under paragraph (g),deleted text end Each school district shall pay to each eligible member of the National Guard or other reserve component of the armed forces of the United States an amount equal to the difference between the member's base active duty military salary and the salary the member would be paid as an active school district employee, including any adjustments the member would have received if not on leave of absence. The pay differential must be based on a comparison between the member's daily base rate of active duty pay, calculated by dividing the member's base military monthly salary by the number of paid days in the month, and the member's daily rate of pay for the member's school district salary, calculated by dividing the member's total school district salary by the number of contract days. The member's salary as a school district employee must include the member's basic salary and any additional salary the member earns from the school district for cocurricular and extracurricular activities. The differential payment under this paragraph must be the difference between the daily base rates of military pay times the number of school district contract days the member misses because of military active duty. This payment may be made only to a person whose daily base rate of active duty pay is less than the person's daily rate of pay as an active school district employee. Payments may be made at the intervals at which the member received pay as a school district employee. Payment under this section must not extend beyond four years from the date the employee reported for active service, plus any additional time the employee may be legally required to serve.

(c) An eligible member of the reserve components of the armed forces of the United States is a reservist or National Guard member who was an employee of a political subdivision at the time the member reported for active service on or after May 29, 2003, or who is on active service on May 29, 2003.

(d) Except as provided in paragraph (e) and elsewhere in Minnesota Statutes, a statutory or home rule charter city, county, town, or other political subdivision has total discretion regarding employee benefit continuation for a member who reports for active service and the terms and conditions of any benefit.

(e) A school district must continue the employee's enrollment in health and dental coverage, and the employer contribution toward that coverage, until the employee is covered by health and dental coverage provided by the armed forces. If the employee had elected dependent coverage for health or dental coverage as of the time that the employee reported for active service, a school district must offer the employee the option to continue the dependent coverage at the employee's own expense. A school district must permit the employee to continue participating in any pretax account in which the employee participated when the employee reported for active service, to the extent of employee pay available for that purpose.

(f) For purposes of this section, "active service" has the meaning given in section 190.05, subdivision 5, but excludes service performed exclusively for purposes of:

(1) basic combat training, advanced individual training, annual training, and periodic inactive duty training;

(2) special training periodically made available to reserve members; and

(3) service performed in accordance with section 190.08, subdivision 3.

(g) deleted text begin A school district making payments under paragraph (b) shall place a sum equal to any difference between the amount of salary that would have been paid to the employee who is receiving the payments and the amount of salary being paid to substitutes for that employee into a special fund that must be used to pay or partially pay the deployed employee's payments under paragraph (b). A school district is required to pay only this amount to the deployed school district employee.deleted text end new text begin When an employee of a school district who as a member of the National Guard or any other reserve unit of the United States armed forces, reports for active service as defined in section 190.05, subdivision 5, the district must place into a special service members' aggregate salary savings account the amount of salary the district would have paid to the employee during the employee's leave for military service. The district must use the combined proceeds in the account only to fully pay the salary differentials of all eligible deployed employees in the district, as determined under paragraph (b). Funds remaining in the account at the end of the fiscal year after all obligations to employees under this statute have been satisfied may be used to pay for substitutes for the deployed employees, and then for any other purpose.new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2012, for school district employees serving in active military duty on or after that date. new text end

Sec. 31.

Laws 2011, First Special Session chapter 11, article 5, section 11, is amended to read:

Sec. 11.

FUND TRANSFER; FISCAL YEARS 2012 deleted text begin AND 2013deleted text end new text begin THROUGH 2015new text end ONLY.

(a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 123B.80, subdivision 3, for fiscal years 2012 deleted text begin and 2013deleted text end new text begin through 2015new text end only, the commissioner must approve a request for a fund transfer if the transfer does not increase state aid obligations to the district or result in additional property tax authority for the district. This section does not permit transfers from the community service fund or the food service fund.

(b) A school board may approve a fund transfer under paragraph (a) only after adopting a resolution stating the fund transfer will not diminish instructional opportunities for students.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 32.

new text begin APPROPRIATION. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Department of Education. new text end

new text begin The sums shown are added to or, if shown in parentheses, subtracted from, the appropriations in Laws 2011, First Special Session chapter 11, or any appropriation that replaces those appropriations, to the Department of Education for the purposes specified. The appropriations are from the general fund, or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose. 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 (311,000) new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2012 new text end
new text begin $ new text end new text begin (678,000) new text end new text begin ..... new text end new text begin 2013 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 REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION. new text end

new text begin In Minnesota Statutes and Rules, the revisor of statutes shall substitute the terms "English learner," "EL," or similar term for "limited English proficient," "English language learner," "LEP," "ELL," or similar term when referring to early childhood through grade 12 education. The revisor shall also make grammatical changes related to the changes in term. new text end

Sec. 34.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin (a) Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 124D.09, subdivision 23, new text end new text begin is repealed effective for the 2012-2013 school year and later. new text end

new text begin (b) Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 127A.47, subdivision 2, new text end new text begin is repealed. new text end

ARTICLE 2

EDUCATION EXCELLENCE

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 120A.22, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Applicability.

This section and sections 120A.24; 120A.26; deleted text begin 120A.28;deleted text end 120A.30; 120A.32; and 120A.34 apply only to a child required to receive instruction according to subdivision 5 and to instruction that is intended to fulfill that requirement.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 120B.12, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Identification; report.

