1997 Minnesota Statutes

     126.43 Summer cultural exchange grant program. 

    Subdivision 1.    Cultural exchange program goals.  A 
 cultural exchange grant program is established to develop and 
 create opportunities for children and staff of different ethnic, 
 racial, and other cultural backgrounds to experience educational 
 and social exchange.  Student and staff exchanges under this 
 section may only take place between a district with a 
 desegregation plan approved by the state board of education and 
 a district without a desegregation plan.  Participating school 
 districts shall offer summer programs for credit with the goals 
 set forth in paragraphs (a) to (d). 

    (a) The program shall develop curriculum reflective of 
 particular ethnic, racial, and other cultural aspects of various 
 demographic groups in the state. 

    (b) The program shall develop immersion programs that are 
 coordinated with the programs offered in paragraph (a). 

    (c) The program shall create opportunities for students 
 from across the state to enroll in summer programs in school 
 districts other than the one of residence, or in other schools 
 within their district of residence. 

    (d) The program shall create opportunities for staff 
 exchanges on a cultural basis. 

    Subd. 2.    Cultural exchange grants.  A school district 
 together with a group of school districts, a cooperative 
 governmental unit, the center for arts and education, or a 
 post-secondary institution may apply for cultural exchange 
 grants.  The commissioner of children, families, and learning 
 shall determine grant recipients and may adopt application 
 guidelines.  The grants must be competitively determined and 
 applicants must demonstrate: 

    (1) the capacity to develop a focused curriculum that 
 reflects the particular ethnic, racial, and other cultural 
 aspects of the community in which the school where the program 
 is offered is located; 

    (2) the capacity to develop immersion programs coordinated 
 with the curriculum developed in clause (1); 

    (3) the capacity to coordinate a cultural exchange program 
 with other curriculum programs to assure continuity in a pupil's 
 education; 

    (4) the capacity to maximize diversity of ethnic, racial, 
 and other cultural backgrounds of participants; 

    (5) that the application is jointly developed by 
 participants; and 

    (6) that the outcomes of the exchange program are clearly 
 articulated. 

    Subd. 3.    Grant use.  The grants may be used for staff 
 time including salary and benefit expenses and costs for 
 substitute staff, travel expenses, curriculum materials, and any 
 other expense needed to meet the goals of the program.  Grant 
 proceeds also may be used for transportation, board, and lodging 
 expenses for students.  

    HIST: 1994 c 647 art 8 s 23; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13