1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to education; codifying the state high school 
  1.3             graduation rule on the profile of learning; amending 
  1.4             Minnesota Statutes 1999 Supplement, sections 120B.02; 
  1.5             122A.09, subdivision 4; 126C.10, subdivision 14; and 
  1.6             290.0674, subdivision 1; proposing coding for new law 
  1.7             in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 120B; repealing 
  1.8             Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 120B.03, subdivision 
  1.9             1; Minnesota Rules, parts 3501.0300; 3501.0310; 
  1.10            3501.0320; 3501.0330; 3501.0340; 3501.0350; 3501.0360; 
  1.11            3501.0370; 3501.0380; 3501.0390; 3501.0400; 3501.0410; 
  1.12            3501.0420; 3501.0430; 3501.0440; 3501.0441; 3501.0442; 
  1.13            3501.0443; 3501.0444; 3501.0445; 3501.0446; 3501.0447; 
  1.14            3501.0448; 3501.0449; 3501.0450; 3501.0460; 3501.0461; 
  1.15            3501.0462; 3501.0463; 3501.0464; 3501.0465; 3501.0466; 
  1.16            3501.0467; 3501.0468; and 3501.0469. 
  1.17  BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.18     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1999 Supplement, section 
  1.19  120B.02, is amended to read: 
  1.20     120B.02 [NORTH STAR STANDARD GRADUATION RULE; BASIC SKILLS 
  1.21  REQUIREMENTS.] 
  1.22     (a) The legislature is committed to establishing a 
  1.23  rigorous, results-oriented North Star graduation rule standard 
  1.24  for Minnesota's public school students.  To that end, the 
  1.25  commissioner shall use its rulemaking authority under section 
  1.26  127A.05, subdivision 4, to adopt a statewide, results-oriented 
  1.27  graduation rule to be implemented starting with students 
  1.28  beginning ninth grade in the 1996-1997 school year.  The 
  1.29  commissioner shall not prescribe in rule or otherwise The 
  1.30  delivery system or form of instruction that local sites must use 
  1.31  to meet the requirements contained in this rule graduation 
  2.1   standards must not be prescribed. 
  2.2      (b) To successfully accomplish paragraph (a), the 
  2.3   commissioner shall set in rule North Star high academic 
  2.4   standards standard for all students.  The standards must contain 
  2.5   the foundational skills in the three core curricular areas of 
  2.6   reading, writing, and mathematics while meeting requirements for 
  2.7   high school graduation.  The standards North Star standard must 
  2.8   also provide an opportunity for students to excel by meeting 
  2.9   higher academic standards through a profile of learning that 
  2.10  uses use curricular requirements to allow students to expand 
  2.11  their knowledge and skills beyond the foundational skills.  All 
  2.12  commissioner actions regarding the rule must be The North Star 
  2.13  standard is premised on the following: 
  2.14     (1) the rule is North Star standard is intended to raise 
  2.15  academic expectations for students, teachers, and schools; and 
  2.16     (2) any state action regarding the rule North Star standard 
  2.17  must evidence consideration of school district autonomy; and 
  2.18     (3) the department of children, families, and learning, 
  2.19  with the assistance of school districts, must make available 
  2.20  information about all state initiatives related to the rule to 
  2.21  students and parents, teachers, and the general public in a 
  2.22  timely format that is appropriate, comprehensive, and readily 
  2.23  understandable. 
  2.24     (c) For purposes of adopting the rule, the commissioner, in 
  2.25  consultation with the department, recognized developing and 
  2.26  implementing the higher academic standards, school districts 
  2.27  shall consult with psychometric experts in assessment, and other 
  2.28  interested and knowledgeable educators, and using the most 
  2.29  current version of professional standards for educational 
  2.30  testing, shall periodically evaluate the efficacy of alternative 
  2.31  approaches to the assessment process and periodically submit a 
  2.32  written report containing the findings of the evaluation to the 
  2.33  commissioner.  
  2.34     (d) The content of the graduation rule standards must 
  2.35  differentiate between minimum competencies reflected in the 
  2.36  basic requirements assessment and the rigorous profile of 
  3.1   learning standards.  When fully implemented, the requirements 
  3.2   for high school graduation in Minnesota must include both basic 
  3.3   requirements and the required profile of learning.  The profile 
  3.4   of learning must measure student performance using 
  3.5   performance-based assessments compiled over time that integrate 
  3.6   higher academic standards, higher order thinking skills, and 
  3.7   application of knowledge from a variety of content areas.  The 
  3.8   profile of learning shall include a broad range of academic 
  3.9   experience and accomplishment necessary to achieve the goal of 
  3.10  preparing students to function effectively as purposeful 
  3.11  thinkers, effective communicators, self-directed learners, 
  3.12  productive group participants, and responsible citizens.  The 
  3.13  commissioner shall develop and disseminate to school districts a 
  3.14  uniform method for reporting student performance on the profile 
  3.15  of learning North Star standard. 
  3.16     (e) The commissioner School districts shall periodically 
  3.17  review and report to district residents on the assessment 
  3.18  process and student achievement with the expectation of raising 
  3.19  the standards and expanding high school graduation requirements. 
  3.20     (f) The commissioner shall report in writing to the 
  3.21  legislature annually by January 15 on its progress in developing 
  3.22  and implementing the graduation requirements according to the 
  3.23  requirements of this subdivision and section 120B.10 until such 
  3.24  time as all the graduation requirements are implemented. 
  3.25     Sec. 2.  [120B.021] [CITATION.] 
  3.26     Sections 120B.01 to 120B.0242 may be cited as the "North 
  3.27  Star standard high school graduation requirements." 
  3.28     Sec. 3.  [120B.0211] [GOAL.] 
  3.29     Sections 120B.01 to 120B.0242 establish the educational and 
  3.30  academic requirements that students must meet to be eligible to 
  3.31  receive a high school diploma. 
  3.32     Sec. 4.  [120B.0212] [SCOPE.] 
  3.33     Sections 120B.01 to 120B.0242 govern the minimum 
  3.34  requirements that public school districts must establish for 
  3.35  students to earn a high school diploma. 
  3.36     Sec. 5.  [120B.0213] [DEFINITIONS.] 
  4.1      Subdivision 1.  [APPLICABILITY.] As used in sections 
  4.2   120B.01 to 120B.0242, the terms defined in this section have the 
  4.3   meanings given them. 
  4.4      Subd. 2.  [GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS.] "Graduation 
  4.5   requirements" means the number and distribution of high school 
  4.6   course requirements that a district must offer and a student 
  4.7   must complete to be eligible for a high school diploma. 
  4.8      Subd. 3.  [LEARNING AREA.] (a) "Learning area" means one of 
  4.9   the eight categories into which all preparatory courses, and one 
  4.10  of the ten categories into which all high school course credits 
  4.11  are organized. 
  4.12     (b) The high school learning areas include: 
  4.13     (1) English language and grammar; 
  4.14     (2) literature and composition; 
  4.15     (3) mathematics; 
  4.16     (4) science; 
  4.17     (5) history, geography, and government; 
  4.18     (6) personal fitness and health; 
  4.19     (7) the arts, an elective learning area; 
  4.20     (8) personal management, an elective learning area; 
  4.21     (9) foreign languages, an elective learning area; and 
  4.22     (10) vocational education, an elective learning area. 