For the 2011-2012 school year and later, 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 year. Reading assessments must identify and evaluate students' areas of academic need related to literacy. The district must use a locally adopted assessment and annually report summary assessment results to the commissioner by deleted text begin Junedeleted text end new text begin July new text end 1.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 120B.13, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Program structure; training programs for teachers.

deleted text begin (a) The advanced placement and international baccalaureate programs are well-established academic programs for mature, academically directed high school students. These programs, in addition to providing academic rigor, offer sound curricular design, accountability, comprehensive external assessment, feedback to students and teachers, and the opportunity for high school students to compete academically on a global level. Advanced placement and international baccalaureate programs allow students to leave high school with the academic skills and self-confidence to succeed in college and beyond. The advanced placement and international baccalaureate programs help provide Minnesota students with world-class educational opportunity. deleted text end

deleted text begin (b)deleted text end Critical to schools' educational success is ongoing advanced placement/international baccalaureate-approved teacher training. A secondary teacher assigned by a district to teach an advanced placement or international baccalaureate course or other interested educator may participate in a training program offered by The College Board or International Baccalaureate North America, Inc. The state may pay a portion of the tuition, room, board, and out-of-state travel costs a teacher or other interested educator incurs in participating in a training program. The commissioner shall determine application procedures and deadlines, select teachers and other interested educators to participate in the training program, and determine the payment process and amount of the subsidy. The procedures determined by the commissioner shall, to the extent possible, ensure that advanced placement and international baccalaureate courses become available in all parts of the state and that a variety of course offerings are available in school districts. This subdivision does not prevent teacher or other interested educator participation in training programs offered by The College Board or International Baccalaureate North America, Inc., when tuition is paid by a source other than the state.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, 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 from and aligned with the state's required academic standards under section 120B.021, include multiple choice questions, and be 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. For students enrolled in grade 8 before the 2005-2006 school year, Minnesota basic skills tests in reading, mathematics, and writing shall fulfill students' basic skills testing requirements for a passing state notation. The passing scores of basic skills tests in reading and mathematics are the equivalent of 75 percent correct for students entering grade 9 based on the first uniform test administered in February 1998. Students who have not successfully passed a Minnesota basic skills test by the end of the 2011-2012 school year must pass the graduation-required assessments for diploma under paragraph (c)new text begin , except that for the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 school years only, these students may satisfy the state's graduation test requirement for math by complying with paragraph (d), clauses (1) and (3)new text end .

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

(1) mathematics;

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

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

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

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

(c) For students enrolled in grade 8 in the 2005-2006 school year and later, only the following options shall fulfill students' state graduation test requirements:

(1) for reading and mathematics:

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

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

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

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

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

(2) for writing:

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

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

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

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

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

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

(2) participate in district-prescribed academic remediation in mathematics; and

(3) fully participate in at least two retests of the mathematics GRAD test or until they pass the mathematics GRAD test, whichever comes first. A school, district, or charter school must place on the high school transcript a student's current pass status for each subject that has a required graduation assessment.

In addition, the school board granting the 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.

(e) The 3rd through 8th grade 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 disseminate to the public the high school test results upon receiving those results.

(f) The 3rd through 8th grade 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.

(g) In addition to the testing and reporting requirements under this section, the commissioner shall include the following components in the statewide public reporting system:

(1) uniform statewide testing of all students in grades 3 through 8 and at the high school level 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.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 122A.40, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Probationary period.

(a) The first three consecutive years of a teacher's first teaching experience in Minnesota in a single district is deemed to be a probationary period of employment, and, the probationary period in each district in which the teacher is thereafter employed shall be one year. The school board must adopt a plan for written evaluation of teachers during the probationary period that is consistent with subdivision 8. Evaluation must occur at least three times periodically throughout each school year for a teacher performing services during that school year; the first evaluation must occur within the first 90 days of teaching service. Days devoted to parent-teacher conferences, teachers' workshops, and other staff development opportunities and days on which a teacher is absent from school must not be included in determining the number of school days on which a teacher performs services. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b), during the probationary period any annual contract with any teacher may or may not be renewed as the school board shall see fit. However, the board must give any such teacher whose contract it declines to renew for the following school year written notice to that effect before deleted text begin Junedeleted text end new text begin Julynew text end 1. If the teacher requests reasons for any nonrenewal of a teaching contract, the board must give the teacher its reason in writing, including a statement that appropriate supervision was furnished describing the nature and the extent of such supervision furnished the teacher during the employment by the board, within ten days after receiving such request. The school board may, after a hearing held upon due notice, discharge a teacher during the probationary period for cause, effective immediately, under section 122A.44.

(b) A board must discharge a probationary teacher, effective immediately, upon receipt of notice under section 122A.20, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), that the teacher's license has been revoked due to a conviction for child abuse or sexual abuse.

(c) A probationary teacher whose first three years of consecutive employment are interrupted for active military service and who promptly resumes teaching consistent with federal reemployment timelines for uniformed service personnel under United States Code, title 38, section 4312(e), is considered to have a consecutive teaching experience for purposes of paragraph (a).

(d) A probationary teacher must complete at least 120 days of teaching service each year during the probationary period. Days devoted to parent-teacher conferences, teachers' workshops, and other staff development opportunities and days on which a teacher is absent from school do not count as days of teaching service under this paragraph.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for the 2012-2013 school year and later. new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 122A.40, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

Subd. 13.

Immediate discharge.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b), a board may discharge a continuing-contract teacher, effective immediately, upon any of the following grounds:

(1) immoral conduct, insubordination, or conviction of a felony;

(2) conduct unbecoming a teacher which requires the immediate removal of the teacher from classroom or other duties;

(3) failure without justifiable cause to teach without first securing the written release of the school board;

(4) gross inefficiency which the teacher has failed to correct after reasonable written notice;

(5) willful neglect of duty; or

(6) continuing physical or mental disability subsequent to a 12 months leave of absence and inability to qualify for reinstatement in accordance with subdivision 12.

For purposes of this paragraph, conduct unbecoming a teacher includes an unfair discriminatory practice described in section 363A.13.

Prior to discharging a teacher under this paragraph, the board must notify the teacher in writing and state its ground for the proposed discharge in reasonable detail. Within ten days after receipt of this notification the teacher may make a written request for a hearing before the board and it shall be granted before final action is taken. The board maydeleted text begin , however,deleted text end suspend a teacher with pay pending the conclusion of deleted text begin suchdeleted text end new text begin thenew text end hearing and determination of the issues raised in the hearing after charges have been filed which constitute ground for discharge.new text begin If a teacher has been charged with a felony and the underlying conduct that is the subject of the felony charge is a ground for a proposed immediate discharge, the suspension pending the conclusion of the hearing and determination of the issues may be without pay. If a hearing under this paragraph is held, the board must reimburse the teacher for any salary or compensation withheld if the final decision of the board or the arbitrator does not result in a penalty to or suspension, termination, or discharge of the teacher.new text end

(b) A board must discharge a continuing-contract teacher, effective immediately, upon receipt of notice under section 122A.20, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), that the teacher's license has been revoked due to a conviction for child abuse or sexual abuse.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 123B.04, is amended to read:

123B.04 SITE DECISION-MAKINGnew text begin ; INDIVIDUALIZED LEARNINGnew text end AGREEMENTnew text begin ; OTHER AGREEMENTSnew text end .

Subdivision 1.

Definition.

"Education site" means a separate facility. A program within a facility or within a district is an education site if the school board recognizes it as a site.

new text begin Subd. 1a. new text end

new text begin Individualized learning and instruction; improved student achievement. new text end

new text begin To promote individualized learning and instruction and improve student achievement under subdivisions 4 and 4a, a participating school board under this section may consider how to: new text end

new text begin (1) assist a school site to adapt instruction to the needs and aptitudes of individual students, and establish goals and standards for individual students in addition to the state academic standards applicable to all students; new text end

new text begin (2) coordinate the pace of instruction and learning with the needs and aptitudes of individual students at a school site; new text end

new text begin (3) provide useful data and assist with research in developing and improving innovative, cost-effective, research-based individualized learning, instruction, and assessment under this section and section 124D.10; new text end

new text begin (4) demonstrate and help evaluate instructional alternatives to age-based grade progression; new text end

new text begin (5) more effectively motivate students and teachers; and new text end

new text begin (6) expand use of learning technology to support individualized learning, instruction, assessment, and achievement. new text end

Subd. 2.

Agreement.

new text begin (a) The school board and a school site may enter into an agreement under this section solely to develop and implement an individualized learning and achievement contract under subdivision 4. new text end

deleted text begin (a)deleted text end new text begin (b) new text end Upon the request of 60 percent of the licensed employees of a site or a school site decision-making team, the school board shall enter into discussions to reach an agreement concerning the governance, management, or control of the school. A school site decision-making team may include the school principal, teachers in the school or their designee, other employees in the school, representatives of pupils in the school, or other members in the community. A school site decision-making team must include at least one parent of a pupil in the school. For purposes of formation of a new site, a school site decision-making team may be a team of teachers that is recognized by the board as a site. The school site decision-making team shall include the school principal or other person having general control and supervision of the school. The site decision-making team must reflect the diversity of the education site. At least one-half of the members shall be employees of the district, unless an employee is the parent of a student enrolled in the school site, in which case the employee may elect to serve as a parent member of the site team.

deleted text begin (b)deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end School site decision-making agreements must delegate powers, duties, and broad management responsibilities to site teams and involve staff members, students as appropriate, and parents in decision making.

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end An agreement shall include a statement of powers, duties, responsibilities, and authority to be delegated to and within the site.

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end An agreement may include:

(1) an achievement contract according to subdivision 4;

(2) a mechanism to allow principals, a site leadership team, or other persons having general control and supervision of the school, to make decisions regarding how financial and personnel resources are best allocated at the site and from whom goods or services are purchased;

(3) a mechanism to implement parental involvement programs under section 124D.895 and to provide for effective parental communication and feedback on this involvement at the site level;

(4) a provision that would allow the team to determine who is hired into licensed and nonlicensed positions;

(5) a provision that would allow teachers to choose the principal or other person having general control;

(6) an amount of revenue allocated to the site under subdivision 3; and

(7) any other powers and duties determined appropriate by the board.

The school board of the district remains the legal employer under clauses (4) and (5).

deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (f) new text end Any powers or duties not delegated to the school site management team in the school site management agreement shall remain with the school board.

deleted text begin (f)deleted text end new text begin (g) new text end Approved agreements shall be filed with the commissioner. If a school board denies a request or the school site and school board fail to reach an agreement to enter into a school site management agreement, the school board shall provide a copy of the request and the reasons for its denial to the commissioner.

deleted text begin (g)deleted text end new text begin (h) new text end A site decision-making grant program is established, consistent with this subdivision, to allow sites to implement an agreement that at least:

(1) notwithstanding subdivision 3, allocates to the site all revenue that is attributable to the students at that site;

(2) includes a provision, consistent with current law and the collective bargaining agreement in effect, that allows the site team to decide who is selected from within the district for licensed and nonlicensed positions at the site and to make staff assignments in the site; and

(3) includes a completed performance agreement under subdivision 4.

The commissioner shall establish the form and manner of the application for a grant and annually, at the end of each fiscal year, report to the house of representatives and senate committees having jurisdiction over education on the progress of the program.

Subd. 3.

Revenue and cost allocation.

Revenue for a fiscal year received or receivable by the district shall be allocated to education sites based on the agreement between the school board and the site decision-making team. Revenue shall remain allocated to each site until used by the site. The site teams and the board may enter an agreement that permits the district to provide services and retain the revenue required to pay for the services provided. The district remains responsible for legally entering into contracts and expending funds. For the purposes of this subdivision, "allocation" means that the determination of the use of the revenue shall be under the control of the site. The district may charge the accounts of each site the actual costs of goods and services from the general or capital funds attributable to the site.

Subd. 4.

Achievement contract.

A school board may enter a written education site achievement contract with each site decision-making team for deleted text begin the purpose ofdeleted text end new text begin : (1)new text end setting new text begin individualized new text end learning deleted text begin performance expectationsdeleted text end new text begin and achievement measures and short- and long-term educational goalsnew text end for new text begin each student at new text end that sitedeleted text begin , including the goals for improvement in each area ofdeleted text end new text begin ; (2) recognizing each student's educational needs and aptitudes and levels of academic attainment, whether on grade level or above or below grade level, so as to improvenew text end student performance new text begin through such means as a cost-effective, research-based formative assessment system designed to promote individualized learning and assessment; (3) using student performance data to diagnose a student's academic strengths and weaknesses and indicate to the student's teachers the specific skills and concepts that need to be introduced to the student and developed through academic instruction or applied learning, organized by strands within subject areas and linked to state and local academic standards new text end during the next year, deleted text begin a plan to assistdeleted text end new text begin consistent with the student's short- and long-term educational goals; and (4) assistingnew text end the education site if deleted text begin theirdeleted text end new text begin progress in achieving student or contractnew text end goals deleted text begin are not achieved, anddeleted text end new text begin ornew text end other performance expectations deleted text begin anddeleted text end new text begin ornew text end measures deleted text begin determineddeleted text end new text begin agreed tonew text end by the board and the site decision-making teamnew text begin are not realized or implementednew text end .

new text begin Subd. 4a. new text end

new text begin Additional site agreements premised on successful achievement contracts. new text end

new text begin A school board that enters into a written education achievement contract with a school site under subdivision 4 where the student performance data at the site demonstrate at least three consecutive school years of improved student achievement consistent with the terms of the achievement contract may seek to establish a similar achievement contract with other school sites in the district. new text end

Subd. 5.