  4.23     (c) The preparatory learning areas include: 
  4.24     (1) English language and grammar; 
  4.25     (2) literature and composition; 
  4.26     (3) mathematics; 
  4.27     (4) science; 
  4.28     (5) history, geography, and government; 
  4.29     (6) arts; 
  4.30     (7) personal fitness and health; and 
  4.31     (8) second languages. 
  4.32     Subd. 4.  [COURSE CREDIT.] (a) "Course credit" means a set 
  4.33  of school district specifications in a learning area. 
  4.34     (b) "High school course credit" means the satisfactory 
  4.35  completion of a grade nine through 12 course of study, which 
  4.36  constitutes up to one credit and is the equivalent of one hour 
  5.1   per school day during one school year. 
  5.2      (c) "Grade specific" means the grade appropriate course 
  5.3   content established by the school district.  Grade specific 
  5.4   course content is not required to be age dependent. 
  5.5      Subd. 5.  [COURSE PLAN.] "Course plan" means a plan written 
  5.6   by a teacher to identify the grade level or name of the course; 
  5.7   the course sequence; the teacher's name; the curriculum outline; 
  5.8   requirements that students are expected to successfully complete 
  5.9   in the course or the number of course credits students may earn; 
  5.10  the class teaching syllabus; the instructional materials used 
  5.11  for the class; the requirements for tests, quizzes, or other 
  5.12  evaluations; homework; parental support expectations; grading 
  5.13  credit A to F plus I; and a teacher declaration on what the 
  5.14  student will learn upon successfully completing the course or 
  5.15  grade.  The course plan must include: 
  5.16     (1) a grade level, course-specific remediation plan 
  5.17  prepared by the school district, which must be used concurrently 
  5.18  during the course and may include summer school and criteria for 
  5.19  repeating a grade or course; 
  5.20     (2) grading criteria; and 
  5.21     (3) a school district grading process that determines when 
  5.22  a student's course plan is completed, and assigns a grade to the 
  5.23  student's work according to the grading criteria in subdivision 
  5.24  6. 
  5.25     Subd. 6.  [GRADE.] "Grade" means the letter grade set by a 
  5.26  school district that the district uses when assigning a score to 
  5.27  student work on a course plan.  School districts must assign a 
  5.28  grade A to F to a student who completes all assignments and 
  5.29  activities in a grade level or course credit.  Incomplete 
  5.30  student work on the course plan receives a grade of I and does 
  5.31  not complete a grade level or course credit.  
  5.32     Subd. 7.  [EXEMPTION.] "Exemption" means that a student 
  5.33  with an individual education plan or section 504 accommodation 
  5.34  plan is not required to complete a particular course credit. 
  5.35     Subd. 8.  [MODIFICATION.] "Modification" means an 
  5.36  adjustment of a test that changes the course credit for a 
  6.1   student with an individual education plan or section 504 
  6.2   accommodation plan. 
  6.3      Sec. 6.  [120B.0214] [GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS.] 
  6.4      Subdivision 1.  [NORTH STAR STANDARD.] School district 
  6.5   course credits are contained in sections 120B.0222 to 
  6.6   120B.0242.  The preparatory courses are contained in sections 
  6.7   120B.0233 to 120B.0242.  High school course credits are 
  6.8   contained in sections 120B.0222 to 120B.0232.  High school 
  6.9   graduation requirements are contained in subdivisions 3 to 5. 
  6.10     Subd. 2.  [DISTRICTS AND STUDENTS.] (a) A district must 
  6.11  provide learning opportunities for all students in all 
  6.12  preparatory courses in learning areas one to eight, and learning 
  6.13  opportunities sufficient for students to complete high school 
  6.14  course credits in ten learning areas and meet school district 
  6.15  graduation requirements.  A district must offer at least one 
  6.16  foreign language in learning area nine as part of its 
  6.17  preparatory courses. 
  6.18     (b) A student must complete 21 course credits for 
  6.19  graduation.  A student may select electives from any course 
  6.20  credit in learning areas one to nine under subdivision 3.  A 
  6.21  student also may select course credits in learning area nine as 
  6.22  electives. 
  6.23     Subd. 3.  [DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS FOR HIGH SCHOOL 
  6.24  GRADUATION.] A student must complete all specifications of at 
  6.25  least 21 high school course credits to be eligible for high 
  6.26  school graduation.  The student must complete 15 of the 21 high 
  6.27  school course credits as follows: 
  6.28     (1) two course credits from learning area one, English 
  6.29  language and grammar; 
  6.30     (2) two course credits from learning area two, literature 
  6.31  and composition; 
  6.32     (3) three course credits from learning area three, 
  6.33  mathematics; 
  6.34     (4) two course credits from learning area four, science; 
  6.35     (5) four course credits from learning area five, history, 
  6.36  geography, and government; 
  7.1      (6) two course credits from learning area six, personal 
  7.2   fitness and health; 
  7.3      (7) no course credits from learning area seven, the arts, 
  7.4   which is an elective; 
  7.5      (8) no course credits from learning area eight, personal 
  7.6   management, which is an elective; and 
  7.7      (9) no course credits from learning area ten, vocational 
  7.8   education, which is an elective. 
  7.9      Subd. 4.  [ELECTIVE REQUIREMENTS.] In addition to the 
  7.10  distribution requirements under subdivision 3, students also 
  7.11  must complete six additional course credits of the student's 
  7.12  choice from the high school course credits listed in sections 
  7.13  120B.0222 to 120B.0232. 
  7.14     Subd. 5.  [ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS.] (a) A student must 
  7.15  complete one application of technology in each of the following 
  7.16  three learning areas: 
  7.17     (1) area two, literature and composition; 
  7.18     (2) area three, mathematics; and 
  7.19     (3) area four, science. 
  7.20     (b) A district may establish additional requirements. 
  7.21     Subd. 6.  [VARIATIONS.] A student must complete the 
  7.22  requirements in subdivisions 1 to 5 unless the district 
  7.23  specifically establishes variations for the student.  Variations 
  7.24  for a student from the requirements in subdivisions 1 to 5 are 
  7.25  permitted only under section 120B.0215 or 120B.0216. 
  7.26     Sec. 7.  [120B.0215] [VARIATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH 
  7.27  INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PLANS OR SECTION 504 ACCOMMODATION PLANS.] 
  7.28     Subdivision 1.  [DETERMINATION OF REQUIREMENTS.] (a) A 
  7.29  student in kindergarten through grade 8 with an individual 
  7.30  education plan or section 504 accommodation plan shall have all 
  7.31  courses considered by the student's individual education plan 
  7.32  team or section 504 accommodation plan team for inclusion in the 
  7.33  student's individual education plan or section 504 accommodation 
  7.34  plan under subdivision 2. 
  7.35     (b) A student's individual education plan team or section 
  7.36  504 accommodation plan team must consider the graduation 
  8.1   requirements under section 120B.0214 for inclusion in the 
  8.2   student's individual education plan or section 504 accommodation 
  8.3   plan when a student with a disability is 14 years old or 
  8.4   registers for grade 9, whichever is first.  An individual 
  8.5   education plan team also must consider the student's transition 
  8.6   plan when determining which of the required and elective courses 
  8.7   to include in the student's individual education plan. 