Commissioner's role.

The commissioner of education, in consultation with appropriate educational organizations, shall:

(1) upon request, provide technical support for districts and sites with agreements under this section;

(2) conduct and compile research on the effectiveness of site decision making; and

(3) periodically report on and evaluate the effectiveness of site management agreements on a statewide basis.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 123B.147, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Duties; evaluation.

(a) The principal shall provide administrative, supervisory, and instructional leadership services, under the supervision of the superintendent of schools of the district and according to the policies, rules, and regulations of the school board, for the planning, management, operation, and evaluation of the education program of the building or buildings to which the principal is assigned.

(b) To enhance a principal's leadership skills and support and improve teaching practices, school performance, and student achievement, a district must develop and implement a performance-based system for annually evaluating school principals assigned to supervise a school building within the district. The evaluation must be designed to improve teaching and learning by supporting the principal in shaping the school's professional environment and developing teacher quality, performance, and effectiveness. The annual evaluation must:

(1) support and improve a principal's instructional leadership, organizational management, and professional development, and strengthen the principal's capacity in the areas of instruction, supervision, evaluation, and teacher development;

(2) include formative and summative evaluations;

(3) be consistent with a principal's job description, a district's long-term plans and goals, and the principal's own professional multiyear growth plans and goals, all of which must support the principal's leadership behaviors and practices, rigorous curriculum, school performance, and high-quality instruction;

(4) include on-the-job observations and previous evaluations;

(5) allow surveys to help identify a principal's effectiveness, leadership skills and processes, and strengths and weaknesses in exercising leadership in pursuit of school success;

(6) use longitudinal data on student academic growth as deleted text begin andeleted text end new text begin 35 percent of thenew text end evaluation deleted text begin componentdeleted text end and incorporate district achievement goals and targets;

(7) be linked to professional development that emphasizes improved teaching and learning, curriculum and instruction, student learning, and a collaborative professional culture; and

(8) for principals not meeting standards of professional practice or other criteria under this subdivision, implement a plan to improve the principal's performance and specify the procedure and consequence if the principal's performance is not improved.

The provisions of this paragraph are intended to provide districts with sufficient flexibility to accommodate district needs and goals related to developing, supporting, and evaluating principals.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 124D.10, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Authorizer.

(a) For purposes of this section, the terms defined in this subdivision have the meanings given them.

"Application" to receive approval as an authorizer means the proposal an eligible authorizer submits to the commissioner under paragraph (c) before that authorizer is able to submit any affidavit to charter to a school.

"Application" under subdivision 4 means the charter school business plan a school developer submits to an authorizer for approval to establish a charter school that documents the school developer's mission statement, school purposes, program design, financial plan, governance and management structure, and background and experience, plus any other information the authorizer requests. The application also shall include a "statement of assurances" of legal compliance prescribed by the commissioner.

"Affidavit" means a written statement the authorizer submits to the commissioner for approval to establish a charter school under subdivision 4 attesting to its review and approval process before chartering a school.

(b) The following organizations may authorize one or more charter schools:

(1) a school board; intermediate school district school board; education district organized under sections 123A.15 to 123A.19;

(2) a charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, excluding a nonpublic sectarian or religious institution, any person other than a natural person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the nonpublic sectarian or religious institution, and any other charitable organization under this clause that in the federal IRS Form 1023, Part IV, describes activities indicating a religious purpose, that:

(i) is a member of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits or the Minnesota Council on Foundations;

(ii) is registered with the attorney general's office; and

(iii) is incorporated in the state of Minnesota and has been operating continuously for at least five years but does not operate a charter school;

(3) a Minnesota private college, notwithstanding clause (2), that grants two- or four-year degrees and is registered with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education under chapter 136A; community college, state university, or technical college governed by the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities; or the University of Minnesota;

(4) a nonprofit corporation subject to chapter 317A, described in section 317A.905, and exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, may authorize one or more charter schools if the charter school has operated for at least three years under a different authorizer and if the nonprofit corporation has existed for at least 25 years; or

(5) single-purpose authorizers that are charitable, nonsectarian organizations formed under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and incorporated in the state of Minnesota whose sole purpose is to charter schools. Eligible organizations interested in being approved as an authorizer under this paragraph must submit a proposal to the commissioner that includes the provisions of paragraph (c) and a five-year financial plan. Such authorizers shall consider and approve applications using the criteria provided in subdivision 4 and shall not limit the applications it solicits, considers, or approves to any single curriculum, learning program, or method.

(c) An eligible authorizer under this subdivision must apply to the commissioner for approval as an authorizer before submitting any affidavit to the commissioner to charter a school. The application for approval as a charter school authorizer must demonstrate the applicant's ability to implement the procedures and satisfy the criteria for chartering a school under this section. The commissioner must approve or disapprove an application within 45 business days of the application deadline. If the commissioner disapproves the application, the commissioner must notify the applicant of the specific deficiencies in writing and the applicant then has 20 business days to address the deficiencies to the commissioner's satisfaction. After the 20 business days expire, the commissioner has 15 business days to make a final decision to approve or disapprove the application. Failing to address the deficiencies to the commissioner's satisfaction makes an applicant ineligible to be an authorizer. The commissioner, in establishing criteria for approval, must consider the applicant's:

(1) capacity and infrastructure;

(2) application criteria and process;

(3) contracting process;

(4) ongoing oversight and evaluation processes; and

(5) renewal criteria and processes.

(d) An applicant must include in its application to the commissioner to be an approved authorizer at least the following:

(1) how chartering schools is a way for the organization to carry out its mission;

(2) a description of the capacity of the organization to serve as an authorizer, including the personnel who will perform the authorizing duties, their qualifications, the amount of time they will be assigned to this responsibility, and the financial resources allocated by the organization to this responsibility;

(3) a description of the application and review process the authorizer will use to make decisions regarding the granting of charters;

(4) a description of the type of contract it will arrange with the schools it charters that meets the provisions of subdivision 6;

(5) the process to be used for providing ongoing oversight of the school consistent with the contract expectations specified in clause (4) that assures that the schools chartered are complying with both the provisions of applicable law and rules, and with the contract;

(6) a description of the criteria and process the authorizer will use to grant expanded applications under subdivision 4, paragraph (j);

(7) the process for making decisions regarding the renewal or termination of the school's charter based on evidence that demonstrates the academic, organizational, and financial competency of the school, including its success in increasing student achievement and meeting the goals of the charter school agreement; and

(8) an assurance specifying that the organization is committed to serving as an authorizer for the full five-year term.

(e) A disapproved applicant under this section may resubmit an application during a future application period.

(f) If the governing board of an approved authorizer deleted text begin that has chartered multiple schoolsdeleted text end votes to withdraw as an approved authorizer for a reason unrelated to any cause under subdivision 23, the authorizer must notify all its chartered schools and the commissioner in writing by July 15 of its intent to withdraw as an authorizer on June 30 in the next calendar year. The commissioner may approve the transfer of a charter school to a new authorizer under this paragraph after the new authorizer submits an affidavit to the commissioner.

(g) The authorizer must participate in department-approved training.

(h) An authorizer that chartered a school before August 1, 2009, must apply by June 30, 2012, to the commissioner for approval, under paragraph (c), to continue as an authorizer under this section. For purposes of this paragraph, an authorizer that fails to submit a timely application is ineligible to charter a school.

(i) The commissioner shall review an authorizer's performance every five years in a manner and form determined by the commissioner and may review an authorizer's performance more frequently at the commissioner's own initiative or at the request of a charter school operator, charter school board member, or other interested party. The commissioner, after completing the review, shall transmit a report with findings to the authorizer. If, consistent with this section, the commissioner finds that an authorizer has not fulfilled the requirements of this section, the commissioner may subject the authorizer to corrective action, which may include terminating the contract with the charter school board of directors of a school it chartered. The commissioner must notify the authorizer in writing of any findings that may subject the authorizer to corrective action and the authorizer then has 15 business days to request an informal hearing before the commissioner takes corrective action. If the commissioner terminates a contract between an authorizer and a charter school under this paragraph, the commissioner may assist the charter school in acquiring a new authorizer.

(j) The commissioner may at any time take corrective action against an authorizer, including terminating an authorizer's ability to charter a school for:

(1) failing to demonstrate the criteria under paragraph (c) under which the commissioner approved the authorizer;

(2) violating a term of the chartering contract between the authorizer and the charter school board of directors;

(3) unsatisfactory performance as an approved authorizer; or

(4) any good cause shown that provides the commissioner a legally sufficient reason to take corrective action against an authorizer.

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 124D.10, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Formation of school.

(a) An authorizer, after receiving an application from a school developer, may charter a licensed teacher under section 122A.18, subdivision 1, or a group of individuals that includes one or more licensed teachers under section 122A.18, subdivision 1, to operate a school subject to the commissioner's approval of the authorizer's affidavit under paragraph (b). The school must be organized and operated as a nonprofit corporation under chapter 317A and the provisions under the applicable chapter shall apply to the school except as provided in this section.

Notwithstanding sections 465.717 and 465.719, a school district, subject to this section and section 124D.11, may create a corporation for the purpose of establishing a charter school.

(b) Before the operators may establish and operate a school, the authorizer must file an affidavit with the commissioner stating its intent to charter a school. An authorizer must file a separate affidavit for each school it intends to charter. The affidavit must state the terms and conditions under which the authorizer would charter a school and how the authorizer intends to oversee the fiscal and student performance of the charter school and to comply with the terms of the written contract between the authorizer and the charter school board of directors under subdivision 6. The commissioner must approve or disapprove the authorizer's affidavit within 60 business days of receipt of the affidavit. If the commissioner disapproves the affidavit, the commissioner shall notify the authorizer of the deficiencies in the affidavit and the authorizer then has 20 business days to address the deficiencies. If the authorizer does not address deficiencies to the commissioner's satisfaction, the commissioner's disapproval is final. Failure to obtain commissioner approval precludes an authorizer from chartering the school that is the subject of this affidavit.

(c) The authorizer may prevent an approved charter school from opening for operation if, among other grounds, the charter school violates this section or does not meet the ready-to-open standards that are part of the authorizer's oversight and evaluation process or are stipulated in the charter school contract.

(d) The operators authorized to organize and operate a school, before entering into a contract or other agreement for professional or other services, goods, or facilities, must incorporate as a nonprofit corporation under chapter 317A and must establish a board of directors composed of at least five members who are not related parties until a timely election for members of the ongoing charter school board of directors is held according to the school's articles and bylaws under paragraph (f). A charter school board of directors must be composed of at least five members who are not related parties. Staff members employed at the school, including teachers providing instruction under a contract with a cooperative, and all parents or legal guardians of children enrolled in the school are the voters eligible to elect the members of the school's board of directors. A charter school must notify eligible voters of the school board election dates at least 30 days before the election. Board of director meetings must comply with chapter 13D.

(e) deleted text begin Upon the request of an individual, the charter school must make available in a timely fashiondeleted text end new text begin A charter school shall publish and maintain on the school's official Web site: (1) new text end the minutes of meetings of the board of directors, and of members and committees having any board-delegated authoritydeleted text begin ;deleted text end new text begin , for at least one calendar year from the date of publication; (2) directory information for members of the board of directors and committees having board-delegated authority; and (3) identifying and contact information for the school's authorizer. Identifying and contact information for the school's authorizer must be included in other school materials made available to the public. Upon request of an individual, the charter school must also make available in a timely fashionnew text end financial statements showing all operations and transactions affecting income, surplus, and deficit during the school's last annual accounting period; and a balance sheet summarizing assets and liabilities on the closing date of the accounting period. A charter school also must post on its official Web site information identifying its authorizer and indicate how to contact that authorizer and include that same information about its authorizer in other school materials that it makes available to the public.