  8.8      Subd. 2.  [INDIVIDUALIZED PLANS.] (a) For a student in 
  8.9   kindergarten through grade 8 with an individual education plan 
  8.10  or section 504 accommodation plan, the student's individual 
  8.11  education plan team or section 504 accommodation plan team may 
  8.12  modify preparatory courses for the student in the individual 
  8.13  education plan or section 504 accommodation plan.  The team must 
  8.14  determine the specifications of a course the student will pursue 
  8.15  under the selected modification.  If the team determines that 
  8.16  the student is exempt from one or more of the courses, it must 
  8.17  explain the exemption in the student's individual education plan 
  8.18  or section 504 accommodation plan.  When the team adopts an 
  8.19  exempt status for a course, it must determine whether or not a 
  8.20  different standard or individual education plan goal specific to 
  8.21  the learning area is appropriate and include that goal in the 
  8.22  student's plan. 
  8.23     (b) For a high school student with an individual education 
  8.24  plan or section 504 accommodation plan, the student's individual 
  8.25  education plan team or section 504 accommodation plan team must: 
  8.26     (1) determine whether the student will pursue the course 
  8.27  credits without modification; 
  8.28     (2) determine whether one or more of the 21 required course 
  8.29  credits will be modified to an individual level; 
  8.30     (3) define the elective course credits that the student 
  8.31  also will pursue and whether, for each elective, the student 
  8.32  will pursue the course credit without modification or have the 
  8.33  course credit modified to an individual level; or 
  8.34     (4) determine whether the student is exempt from one or 
  8.35  more of the graduation requirements under section 120B.0214, 
  8.36  subdivisions 3 to 5. 
  9.1   When the team adopts exempt status for a course credit, it must 
  9.2   determine whether or not a different standard or individual 
  9.3   education plan goal specific to the learning area is appropriate 
  9.4   and include that goal in the student's plan. 
  9.5      (c) A student's individual education plan team or section 
  9.6   504 accommodation plan team must determine the specifications of 
  9.7   a preparatory or high school course credit the student will 
  9.8   pursue when the team modifies a course credit.  When a course 
  9.9   credit is modified, the student's individual education plan team 
  9.10  or section 504 accommodation plan team must determine the 
  9.11  appropriate assessment of the modified course credit. 
  9.12     Sec. 8.  [120B.0216] [ENGLISH PROFICIENCY; INDIVIDUAL 
  9.13  GRADUATION PLANS.] 
  9.14     A district must establish and maintain procedures giving 
  9.15  students the opportunity to complete both preparatory courses 
  9.16  and high school course credits.  Graduation requirements for a 
  9.17  student must be as specified in section 120B.0214, subdivisions 
  9.18  3 to 5, unless section 120B.0215 applies or unless modified in 
  9.19  an individual graduation plan developed and annually reviewed by 
  9.20  a team that includes school advisory staff designated by the 
  9.21  district, the student's teachers, the student's parent or 
  9.22  guardian, and the student.  A district must not modify 
  9.23  specifications for standards in learning areas one to ten to 
  9.24  permit a student to complete a standard in a language other than 
  9.25  English. 
  9.26     Sec. 9.  [120B.0217] [TESTING AND ASSESSMENT; SCORING 
  9.27  STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.] 
  9.28     Subdivision 1.  [DISTRICT CRITERION REFERENCED TESTING AND 
  9.29  ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS.] (a) The commissioner must develop a 
  9.30  state model for local criterion-referenced testing and 
  9.31  assessment consistent with this section. 
  9.32     (b) A district must: 
  9.33     (1) test and assess student performance in preparatory 
  9.34  courses and high school course credits; 
  9.35     (2) establish processes by which to transfer as completed 
  9.36  (i) those course credits that other Minnesota public school 
 10.1   districts verify on transcripts as completed, (ii) the work that 
 10.2   post-secondary educational institutions or educational 
 10.3   institutions outside the state accept for completion of course 
 10.4   credits and verify on transcripts as completed, and (iii) a 
 10.5   student's opportunities to complete high school course credits 
 10.6   through learning the student acquires outside the district's 
 10.7   curriculum; and 
 10.8      (3) use grading criteria under subdivision 2. 
 10.9      Subd. 2.  [GRADING.] The district must assign a letter 
 10.10  grade between A and F to a student who completes all assignments 
 10.11  and activities on a course plan.  Incomplete student work on a 
 10.12  course plan must not receive a grade and does not complete a 
 10.13  course credit. 
 10.14     Sec. 10.  [120B.0218] [HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT TRANSCRIPT 
 10.15  DATA.] 
 10.16     Subdivision 1.  [TRANSCRIPT INFORMATION.] A district must 
 10.17  include on a high school student's transcript the following 
 10.18  information: 
 10.19     (1) the high school course credits the student completed; 
 10.20     (2) the grade the student achieved on each high school 
 10.21  course credit, or a notation that the course credit has been 
 10.22  certified as completed through the district's process for 
 10.23  transferring credit under section 120B.0217, subdivision 1, 
 10.24  paragraph (b), clause (2); and 
 10.25     (3) the date the student completed each high school course 
 10.26  credit. 
 10.27     Subd. 2.  [TRANSCRIPT FORMAT.] A district must format a 
 10.28  high school student transcript according to generally accepted 
 10.29  academic and vocational specifications. 
 10.30     Sec. 11.  [120B.0219] [NOTICE TO PARENTS AND STUDENTS.] 
 10.31     In addition to other applicable notice requirements, the 
 10.32  district must notify parents and students in writing about: 
 10.33     (1) the course credit taught and assessed in the school 
 10.34  curriculum; 
 10.35     (2) the procedures for advising the student and the 
 10.36  student's parent or guardian about graduation requirements and 
 11.1   for accessing these procedures; 
 11.2      (3) the procedures by which students may meet graduation 
 11.3   requirements with course credits completed outside the 
 11.4   district's curriculum; and 
 11.5      (4) the district's individual student progress and 
 11.6   achievement reporting schedule. 
 11.7      Sec. 12.  [120B.0220] [IMPLEMENTATION REPORTING.] 
 11.8      A district annually must submit a report containing the 
 11.9   policies and procedures for: 
 11.10     (1) ensuring that all high school students have access to 
 11.11  comprehensive academic school curriculum that integrates 
 11.12  technology and provides instruction and tests or assesses course 
 11.13  credits from all ten learning areas under sections 120B.0222 to 
 11.14  120B.0232 sufficient to meet graduation requirements; 
 11.15     (2) testing or assessing a student's demonstration of the 
 11.16  course credits; 
 11.17     (3) staff development designed to continuously improve 
 11.18  curriculum, instruction, and tests and assessments; 
 11.19     (4) allowing a student to meet a graduation requirement for 
 11.20  a course credit, whether the district offers the course credit 
 11.21  in its school curriculum or the student accomplishes the work in 
 11.22  another learning environment, including a process for 
 11.23  transferring credits completed in another Minnesota school 
 11.24  district, recognizing work completed in other schools and 
 11.25  post-secondary institutions, and awarding credit for 
 11.26  achievements in extracurricular activities, activities outside 
 11.27  of the school, previous learning, and community and work 
 11.28  experiences; 
 11.29     (5) periodically advising a student and the student's 
 11.30  parent or guardian of the student's progress and achievement and 
 11.31  of the choices and opportunities available to the student for 
 11.32  learning, graduating, and achieving the student's post-secondary 
 11.33  educational and career goals; 
 11.34     (6) recordkeeping and reporting student achievement; and 
 11.35     (7) allowing the student and the student's parent or 
 11.36  guardian to appeal district policies and procedures. 