(f) Every charter school board member shall attend deleted text begin department-approveddeleted text end ongoing training throughout the member's term on board governance, including training on the board's role and responsibilities, employment policies and practices, and financial management. A board member who does not begin the required initial training within six months after being seated and complete that training within 12 months of being seated on the board is ineligible to continue to serve as a board member.new text begin The school shall include in its annual report the training attended by each board member during the previous year.new text end

(g) The ongoing board must be elected before the school completes its third year of operation. Board elections must be held during the school year but may not be conducted on days when the school is closed for holidays or vacations. The charter school board of directors shall be composed of at least five nonrelated members and include: (i) at least one licensed teacher employed at the school or a licensed teacher providing instruction under contract between the charter school and a cooperative; (ii) the parent or legal guardian of a student enrolled in the charter school who is not an employee of the charter school; and (iii) an interested community member who is not employed by the charter school and does not have a child enrolled in the school. The board may be a teacher majority board composed of teachers described in this paragraph. The chief financial officer and the chief administrator may only serve as ex-officio nonvoting board members and may not serve as a voting member of the board. Charter school employees shall not serve on the board unless item (i) applies. Contractors providing facilities, goods, or services to a charter school shall not serve on the board of directors of the charter school. Board bylaws shall outline the process and procedures for changing the board's governance model, consistent with chapter 317A. A board may change its governance model only:

(1) by a majority vote of the board of directors and the licensed teachers employed by the school, including licensed teachers providing instruction under a contract between the school and a cooperative; and

(2) with the authorizer's approval.

Any change in board governance must conform with the board structure established under this paragraph.

(h) The granting or renewal of a charter by an authorizer must not be conditioned upon the bargaining unit status of the employees of the school.

(i) The granting or renewal of a charter school by an authorizer must not be contingent on the charter school being required to contract, lease, or purchase services from the authorizer. Any potential contract, lease, or purchase of service from an authorizer must be disclosed to the commissioner, accepted through an open bidding process, and be a separate contract from the charter contract. The school must document the open bidding process. An authorizer must not enter into a contract to provide management and financial services for a school that it authorizes, unless the school documents that it received at least two competitive bids.

(j) An authorizer may permit the board of directors of a charter school to expand the operation of the charter school to additional sites or to add additional grades at the school beyond those described in the authorizer's original affidavit as approved by the commissioner only after submitting a supplemental affidavit for approval to the commissioner in a form and manner prescribed by the commissioner. The supplemental affidavit must document that:

(1) the proposed expansion plan demonstrates need and projected enrollment;

(2) the expansion is warranted, at a minimum, by longitudinal data demonstrating students' improved academic performance and growth on statewide assessments under chapter 120B;

(3) the charter school is financially sound and the financing it needs to implement the proposed expansion exists; and

(4) the charter school has the governance structure and management capacity to carry out its expansion.

(k) The commissioner shall have 30 business days to review and comment on the supplemental affidavit. The commissioner shall notify the authorizer of any deficiencies in the supplemental affidavit and the authorizer then has 20 business days to address, to the commissioner's satisfaction, any deficiencies in the supplemental affidavit. The school may not expand grades or add sites until the commissioner has approved the supplemental affidavit. The commissioner's approval or disapproval of a supplemental affidavit is final.

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 124D.10, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Charter contract.

The authorization for a charter school must be in the form of a written contract signed by the authorizer and the board of directors of the charter school. The contract must be completed within 45 business days of the commissioner's approval of the authorizer's affidavit. The authorizer shall submit to the commissioner a copy of the signed charter contract within ten business days of its execution. The contract for a charter school must be in writing and contain at least the following:

(1) a declaration of the purposes in subdivision 1 that the school intends to carry out and how the school will report its implementation of those purposes;

(2) a description of the school program and the specific academic and nonacademic outcomes that pupils must achieve;

(3) a statement of admission policies and procedures;

(4) a governance, management, and administration plan for the school;

(5) signed agreements from charter school board members to comply with all federal and state laws governing organizational, programmatic, and financial requirements applicable to charter schools;

(6) the criteria, processes, and procedures that the authorizer will use for ongoing oversight of operational, financial, and academic performance;

(7) the performance evaluation that is a prerequisite for reviewing a charter contract under subdivision 15;

(8) types and amounts of insurance liability coverage to be obtained by the charter school;

(9) consistent with subdivision 25, paragraph (d), a provision to indemnify and hold harmless the authorizer and its officers, agents, and employees from any suit, claim, or liability arising from any operation of the charter school, and the commissioner and department officers, agents, and employees notwithstanding section 3.736;

(10) the term of the initial contract, which may be up to deleted text begin threedeleted text end new text begin fivenew text end years plus an additional preoperational planning year, and up to five years for a renewed contract or a contract with a new authorizer after a transfer of authorizers, if warranted by the school's academic, financial, and operational performance;

(11) how the board of directors or the operators of the charter school will provide special instruction and services for children with a disability under sections 125A.03 to 125A.24, and 125A.65, a description of the financial parameters within which the charter school will operate to provide the special instruction and services to children with a disability;

(12) the process and criteria the authorizer intends to use to monitor and evaluate the fiscal and student performance of the charter school, consistent with subdivision 15; and

(13) the plan for an orderly closing of the school under chapter 317A, if the closure is a termination for cause, a voluntary termination, or a nonrenewal of the contract, and that includes establishing the responsibilities of the school board of directors and the authorizer and notifying the commissioner, authorizer, school district in which the charter school is located, and parents of enrolled students about the closure, the transfer of student records to students' resident districts, and procedures for closing financial operations.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 124D.10, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

Subd. 13.

Length of school year.

A charter school must provide instruction each year for at least the number of deleted text begin daysdeleted text end new text begin hoursnew text end required by section 120A.41. It may provide instruction throughout the year according to sections 124D.12 to 124D.127 or 124D.128.

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 124D.10, subdivision 15, is amended to read:

Subd. 15.

Review and comment.

(a) The authorizer shall provide a formal written evaluation of the school's performance before the authorizer renews the charter contract. The department must review and comment on the authorizer's evaluation process at the time the authorizer submits its application for approval and each time the authorizer undergoes its five-year review under subdivision 3, paragraph (e).

(b) An authorizer shall monitor and evaluate the fiscal, operational, and student performance of the school, and may for this purpose annually assess a charter school a fee according to paragraph (c). The agreed-upon fee structure must be stated in the charter school contract.

(c) The fee that each charter school pays to an authorizer each year is the greater of:

(1) the basic formula allowance for that year; or

(2) the lesser of:

(i) the maximum fee factor times the basic formula allowance for that year; or

(ii) the fee factor times the basic formula allowance for that year times the charter school's adjusted marginal cost pupil units for that year. The fee factor equals .005 in fiscal year 2010, .01 in fiscal year 2011, .013 in fiscal year 2012, and .015 in fiscal years 2013 and later. The maximum fee factor equals 1.5 in fiscal year 2010, 2.0 in fiscal year 2011, 3.0 in fiscal year 2012, and 4.0 in fiscal years 2013 and later.

(d) deleted text begin The department and any charter school it charters must not assess or pay a fee under paragraphs (b) and (c)deleted text end new text begin An authorizer may not assess a fee for any required services other than as provided in this subdivisionnew text end .

(e) For the preoperational planning period, the authorizer may assess a charter school a fee equal to the basic formula allowance.

(f) By September 30 of each year, an authorizer shall submit to the commissioner a statement of expenditures related to chartering activities during the previous school year ending June 30. A copy of the statement shall be given to all schools chartered by the authorizer.

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 124D.10, subdivision 17a, is amended to read:

Subd. 17a.

Affiliated nonprofit building corporation.

(a) Before a charter school may organize an affiliated nonprofit building corporation (i) to renovate or purchase an existing facility to serve as a school or (ii) to construct a new school facility, an authorizer must submit an affidavit to the commissioner for approval in the form and manner the commissioner prescribes, and consistent with paragraphs (b) and (c) or (d).

(b) An affiliated nonprofit building corporation under this subdivision must:

(1) be incorporated under section 317A deleted text begin and comply with applicable Internal Revenue Service regulationsdeleted text end ;

new text begin (2) comply with applicable Internal Revenue Service regulations, including regulations for "supporting organizations" as defined by the Internal Revenue Service; new text end

deleted text begin (2)deleted text end new text begin (3)new text end submit to the commissioner each fiscal year a list of current board members and a copy of its annual audit; and

deleted text begin (3)deleted text end new text begin (4)new text end comply with government data practices law under chapter 13.

An affiliated nonprofit building corporation must not serve as the leasing agent for property or facilities it does not own. A charter school that leases a facility from an affiliated nonprofit building corporation that does not own the leased facility is ineligible to receive charter school lease aid. The state is immune from liability resulting from a contract between a charter school and an affiliated nonprofit building corporation.

(c) A charter school may organize an affiliated nonprofit building corporation to renovate or purchase an existing facility to serve as a school if the charter school:

(1) has been operating for at least five consecutive school years;

(2) has had a net positive unreserved general fund balance as of June 30 in the preceding five fiscal years;

(3) has a long-range strategic and financial plan;

(4) completes a feasibility study of available buildings; deleted text begin anddeleted text end

(5) documents enrollment projections and the need to use an affiliated building corporation to renovate or purchase an existing facility to serve as a schoolnew text begin ; andnew text end

new text begin (6) has a plan for the renovation or purchase, which describes the parameters and budget for the projectnew text end .

(d) A charter school may organize an affiliated nonprofit building corporation to new text begin expand an existing school facility or new text end construct a new school facility if the charter school:

(1) demonstrates the lack of facilities available to serve as a school;

(2) has been operating for at least eight consecutive school years;

(3) has had a net positive unreserved general fund balance as of June 30 in the preceding deleted text begin eightdeleted text end new text begin fivenew text end fiscal years;

(4) completes a feasibility study of facility options;

(5) has a long-range strategic and financial plan that includes enrollment projections and demonstrates the need for constructing a new school facility; and

(6) has a new text begin plan for the expansion or new school facility, which describes the parameters and budget for the project.new text end

new text begin (e) A charter school or an affiliated nonprofit building corporation organized by a charter school must not initiate an installment contract for purchase, or a lease agreement, or solicit bids for new construction, expansion, or remodeling of an educational facility that requires an expenditure in excess of $1,400,000, unless it meets the criteria in paragraph (b) and paragraph (c) or (d), as applicable, and receives a new text end positive review and comment from the commissioner under section 123B.71.

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 124D.10, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 27. new text end

new text begin Collaboration between charter school and school district. new text end

new text begin (a) A charter school board may voluntarily enter into a two-year, renewable agreement for collaboration to enhance student achievement with a school district within whose geographic boundary it operates. new text end

new text begin (b) A school district need not be an approved authorizer to enter into a collaboration agreement with a charter school. A charter school need not be authorized by the school district with which it seeks to collaborate. new text end

new text begin (c) A charter school authorizer is prohibited from requiring a collaboration agreement as a condition of entering into or renewing a charter contract as defined in subdivision 6. new text end

new text begin (d) Nothing in this subdivision or in the collaboration agreement may impact in any way, the authority or autonomy of the charter school. new text end

new text begin (e) Nothing in this subdivision or in the collaboration agreement shall cause the state to pay twice for the same student, service or facility or otherwise impact state funding, or the flow thereof, to the school district or the charter school. new text end

new text begin (f) The collaboration agreement may include, but need not be limited to, collaboration regarding facilities, transportation, training, student achievement, assessments, mutual performance standards and other areas of mutual agreement. new text end

new text begin (g) The school district may include the academic performance of the students of a collaborative charter school site operating within the geographic boundaries of the school district, for purposes of student assessment and reporting to the state. new text end

new text begin (h) Districts, authorizers, or charter schools entering into a collaborative agreement are equally and collectively subject to the same state and federal accountability measures for student achievement, school performance outcomes, and school improvement strategies. The collaborative agreement and all accountability measures must be posted on the district, charter school, and authorizer Web site. new text end

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 124D.98, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Proficiency aid.

In fiscal year 2013 and later, the proficiency aid for each school is equal to the product of the school's proficiency allowance times the number of new text begin third grade new text end pupils at the school on October 1 of the previous fiscal year. A school's proficiency allowance is equal to the percentage of students in each building that meet or exceed proficiency on the third grade reading Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment, averaged across the previous three test administrations, times deleted text begin $85deleted text end new text begin $530new text end .

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 124D.98, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Growth aid.