 12.1      Sec. 13.  [120B.0221] [OTHER DISTRICT RESPONSIBILITIES.] 
 12.2      A district must maintain records of the following, which it 
 12.3   must submit for audit at the state's request, to allow the 
 12.4   periodic review of district graduation standards, opportunities, 
 12.5   and requirements: 
 12.6      (1) course plans used to test or assess students' 
 12.7   completion of preparatory courses and high school course 
 12.8   credits; 
 12.9      (2) aggregated records of students' completion of each high 
 12.10  school course credit; and 
 12.11     (3) aggregated data on each year's high school graduates, 
 12.12  including average number of high school course credits 
 12.13  completed, and the number of each grade earned on each course 
 12.14  credit. 
 12.15     Sec. 14.  [120B.0222] [CONTENT STANDARDS; HIGH SCHOOL 
 12.16  LEVEL.] 
 12.17     The specifications of the high school course credits are at 
 12.18  least those in sections 120B.0223 to 120B.0232, which districts 
 12.19  may supplement at their election. 
 12.20     Sec. 15.  [120B.0223] [LEARNING AREA ONE; ENGLISH LANGUAGE 
 12.21  AND GRAMMAR.] 
 12.22     Subdivision 1.  [HIGH SCHOOL COURSE CREDIT FOR LEARNING 
 12.23  AREA ONE.] The specifications for high school course credits in 
 12.24  learning area one are at least those described in this section. 
 12.25     Students are encouraged to exceed the specifications 
 12.26  contained in this section. 
 12.27     Subd. 2.  [ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND GRAMMAR; NONFICTION.] A 
 12.28  student must at least demonstrate the ability to comprehend and 
 12.29  evaluate complex information in various nonfiction by reading, 
 12.30  listening, and viewing varied English language selections 
 12.31  containing complex information. 
 12.32     Subd. 3.  [ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND GRAMMAR; TECHNICAL 
 12.33  INFORMATION.] A student must at least demonstrate the ability to 
 12.34  read and apply technical information from varied English 
 12.35  language documents. 
 12.36     Sec. 16.  [120B.0224] [LEARNING AREA TWO; LITERATURE AND 
 13.1   COMPOSITION.] 
 13.2      Subdivision 1.  [HIGH SCHOOL COURSE CREDITS FOR LEARNING 
 13.3   AREA TWO.] Specifications for high school course credits in 
 13.4   learning area two are at least those described in this section. 
 13.5      Students are encouraged to exceed the specifications 
 13.6   contained in this section. 
 13.7      Subd. 2.  [COMPOSITION.] A student must at least 
 13.8   demonstrate the ability to write original compositions for a 
 13.9   variety of academic purposes and situations using correct 
 13.10  grammar, language mechanics, and other conventions of standard 
 13.11  written English.  The student must also correct the grammatical 
 13.12  and other writing errors made to appear in a recognized work of 
 13.13  fiction or nonfiction appropriate for this purpose. 
 13.14     Subd. 3.  [TECHNICAL WRITING.] A student must at least 
 13.15  demonstrate the ability to write in the English language for a 
 13.16  variety of technical purposes, situations, and audiences by 
 13.17  writing original technical compositions that include a set of 
 13.18  procedures or directions, a report or proposal, and 
 13.19  informational correspondence describing a complex process, 
 13.20  procedure, or device for a particular audience. 
 13.21     Subd. 4.  [PUBLIC SPEAKING.] A student must at least 
 13.22  demonstrate the ability to construct and deliver speeches for a 
 13.23  variety of purposes, situations, and audiences using English 
 13.24  language conventions. 
 13.25     Subd. 5.  [INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION.] A student must at 
 13.26  least demonstrate understanding of interpersonal communication 
 13.27  strategies, the components of the interpersonal communication 
 13.28  process, and how various factors affect patterns of 
 13.29  communication, interaction, and problem solving. 
 13.30     Sec. 17.  [120B.0225] [LEARNING AREA THREE; MATHEMATICS.] 
 13.31     Subdivision 1.  [HIGH SCHOOL COURSE CREDITS FOR LEARNING 
 13.32  AREA THREE.] Specifications for high school content standards in 
 13.33  learning area three are at least those under subdivisions 2 to 5.
 13.34     Students are encouraged to exceed the specifications 
 13.35  contained in this section. 
 13.36     Subd. 2.  [MATHEMATICS.] A student must at least 
 14.1   demonstrate a knowledge of mathematical relationships and solve 
 14.2   problems. 
 14.3      Subd. 3.  [DATA ANALYSIS.] A student must at least 
 14.4   demonstrate understanding of: 
 14.5      (1) the statistical concepts of measures of center, 
 14.6   variability, and rank; 
 14.7      (2) differences between correlation and causation; 
 14.8      (3) sampling procedures; 
 14.9      (4) line or curve of best fit; and 
 14.10     (5) concepts related to uncertainty of randomness, 
 14.11  permutations, combinations, and theoretical and experimental 
 14.12  probabilities. 
 14.13     Subd. 4.  [ALGEBRA.] A student must at least understand: 
 14.14     (1) rates of change in different models of linear 
 14.15  relationships and characteristics of polynomial, exponential, 
 14.16  and periodic functions and relations; 
 14.17     (2) functional notation; and 
 14.18     (3) terminology using properties of algebra to justify 
 14.19  reasoning through a logical argument. 
 14.20     Subd. 5.  [GEOMETRY.] A student must at least understand: 
 14.21     (1) the characteristics of geometric figures in both two 
 14.22  and three dimensions, including reflections, rotations, and 
 14.23  translations; 
 14.24     (2) congruence and similarity; 
 14.25     (3) perimeter, area, and volume; 
 14.26     (4) distance; 
 14.27     (5) scaling; and 
 14.28     (6) symmetry. 
 14.29     Sec. 18.  [120B.0226] [LEARNING AREA FOUR; SCIENCE.] 
 14.30     Subdivision 1.  [HIGH SCHOOL CONTENT STANDARDS FOR LEARNING 
 14.31  AREA FOUR.] Specifications for high school content standards in 
 14.32  learning area four are at least those described in this section. 
 14.33     Students are encouraged to exceed the specifications 
 14.34  contained in this section. 
 14.35     Subd. 2.  [BIOLOGY.] A student must at least demonstrate 
 14.36  understanding of biological concepts, theories, and principles 
 15.1   including cell theory, mechanisms of heredity, biological change 
 15.2   over time, the interdependence of organisms, material cycles and 
 15.3   energy flow in living systems, the behavior of organisms, and 
 15.4   the historical significance of major scientific advances through 
 15.5   the investigation and analysis of cells, organisms, and 
 15.6   ecosystems. 
 15.7      Subd. 3.  [CHEMISTRY.] A student must at least demonstrate 
 15.8   understanding of concepts, theories, and principles in chemistry 
 15.9   by investigating and analyzing: 
 15.10     (1) atomic theory; 
 15.11     (2) relationships between the structure and properties of 
 15.12  matter including organic and inorganic bonding, periodicity, and 
 15.13  solutions chemistry; 
 15.14     (3) chemical reactions; 
 15.15     (4) interactions of energy and matter; and 
 15.16     (5) the historical significance of major scientific 
 15.17  advances. 
 15.18     Subd. 4.  [PHYSICS.] A student must at least demonstrate 
 15.19  understanding of matter, forces, and energy by investigating and 
 15.20  analyzing the concepts of motion, force, laws of conservation, 
 15.21  electricity, magnetism, waves, energy, and work, and the 
 15.22  historical significance of major scientific advances. 
 15.23     Sec. 19.  [120B.0227] [LEARNING AREA FIVE; HISTORY, 
 15.24  GEOGRAPHY, AND GOVERNMENT.] 
 15.25     Subdivision 1.  [HIGH SCHOOL COURSE CREDITS FOR LEARNING 
 15.26  AREA FIVE.] Specifications for high school course credits in 
 15.27  learning area five are at least those described in this section. 
 15.28     Students are encouraged to exceed the specifications 
 15.29  contained in this section. 
 15.30     Subd. 2.  [THEMES OF UNITED STATES HISTORY.] A student must 
 15.31  at least demonstrate understanding of the Declaration of 
 15.32  Independence, the United States Constitution, and themes related 
 15.33  to key events, concepts, and people in the historical 
 15.34  development of the United States, including: 
 15.35     (1) the convergence of people, colonization, settlement, 
 15.36  and the American Revolution; 
 16.1      (2) expansion, the Civil War, and the Reconstruction; 
 16.2      (3) tribal sovereignty and the relationship between 
 16.3   American Indian tribal governments and federal and state 
 16.4   government; 
 16.5      (4) industrialization, the emergence of modern America, and 
 16.6   the Great Depression; 
 16.7      (5) World War II; and 
 16.8      (6) postwar United States to the present. 
 16.9      Subd. 3.  [UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP.] A student must at 
 16.10  least demonstrate understanding of the foundations, rights, and 
 16.11  responsibilities of United States citizenship including: 
 16.12     (1) how the United States government, as established by the 
 16.13  Constitution, embodies the principles and ideals of a democratic 
 16.14  republic; 
 16.15     (2) the rights and responsibilities of United States 
 16.16  citizens, noncitizens, and dual citizens; and 
 16.17     (3) the formal and informal structures within which 
 16.18  interest groups exercise power. 
 16.19     Sec. 20.  [120B.0228] [LEARNING AREA SIX; PERSONAL FITNESS 
 16.20  AND LIFESTYLE.] 
 16.21     Subdivision 1.  [HIGH SCHOOL COURSE CREDITS FOR LEARNING 
 16.22  AREA SEVEN.] Specifications for high school course credits in 
 16.23  learning area seven are at least those described in this section.
 16.24     Students are encouraged to exceed the specifications 
 16.25  contained in this section. 
 16.26     Subd. 2.  [INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY HEALTH.] A student must 
 16.27  at least demonstrate an understanding of decision-making 
 16.28  processes and community health practices that promote healthful 
 16.29  nutrition and dietary practices, and physical fitness, and that 
 16.30  reduce and prevent tobacco use, drug and alcohol use, intended 
 16.31  and unintended injuries. 
 16.32     Subd. 3.  [PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND FITNESS.] A student must 
 16.33  use decision-making processes to select appropriate physical 
 16.34  activities to achieve fitness and demonstrate understanding of 
 16.35  the training needed to improve fitness and the rules and skills 
 16.36  associated with physical activities. 
 17.1      Sec. 21.  [120B.0229] [LEARNING AREA SEVEN; THE ARTS; AN 
 17.2   ELECTIVE.] 
 17.3      Subdivision 1.  [HIGH SCHOOL CONTENT STANDARDS FOR LEARNING 
 17.4   AREA THREE.] Specifications for high school course credits in 
 17.5   learning area six are at least those described in this section. 
 17.6      Students are encouraged to exceed the specifications 
 17.7   contained in this section. 
 17.8      Subd. 2.  [LITERARY AND ARTS CREATION AND PERFORMANCE.] In 
 17.9   dance, music, theater, visual arts, creative writing, or media 
 17.10  arts, a student must at least demonstrate understanding of the 
 17.11  elements, techniques, and processes of the selected art form and 
 17.12  how works of the art form are structured.  Also, using the art 
 17.13  form, the student must create or perform, or both, an original 
 17.14  artistic presentation that includes a single complex work or 
 17.15  multiple works. 
 17.16     Sec. 22.  [120B.0230] [LEARNING AREA EIGHT; PERSONAL 
 17.17  MANAGEMENT; AN ELECTIVE.] 
 17.18     Subdivision 1.  [HIGH SCHOOL COURSE CREDITS FOR LEARNING 
 17.19  AREA NINE.] Specifications for high school course credits in 
 17.20  learning area nine are at least those specified in this section. 
 17.21     Students are encouraged to exceed the specifications 
 17.22  contained in this section. 
 17.23     Subd. 2.  [ECONOMIC SYSTEMS.] By using the fundamental 
 17.24  concepts of economics, a student must at least demonstrate 
 17.25  understanding of the interactive nature of global, national, and 
 17.26  local economic systems, and how government decisions impact 
 17.27  those systems. 
 17.28     Subd. 3.  [PERSONAL AND FAMILY RESOURCE MANAGEMENT.] A 
 17.29  student must at least apply principles of personal and family 
 17.30  resource management and informed decision making. 
 17.31     Subd. 4.  [BUSINESS MANAGEMENT.] A student must at least 
 17.32  use fundamentals of informed decision making and business 
 17.33  management, including: 
 17.34     (1) personnel management procedures; 
 17.35     (2) customer, employee, and management practices; 
 17.36     (3) use of banking services; 
 18.1      (4) forms of business organization; and 
 18.2      (5) current labor-related laws. 
 18.3      Sec. 23.  [120B.0231] [LEARNING AREA NINE; FOREIGN 
 18.4   LANGUAGE; AN ELECTIVE.] 
 18.5      Subdivision 1.  [HIGH SCHOOL COURSE CREDIT IN WORLD 
 18.6   LANGUAGE.] Specifications for the high school course credit in 
 18.7   learning area ten are at least those described in this section. 
 18.8      Students are encouraged to exceed the specifications 
 18.9   contained in this section. 
 18.10     Subd. 2.  [WORLD LANGUAGE.] A student must at least 
 18.11  demonstrate understanding of a foreign, domestic, technical, or 
 18.12  symbolic language other than English and communicate in a second 
 18.13  language. 
 18.14     Sec. 24.  [120B.0232] [LEARNING AREA TEN; VOCATIONAL 
 18.15  EDUCATION; AN ELECTIVE.] 
 18.16     Subdivision 1.  [HIGH SCHOOL CONTENT STANDARDS FOR LEARNING 
 18.17  AREA FIVE.] Specifications for high school course credits in 
 18.18  learning area eight are at least those described in this section.
 18.19     Students are encouraged to exceed the specifications 
 18.20  contained in this section. 
 18.21     Subd. 2.  [VOCATIONAL OPTIONS.] School districts must 
 18.22  determine the scope and sequence of these vocational electives 
 18.23  which must reflect the educational needs and diversity of the 
 18.24  district and the vocational education interests of students 
 18.25  enrolled in the district and community residents. 
 18.26     Sec. 25.  [120B.0233] [PREPARATORY COURSES IN LEARNING AREA 
 18.27  ONE; ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND GRAMMAR.] 
 18.28     A student must at least demonstrate comprehension of 
 18.29  English and grammar that is appropriate for the student's grade 
 18.30  level by reading, listening, and viewing nonfiction and fiction 
 18.31  selections to identify main ideas and support details, retell 
 18.32  main events or ideas in sequence, pronounce new words using 
 18.33  phonics, demonstrate techniques of improving and expanding 
 18.34  vocabulary, and demonstrate an age-appropriate reading rate. 
 18.35     Sec. 26.  [120B.0234] [PREPARATORY COURSES IN LEARNING AREA 
 18.36  TWO; LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION.] 
 19.1      (a) A student must at least demonstrate the ability to 
 19.2   write for a variety of academic purposes that is appropriate for 
 19.3   the student's grade level. 
 19.4      (b) A student must at least demonstrate the ability to 
 19.5   speak to an audience. 
 19.6      (c) A student must at least demonstrate the ability to 
 19.7   write and use correct spelling and grammar for a variety of 
 19.8   academic purposes, situations, and audiences. 
 19.9      Sec. 27.  [120B.0235] [PREPARATORY COURSES IN LEARNING AREA 
 19.10  THREE; MATHEMATICS.] 
 19.11     (a) A student must at least: 
 19.12     (1) use number relationships to represent information and 
 19.13  solve problems; 
 19.14     (2) describe and analyze two- and three-dimensional shapes 
 19.15  and spaces using appropriate whole and partial units, including 
 19.16  metric, to measure length, time, weight, volume, temperature, 
 19.17  angle, and area, and names and properties of common two- and 
 19.18  three-dimensional shapes; 
 19.19     (3) describe and compare two- and three-dimensional 
 19.20  geometric figures existing in the physical world; and 
 19.21     (4) measure, including identifying the type of measurement 
 19.22  required, selecting the appropriate tools and units of 
 19.23  measurement, and measuring accurately. 
 19.24     (b) A student must demonstrate understanding of: 
 19.25     (1) concepts of place value, variables, and equations; 
 19.26     (2) when and how to use number operations; 
 19.27     (3) when and how to use a variety of estimation strategies; 
 19.28  and 
 19.29     (4) addition, subtraction, and multiplication of 
 19.30  single-digit multiples of powers of ten. 
 19.31     (c) A student must at least: 
 19.32     (1) demonstrate understanding of basic concepts of 
 19.33  coordinate, by knowing precise mathematical names and properties 
 19.34  of two- and three-dimensional shapes, converting common 
 19.35  measurement units within the metric system and customary 
 19.36  systems, and understanding how properties of shapes affect 
 20.1   stability and rigidity of objects; and 
 20.2      (2) recognize and describe shape, size, and position of 
 20.3   two- and three-dimensional objects and the images of the objects 
 20.4   under transformations. 
 20.5      (d) A student must at least demonstrate understanding of: 
 20.6      (1) number concepts including place value, exponents, prime 
 20.7   and composite numbers, multiples, and factors; 
 20.8      (2) fractions, decimals, percents, integers, and numbers in 
 20.9   scientific notation that translate among equivalent forms; and 
 20.10     (3) how to compare and order numbers within a set. 
 20.11     (e) A student must: 
 20.12     (1) analyze patterns and use concepts of algebra to 
 20.13  represent mathematical relationships, including demonstrating 
 20.14  understanding of the concepts of variables, expressions, and 
 20.15  equations; and 
 20.16     (2) use properties of mathematics to informally justify 
 20.17  reasoning. 
 20.18     (f) Knowledge of the concepts under this section must by 
 20.19  appropriate for the student's grade level. 
 20.20     Sec. 28.  [120B.0236] [PREPARATORY COURSES IN LEARNING AREA 
 20.21  FOUR; SCIENCE.] 
 20.22     (a) A student must at least demonstrate knowledge of basic 
 20.23  science concepts of physical science and life science that is 
 20.24  appropriate for the student's grade level. 
 20.25     (b) A student must at least demonstrate an understanding of:
 20.26     (1) characteristics of organisms including plants, animals, 
 20.27  and microorganisms; 
 20.28     (2) basic structures and functions of the human body; and 
 20.29     (3) cycles and patterns in living organisms and physical 
 20.30  systems. 
 20.31     Sec. 29.  [120B.0237] [PREPARATORY COURSES IN LEARNING AREA 
 20.32  FIVE; HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, AND GOVERNMENT.] 
 20.33     (a) A student must at least demonstrate grade-level 
 20.34  understanding of the Declaration of Independence, the United 
 20.35  States Constitution, and themes related to key events, concepts, 
 20.36  and people in the historical development of the United States, 
 21.1   including: 
 21.2      (1) the convergence of people, colonization, settlement, 
 21.3   and the American Revolution; 
 21.4      (2) expansion, the Civil War, and the Reconstruction; 
 21.5      (3) tribal sovereignty and the relationship between 
 21.6   American Indian tribal governments and federal and state 
 21.7   government; 
 21.8      (4) industrialization, the emergence of modern America, and 
 21.9   the Great Depression; 
 21.10     (5) World War II; and 
 21.11     (6) postwar United States to the present. 
 21.12     (b) A student must at least demonstrate grade level 
 21.13  understanding of the foundations, rights, and responsibilities 
 21.14  of United States citizenship including: 
 21.15     (1) how the United States government, as established by the 
 21.16  Constitution, embodies the principles and ideals of a democratic 
 21.17  republic; 
 21.18     (2) the rights and responsibilities of United States 
 21.19  citizens, noncitizens, and dual citizens; and 
 21.20     (3) the formal and informal structures within which 
 21.21  interest groups exercise power.  The student must examine the 
 21.22  foundational documents of United States citizenship, including 
 21.23  the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights relating 
 21.24  to citizen rights and responsibilities. 
 21.25     (c) A student must at least demonstrate grade level 
 21.26  knowledge of historical events and contributions of key people 
 21.27  from different time periods through reading and constructing 
 21.28  time lines of key events and the actions of important people, 
 21.29  the contributions of key historical people, and cause and effect 
 21.30  relationships of events over an extended period of time. 
 21.31     (d) A student must at least demonstrate a developing 
 21.32  grade-level understanding of the Declaration of Independence, 
 21.33  the United States Constitution, and themes related to key 
 21.34  events, concepts, and people in the historical development of 
 21.35  the United States, including: 
 21.36     (1) the convergence of people, colonization, settlement, 
 22.1   and the American Revolution; 
 22.2      (2) expansion, the Civil War, and the Reconstruction; 
 22.3      (3) tribal sovereignty and the relationship between 
 22.4   American Indian tribal governments and federal and state 
 22.5   government; 
 22.6      (4) industrialization, the emergence of modern America, and 
 22.7   the Great Depression; 
 22.8      (5) World War II; and 
 22.9      (6) postwar United States to the present. 
 22.10     (e) A student must at least demonstrate grade level 
 22.11  understanding of: 
 22.12     (1) the foundations, rights, and responsibilities of United 
 22.13  States citizenship including how the United States government, 
 22.14  as established by the Constitution, embodies the principles and 
 22.15  ideals of a democratic republic; 
 22.16     (2) the rights and responsibilities of United States 
 22.17  citizens, noncitizens, and dual citizens; and 
 22.18     (3) the formal and informal structures within which 
 22.19  interest groups exercise power.  The student must examine the 
 22.20  foundational documents of United States citizenship, including 
 22.21  the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights relating 
 22.22  to citizen rights and responsibilities. 
 22.23     Sec. 30.  [120B.0238] [PREPARATORY COURSES IN LEARNING AREA 
 22.24  SIX; THE ARTS.] 
 22.25     Subdivision 1.  [ART FORMS.] (a) A student must, at a 
 22.26  minimum, describe at least three of the art forms in this 
 22.27  section using the vocabulary of the art form and identify 
 22.28  similarities and differences between different art forms in: 
 22.29     (1) dance; 
 22.30     (2) visual art; 
 22.31     (3) music; and 
 22.32     (4) theater. 
 22.33     (b) Expectations regarding student work under this section 
 22.34  must be appropriate for the student's grade level. 
 22.35     Subd. 2.  [ARTISTIC CREATIVITY AND PERFORMANCE; ARTISTIC 
 22.36  INTERPRETATION.] (a) A student must, at a minimum: 
 23.1      (1) know the expressive and technical elements of an art 
 23.2   form; and 
 23.3      (2) perform or present in each art form, including using 
 23.4   principles and elements of the art form and creating original 
 23.5   works in a variety of contexts. 
 23.6      (b) A student must at least interpret and evaluate a 
 23.7   variety of art works, performances, or presentations by 
 23.8   analyzing art works using the elements, principles, and styles 
 23.9   of the art form and evaluating works of art. 
 23.10     Sec. 31.  [120B.0239] [PREPARATORY CONTENT STANDARDS IN 
 23.11  LEARNING AREA SEVEN; PERSONAL FITNESS AND HEALTH.] 
 23.12     (a) A student must at least demonstrate a grade level 
 23.13  understanding of activities that promote personal fitness, 
 23.14  health, nutrition, and safety. 
 23.15     (b) A student must at least demonstrate a grade level 
 23.16  understanding of: 
 23.17     (1) the consequences of using drugs, alcohol, and tobacco; 
 23.18     (2) the strategies to prevent the spread of communicable 
 23.19  diseases; 
 23.20     (3) the strategies for preventing accidents; and 
 23.21     (4) age-appropriate nutritional recommendations. 
 23.22     (c) A student must at least demonstrate a grade level 
 23.23  understanding of motor skills and physical fitness and 
 23.24  participate in physical activities that develop motor skills and 
 23.25  physical fitness. 
 23.26     Sec. 32.  [120B.0240] [PREPARATORY COURSES IN LEARNING AREA 
 23.27  EIGHT; SECOND LANGUAGES.] 
 23.28     A student must at least demonstrate the ability to 
 23.29  communicate in another language on age-appropriate topics, 
 23.30  including knowing and understanding language features needed for 
 23.31  communication. 
 23.32     Sec. 33.  [120B.36] [ASSESSMENT OF PERFORMANCE IN PUBLIC 
 23.33  SCHOOLS.] 
 23.34     (a) Public schools shall annually assess the performance of 
 23.35  every child enrolled in public school using a nationally 
 23.36  norm-referenced standardized achievement examination.  The local 
 24.1   school board annually shall select the examination for each 
 24.2   grade level.  The board must notify the parent or guardian of 
 24.3   every child of the name and date of the test at least 14 
 24.4   calendar days before the test is given.  Parents who object to 
 24.5   the test must notify the school of their objection in writing 
 24.6   and name an alternative nationally norm-referenced standardized 
 24.7   achievement examination for their child to take.  The school 
 24.8   must give the child the alternative examination within a 
 24.9   reasonable period of time of when the test selected by the board 
 24.10  is given.  School officials shall place children's test results 
 24.11  in their education records. 
 24.12     (b) Each local school board shall establish a written 
 24.13  policy indicating what assistance the school district will make 
 24.14  available to children and their parents when a child's total 
 24.15  battery score on an achievement examination is at or below the 
 24.16  30th percentile. 
 24.17     (c) No state or local unit of government may enter into an 
 24.18  exclusive agreement with a testing company to provide only a 
 24.19  single form of an examination to the state or a local school 
 24.20  district. 
 24.21     Sec. 34.  Minnesota Statutes 1999 Supplement, section 
 24.22  122A.09, subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
 24.23     Subd. 4.  [LICENSE AND RULES.] (a) The board must adopt 
 24.24  rules to license public school teachers and interns subject to 
 24.25  chapter 14. 
 24.26     (b) The board must adopt rules requiring a person to 
 24.27  successfully complete a skills examination in reading, writing, 
 24.28  and mathematics as a requirement for initial teacher licensure.  
 24.29  Such rules must require college and universities offering a 
 24.30  board approved teacher preparation program to provide remedial 
 24.31  assistance to persons who did not achieve a qualifying score on 
 24.32  the skills examination, including those for whom English is a 
 24.33  second language. 
 24.34     (c) The board must adopt rules to approve teacher 
 24.35  preparation programs.  The board, upon the request of a 
 24.36  post-secondary student preparing for teacher licensure or a 
 25.1   licensed graduate of a teacher preparation program, shall assist 
 25.2   in resolving a dispute between the person and a post-secondary 
 25.3   institution providing a teacher preparation program when the 
 25.4   dispute involves an institution's recommendation for licensure 
 25.5   affecting the person or the person's credentials.  At the 
 25.6   board's discretion, assistance may include the application of 
 25.7   chapter 14. 
 25.8      (d) The board must provide the leadership and shall adopt 
 25.9   rules for the redesign of teacher education programs to 
 25.10  implement a research based, results-oriented curriculum that 
 25.11  focuses on the skills teachers need in order to be effective.  
 25.12  The board shall implement new systems of teacher preparation 
 25.13  program evaluation to assure program effectiveness based on 
 25.14  proficiency of graduates in demonstrating attainment of program 
 25.15  outcomes. 
 25.16     (e) The board must adopt rules requiring successful 
 25.17  completion of an examination of general pedagogical knowledge 
 25.18  and examinations of licensure-specific teaching skills.  The 
 25.19  rules shall be effective on the dates determined by the board, 
 25.20  but not later than September 1, 2001. 
 25.21     (f) The board must adopt rules requiring teacher educators 
 25.22  to work directly with elementary or secondary school teachers in 
 25.23  elementary or secondary schools to obtain periodic exposure to 
 25.24  the elementary or secondary teaching environment. 
 25.25     (g) The board must grant licenses to interns and to 
 25.26  candidates for initial licenses. 
 25.27     (h) The board must design and implement an assessment 
 25.28  system which requires a candidate for an initial license and 
 25.29  first continuing license to demonstrate the abilities necessary 
 25.30  to perform selected, representative teaching tasks at 
 25.31  appropriate levels. 
 25.32     (i) The board must receive recommendations from local 
 25.33  committees as established by the board for the renewal of 
 25.34  teaching licenses. 
 25.35     (j) The board must grant life licenses to those who qualify 
 25.36  according to requirements established by the board, and suspend 
 26.1   or revoke licenses pursuant to sections 122A.20 and 214.10.  The 
 26.2   board must not establish any expiration date for application for 
 26.3   life licenses.  
 26.4      (k) The board must adopt rules that require all licensed 
 26.5   teachers who are renewing their continuing license to include in 
 26.6   their renewal requirements further preparation in the areas of 
 26.7   using positive behavior interventions and in accommodating, 
 26.8   modifying, and adapting curricula, materials, and strategies to 
 26.9   appropriately meet the needs of individual students and ensure 
 26.10  adequate progress toward the state's graduation rule North Star 
 26.11  standard.  The rules adopted under this paragraph apply to 
 26.12  teachers who renew their licenses in year 2001 and later. 
 26.13     (l) In adopting rules to license public school teachers who 
 26.14  provide health-related services for disabled children, the board 
 26.15  shall adopt rules consistent with license or registration 
 26.16  requirements of the commissioner of health and the 
 26.17  health-related boards who license personnel who perform similar 
 26.18  services outside of the school. 
 26.19     Sec. 35.  Minnesota Statutes 1999 Supplement, section 
 26.20  126C.10, subdivision 14, is amended to read: 
 26.21     Subd. 14.  [USES OF TOTAL OPERATING CAPITAL REVENUE.] Total 
 26.22  operating capital revenue may be used only for the following 
 26.23  purposes: 
 26.24     (1) to acquire land for school purposes; 
 26.25     (2) to acquire or construct buildings for school purposes; 
 26.26     (3) to rent or lease buildings, including the costs of 
 26.27  building repair or improvement that are part of a lease 
 26.28  agreement; 
 26.29     (4) to improve and repair school sites and buildings, and 
 26.30  equip or reequip school buildings with permanent attached 
 26.31  fixtures; 
 26.32     (5) for a surplus school building that is used 
 26.33  substantially for a public nonschool purpose; 
 26.34     (6) to eliminate barriers or increase access to school 
 26.35  buildings by individuals with a disability; 
 26.36     (7) to bring school buildings into compliance with the 
 27.1   Uniform Fire Code adopted according to chapter 299F; 
 27.2      (8) to remove asbestos from school buildings, encapsulate 
 27.3   asbestos, or make asbestos-related repairs; 
 27.4      (9) to clean up and dispose of polychlorinated biphenyls 
 27.5   found in school buildings; 
 27.6      (10) to clean up, remove, dispose of, and make repairs 
 27.7   related to storing heating fuel or transportation fuels such as 
 27.8   alcohol, gasoline, fuel oil, and special fuel, as defined in 
 27.9   section 296A.01; 
 27.10     (11) for energy audits for school buildings and to modify 
 27.11  buildings if the audit indicates the cost of the modification 
 27.12  can be recovered within ten years; 
 27.13     (12) to improve buildings that are leased according to 
 27.14  section 123B.51, subdivision 4; 
 27.15     (13) to pay special assessments levied against school 
 27.16  property but not to pay assessments for service charges; 
 27.17     (14) to pay principal and interest on state loans for 
 27.18  energy conservation according to section 216C.37 or loans made 
 27.19  under the Northeast Minnesota Economic Protection Trust Fund Act 
 27.20  according to sections 298.292 to 298.298; 
 27.21     (15) to purchase or lease interactive telecommunications 
 27.22  equipment; 
 27.23     (16) by board resolution, to transfer money into the debt 
 27.24  redemption fund to:  (i) pay the amounts needed to meet, when 
 27.25  due, principal and interest payments on certain obligations 
 27.26  issued according to chapter 475; or (ii) pay principal and 
 27.27  interest on debt service loans or capital loans according to 
 27.28  section 126C.70; 
 27.29     (17) to pay operating capital-related assessments of any 
 27.30  entity formed under a cooperative agreement between two or more 
 27.31  districts; 
 27.32     (18) to purchase or lease computers and related materials, 
 27.33  copying machines, telecommunications equipment, and other 
 27.34  noninstructional equipment; 
 27.35     (19) to purchase or lease assistive technology or equipment 
 27.36  for instructional programs; 
 28.1      (20) to purchase textbooks; 
 28.2      (21) to purchase new and replacement library books or 
 28.3   technology; 
 28.4      (22) to purchase vehicles; 
 28.5      (23) to purchase or lease telecommunications equipment, 
 28.6   computers, and related equipment for integrated information 
 28.7   management systems for: 
 28.8      (i) managing and reporting learner outcome information for 
 28.9   all students under a the state's results-oriented graduation 
 28.10  rule North Star standard; 
 28.11     (ii) managing student assessment, services, and achievement 
 28.12  information required for students with individual education 
 28.13  plans; and 
 28.14     (iii) other classroom information management needs; and 
 28.15     (24) to pay personnel costs directly related to the 
 28.16  acquisition, operation, and maintenance of telecommunications 
 28.17  systems, computers, related equipment, and network and 
 28.18  applications software. 
 28.19     Sec. 36.  Minnesota Statutes 1999 Supplement, section 
 28.20  290.0674, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
 28.21     Subdivision 1.  [CREDIT ALLOWED.] An individual is allowed 
 28.22  a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter in an amount 
 28.23  equal to the amount paid for education-related expenses for a 
 28.24  qualifying child in kindergarten through grade 12.  For purposes 
 28.25  of this section, "education-related expenses" means: 
 28.26     (1) fees or tuition for instruction by an instructor under 
 28.27  section 120A.22, subdivision 10, clause (1), (2), (3), (4), or 
 28.28  (5), or by a member of the Minnesota music teachers association, 
 28.29  for instruction outside the regular school day or school year, 
 28.30  including tutoring, driver's education offered as part of school 
 28.31  curriculum, regardless of whether it is taken from a public or 
 28.32  private entity or summer camps, in grade or age appropriate 
 28.33  curricula that supplement curricula and instruction available 
 28.34  during the regular school year, that assists a dependent to 
 28.35  improve knowledge of core curriculum areas or to expand 
 28.36  knowledge and skills under the graduation rule North Star 
 29.1   standard under section 120B.02 and that do not include the 
 29.2   teaching of religious tenets, doctrines, or worship, the purpose 
 29.3   of which is to instill such tenets, doctrines, or worship; 
 29.4      (2) expenses for textbooks, including books and other 
 29.5   instructional materials and equipment used in elementary and 
 29.6   secondary schools in teaching only those subjects legally and 
 29.7   commonly taught in public elementary and secondary schools in 
 29.8   this state.  "Textbooks" does not include instructional books 
 29.9   and materials used in the teaching of religious tenets, 
 29.10  doctrines, or worship, the purpose of which is to instill such 
 29.11  tenets, doctrines, or worship, nor does it include books or 
 29.12  materials for extracurricular activities including sporting 
 29.13  events, musical or dramatic events, speech activities, driver's 
 29.14  education, or similar programs; 
 29.15     (3) a maximum expense of $200 per family for personal 
 29.16  computer hardware, excluding single purpose processors, and 
 29.17  educational software that assists a dependent to improve 
 29.18  knowledge of core curriculum areas or to expand knowledge and 
 29.19  skills under the graduation rule North Star standard under 
 29.20  section 120B.02 purchased for use in the taxpayer's home and not 
 29.21  used in a trade or business regardless of whether the computer 
 29.22  is required by the dependent's school; and 
 29.23     (4) the amount paid to others for transportation of a 
 29.24  qualifying child attending an elementary or secondary school 
 29.25  situated in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, or 
 29.26  Wisconsin, wherein a resident of this state may legally fulfill 
 29.27  the state's compulsory attendance laws, which is not operated 
 29.28  for profit, and which adheres to the provisions of the Civil 
 29.29  Rights Act of 1964 and chapter 363. 
 29.30     For purposes of this section, "qualifying child" has the 
 29.31  meaning given in section 32(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. 
 29.32     Sec. 37.  [REPEALER.] 
 29.33     (a) Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 120B.03, subdivision 
 29.34  1, is repealed. 
 29.35     (b) Minnesota Rules, parts 3501.0300; 3501.0310; 3501.0320; 
 29.36  3501.0330; 3501.0340; 3501.0350; 3501.0360; 3501.0370; 
 30.1   3501.0380; 3501.0390; 3501.0400; 3501.0410; 3501.0420; 
 30.2   3501.0430; 3501.0440; 3501.0441; 3501.0442; 3501.0443; 
 30.3   3501.0444; 3501.0445; 3501.0446; 3501.0447; 3501.0448; 
 30.4   3501.0449; 3501.0450; 3501.0460; 3501.0461; 3501.0462; 
 30.5   3501.0463; 3501.0464; 3501.0465; 3501.0466; 3501.0467; 
 30.6   3501.0468; and 3501.0469, are repealed. 
 30.7      Sec. 38.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
 30.8      Sections 1 to 37 are effective for the 2000-2001 school 
 30.9   year and following.