In fiscal year 2013 and later, the growth aid for each school is equal to the product of the school's growth allowance times the number of new text begin fourth grade new text end pupils enrolled at the school on October 1 of the previous fiscal year. A school's growth allowance is equal to the percentage of students at that school making medium or high growth, under section 120B.299, on the fourth grade reading Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment, averaged across the previous three test administrations, times deleted text begin $85deleted text end new text begin $530new text end .

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 126C.40, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

To lease building or land.

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

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

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

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

(e) The total levy under this subdivision for a district for any year must not exceed $150 times the resident pupil units for the fiscal year to which the levy is attributable.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for taxes payable in 2013 and later. new text end

Sec. 19.

Laws 2011, First Special Session chapter 11, article 2, section 50, subdivision 16, is amended to read:

Subd. 16.

Student organizations.

For student organizations:

$ 725,000 ..... 2012
$ 725,000 ..... 2013

$49,000 each year is for student organizations serving health occupations deleted text begin (HUSA)deleted text end new text begin (HOSA)new text end .

$46,000 each year is for student organizations serving service occupations (HERO).

$106,000 each year is for student organizations serving trade and industry occupations (SkillsUSA, secondary and postsecondary).

$101,000 each year is for student organizations serving business occupations (deleted text begin DECA,deleted text end BPA, secondary and postsecondary).

$158,000 each year is for student organizations serving agriculture occupations (FFA, PAS).

$150,000 each year is for student organizations serving family and consumer science occupations (FCCLA).

$115,000 each year is for student organizations serving marketing occupations deleted text begin (DEX)deleted text end new text begin (DECA, DECA Collegiate)new text end .

Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.

Sec. 20.

new text begin ONE-YEAR LICENSES. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 122A.18, subdivision 2, as amended by Laws 2012, chapter 122, section 2, a person who has: new text end

new text begin (1) obtained a one-year license to teach; and new text end

new text begin (2) taught during the 2011-2012 school year; new text end

new text begin may be approved by the Board of Teaching to continue to teach through the end of the 2012-2013 school year. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective retroactively from February 22, 2012. new text end

Sec. 21.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 120A.28; 120B.019; 120B.31, subdivision 3; 121A.60, subdivisions 3 and 4; 121A.62; 121A.63; and 122A.18, subdivision 9, new text end new text begin are repealed. new text end

ARTICLE 3

SPECIAL EDUCATION AND OTHER PROGRAMS

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 125A.14, is amended to read:

125A.14 EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR.

A district may provide extended school year services for children with a disability living within the district and nonresident children temporarily placed in the district pursuant to section 125A.15 deleted text begin or 125A.16deleted text end . Prior to March 31 or 30 days after the child with a disability is placed in the district, whichever is later, the providing district shall give notice to the district of residence of any nonresident children temporarily placed in the district pursuant to section 125A.15 deleted text begin or 125A.16deleted text end , of its intention to provide these programs. Notwithstanding any contrary provisions in deleted text begin sectionsdeleted text end new text begin sectionnew text end 125A.15 deleted text begin and 125A.16deleted text end , the district providing the special instruction and services must apply for special education aid for the extended school year services. The unreimbursed actual cost of providing the program for nonresident children with a disability, including the cost of board and lodging, may be billed to the district of the child's residence and must be paid by the resident district. Transportation costs must be paid by the district responsible for providing transportation pursuant to section 125A.15 deleted text begin or 125A.16deleted text end and transportation aid must be paid to that district.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 125A.19, is amended to read:

125A.19 NONRESIDENT EDUCATION; BILLING.

All tuition billing for the education of nonresident children pursuant to sections 125A.03 to 125A.24new text begin , 125A.51, 125A.515,new text end and 125A.65 must be done on uniform forms prescribed by the commissioner. The billing shall contain an itemized statement of costs that are being charged to the district of residence. deleted text begin One copy of each billing must be filed with the commissioner.deleted text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 125A.515, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Approval of education programs.

The commissioner shall approve new text begin on-site new text end 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 facilities licensed by the Department of Human Services or the Department of Corrections.new text begin For purposes of this section, "on-site education program" means the educational services provided directly on the grounds of the care and treatment facility to children and youth placed for care and treatment.new text end

Sec. 4.

Laws 2011, First Special Session chapter 11, article 7, section 2, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Early childhood education scholarships.

For grants to early childhood education scholarships for public or private early childhood preschool programs for children ages 3 to 5:

$ deleted text begin 4,000,000 deleted text end new text begin 2,000,000 new text end ..... 2013

(a) All children whose parents or legal guardians meet the eligibility requirements of paragraph (b) established by the commissioner are eligible to receive early childhood education scholarships under this section.

(b) A parent or legal guardian is eligible for an early childhood education scholarship if the parent or legal guardian:

(1) has a child three or four years of age on September 1, beginning in calendar year 2012; and

(2)(i) has income equal to or less than 47 percent of the state median income in the current calendar year; or

(ii) can document their child's identification through another public funding eligibility process, including the Free and Reduced Price Lunch Program, National School Lunch Act, United States Code, title 42, section 1751, part 210; Head Start under federal Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007; Minnesota family investment program under chapter 256J; and child care assistance programs under chapter 119B.

Each year, if this appropriation is insufficient to provide early childhood education scholarships to all eligible children, the Department of Education shall make scholarships available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The commissioner of education shall submit a written report to the education committees of the legislature by January 15, 2012, describing its plan for implementation of scholarships under this subdivision for the 2012-2013 school year.

Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.

The base for this program is deleted text begin $2,000,000deleted text end new text begin $3,000,000 new text end each year.

Sec. 5.

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 Parent-child home program. new text end

new text begin For a grant to the evidence-based early literacy parent-child home program: 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 2013 new text end

new text begin This is a onetime appropriation. new text end

Sec. 6.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin (a) new text end new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 125A.16; 125A.80; and 475.53, subdivision 5, new text end new text begin are repealed. new text end

new text begin (b) new text end new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 124D.135, subdivisions 8 and 9; 124D.16, subdivisions 6 and 7; and 124D.20, subdivisions 11 and 12, new text end new text begin are repealed for revenue for fiscal year 2014 and later. new text end

Presented to the governor April 24, 2012

Signed by the governor April 27, 2012, 2:11 p.m.

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes