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CHAPTER 124D. Education programs

Table of Sections
SectionHeadnote
124D.01Definitions.
124D.02School board powers; enrollment.
124D.03Enrollment options program.
124D.04Options for enrolling in adjoining states.
124D.05Attending school in another state; severance pay.
124D.06Specific enrollment options in nonresident districts; limited application.
124D.07Application to commissioner to enroll in nonresident district.
124D.08School boards' approval to enroll in nonresident district.
124D.081First-grade preparedness program.
124D.09Post-secondary Enrollment Options Act.
124D.10Charter schools.
124D.11Revenue for a results-oriented charter school.
124D.111Lunch aid; food service accounting.
124D.112School lunch program; revolving fund; state board.
124D.113School lunch program; revolving fund; commissioner.
124D.114Lactose reduced milk.
124D.115School breakfast program.
124D.116School breakfast incentive.
124D.117Districts to offer school breakfast program.
124D.118School milk program.
124D.119Summer food service replacement aid.
124D.12Purpose of flexible learning year programs.
124D.121Definition of flexible learning year program.
124D.122Establishment of flexible learning year program.
124D.123Division of children into groups.
124D.124Public hearing before implementation.
124D.125Assignment of teachers.
124D.126Powers and duties of the state board; flexible learning year programs.
124D.127Termination of flexible learning year program.
124D.128Learning year program to provide instruction throughout year.
124D.13Early childhood family education (ECFE) programs.
124D.135Early childhood family education (ECFE) revenue.
124D.14Additional early childhood family education (ECFE) revenue.
124D.15Learning readiness programs.
124D.16Learning readiness aid.
124D.17Way to grow/school readiness program.
124D.18Purpose of community education programs.
124D.19Community education programs; advisory council.
124D.20Community education revenue.
124D.21Additional community education revenue.
124D.22Extended day revenue.
124D.23Family services and community-based collaboratives.
124D.24Citation; Minnesota Family Connections Act.
124D.25Purpose of the Family Connections Act.
124D.26Improved learning program.
124D.27Advisory council.
124D.28Family connections program components.
124D.29Career teacher.
124D.30Family connections aid.
124D.31Reserved revenue for certain teacher program.
124D.32Learn and earn graduation achievement program.
124D.33Male responsibility and fathering grants.
124D.331Educational program for pregnant minors and minor parents.
124D.34Minnesota school-to-work student organization.
124D.35Youth entrepreneurship education program.
124D.355Vocational education student organizations.
124D.36Citation; Minnesota Youth Works Act.
124D.37Purpose of the Minnesota Youth Works Act.
124D.38Definitions.
124D.39Youth works program.
124D.40Youth works grants.
124D.41Grant applications.
124D.42Program provisions.
124D.43Priority given to eligible organization meeting specific goals.
124D.44Match requirements.
124D.45Evaluation and reporting requirements.
124D.453Current funding for secondary vocational education.
124D.454Access to Minnesota's school-to-work system for children with a disability.
124D.46Education and employment transitions system.
124D.47Comprehensive youth apprenticeship program.
124D.48General application of workplace health and safety laws; displacement of workers prohibited.
124D.49Education and employment transitions partnerships.
124D.50Service-learning and work-based learning curriculum and programs.
124D.505Minnesota career information system.
124D.51Evening schools; adult and continuing education.
124D.52Adult basic education.
124D.53Adult basic education aid.
124D.54Adult high school graduation aid.
124D.548General education development (GED) tests rules; state board.
124D.549General education development (GED) tests rules; commissioner.
124D.55General education development (GED) test fees.
124D.56Community education program revenue; adults with disabilities.
124D.57Hearing impaired educational support services.
124D.58Citation; Education for Limited English Proficient Students Act.
124D.59Definitions.
124D.60Rights of parents.
124D.61General requirements for programs.
124D.62Exemption from licensure requirements for limited English proficiency (LEP) or English as a second language (ESL) teachers.
124D.63Technical assistance.
124D.64Discrimination prohibited.
124D.65Limited English proficiency (LEP) programs aid.
124D.66Assurance of mastery programs.
124D.67Assurance of mastery revenue.
124D.68Graduation incentives program.
124D.69Aid for alternative programs provided under contract.
124D.70Additional revenue for homeless students.
124D.71Citation; American Indian Education Act.
124D.72Policy.
124D.73Definitions.
124D.74American Indian language and culture education programs.
124D.75Licenses for American Indian language and culture education teachers; exemptions.
124D.76Teachers aides; community coordinators.
124D.77Recruiting and retaining Indian teachers.
124D.78Parent and community participation.
124D.79Community and commissioner participation in American Indian education.
124D.80Committees on American Indian education programs.
124D.81Continuation of Indian education grants.
124D.82Discrimination prohibited.
124D.83State revenue for American Indian tribal contract or grant schools.
124D.84Indian scholarships.
124D.85Indian post-secondary preparation grants.
124D.86Integration revenue.
124D.87Interdistrict desegregation or integration transportation grants.
124D.88Metropolitan magnet school grants.
124D.89Summer cultural exchange grant program.
124D.892Office of desegregation/integration.
124D.894State multicultural education advisory committee.
124D.895Parental involvement programs.
124D.896Desegregation/integration and inclusive education rules.
124D.90School enrichment partnership program.
124D.91Citation; Minnesota Local Partnership Act.
124D.92Purpose of the Minnesota Local Partnership Act.
124D.93Minnesota local partnership program.
124D.94Minnesota academic excellence foundation.
124D.95Summer scholarships for academic enrichment.
124D.96Welfare and correctional institutions' policies for educational programs.
124D.97Veterans training program.

124D.01 Definitions.

For the purpose of this chapter, the terms defined in section 120A.05 have the same meaning.

HIST: Ex1959 c 71 art 2 s 1; 1998 c 397 art 4 s 51; art 11 s 3

124D.02 School board powers; enrollment.

Subdivision 1. Kindergarten instruction. The board may establish and maintain one or more kindergartens for the instruction of children and after July 1, 1974, shall provide kindergarten instruction for all eligible children, either in the district or in another district. All children to be eligible for kindergarten must be at least five years of age on September 1 of the calendar year in which the school year commences. In addition all children selected under an early admissions policy established by the school board may be admitted. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a school district from establishing head start, prekindergarten, or nursery school classes for children below kindergarten age. Any school board with evidence that providing kindergarten will cause an extraordinary hardship on the school district may apply to the commissioner of children, families, and learning for an exception.

Subd. 2. Secondary school programs. The board may permit a person who is over the age of 21 or who has graduated from high school to enroll as a part-time student in a class or program at a secondary school if there is space available. In determining if there is space available, full-time public school students, shared-time students, and students returning to complete a regular course of study shall be given priority over part-time students seeking enrollment pursuant to this subdivision. The following are not prerequisites for enrollment:

(1) residency in the school district;

(2) United States citizenship; or

(3) for a person over the age of 21, a high school diploma or equivalency certificate. A person may enroll in a class or program even if that person attends evening school, an adult or continuing education, or a post-secondary educational program or institution.

Subd. 3. Counting pupils. A district may not count a person enrolled pursuant to subdivision 2 as a pupil unit or a pupil in average daily membership for the purpose of receiving any state aid.

Subd. 4. Part-time student fee. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 120A.20 and 123B.37, a board may charge a part-time student a reasonable fee for a class or program.

HIST: Ex1959 c 71 art 4 s 17; 1961 c 225 s 1; 1967 c 173 s 2; 1969 c 21 s 1; 1969 c 104 s 1; 1973 c 491 s 1; 1975 c 359 s 23; 1978 c 616 s 5; 1979 c 334 art 6 s 9; 1980 c 609 art 6 s 16; 1981 c 194 s 1; 1981 c 358 art 7 s 22; 1982 c 548 art 6 s 4; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 309 s 24; 1987 c 398 art 7 s 20; 1988 c 626 s 1; 1988 c 668 s 2; 1988 c 718 art 7 s 21; 1991 c 265 art 6 s 22; art 9 s 36; 1992 c 499 art 12 s 8; 1993 c 224 art 12 s 16; art 13 s 17; 1994 c 647 art 6 s 11-13; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 9 s 20; art 16 s 13; 1996 c 412 art 3 s 10; art 6 s 1; 1Sp1997 c 4 art 6 s 7; art 7 s 4; 1998 c 397 art 1 s 54,58; art 3 s 53; art 5 s 88-90; art 6 s 62-68; art 8 s 1,2; art 11 s 3; 1998 c 398 art 6 s 17

124D.03 Enrollment options program.

Subdivision 1. Establishment. An enrollment options program is established to enable any pupil to attend a school or program in a district in which the pupil does not reside, subject to the limitations in this section.

Subd. 2. Limited enrollment of nonresident pupils. (a) A board may, by resolution, limit the enrollment of nonresident pupils in its schools or programs according to this section to a number not less than the lesser of:

(1) one percent of the total enrollment at each grade level in the district; or

(2) the number of district residents at that grade level enrolled in a nonresident district according to this section.

(b) A district that limits enrollment of nonresident pupils under paragraph (a) shall report to the commissioner by July 15 on the number of nonresident pupils denied admission due to the limitations on the enrollment of nonresident pupils.

Subd. 3. Pupil application procedures. In order that a pupil may attend a school or program in a nonresident district, the pupil's parent or guardian must submit an application to the nonresident district. Before submitting an application, the pupil and the pupil's parent or guardian must explore with a school guidance counselor, or other appropriate staff member employed by the district the pupil is currently attending, the pupil's academic or other reason for applying to enroll in a nonresident district. The pupil's application must identify the reason for enrolling in the nonresident district. The parent or guardian of a pupil must submit an application by January 15 for initial enrollment beginning the following school year. The application must be on a form provided by the department of children, families, and learning. A particular school or program may be requested by the parent. Once enrolled in a nonresident district, the pupil may remain enrolled and is not required to submit annual or periodic applications. To return to the resident district or to transfer to a different nonresident district, the parent or guardian of the pupil must provide notice to the resident district or apply to a different nonresident district by January 15 for enrollment beginning the following school year.

Subd. 4. Desegregation district transfers. (a) This subdivision applies to a transfer into or out of a district that has a desegregation plan approved by the commissioner of children, families, and learning.

(b) An application to transfer may be submitted at any time for enrollment beginning at any time.

(c) The parent or guardian of a pupil who is a resident of a district that has a desegregation plan must submit an application to the resident district. If the district accepts the application, it must forward the application to the nonresident district.

(d) The parent or guardian of a pupil who applies for enrollment in a nonresident district that has a desegregation plan must submit an application to the nonresident district.

(e) Each district must accept or reject an application it receives and notify the parent or guardian in writing within 30 calendar days of receiving the application. A notification of acceptance must include the date enrollment can begin.

(f) If an application is rejected, the district must state the reason for rejection in the notification. If a district that has a desegregation plan rejects an application for a reason related to the desegregation plan, the district must state with specificity how acceptance of the application would result in noncompliance with state board rules with respect to the school or program for which application was made.

(g) If an application is accepted, the parent or guardian must notify the nonresident district in writing within 15 calendar days of receiving the acceptance whether the pupil intends to enroll in the nonresident district. Notice of intention to enroll obligates the pupil to enroll in the nonresident district, unless the boards of the resident and nonresident districts agree otherwise. If a parent or guardian does not notify the nonresident district, the pupil may not enroll in that nonresident district at that time, unless the boards of the resident and nonresident district agree otherwise.

(h) Within 15 calendar days of receiving the notice from the parent or guardian, the nonresident district shall notify the resident district in writing of the pupil's intention to enroll in the nonresident district.

(i) A pupil enrolled in a nonresident district under this subdivision is not required to make annual or periodic application for enrollment but may remain enrolled in the same district. A pupil may transfer to the resident district at any time.

(j) A pupil enrolled in a nonresident district and applying to transfer into or out of a district that has a desegregation plan must follow the procedures of this subdivision. For the purposes of this type of transfer, "resident district" means the nonresident district in which the pupil is enrolled at the time of application.

(k) A district that has a desegregation plan approved by the state board must accept or reject each individual application in a manner that will enable compliance with its desegregation plan.

Subd. 5. Nonresident district procedures. A district shall notify the parent or guardian in writing by February 15 whether the application has been accepted or rejected. If an application is rejected, the district must state in the notification the reason for rejection. The parent or guardian must notify the nonresident district by March 1 whether the pupil intends to enroll in the nonresident district. Notice of intent to enroll in the nonresident district obligates the pupil to attend the nonresident district during the following school year, unless the boards of the resident and the nonresident districts agree in writing to allow the pupil to transfer back to the resident district, or the pupil's parents or guardians change residence to another district. If a parent or guardian does not notify the nonresident district, the pupil may not enroll in that nonresident district during the following school year, unless the boards of the resident and nonresident district agree otherwise. The nonresident district must notify the resident district by March 15 of the pupil's intent to enroll in the nonresident district. The same procedures apply to a pupil who applies to transfer from one participating nonresident district to another participating nonresident district.

Subd. 6. Basis for decisions. The board must adopt, by resolution, specific standards for acceptance and rejection of applications. Standards may include the capacity of a program, class, or school building. The school board may not reject applications for enrollment in a particular grade level if the nonresident enrollment at that grade level does not exceed the limit set by the board under subdivision 2. Standards may not include previous academic achievement, athletic or other extracurricular ability, disabling conditions, proficiency in the English language, previous disciplinary proceedings, or the student's district of residence.

Subd. 7. Exceptions to deadlines. Notwithstanding subdivision 3, the following pupil application procedures apply:

(a) Upon agreement of the resident and nonresident districts, a pupil may submit an application to a nonresident district after January 15 for enrollment beginning the following school year.

(b) If, as a result of entering into, modifying, or terminating an agreement between boards, a pupil is assigned after December 1 to a different school for enrollment beginning at any time, the pupil, the pupil's siblings, or any other pupil residing in the pupil's residence may submit an application to a nonresident district at any time before July 1 for enrollment beginning the following school year.

(c) A pupil who becomes a resident of a district after December 1 may submit an application to a nonresident district on January 15 or any time after that date for enrollment beginning any time before the following December 1.

(d) If the commissioner of children, families, and learning and the commissioner of human rights determine that the policies, procedures, or practices of a district are in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Public Law Number 88-352) or chapter 363, any pupil in the district may submit an application to a nonresident district at any time for enrollment beginning at any time.

For exceptions under this subdivision, the applicant, the applicant's parent or guardian, the district of residence, and the district of attendance must observe, in a prompt and efficient manner, the application and notice procedures in subdivisions 3 and 5, except that the application and notice deadlines do not apply.

Subd. 8. Transportation. If requested by the parent of a pupil, the nonresident district shall provide transportation within the district.

The resident district is not required to provide or pay for transportation between the pupil's residence and the border of the nonresident district. A parent may be reimbursed by the nonresident district for the costs of transportation from the pupil's residence to the border of the nonresident district if the pupil is from a family whose income is at or below the poverty level, as determined by the federal government. The reimbursement may not exceed the pupil's actual cost of transportation or 15 cents per mile traveled, whichever is less. Reimbursement may not be paid for more than 250 miles per week.

At the time a nonresident district notifies a parent or guardian that an application has been accepted under subdivision 4 or 5, the nonresident district must provide the parent or guardian with the following information regarding the transportation of nonresident pupils under section 123B.88, subdivision 6.

Subd. 9. Credits toward graduation. A nonresident district shall accept credits toward graduation that were awarded by another district. The nonresident district shall award a diploma to a nonresident pupil if the pupil meets its graduation requirements.

Subd. 10. Information. A district shall make information about the district, schools, programs, policies, and procedures available to all interested people.

Subd. 11. General education aid. Adjustments to general education aid for the resident and nonresident districts shall be made according to section 127A.47, subdivision 7.

HIST: 1988 c 718 art 7 s 8; 1989 c 222 s 1,2; 1989 c 329 art 9 s 1-3; 1990 c 562 art 6 s 1,2; 1991 c 130 s 1,2; 1991 c 265 art 2 s 1; art 3 s 38; art 9 s 1; 1992 c 499 art 9 s 1; 1993 c 224 art 2 s 1; art 13 s 1; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1997 c 7 art 1 s 43; 1Sp1997 c 4 art 1 s 1; art 5 s 1-4; 1998 c 397 art 1 s 9-14,58; art 11 s 3

124D.04 Options for enrolling in adjoining states.

Subdivision 1. Options for enrollment in adjoining states. Minnesota pupils and pupils residing in adjoining states may enroll in districts in the other state according to:

(1) section 124D.05, subdivision 2; or

(2) this section.

Subd. 2. Pupils in Minnesota. A Minnesota resident pupil may enroll in a district in an adjoining state if the district to be attended borders Minnesota.

Subd. 3. Pupils in adjoining states. A non-Minnesota pupil who resides in an adjoining state in a district that borders Minnesota may enroll in a Minnesota district if either the board of the district in which the pupil resides or state in which the pupil resides pays tuition to the district in which the pupil is enrolled.

Subd. 4. Canadian pupils. A pupil who resides in Canada may enroll in a Minnesota district if the province in which the pupil resides pays tuition to the district in which the pupil is enrolled. A pupil may enroll either full time or part time for all instructional programs and shall be considered eligible for all other purposes for all other programs offered by the district. The tuition must be an amount that is at least comparable to the tuition specified in section 124D.05, subdivision 1. A district may accept funds from any international agency for these programs.

Subd. 5. Procedural requirements. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the rights and duties set forth in section 124D.03 apply to Minnesota pupils, parents, and districts if a pupil enrolls in a nonresident district according to this section.

Subd. 6. Tuition payments. In each odd-numbered year, before March 1, the commissioner must agree to rates of tuition for Minnesota elementary and secondary pupils attending in other states for the next two fiscal years when the other state agrees to negotiate tuition rates. The commissioner must negotiate equal, reciprocal rates with the designated authority in each state for pupils who reside in an adjoining state and enroll in a Minnesota district. The rates must be at least equal to the tuition specified in section 124D.05, subdivision 1. If the other state does not agree to negotiate a general tuition rate, a Minnesota school district may negotiate a tuition rate with the school district in the other state that sends a pupil to or receives a pupil from the Minnesota school district. The tuition rate for a pupil with a disability must be equal to the actual cost of instruction and services provided. The resident district of a Minnesota pupil attending in another state under this section must pay the amount of tuition agreed upon in this section to the district of attendance, prorated on the basis of the proportion of the school year attended.

Subd. 7. Transportation of students. (a) The agreement under subdivision 6 with each state must specify that the attending district in each state transport a pupil from the district boundary to the school of attendance.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the districts of residence and attendance may agree that either district may provide transportation from a pupil's home or agreed upon location to school. Transportation aid for Minnesota students eligible for aid must be paid only for transportation within the resident district.

Subd. 8. Effective if reciprocal. This section is effective with respect to South Dakota upon enactment of provisions by South Dakota that the commissioner determines are essentially similar to the provisions for Minnesota pupils in this section. This section is effective with respect to any other bordering state upon enactment of provisions by the bordering state that the commissioner determines are essentially similar to the provisions for Minnesota pupils in this section.

Subd. 9. Appeal to the commissioner. If a Minnesota school district cannot agree with an adjoining state on a tuition rate for a Minnesota student attending school in that state and that state has met the requirements in subdivision 8, then the student's parent or guardian may request that the commissioner agree on a tuition rate for the student. The Minnesota district must pay the amount of tuition the commissioner agrees upon.

HIST: 1991 c 265 art 9 s 2; 1993 c 224 art 6 s 1; art 9 s 1; 1Sp1997 c 4 art 4 s 1-3; 1998 c 397 art 1 s 15,58; art 11 s 3

124D.05 Attending school in another state; severance pay.

Subdivision 1. Attending school in another state. Any person under 21 years of age residing in any district not maintaining a secondary school who has successfully completed the elementary school may, with the consent of the board of such district, attend any secondary school of a district in an adjoining state willing to admit the person, if the secondary school is nearer to the place of residence than any established secondary school in Minnesota, the distances being measured by the usual traveled routes. Any tuition charged by the district so attended must be paid to the district attended by the district in which the person resides. This tuition must not be more than (a) the district charges nonresident pupils of that state, (b) the average maintenance cost exclusive of transportation per pupil unit in average daily membership in the school attended, nor (c) the tuition rate provided for in section 123A.488, subdivision 2.

Any pupil attending a secondary school in an adjoining state for whom tuition is paid from district funds is entitled to transportation services in accordance with Minnesota Statutes.

Subd. 2. Tuition. A board of a district maintaining a secondary school may by a majority vote provide for the instruction of any resident pupil attending an elementary school, a middle school, or a secondary school in a district in an adjoining state. Any charge for tuition or transportation by the district in the adjoining state must be paid by the resident district. The pupil must be considered a pupil of the resident district for the purposes of state aid.

Subd. 3. Severance pay. A district must pay severance pay to a teacher who is placed on unrequested leave of absence by the district as a result of an agreement under this section. A teacher is eligible under this subdivision if the teacher:

(1) is a teacher, as defined in section 122A.40, subdivision 1, but not a superintendent;

(2) has a continuing contract with the district according to section 122A.40, subdivision 7.

The amount of severance pay must be equal to the teacher's salary for the school year during which the teacher was placed on unrequested leave of absence minus the gross amount the teacher was paid during the 12 months following the teacher's termination of salary, by an entity whose teachers by statute or rule must possess a valid Minnesota teaching license, and minus the amount a teacher receives as severance or other similar pay according to a contract with the district or district policy. These entities include, but are not limited to, the district that placed the teacher on unrequested leave of absence, another district in Minnesota, an education district, an intermediate school district, a service cooperative, a board formed under section 471.59, a state residential academy, the Lola and Rudy Perpich Minnesota center for arts education, a vocational center, or a special education cooperative. These entities do not include a district in another state, a Minnesota public post-secondary institution, or a state agency. Only amounts earned by the teacher as a substitute teacher or in a position requiring a valid Minnesota teaching license shall be subtracted. A teacher may decline any offer of employment as a teacher without loss of rights to severance pay.

To determine the amount of severance pay that is due for the first six months following termination of the teacher's salary, the district may require the teacher to provide documented evidence of the teacher's employers and gross earnings during that period. The district must pay the teacher the amount of severance pay it determines to be due from the proceeds of the levy for this purpose. To determine the amount of severance pay that is due for the second six months of the 12 months following the termination of the teacher's salary, the district may require the teacher to provide documented evidence of the teacher's employers and gross earnings during that period. The district must pay the teacher the amount of severance pay it determines to be due from the proceeds of the levy for this purpose.

A teacher who receives severance pay under this subdivision waives all further reinstatement rights under section 122A.40, subdivision 10 or 11. If the teacher receives severance pay, the teacher must not receive credit for any years of service in the district paying severance pay prior to the year in which the teacher becomes eligible to receive severance pay.

The severance pay is subject to section 465.72. The district may levy annually according to section 126C.43 for the severance pay.

HIST: Ex1959 c 71 art 1 s 8; 1961 c 562 s 8; 1975 c 162 s 2; 1986 c 444; 1988 c 718 art 7 s 17; 1990 c 596 s 1,2; 1991 c 130 s 37; 1991 c 265 art 6 s 1; 1992 c 499 art 12 s 29; 1996 c 305 art 1 s 138; 1996 c 412 art 9 s 19; art 13 s 4; 1998 c 397 art 1 s 28,58; art 11 s 3

124D.06 Specific enrollment options in nonresident districts; limited application.

Subdivision 1. Previous enrollment. Any pupil who, pursuant to the provisions of Minnesota Statutes 1976, section 120.065, or Minnesota Statutes 1977 Supplement, section 123.39, subdivision 5a, was enrolled on either January 1, 1978, or April 5, 1978, in a district of which the pupil was not a resident may continue in enrollment in that district.

Subd. 2. Continued enrollment. Any pupil who, pursuant to section 123B.88, subdivision 5, has continuously been enrolled since January 1, 1977, in a school district of which the pupil was not a resident may continue in enrollment in that district.

Subd. 3. Under school age. Any child who was under school age on either January 1, 1978, or April 5, 1978, but who otherwise would have qualified pursuant to the provisions of Minnesota Statutes 1976, section 120.065, or Minnesota Statutes 1977 Supplement, section 123.39, subdivision 5a, for enrollment in a district of which the child was not a resident may enroll in that district.

Subd. 4. Nonpublic school pupil. Any pupil enrolled on either January 1, 1978, or April 5, 1978, in a nonpublic school, as defined in section 123B.41, subdivision 9, located in a district of which the pupil was not a resident who would otherwise have qualified for enrollment in that district as a resident pursuant to subdivision 1 may attend the public schools of that district.

Subd. 5. Adopted child. Any child who was born on or before January 1, 1978, but who was adopted after January 1, 1978, and whose adoptive parent on January 1, 1978, owned property residence upon which would have qualified the child for enrollment pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 1976, section 120.065, in a district of which the child was not a resident may enroll in that district. Any child who was born on or before January 1, 1978, but who was adopted after January 1, 1978, and whose adoptive parent on January 1, 1978, owned or was a tenant upon property so as to qualify a child for enrollment pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 1977 Supplement, section 123.39, subdivision 5a, in a district of which the child was not a resident may enroll in that district.

Subd. 6. Sibling of qualified pupil. Subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 shall also apply to any brother or sister of a qualified pupil who is related to that pupil by blood, adoption, or marriage and to any foster child of that pupil's parents. The enrollment of any pupil pursuant to subdivision 1, 3, 4, or 5 and of a brother or sister of that pupil or of a foster child of that pupil's parents pursuant to this subdivision must remain subject to the provisions of Minnesota Statutes 1976, section 120.065 and Minnesota Statutes 1977 Supplement, section 123.39, subdivision 5a, as they read on January 1, 1978.

Subd. 7. Aid payments. General education aid and transportation aid attributable to pupils covered by programs under this section must be paid according to sections 123B.92, subdivision 3, and 127A.47, subdivision 7.

HIST: 1978 c 764 s 2; 1979 c 334 art 6 s 2; 1980 c 375 s 1; 1980 c 609 art 6 s 1-3; 1986 c 444; 1988 c 718 art 7 s 9-11; 1989 c 222 s 3; 1997 c 7 art 1 s 44,54; 1998 c 397 art 1 s 16-19,58; art 11 s 3

124D.07 Application to commissioner to enroll in nonresident district.

Subdivision 1. Commissioner may permit enrollment. The commissioner may permit a pupil to enroll in a district of which the pupil is not a resident under this section.

Subd. 2. Application to the commissioner. The pupil or the pupil's parent or guardian must make application to the commissioner, explaining the particular circumstances that make the nonresident district the appropriate district of attendance for the pupil. The application must be signed by the pupil's parent or guardian and the superintendent of the nonresident district.

Subd. 3. Criteria for approval. In approving or disapproving the application the commissioner must consider the following:

(1) if the circumstances of the pupil are similar or analogous to the exceptions permitted by section 124D.06, whether attending school in the district of residence creates a particular hardship for the pupil; or

(2) if the pupil has been continuously enrolled for at least two years in a district of which the pupil was not a resident because of an error made in good faith about the actual district of residence, whether attending school in the district of residence creates a particular hardship for the pupil. If the commissioner finds that a good faith error was made and that attending school in the district of residence would create a particular hardship for the siblings of that pupil or foster children of that pupil's parents, the commissioner may separately approve an application for any or all of the siblings of the pupil who are related by blood, adoption, or marriage and for foster children of the pupil's parents.

Subd. 4. Decision deadline. The commissioner must render its decision in each case within 60 days of receiving the application in subdivision 2.

Subd. 5. Forms. The commissioner must provide the forms required by subdivision 2 and must adopt the procedures necessary to implement this section.

Subd. 6. Aid payments. General education aid and transportation aid for pupils covered by programs under this section must be paid according to sections 123B.92, subdivision 3, and 127A.47, subdivision 7.

HIST: 1980 c 609 art 6 s 4; 1981 c 358 art 7 s 4; 1983 c 314 art 7 s 4; 1986 c 444; 1988 c 718 art 7 s 12,13; 1989 c 222 s 4; 1993 c 224 art 13 s 2; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1997 c 7 art 1 s 45; 1998 c 397 art 1 s 20-24,58; art 11 s 3

124D.08 School boards' approval to enroll in nonresident district.

Subdivision 1. Enrollment exception. A pupil may enroll in a district of which the pupil is not a resident under this section.

Subd. 2. Board approval. The pupil's parent or guardian must receive the approval of the board of the nonresident district and the board of the resident district. The nonresident board shall notify the resident board of the approval.

Subd. 3. 11th and 12th grade students. Notwithstanding subdivision 2, an 11th or 12th grade pupil who has been enrolled in a district and whose parent or guardian moves to another district, may continue to enroll in the nonresident district upon the approval of the board of the nonresident district. The approval of the board of the pupil's resident district is not required.

Subd. 4. Aid payments. General education aid and transportation aid for pupils covered by programs under this section must be paid according to sections 123B.92, subdivision 3, and 127A.47, subdivision 7.

HIST: 1980 c 609 art 6 s 5; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 398 art 7 s 4; 1988 c 718 art 7 s 14-16; 1989 c 222 s 5; 1991 c 130 s 3; 1997 c 7 art 1 s 46; 1998 c 397 art 1 s 25-27,58; art 11 s 3

124D.081 First-grade preparedness program.

Subdivision 1. Purpose. The purposes of the first-grade preparedness program are to ensure that every child has the opportunity before first grade to develop the skills and abilities necessary to read and succeed in school and to reduce the underlying causes that create a need for compensatory revenue.

Subd. 2. Qualifying district. A school district may receive first-grade preparedness revenue for qualifying school sites if, consistent with subdivision 5, the school board approves a resolution requiring the district to provide services to all children located in a qualifying school site attendance area.

Subd. 3. Qualifying school site. (a) The commissioner shall rank all school sites with kindergarten programs that do not exclusively serve students under sections 125A.03 to 125A.24, and 125A.65. The ranking must be from highest to lowest based on the site's free and reduced lunch count as a percent of the fall enrollment using the preceding October 1 enrollment data. Once a school site is calculated to be eligible, it remains eligible for the duration of the pilot program. For each school site, the percentage used to calculate the ranking must be the greater of (1) the percent of the fall kindergarten enrollment receiving free and reduced lunch, or (2) the percent of the total fall enrollment receiving free and reduced lunch. The list of ranked sites must be separated into the following geographic areas: Minneapolis district, St. Paul district, suburban Twin Cities districts in the seven-county metropolitan area, and school districts in greater Minnesota.

(b) The commissioner shall establish a process and timelines to qualify school sites for the next school year. School sites must be qualified in each geographic area from the list of ranked sites until the estimated revenue available for this program has been allocated. The total estimated revenue must be distributed to qualified school sites in each geographic area as follows: 25 percent for Minneapolis sites, 25 percent for St. Paul sites, 25 percent for suburban Twin Cities sites, and 25 percent for greater Minnesota.

Subd. 4. Program. A qualifying school site must develop its first-grade preparedness program in collaboration with other providers of school readiness and child development services. A school site must offer a full-day kindergarten program to participating children who are five years of age or older for the full school day every day, a program for participating children who are four years old, or a combination of both. The program may offer as an option to families home visits and other practices as appropriate, and may provide such services with the consent of the parent or guardian. Program providers must ensure that the program supplements existing school readiness and child development programs and complements the services provided with compensatory revenue. Where possible, individuals receiving assistance under a family assistance plan can meet the work activity requirement of the plan by participating in a first-grade preparedness program as a volunteer.

Subd. 5. Extended day requirements. The board of a qualifying school district must develop and approve a plan to provide extended day services to serve as many children as possible. To accept children whose families participate in child care assistance programs under section 119B.03 or 119B.05, and to meet the requirements of section 245A.03, subdivision 2, the board must formally approve the first-grade preparedness program. All revenue received under subdivision 6 must be allocated to the qualifying school sites within the district.

Subd. 6. Preparedness revenue. (a) A qualifying school district is eligible for first-grade preparedness revenue equal to the basic formula allowance for that year times the number of children five years of age or older enrolled in a kindergarten program at the site on October 1 of the previous year times .53.

(b) This revenue must supplement and not replace compensatory revenue that the district uses for the same or similar purposes under chapters 120B, 123A, 123B, 124D, 126C, and 127A.

(c) A pupil enrolled in the first grade preparedness program at a qualifying school site is eligible for transportation under section 123B.88, subdivision 1.

(d) First grade preparedness revenue paid to a charter school for which a school district is providing transportation according to section 124D.10, subdivision 16, shall be decreased by an amount equal to the product of $170 times the pupil units calculated according to paragraph (a). This amount shall be paid to the school district for transportation costs.

Subd. 7. Evaluation. The commissioner of children, families, and learning, in consultation with representatives of the state board of teaching, early childhood teachers, elementary school classroom teachers, and teacher educators, shall develop an evaluation for qualifying school sites to use in documenting results. The evaluation must use empirical and qualitative methods to gather information on the following: progress towards ensuring that every child entering the first grade has the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in school; student readiness for first grade; an assessment of enrolling students by their teacher; and measures of parental satisfaction and parental involvement. The commissioner shall assist a school site with its evaluation at the request of the site.

Subd. 8. Expiration. This section applies for fiscal years 1997, 1998, and 1999, and expires June 30, 1999.

HIST: 1996 c 412 art 1 s 11; 1Sp1997 c 4 art 2 s 5-7; 1998 c 397 art 11 s 3

124D.09 Post-secondary Enrollment Options Act.

Subdivision 1. Citation. This section may be cited as the "Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Act."

Subd. 2. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to promote rigorous academic pursuits and to provide a wider variety of options to high school pupils by encouraging and enabling secondary pupils to enroll full time or part time in nonsectarian courses or programs in eligible post-secondary institutions, as defined in subdivision 3.

Subd. 3. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given to them.

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

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

Subd. 4. Alternative pupil. "Alternative pupil" means an 11th or 12th grade student not enrolled in a public school district, and includes students attending nonpublic schools and students who are home schooled. An alternative pupil is considered a pupil for purposes of this section only. An alternative pupil must register with the commissioner of children, families, and learning before participating in the post-secondary enrollment options program. The commissioner shall prescribe the form and manner of the registration, in consultation with the nonpublic education council under section 123B.445, and may request any necessary information from the alternative pupil.

Subd. 5. Authorization; notification. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, an 11th or 12th grade pupil enrolled in a school or an American Indian-controlled tribal contract or grant school eligible for aid under section 124D.83, except a foreign exchange pupil enrolled in a district under a cultural exchange program, may apply to an eligible institution, as defined in subdivision 3, to enroll in nonsectarian courses offered by that post-secondary institution. If an institution accepts a secondary pupil for enrollment under this section, the institution shall send written notice to the pupil, the pupil's school or school district, and the commissioner within ten days of acceptance. The notice must indicate the course and hours of enrollment of that pupil. If the pupil enrolls in a course for post-secondary credit, the institution must notify the pupil about payment in the customary manner used by the institution.

Subd. 6. Counseling. To the extent possible, the school or school district must provide counseling services to pupils and their parents or guardian before the pupils enroll in courses under this section to ensure that the pupils and their parents or guardian are fully aware of the risks and possible consequences of enrolling in post-secondary courses. The school or school district must provide information on the program including who may enroll, what institutions and courses are eligible for participation, the decision-making process for granting academic credits, financial arrangements for tuition, books and materials, eligibility criteria for transportation aid, available support services, the need to arrange an appropriate schedule, consequences of failing or not completing a course in which the pupil enrolls, the effect of enrolling in this program on the pupil's ability to complete the required high school graduation requirements, and the academic and social responsibilities that must be assumed by the pupils and their parents or guardian. The person providing counseling shall encourage pupils and their parents or guardian to also use available counseling services at the post-secondary institutions before the quarter or semester of enrollment to ensure that anticipated plans are appropriate.

Prior to enrolling in a course, the pupil and the pupil's parents or guardian must sign a form that must be provided by the school or school district and may be obtained from a post-secondary institution stating that they have received the information specified in this subdivision and that they understand the responsibilities that must be assumed in enrolling in this program. The department must, upon request, provide technical assistance to a school or school district in developing appropriate forms and counseling guidelines.

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 10 and 11. To assist the district in planning, a pupil shall inform the district by March 30 of each year of the pupil's intent to enroll in post-secondary courses during the following school year. A pupil is not bound by notifying or not notifying the district by March 30.

Subd. 8. Limit on participation. A pupil who first enrolls in grade 11 may not enroll in post-secondary courses under this section for secondary credit for more than the equivalent of two academic years. A pupil who first enrolls in grade 12 may not enroll in post-secondary courses under this section for secondary credit for more than the equivalent of one academic year. If a pupil in grade 11 or 12 first enrolls in a post-secondary course for secondary credit during the school year, the time of participation shall be reduced proportionately. If a pupil is in a learning year or other year-round program and begins each grade in the summer session, summer sessions shall not be counted against the time of participation. A pupil who has graduated from high school cannot participate in a program under this section. A pupil who has completed course requirements for graduation but who has not received a diploma may participate in the program under this section.

Subd. 9. Enrollment priority. A post-secondary institution shall give priority to its post-secondary students when enrolling 11th and 12th grade pupils in its courses. A post-secondary institution may provide information about its programs to a secondary school or to a pupil or parent, but it may not advertise or otherwise recruit or solicit the participation on financial grounds, secondary pupils to enroll in its programs. An institution must not enroll secondary pupils, for post-secondary enrollment options purposes, in remedial, developmental, or other courses that are not college level. Once a pupil has been enrolled in a post-secondary course under this section, the pupil shall not be displaced by another student.

Subd. 10. Courses according to agreements. An eligible pupil, according to subdivision 4, may enroll in a nonsectarian course taught by a secondary teacher or a post-secondary faculty member and offered at a secondary school, or another location, according to an agreement between a public school board and the governing body of an eligible public post-secondary system or an eligible private post-secondary institution, as defined in subdivision 3. All provisions of this section shall apply to a pupil, public school board, district, and the governing body of a post-secondary institution, except as otherwise provided.

Subd. 11. Participation in high school activities. Enrolling in a course under this section shall not, by itself, prohibit a pupil from participating in activities sponsored by the pupil's high school.

Subd. 12. Credits. A pupil may enroll in a course under this section for either secondary credit or post-secondary credit. At the time a pupil enrolls in a course, the pupil shall designate whether the course is for secondary or post-secondary credit. A pupil taking several courses may designate some for secondary credit and some for post-secondary credit. 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 post-secondary 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 post-secondary credit. In either case, the record must indicate that the credits were earned at a post-secondary institution.

If a pupil enrolls in a post-secondary institution after leaving secondary school, the post-secondary institution must award post-secondary credit for any course successfully completed for secondary credit at that institution. Other post-secondary institutions may award, after a pupil leaves secondary school, post-secondary credit for any courses successfully completed under this section. An institution may not charge a pupil for the award of credit.

Subd. 13. Financial arrangements. For a pupil enrolled in a course under this section, the department must make payments according to this subdivision for courses that were taken for secondary credit.

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

A post-secondary institution shall receive the following:

(1) for an institution granting quarter credit, the reimbursement per credit hour shall be an amount equal to 88 percent of the product of the formula allowance, multiplied by 1.3, and divided by 45; or

(2) for an institution granting semester credit, the reimbursement per credit hour shall be an amount equal to 88 percent of the product of the general revenue formula allowance, multiplied by 1.3, and divided by 30.

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

Subd. 14. Grants and financial aid prohibited. A pupil enrolled in a post-secondary course for secondary credit is not eligible for any state student financial aid under chapter 136A.

Subd. 15. Financial arrangements, pupils age 21 or over. For a pupil enrolled in a course according to this section, the department must make payments according to this subdivision for courses taken to fulfill high school graduation requirements by pupils eligible for adult high school graduation aid.

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

A post-secondary institution shall receive the following:

(1) for an institution granting quarter credit, the reimbursement per credit hour shall be an amount equal to 88 percent of the product of the formula allowance, multiplied by 1.3, and divided by 45; or

(2) for an institution granting semester credit, the reimbursement per credit hour shall be an amount equal to 88 percent of the product of the general revenue formula allowance multiplied by 1.3, and divided by 30.

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

A school district shall receive:

(1) for a pupil who is not enrolled in classes at a secondary program, 12 percent of the general education formula allowance times .65, times 1.3; or

(2) for a pupil who attends classes at a secondary program part time, the general education formula allowance times .65, times 1.3, times the ratio of the total number of hours the pupil is in membership for courses taken by the pupil for credit to 1020 hours.

Subd. 16. Financial arrangements for courses provided according to agreements. (a) The agreement between a board and the governing body of a public post-secondary system or private post-secondary institution shall set forth the payment amounts and arrangements, if any, from the board to the post-secondary institution. No payments shall be made by the department according to subdivision 14 or 15. For the purpose of computing state aids for a district, a pupil enrolled according to subdivision 10 shall be counted in the average daily membership of the district as though the pupil were enrolled in a secondary course that is not offered in connection with an agreement. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to prohibit a public post-secondary system or private post-secondary institution from receiving additional state funding that may be available under any other law.

(b) If a course is provided under subdivision 10, offered at a secondary school, and taught by a secondary teacher, the post-secondary system or institution must not require a payment from the school board that exceeds the cost to the post-secondary institution that is directly attributable to providing that course.

Subd. 17. Alternative pupils financial arrangements. For an alternative pupil enrolled in a course or program under this section, the department of children, families, and learning shall make payments to the eligible institution according to subdivision 13. The department shall not make any payments to a school district for alternative pupils.

Subd. 18. Tuition at nonpublic secondary institution. A nonpublic secondary institution must proportionately adjust its tuition to accurately reflect the time an alternative pupil spends in a post-secondary enrollment course or program.

Subd. 19. Fees; textbooks; materials. A post-secondary institution that receives reimbursement for a pupil under subdivision 13 may not charge that pupil for fees, textbooks, materials, support services as defined in section 135A.16, or other necessary costs of the course or program in which the pupil is enrolled if the charge would be prohibited under section 123B.37, except for equipment purchased by the pupil that becomes the property of the pupil. An institution may require the pupil to pay for fees, textbooks, and materials for a course taken for post-secondary credit.

Subd. 20. Textbooks; materials. All textbooks and equipment provided to a pupil, and paid for under subdivision 13, are the property of the pupil's school district of residence. Each pupil is required to return all textbooks and equipment to the district after the course has ended.

Subd. 21. Support services. The post-secondary institution must inform the pupil of the support services available at that institution. If the student has an individual education plan that provides general education support and accommodations, the post-secondary institution must provide the support services as described in the student's IEP and the post-secondary institution and the district shall negotiate an agreement on the rate to be charged for the services. Nothing in this section shall prevent the student from enrolling while the agreement is being developed. If the parties cannot agree on the services, on application of either party, the commissioner shall resolve the dispute in the same manner the commissioner fixes tuition rates under section 125A.11. The commissioner's decision is binding on both parties.

Subd. 22. Transportation. 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 post-secondary 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 post-secondary 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 post-secondary institution times ten. The state must pay aid to the district according to this subdivision.

Subd. 23. Exception; intermediate districts. A secondary pupil who is a resident of a member district of an intermediate district, as defined in section 136D.01, may not enroll in that intermediate district's vocational program as a post-secondary pupil under this section when the intermediate district operates a secondary program at a college facility and secondary students have access to the post-secondary curriculum and receive high school and college credit for successfully completing the program.

Subd. 24. Limit; state obligation. The provisions of subdivisions 13, 19, 22, and 23 shall not apply for any post-secondary courses in which a pupil is enrolled in addition to being enrolled full time in that pupil's district or for any post-secondary course in which a pupil is enrolled for post-secondary 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.

Subd. 25. Pupils 40 miles or more from an eligible institution. A pupil who is enrolled in a secondary school that is located 40 miles or more from the nearest eligible institution may request that the resident district offer at least one accelerated or advanced academic course within the resident district in which the pupil may enroll for post-secondary credit. A pupil may enroll in a course offered under this subdivision for either secondary or post-secondary credit according to subdivision 12.

A district must offer an accelerated or advanced academic course for post-secondary credit if one or more pupils requests such a course under this subdivision. The district may decide which course to offer, how to offer the course, and whether to offer one or more courses. The district must offer at least one such course in the next academic period and must continue to offer at least one accelerated or advanced academic course for post-secondary credit in later academic periods.

Subd. 26. Pupils less than 40 miles from an eligible institution. A pupil enrolled in a secondary school that is located less than 40 miles from the nearest eligible institution may enroll in a post-secondary course provided at the secondary school.

HIST: 1Sp1985 c 12 art 5 s 1; 1Sp1985 c 16 art 2 s 32; 1986 c 447 s 1-11; 1988 c 486 s 16; 1988 c 718 art 6 s 5; 1989 c 329 art 9 s 8-12; 1990 c 562 art 6 s 14,15; 1991 c 265 art 2 s 2; art 7 s 7,8; art 9 s 37-39,75; 1992 c 499 art 9 s 3-11; 1993 c 224 art 9 s 23-26; art 13 s 22,23; 1994 c 647 art 8 s 4; art 9 s 4-6; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 2 s 2; art 3 s 5,6; art 7 s 2; art 16 s 13; 1996 c 412 art 6 s 2; art 9 s 4,5; 1997 c 187 art 1 s 12; 1Sp1997 c 4 art 1 s 3-9; art 7 s 5,6; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 75-87,164; art 11 s 3; 1998 c 398 art 6 s 18

124D.10 Charter schools.

Subdivision 1. Purposes. (a) The purpose of this section is to:

(1) improve pupil learning;

(2) increase learning opportunities for pupils;

(3) encourage the use of different and innovative teaching methods;

(4) require the measurement of learning outcomes and create different and innovative forms of measuring outcomes;

(5) establish new forms of accountability for schools; or

(6) create new professional opportunities for teachers, including the opportunity to be responsible for the learning program at the school site.

(b) This section does not provide a means to keep open a school that otherwise would be closed. Applicants in these circumstances bear the burden of proving that conversion to a charter school fulfills a purpose specified in this subdivision, independent of the school's closing.

Subd. 2. Applicability. This section applies only to charter schools formed and operated under this section.

Subd. 3. Sponsor. A school board, intermediate school district school board, private college, community college, state university, technical college, or the University of Minnesota may sponsor one or more charter schools.

Subd. 4. Formation of school. (a) A sponsor may authorize one or more licensed teachers under section 122A.18, subdivision 1, to operate a charter school subject to approval by the state board. If a board elects not to sponsor a charter school, the applicant may appeal the board's decision to the state board if two members of the board voted to sponsor the school. If the state board authorizes the school, the state board must sponsor the school according to this section. The school must be organized and operated as a cooperative under chapter 308A or nonprofit corporation under chapter 317A.

(b) Before the operators may form and operate a school, the sponsor must file an affidavit with the state board stating its intent to authorize a charter school. The affidavit must state the terms and conditions under which the sponsor would authorize a charter school. The state board must approve or disapprove the sponsor's proposed authorization within 60 days of receipt of the affidavit. Failure to obtain state board approval precludes a sponsor from authorizing the charter school that was the subject of the affidavit.

(c) The operators authorized to organize and operate a school must hold an election for members of the school's board of directors in a timely manner after the school is operating. Any staff members who are employed at the school, including teachers providing instruction under a contract with a cooperative, and all parents of children enrolled in the school may participate in the election. Licensed teachers employed at the school, including teachers providing instruction under a contract with a cooperative, must be a majority of the members of the board of directors. A provisional board may operate before the election of the school's board of directors. Board of director meetings must comply with section 471.705.

(d) The granting or renewal of a charter by a sponsoring entity must not be conditioned upon the bargaining unit status of the employees of the school.

Subd. 5. Conversion of existing schools. A board may convert one or more of its existing schools to charter schools under this section if 90 percent of the full-time teachers at the school sign a petition seeking conversion. The conversion must occur at the beginning of an academic year.

Subd. 6. Contract. The sponsor's authorization for a charter school must be in the form of a written contract signed by the sponsor and the board of directors of the charter school. The contract for a charter school must be in writing and contain at least the following:

(1) a description of a program that carries out one or more of the purposes in subdivision 1;

(2) specific outcomes pupils are to achieve under subdivision 10;

(3) admission policies and procedures;

(4) management and administration of the school;

(5) requirements and procedures for program and financial audits;

(6) how the school will comply with subdivisions 8, 13, 16, and 23;

(7) assumption of liability by the charter school;

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

(9) the term of the contract, which may be up to three years; and

(10) if the board of directors or the operators of the charter school 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.

Subd. 7. Public status; exemption from statutes and rules. A charter school is a public school and is part of the state's system of public education. Except as provided in this section, a charter school is exempt from all statutes and rules applicable to a school, a board, or a district, although it may elect to comply with one or more provisions of statutes or rules.

Subd. 8. State and local requirements. (a) A charter school shall meet all applicable state and local health and safety requirements.

(b) A school sponsored 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. If such a board denies a request to locate within its boundaries a charter school sponsored by another school board, the sponsoring school board may appeal to the state board. If the state board authorizes the school, the state board must sponsor the school.

(c) A charter school must be nonsectarian in its programs, admission policies, employment practices, and all other operations. A sponsor may not authorize a charter school or program that is affiliated with a nonpublic sectarian school or a religious institution.

(d) Charter schools must not be used as a method of providing education or generating revenue for students who are being home-schooled.

(e) 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.

(f) A charter school may not charge tuition.

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

(h) 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.

(i) A charter school is subject to the same financial audits, audit procedures, and audit requirements as a district. The audit must be consistent with the requirements of sections 123B.75 to 123B.83, except to the extent deviations are necessary because of the program at the school. The department of children, families, and learning, state auditor, or legislative auditor may conduct financial, program, or compliance audits.

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

Subd. 9. Admission requirements. A charter school may limit admission to:

(1) pupils within an age group or grade level;

(2) people who are eligible to participate in the graduation incentives program under section 124D.68; or

(3) residents of a specific geographic area where the percentage of the population of non-Caucasian people of that area is greater than the percentage of the non-Caucasian population in the congressional district in which the geographic area is located, and as long as the school reflects the racial and ethnic diversity of the specific area.

A charter school shall enroll an eligible pupil who submits a timely application, unless the number of applications exceeds the capacity of a program, class, grade level, or building. In this case, pupils must be accepted by lot.

A charter school may not limit admission to pupils on the basis of intellectual ability, measures of achievement or aptitude, or athletic ability.

Subd. 10. Pupil performance. A charter school must design its programs to at least meet the outcomes adopted by the state board for public school students. In the absence of state board requirements, the school must meet the outcomes contained in the contract with the sponsor. The achievement levels of the outcomes contained in the contract may exceed the achievement levels of any outcomes adopted by the state board for public school students.

Subd. 11. Employment and other operating matters. A charter school must employ or contract with necessary teachers, as defined by section 122A.15, subdivision 1, who hold valid licenses to perform the particular service for which they are employed in the school. The school may employ necessary employees who are not required to hold teaching licenses to perform duties other than teaching and may contract for other services. The school may discharge teachers and nonlicensed employees.

The board of directors also shall decide matters related to the operation of the school, including budgeting, curriculum and operating procedures.

Subd. 12. Pupils with a disability. A charter school must comply with sections 125A.02, 125A.03 to 125A.24, and 125A.65 and rules relating to the education of pupils with a disability as though it were a district.

Subd. 13. Length of school year. A charter school must provide instruction each year for at least the number of days required by section 120A.22, subdivision 5. It may provide instruction throughout the year according to sections 124D.12 to 124D.127 or 124D.128.

Subd. 14. Annual public reports. A charter school must report at least annually to its sponsor and the state board the information required by the sponsor or the state board. The reports are public data under chapter 13.

Subd. 15. Review and comment. The department must review and comment on the evaluation, by the chartering school district, of the performance of a charter school before the charter school's contract is renewed. The information from the review and comment shall be reported to the state board of education in a timely manner. Periodically, the state board shall report trends or suggestions based on the evaluation of charter school contracts to the education committees of the state legislature.

Subd. 16. Transportation. (a) By July 1 of each year, a charter school must notify the district in which the school is located and the department of children, families, and learning if it will provide transportation for pupils enrolled in the school for the fiscal year.

(b) If a charter school elects to provide transportation for pupils, the transportation must be provided by the charter school within the district in which the charter school is located. The state must pay transportation aid to the charter school according to section 124D.11, subdivision 2.

For pupils who reside outside the district in which the charter school is located, the charter school is not required to provide or pay for transportation between the pupil's residence and the border of the district in which the charter school is located. A parent may be reimbursed by the charter school for costs of transportation from the pupil's residence to the border of the district in which the charter school is located if the pupil is from a family whose income is at or below the poverty level, as determined by the federal government. The reimbursement may not exceed the pupil's actual cost of transportation or 15 cents per mile traveled, whichever is less. Reimbursement may not be paid for more than 250 miles per week.

At the time a pupil enrolls in a charter school, the charter school must provide the parent or guardian with information regarding the transportation.

(c) If a charter school does not elect to provide transportation, transportation for pupils enrolled at the school must be provided by the district in which the school is located, according to sections 123B.88, subdivision 6, and 124D.03, subdivision 8, for a pupil residing in the same district in which the charter school is located. Transportation may be provided by the district in which the school is located, according to sections 123B.88, subdivision 6, and 124D.03, subdivision 8, for a pupil residing in a different district.

Subd. 17. Leased space. A charter school may lease space from a board eligible to be a sponsor or other public or private nonprofit nonsectarian organization. If a charter school is unable to lease appropriate space from an eligible board or other public or private nonprofit nonsectarian organization, the school may lease space from another nonsectarian organization if the department of children, families, and learning, in consultation with the department of administration, approves the lease. If the school is unable to lease appropriate space from public or private nonsectarian organizations, the school may lease space from a sectarian organization if the leased space is constructed as a school facility and the department of children, families, and learning, in consultation with the department of administration, approves the lease.

Subd. 18. Authority to raise initial working capital. A sponsor may authorize a charter school before the applicant has secured its space, equipment, facilities, and personnel if the applicant indicates the authority is necessary for it to raise working capital. A sponsor may not authorize a school before the state board has approved the authorization.

Subd. 19. Disseminate information. The sponsor, the operators, and the department of children, families, and learning must disseminate information to the public on how to form and operate a charter school and how to utilize the offerings of a charter school. Particular groups to be targeted include low-income families and communities, and students of color.

Subd. 20. Leave to teach in a charter school. If a teacher employed by a district makes a written request for an extended leave of absence to teach at a charter school, the district must grant the leave. The district must grant a leave for any number of years requested by the teacher, and must extend the leave at the teacher's request. The district may require that the request for a leave or extension of leave be made up to 90 days before the teacher would otherwise have to report for duty. Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision and except for section 122A.46, subdivision 7, the leave is governed by section 122A.46, including, but not limited to, reinstatement, notice of intention to return, seniority, salary, and insurance.

During a leave, the teacher may continue to aggregate benefits and credits in the teachers' retirement association account by paying both the employer and employee contributions based upon the annual salary of the teacher for the last full pay period before the leave began. The retirement association may impose reasonable requirements to efficiently administer this subdivision.

Subd. 21. Collective bargaining. Employees of the board of directors of a charter school may, if otherwise eligible, organize under chapter 179A and comply with its provisions. The board of directors of a charter school is a public employer, for the purposes of chapter 179A, upon formation of one or more bargaining units at the school. Bargaining units at the school must be separate from any other units within the sponsoring district, except that bargaining units may remain part of the appropriate unit within the sponsoring district, if the employees of the school, the board of directors of the school, the exclusive representative of the appropriate unit in the sponsoring district, and the board of the sponsoring district agree to include the employees in the appropriate unit of the sponsoring district.

Subd. 22. Teacher and other employee retirement. (a) Teachers in a charter school must be public school teachers for the purposes of chapters 354 and 354a.

(b) Except for teachers under paragraph (a), employees in a charter school must be public employees for the purposes of chapter 353.

Subd. 23. Causes for nonrenewal or termination of charter school contract. (a) The duration of the contract with a sponsor must be for the term contained in the contract according to subdivision 6. The sponsor may or may not renew a contract at the end of the term for any ground listed in paragraph (b). A sponsor may unilaterally terminate a contract during the term of the contract for any ground listed in paragraph (b). At least 60 days before not renewing or terminating a contract, the sponsor shall notify the board of directors of the charter school of the proposed action in writing. The notice shall state the grounds for the proposed action in reasonable detail and that the charter school's board of directors may request in writing an informal hearing before the sponsor within 14 days of receiving notice of nonrenewal or termination of the contract. Failure by the board of directors to make a written request for a hearing within the 14-day period shall be treated as acquiescence to the proposed action. Upon receiving a timely written request for a hearing, the sponsor shall give reasonable notice to the charter school's board of directors of the hearing date. The sponsor shall conduct an informal hearing before taking final action. The sponsor shall take final action to renew or not renew a contract by the last day of classes in the school year. If the sponsor is a local board, the school's board of directors may appeal the sponsor's decision to the state board.

(b) A contract may be terminated or not renewed upon any of the following grounds:

(1) failure to meet the requirements for pupil performance contained in the contract;

(2) failure to meet generally accepted standards of fiscal management;

(3) violations of law; or

(4) other good cause shown.

If a contract is terminated or not renewed, the school must be dissolved according to the applicable provisions of chapter 308A or 317A.

Subd. 24. Pupil enrollment upon nonrenewal or termination of charter school contract. If a contract is not renewed or is terminated according to subdivision 23, a pupil who attended the school, siblings of the pupil, or another pupil who resides in the same place as the pupil may enroll in the resident district or may submit an application to a nonresident district according to section 124D.03 at any time. Applications and notices required by section 124D.03 must be processed and provided in a prompt manner. The application and notice deadlines in section 124D.03 do not apply under these circumstances.

Subd. 25. Extent of specific legal authority. (a) The board of directors of a charter school may sue and be sued.

(b) The board may not levy taxes or issue bonds.

(c) The state board, members of the state board, a sponsor, members of the board of a sponsor in their official capacity, and employees of a sponsor are immune from civil or criminal liability with respect to all activities related to a charter school they approve or sponsor. The board of directors shall obtain at least the amount of and types of insurance required by the contract, according to subdivision 6.

HIST: 1991 c 265 art 3 s 38; art 9 s 3; 1992 c 499 art 12 s 1; 1993 c 224 art 9 s 2-12; art 14 s 16; 1994 c 465 art 2 s 1; 1994 c 647 art 9 s 1,2; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 9 s 2; art 16 s 13; 1996 c 412 art 4 s 2; 1Sp1997 c 4 art 5 s 5-9; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 2-21,164; art 11 s 3; 1998 c 398 art 2 s 4; art 5 s 3

124D.11 Revenue for a results-oriented charter school.

Subdivision 1. General education revenue. General education revenue must be paid to a charter school as though it were a district. The general education revenue for each pupil unit is the state average general education revenue per pupil unit minus an amount equal to the product of the formula allowance according to section 126C.10, subdivision 2, times .0485, calculated without basic skills revenue, transportation sparsity revenue, and the transportation portion of the transition revenue adjustment, plus basic skills revenue as though the school were a school district.

Subd. 2. Transportation revenue. Transportation revenue must be paid to a charter school that provides transportation services according to section 124D.10, subdivision 16, according to this subdivision. Transportation aid shall equal transportation revenue.

In addition to the revenue under subdivision 1, a charter school providing transportation services must receive general education aid for each pupil unit equal to the sum of an amount equal to the product of the formula allowance according to section 126C.10, subdivision 2, times .0485, plus the transportation sparsity allowance for the school district in which the charter school is located, plus the transportation transition allowance for the district in which the charter school is located.

Subd. 3. Use of total operating capital revenue. Notwithstanding section 126C.10, subdivision 14, a charter school may use total operating capital revenue for any purpose related to the school.

Subd. 4. Building lease aid. When a charter school finds it economically advantageous to rent or lease a building or land for any instructional purposes and it determines that the total operating capital revenue under section 126C.10, subdivision 13, is insufficient for this purpose, it may apply to the commissioner for building lease aid for this purpose. Criteria for aid approval and revenue uses shall be as defined for the building lease levy in section 126C.40, subdivision 1, paragraphs (a) and (b). The amount of building lease aid per pupil unit served for a charter school for any year shall not exceed the lesser of (a) 80 percent of the approved cost or (b) the product of the pupil units served for the current school year times the sum of the state average debt redemption fund revenue plus capital revenue, according to section 126C.40, per pupil unit served for the current fiscal year.

Subd. 5. Special education aid. Except as provided in subdivision 2, paragraph (b), special education aid must be paid to a charter school according to section 125A.76, as though it were a school district. The charter school may charge tuition to the district of residence as provided in section 125A.11. The charter school shall allocate its special education levy equalization revenue to the resident districts of the pupils attending the charter school. The districts of residence shall levy as though they were participating in a cooperative, as provided in section 125A.77, subdivision 3.

Subd. 6. Other aid, grants, revenue. (a) A charter school is eligible to receive other aids, grants, and revenue according to chapters 120A to 129C, as though it were a district except that, notwithstanding section 127A.45, subdivision 3, the payments must be of an equal amount on each of the 23 payment dates unless a charter school is in its first year of operation in which case it shall receive on its first payment date ten percent of its cumulative amount guaranteed for the year and 22 payments of an equal amount thereafter the sum of which shall be 90 percent of the cumulative amount guaranteed. However, it may not receive aid, a grant, or revenue if a levy is required to obtain the money, except as otherwise provided in this section. Federal aid received by the state must be paid to the school, if it qualifies for the aid as though it were a school district.

(b) A charter school may receive money from any source for capital facilities needs. In the year-end report to the state board of education, the charter school shall report the total amount of funds received from grants and other outside sources.

Subd. 7. Use of state money. Money received from the state may not be used to purchase land or buildings. The school may own land and buildings if obtained through nonstate sources.

Subd. 8. Start-up costs. During the first two years of a charter school's operation, the charter school is eligible for aid to pay for start-up costs and additional operating costs. Start-up cost aid equals the greater of:

(1) $50,000 per charter school; or

(2) $500 times the charter school's pupil units served for that year.

HIST: 1991 c 265 art 9 s 43; 1993 c 224 art 9 s 31; 1994 c 647 art 3 s 11; art 9 s 10; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 8 s 4; 1996 c 412 art 7 s 5-8; 1997 c 7 art 1 s 52; 1Sp1997 c 4 art 2 s 4; art 5 s 13-15; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 89-92,164; art 11 s 3; 1998 c 398 art 1 s 10-13

124D.111 Lunch aid; food service accounting.

Subdivision 1. School lunch aid computation. Each school year, the state must pay districts participating in the national school lunch program the amount of 6.5 cents for each full paid, reduced, and free student lunch served to students in the district.

Subd. 2. Application. School districts shall apply to the department for this payment on forms provided by the department.

Subd. 3. School food service fund. (a) The expenses described in this subdivision must be recorded as provided in this subdivision.

(b) In each district, the expenses for a school food service program for pupils must be attributed to a school food service fund. Under a food service program, the school food service may prepare or serve milk, meals, or snacks in connection with school or community service activities.

(c) Revenues and expenditures for food service activities must be recorded in the food service fund. The costs of processing applications, accounting for meals, preparing and serving food, providing kitchen custodial services, and other expenses involving the preparing of meals or the kitchen section of the lunchroom may be charged to the food service fund or to the general fund of the district. The costs of lunchroom supervision, lunchroom custodial services, lunchroom utilities, and other administrative costs of the food service program must be charged to the general fund.

That portion of superintendent and fiscal manager costs that can be documented as attributable to the food service program may be charged to the food service fund provided that the school district does not employ or contract with a food service director or other individual who manages the food service program, or food service management company. If the cost of the superintendent or fiscal manager is charged to the food service fund, the charge must be at a wage rate not to exceed the statewide average for food service directors as determined by the department.

(d) Capital expenditures for the purchase of food service equipment must be made from the general fund and not the food service fund, unless two conditions apply:

(1) the unreserved balance in the food service fund at the end of the last fiscal year is greater than the cost of the equipment to be purchased; and

(2) the department has approved the purchase of the equipment.

(e) If the two conditions set out in paragraph (d) apply, the equipment may be purchased from the food service fund.

(f) If a deficit in the food service fund exists at the end of a fiscal year, and the deficit is not eliminated by revenues from food service operations in the next fiscal year, then the deficit must be eliminated by a permanent fund transfer from the general fund at the end of that second fiscal year. However, if a district contracts with a food service management company during the period in which the deficit has accrued, the deficit must be eliminated by a payment from the food service management company.

(g) Notwithstanding paragraph (f), a district may incur a deficit in the food service fund for up to three years without making the permanent transfer if the district submits to the commissioner by January 1 of the second fiscal year a plan for eliminating that deficit at the end of the third fiscal year.

(h) If a surplus in the food service fund exists at the end of a fiscal year for three successive years, a district may recode for that fiscal year the costs of lunchroom supervision, lunchroom custodial services, lunchroom utilities, and other administrative costs of the food service program charged to the general fund according to paragraph (c) and charge those costs to the food service fund in a total amount not to exceed the amount of surplus in the food service fund.

HIST: 1977 c 447 art 6 s 6; 1979 c 334 art 6 s 22; 1981 c 358 art 6 s 26; 1983 c 314 art 6 s 17; 1Sp1985 c 12 art 6 s 11; 1987 c 398 art 6 s 11; 1989 c 209 art 1 s 12; 1991 c 265 art 8 s 5; 1992 c 499 art 8 s 6; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1998 c 397 art 7 s 75,164; art 11 s 3; 1998 c 398 art 6 s 25

124D.112 School lunch program; revolving fund; state board.

(a) The commissioner of finance shall establish for the state board a revolving fund for deposit of storage and handling charges paid by recipients of donated foods shipped by the school lunch section of the department of children, families, and learning. These funds are to be used only to pay storage and related charges as they are incurred for United States Department of Agriculture foods.

(b) The commissioner of finance shall also establish a revolving fund for the department of children, families, and learning to deposit charges paid by recipients of processed commodities and for any authorized appropriation transfers for the purpose of this section. These funds are to be used only to pay for commodity processing and related charges as they are incurred using United States Department of Agriculture donated commodities.

HIST: Ex1959 c 71 art 2 s 11; 1965 c 718 s 1; 1969 c 9 s 23,24; 1969 c 288 s 1; 1973 c 492 s 14; 1975 c 162 s 6,7; 1976 c 271 s 21; 1977 c 347 s 19; 1977 c 447 art 7 s 4; 1982 c 424 s 130; 1982 c 548 art 4 s 4,23; 1983 c 258 s 22; 1984 c 640 s 32; 1985 c 248 s 70; 1987 c 178 s 5; 1987 c 398 art 7 s 5; 1989 c 329 art 7 s 2; art 8 s 1; art 9 s 4; 1990 c 375 s 3; 1991 c 265 art 9 s 13; 1993 c 224 art 12 s 2-6; art 14 s 4; 1994 c 647 art 7 s 1; art 8 s 1; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 7 s 1; art 16 s 13; 1996 c 412 art 7 s 1; 1997 c 1 s 1; 1997 c 162 art 2 s 11; 1998 c 397 art 4 s 1; art 7 s 164; art 11 s 3; 1998 c 398 art 5 s 6,7

* NOTE: This section is repealed by Laws 1998, chapter 398, *article 6, section 38, effective December 31, 1999.

124D.113 School lunch program; revolving fund; commissioner.

(a) The commissioner of finance shall establish for the commissioner of children, families, and learning a revolving fund for deposit of storage and handling charges paid by recipients of donated foods shipped by the school lunch section of the department of children, families, and learning. These funds are to be used only to pay storage and related charges as they are incurred for United States Department of Agriculture foods.

(b) The commissioner of finance shall also establish a revolving fund for the department of children, families, and learning to deposit charges paid by recipients of processed commodities and for any authorized appropriation transfers for the purpose of this section. These funds are to be used only to pay for commodity processing and related charges as they are incurred using United States Department of Agriculture donated commodities.

HIST: Ex1959 c 71 art 2 s 16; 1969 c 1129 art 8 s 16; 1977 c 305 s 41; 1978 c 764 s 8; 1983 c 150 s 1; 1992 c 499 art 8 s 1; 1993 c 224 art 9 s 16,17; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1998 c 398 art 6 s 4-12

* NOTE: This section, as added by Laws 1998, chapter 398, *article 6, section 12, is effective December 31, 1999. Laws *1998, chapter 398, article 6, section 39.

124D.114 Lactose reduced milk.

(a) If a nonpublic school or district receives school lunch aid under section 124D.111 or participates in the school breakfast program and receives a written request from the parent of a pupil who is lactose intolerant, the nonpublic school or district must make available lactose reduced milk; milk fortified with lactase in liquid, tablet, granular, or other form; or milk to which lactobacillus acidophilus has been added for the pupil.

(b) Notwithstanding any law, local ordinance, or local regulation to the contrary, a school may pour or serve portions of any product required by this section from a large container of the product at the time and place the pupil is being served.

HIST: 1988 c 510 s 1; 1998 c 397 art 7 s 76,164; art 11 s 3

124D.115 School breakfast program.

Subdivision 1. Purpose. The purpose of the school breakfast program is to provide affordable morning nutrition to children so that they can effectively learn.

Subd. 2. Program. The state school breakfast program enables schools participating in the federal School Breakfast Program to cover their costs for breakfast.

Subd. 3. Program reimbursement. (a) State funds are provided to reimburse school breakfasts. Each school year, the state must reimburse schools in the amount of 5.1 cents for each fully paid breakfast and for each free and reduced price breakfast not eligible for the "severe need" rate.

(b) In addition to paragraph (a), each school year the state must reimburse schools 10.5 cents for each free and reduced price breakfast not eligible for the "severe need" rate if between 33 and 40 percent of the school lunches served during the second preceding school year were served free or at a reduced price.

HIST: 1993 c 224 art 8 s 2; 1994 c 647 art 8 s 7; 1998 c 397 art 7 s 77,164

124D.116 School breakfast incentive.

The commissioner may provide a cash incentive to schools to increase participation in school breakfast programs or to initiate a school breakfast program if none currently exists.

HIST: 1986 c 404 s 5; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1998 c 397 art 7 s 79,164

124D.117 Districts to offer school breakfast program.

Subdivision 1. Breakfast required. A district must offer a school breakfast program in every school building in which at least 33 percent of the school lunches served during the second preceding school year were served free or at a reduced price.

Subd. 2. Exemption. Subdivision 1 does not apply to a school in which fewer than 25 pupils are expected to take part in the program. It also does not apply to a district that does not participate in the national school lunch program.

HIST: 1989 c 329 art 8 s 5; 1990 c 562 art 8 s 27; 1991 c 265 art 8 s 6; 1994 c 647 art 8 s 8; 1998 c 397 art 7 s 80,164

124D.118 School milk program.

Subdivision 1. Legislative findings. The legislature finds that for best health and well-being, school children in the state should receive at least one serving of milk each day. The school milk program established in this section is to provide districts in the state with added resources so that all kindergarten students in public and nonpublic schools may have access to wholesome milk on a daily basis.

Subd. 2. Establishment; school participation. Each district in the state is encouraged to participate in the state-supported school milk program for kindergartners. Participating districts must provide one serving of milk on each school day to each kindergarten student attending a public or nonpublic school in the district. No student is required to accept the milk that is provided by the district. The program must be promoted and operated under the direction of the commissioner or the commissioner's designee.

Subd. 3. Program guidelines; duties of the commissioner. (a) The commissioner shall:

(1) encourage all districts to participate in the school milk program for kindergartners;

(2) prepare program guidelines, not subject to chapter 14 until July 1, 1998, which will effectively and efficiently distribute appropriated and donated money to participating districts; and

(3) seek donations and matching funds from appropriate private and public sources.

(b) Program guidelines may provide for disbursement to districts through a mechanism of prepayments or by reimbursement for approved program expenses.

Subd. 4. Reimbursement. In accordance with program guidelines, the commissioner shall prepay or reimburse participating districts for the state share of the district's cost for providing milk to kindergarten students.

HIST: 1988 c 688 art 16 s 1; 1997 c 187 art 4 s 4; 1998 c 397 art 7 s 81,164; art 11 s 3; 1998 c 398 art 6 s 27

124D.119 Summer food service replacement aid.

States funds are available to compensate department-approved summer food program sponsors for reduced federal operating reimbursement rates under Public Law Number 104-193, the federal summer food service program. A sponsor is eligible for summer food service replacement aid equal to the sum of the following amounts:

(1) for breakfast service, up to four cents per breakfast served by the sponsor during the current program year;

(2) for lunch or supper service, up to 14 cents per lunch or supper served by the sponsor during the current program year; and

(3) for supplement service, up to ten cents per supplement served by the sponsor during the current program year.

HIST: 1Sp1997 c 4 art 6 s 13; 1998 c 397 art 7 s 164; 1998 c 398 art 6 s 26

124D.12 Purpose of flexible learning year programs.

Sections 124D.12 to 124D.127 authorize districts to evaluate, plan and employ the use of flexible learning year programs. It is anticipated that the open selection of the type of flexible learning year operation from a variety of alternatives will allow each district seeking to utilize this concept to suitably fulfill the educational needs of its pupils. These alternatives must include, but not be limited to, various 45-15 plans, four-quarter plans, quinmester plans, extended learning year plans, flexible all-year plans, and four-day week plans.

HIST: 1974 c 326 s 2; 1991 c 265 art 9 s 4; 1998 c 397 art 6 s 1,124; art 11 s 3

124D.121 Definition of flexible learning year program.

"Flexible learning year program" means any district plan approved by the state board that utilizes buildings and facilities during the entire year or that provides forms of optional scheduling of pupils and personnel during the learning year in elementary and secondary schools or residential facilities for children with a disability.

HIST: 1974 c 326 s 3; 1991 c 265 art 3 s 38; art 9 s 5; 1998 c 397 art 6 s 2,124

124D.122 Establishment of flexible learning year program.

The board of any district, with the approval of the state board, may establish and operate a flexible learning year program in one or more of the day or residential facilities for children with a disability within the district.

HIST: 1974 c 326 s 4; 1991 c 265 art 3 s 38; art 9 s 6; 1998 c 397 art 6 s 3,124

124D.123 Division of children into groups.

The board of any district operating a flexible learning year program in one or more of the facilities within the district must divide the students of each selected facility into as many groups as necessary to accommodate this program. Students of the same family must be placed in the same group unless one or more of these students is enrolled in a special education class or unless the parent or guardian of these students requests that the students be placed in different groups. No board may discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sex, or national origin when assigning pupils to attendance groups pursuant to this section.

HIST: 1974 c 326 s 5; 1991 c 265 art 9 s 7; 1998 c 397 art 6 s 4,124

124D.124 Public hearing before implementation.

Before implementing a flexible learning year program in any facility of the district, the board must negotiate with the teachers, principals, assistant principals, supervisory personnel and employees to the extent required by the public Employment Labor Relations Act, and must consult with the parents of pupils who would be affected by the change, and with the community at large. These procedures must include at least three informational meetings for which the board has given published notice to the teachers and employees and to the parents of pupils affected.

HIST: 1974 c 326 s 6; 1991 c 265 art 9 s 8; 1998 c 397 art 6 s 5,124

124D.125 Assignment of teachers.

Subdivision 1. Implementing program. In districts where a flexible learning year program is implemented in fewer than all of the facilities maintained by the district, the board of the district must make every reasonable effort to assign qualified teachers who prefer a traditional schedule to facilities of the same level retaining a traditional schedule.

Subd. 2. Teacher schedule. A full-time teacher currently employed by a district that converts to a flexible learning year program may not, without the teacher's written consent, be required to teach under this program (1) more or less than the number of scheduled days or their equivalent the facilities of the district were maintained during the year preceding implementation of the flexible learning year program; (2) in a period of the calendar year substantially different from the period in which the teacher taught during the year preceding implementation of the flexible learning year program.

Subd. 3. Contract rights; program adoption. In no event may a teacher's continuing contract rights to a position held the year preceding implementation of a flexible learning year program or teaching experience earned during a probationary period the year preceding implementation be lost or impaired upon adoption of a flexible learning year program. If the year of teaching preceding implementation was the end of a probationary period, the continuing contract right to a full year's contract which normally would be acquired for the next succeeding learning year must be acquired in the year of adoption of the flexible program.

Subd. 4. Contract for learning year. Any district operating a flexible learning year program must enter into one contract governing the entire learning year with each teacher employed in a flexible program. If individual teachers contract to teach less than a period of 175 days during a learning year, each 175 days of employment accrued during any five-year period after the adoption of a flexible learning year program must be deemed consecutive and constitutes a full year's employment for purposes of establishing and retaining continuing contract rights to a full learning year position pursuant to sections 122A.40, subdivisions 5 and 7, and 122A.41, subdivisions 2 and 4. A teacher who has not been discharged or advised of a refusal to renew the teacher's contract by the applicable date, as specified in section 122A.40 or 122A.41, in the year in which the teacher will complete the requisite number of days for securing a continuing contract must have a continuing full learning year contract with the district.

Subd. 5. Contract rights; termination of program. Continuing contract rights established pursuant to this section must not be impaired or lost by the termination of a flexible learning year program.

HIST: 1974 c 326 s 7; 1978 c 764 s 6; 1986 c 444; 1991 c 265 art 9 s 9; 1998 c 397 art 6 s 6,124; art 11 s 3

124D.126 Powers and duties of the state board; flexible learning year programs.

Subdivision 1. Powers and duties. The state board must:

(1) promulgate rules necessary to the operation of sections 124D.12 to 124D.127;

(2) cooperate with and provide supervision of flexible learning year programs to determine compliance with the provisions of sections 124D.12 to 124D.127, the state board standards and qualifications, and the proposed program as submitted and approved;

(3) provide any necessary adjustments of (a) attendance and membership computations and (b) the dates and percentages of apportionment of state aids; and

(4) consistent with the definition of "average daily membership" in section 126C.05, subdivision 8, furnish the board of a district implementing a flexible learning year program with a formula for computing average daily membership. This formula must be computed so that tax levies to be made by the district, state aids to be received by the district, and any and all other formulas based upon average daily membership are not affected solely as a result of adopting this plan of instruction.

Subd. 2. Limitations. Sections 124D.12 to 124D.127 may not be construed to authorize the state board to require the establishment of a flexible learning year program in any district in which the board has not voted to establish, maintain, and operate such a program.

HIST: 1974 c 326 s 9; 1978 c 706 s 3; 1991 c 265 art 9 s 11; 1998 c 397 art 6 s 7,124; art 11 s 3

124D.127 Termination of flexible learning year program.

The board of any district, with the approval of the state board of education, may terminate a flexible learning year program in one or more of the day or residential facilities for children with a disability within the district. This section shall not be construed to permit an exception to section 120A.22, 127A.41, subdivision 7, or 127A.43.

HIST: 1974 c 326 s 10; 1989 c 209 art 2 s 1; 1991 c 265 art 3 s 38; art 9 s 12; 1998 c 397 art 6 s 124; art 11 s 3

124D.128 Learning year program to provide instruction throughout year.

Subdivision 1. Program established. A learning year program provides instruction throughout the year. A pupil may participate in the program and accelerate attainment of grade level requirements or graduation requirements. A learning year program may begin after the close of the regular school year in June. The program may be for students in one or more grade levels from kindergarten through grade 12.

Students may participate in the program if they reside in:

(1) a district that has been designated a learning year site under subdivision 2;

(2) a district that is a member of the same education district as a site; or

(3) a district that participates in the same area learning center program as a site.

Subd. 2. State board designation. An area learning center designated by the state must be a site. To be designated, a district or center must demonstrate to the commissioner that it will:

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

(2) maintain a record system that, for purposes of section 124.17, permits identification of membership attributable to pupils participating in the program. The record system and identification must ensure that the program will not have the effect of increasing the total number of pupil units attributable to an individual pupil as a result of a learning year program.

Subd. 3. Student planning. A district must inform all pupils and their parents about the learning year program. A continual learning plan must be developed for each pupil with the participation of the pupil, parent or guardian, teachers, and other staff. The plan must specify the learning experiences that must occur each year and, for secondary students, for graduation. The plan may be modified to conform to district schedule changes. The district may not modify the plan if the modification would result in delaying the student's time of graduation.

Subd. 4. Transportation. Summer transportation expenditures for this program must be included in nonregular transportation according to sections 124.225, subdivision 8; and 124.226, subdivision 4.

Subd. 5. Contracts. A district may contract with a licensed employee to provide services in a learning year program that are in addition to the services provided according to the master contract of employment for teachers or an equivalent contract for licensed employees who are not teachers. These additional services and compensation, if any, for the services must not become a part of the employee's continuing contract rights under section 122A.40 or 122A.41.

Subd. 6. Revenue computation and reporting. Aid and levy revenue computations must be based on the total number of hours of education programs for pupils in average daily membership for each fiscal year. For purposes of section 126C.05, average daily membership shall be computed by dividing the total number of hours of participation for the fiscal year by the minimum number of hours for a year determined for the appropriate grade level. Hours of participation that occur after the close of the regular instructional year and before July 1 must be attributed to the following fiscal year. Thirty hours may be used for teacher workshops, staff development, or parent-teacher conferences. As part of each pilot program, the department and each district must report and evaluate the changes needed to adjust the dates of the fiscal year for aid and levy computation and fiscal year reporting. For revenue computation purposes, the learning year program shall generate revenue based on the formulas for the fiscal year in which the services are provided.

State aid and levy revenue computation for the learning year programs begins July 1, 1988, for fiscal year 1989.

Subd. 7. Exemption. To operate the pilot program, the state board of education may exempt the district from specific rules relating to student and financial accounting, reporting, and revenue computation.

HIST: 1989 c 329 art 9 s 5; 1991 c 130 s 37; 1991 c 265 art 7 s 3; 1992 c 499 art 8 s 2; art 12 s 29; 1993 c 224 art 12 s 8; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1998 c 397 art 6 s 8-10,124; art 11 s 3

124D.13 Early childhood family education (ECFE) programs.

Subdivision 1. Establishment. A district that provides a community education program under sections 124D.18 and 124D.19 may establish an early childhood family education program. Two or more districts, each of which provides a community education program, may cooperate to jointly provide an early childhood family education program.

Subd. 2. Program characteristics. Early childhood family education programs are programs for children in the period of life from birth to kindergarten, for the parents of such children, and for expectant parents. The programs may include the following:

(1) programs to educate parents about the physical, mental, and emotional development of children;

(2) programs to enhance the skills of parents in providing for their children's learning and development;

(3) learning experiences for children and parents that promote children's development;

(4) activities designed to detect children's physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral problems that may cause learning problems;

(5) activities and materials designed to encourage self-esteem, skills, and behavior that prevent sexual and other interpersonal violence;

(6) educational materials which may be borrowed for home use;

(7) information on related community resources;

(8) programs to prevent child abuse and neglect;

(9) other programs or activities to improve the health, development, and learning readiness of children; or

(10) activities designed to maximize development during infancy.

The programs must not include activities for children that do not require substantial involvement of the children's parents. The programs must be reviewed periodically to assure the instruction and materials are not racially, culturally, or sexually biased. The programs must encourage parents to be aware of practices that may affect equitable development of children.

Subd. 3. Substantial parental involvement. The requirement of substantial parental involvement in subdivision 2 means that:

(a) parents must be physically present much of the time in classes with their children or be in concurrent classes;

(b) parenting education or family education must be an integral part of every early childhood family education program;

(c) early childhood family education appropriations must not be used for traditional day care or nursery school, or similar programs; and

(d) the form of parent involvement common to kindergarten, elementary school, or early childhood special education programs such as parent conferences, newsletters, and notes to parents do not qualify a program under subdivision 2.

Subd. 4. Home visiting program. (a) The commissioner shall include as part of the early childhood family education programs a parent education component to prevent child abuse and neglect. This parent education component must include:

(1) expanding statewide the home visiting component of the early childhood family education programs;

(2) training parent educators, child educators, community outreach workers, and home visitors in the dynamics of child abuse and neglect and positive parenting and discipline practices; and

(3) developing and disseminating education and public information materials that promote positive parenting skills and prevent child abuse and neglect.

(b) The parent education component must:

(1) offer to isolated or at-risk families home visiting parent education services that at least address parenting skills, a child's development and stages of growth, communication skills, managing stress, problem-solving skills, positive child discipline practices, methods of improving parent-child interactions and enhancing self-esteem, using community support services and other resources, and encouraging parents to have fun with and enjoy their children;

(2) develop a risk assessment tool to determine the family's level of risk;

(3) establish clear objectives and protocols for home visits;

(4) determine the frequency and duration of home visits based on a risk-need assessment of the client, with home visits beginning in the second trimester of pregnancy and continuing, based on client need, until a child is six years old;

(5) encourage families to make a transition from home visits to site-based parenting programs to build a family support network and reduce the effects of isolation;

(6) develop and distribute education materials on preventing child abuse and neglect that may be used in home visiting programs and parent education classes and distributed to the public;

(7) initially provide at least 40 hours of training and thereafter ongoing training for parent educators, child educators, community outreach workers, and home visitors that covers the dynamics of child abuse and neglect, domestic violence and victimization within family systems, signs of abuse or other indications that a child may be at risk of being abused or neglected, what child abuse and neglect are, how to properly report cases of child abuse and neglect, respect for cultural preferences in child rearing, what community resources, social service agencies, and family support activities and programs are available, child development and growth, parenting skills, positive child discipline practices, identifying stress factors and techniques for reducing stress, home visiting techniques, and risk assessment measures;

(8) provide program services that are community-based, accessible, and culturally relevant; and

(9) foster collaboration among existing agencies and community-based organizations that serve young children and their families.

(c) Home visitors should reflect the demographic composition of the community the home visitor is serving to the extent possible.

Subd. 5. Separate accounts. The district must maintain a separate account within the community education fund for money for early childhood family education programs.

Subd. 6. Participants' fees. A district may charge a reasonable fee but it shall waive the fee for a participant unable to pay.

Subd. 7. Additional funding. A district may receive funds from any governmental agency or private source.

Subd. 8. Coordination. A district is encouraged to coordinate the program with its special education and vocational education programs and with related services provided by other governmental agencies and nonprofit agencies.

A district is encouraged to coordinate adult basic education programs provided to parents and early childhood family education programs provided to children to accomplish the goals of section 124D.895.

Subd. 9. District advisory councils. The board must appoint an advisory council from the area in which the program is provided. A majority of the council must be parents participating in the program. The council must assist the board in developing, planning, and monitoring the early childhood family education program. The council must report to the board and the community education advisory council.

Subd. 10. Alternative council. A board may direct the community education council, required according to section 124D.19, subdivision 2, to perform the functions of the advisory council for early childhood family education.

Subd. 11. Teachers. A school board must employ necessary qualified teachers for its early childhood family education programs.

Subd. 12. Assistance. The department must provide assistance to districts with programs described in this section. The department must establish guidelines that list barriers to learning and development affecting children served by early childhood family education programs.

HIST: 1984 c 463 art 4 s 1; 1Sp1985 c 12 art 4 s 2; 1989 c 329 art 4 s 3; 1990 c 562 art 4 s 1; 1991 c 130 s 37; 1991 c 265 art 4 s 3-5; 1992 c 571 art 10 s 1,2; 1993 c 224 art 4 s 11; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1997 c 162 art 1 s 5; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 43-50,103; art 11 s 3

124D.135 Early childhood family education (ECFE) revenue.

Subdivision 1. Revenue. The revenue for early childhood family education programs for a school district equals $101.25 for 1998 and $113.50 for 1999 and later fiscal years times the greater of:

(1) 150; or

(2) the number of people under five years of age residing in the district on October 1 of the previous school year.

Subd. 2. Population. For the purposes of subdivision 1, data reported to the department may be used to determine the number of people under five years of age residing in the district. The commissioner, with the assistance of the state demographer, shall review the number reported by any district operating an early childhood family education program. If requested, the district shall submit to the commissioner an explanation of its methods and other information necessary to document accuracy. If the commissioner determines that the district has not provided sufficient documentation of accuracy, the commissioner may request the state demographer to prepare an estimate of the number of people under five years of age residing in the district and may use this estimate for the purposes of subdivision 1.

Subd. 3. Early childhood family education levy. To obtain early childhood family education revenue, a district may levy an amount equal to the tax rate of .45 percent times the adjusted tax capacity of the district for the year preceding the year the levy is certified. If the amount of the early childhood family education levy would exceed the early childhood family education revenue, the early childhood family education levy must equal the early childhood family education revenue.

Subd. 4. Early childhood family education aid. If a district complies with the provisions of section 124D.13, it must receive early childhood family education aid equal to the difference between the early childhood family education revenue and the early childhood family education levy. If the district does not levy the entire amount permitted, the early childhood family education aid must be reduced in proportion to the actual amount levied.

Subd. 5. Use of revenue restricted. Early childhood family education revenue may be used only for early childhood family education programs. Not more than five percent of early childhood family education revenue may be used to administer early childhood family education programs.

Subd. 6. Home visiting levy. A district that enters into a collaborative agreement to provide education services and social services to families with young children may levy an amount equal to $1.60 times the number of people under five years of age residing in the district on September 1 of the last school year. Levy revenue under this subdivision must not be included as revenue under subdivision 1. The revenue must be used for home visiting programs under section 124D.13, subdivision 4.

Subd. 7. Reserve account. Early childhood family education revenue, which includes aids, levies, fees, grants, and all other revenues received by the district for early childhood family education programs, must be maintained in a reserve account within the community service fund.

HIST: 1984 c 463 art 4 s 3; 1Sp1985 c 12 art 4 s 6; 1987 c 398 art 4 s 13; 1988 c 486 s 39; 1989 c 329 art 4 s 10,11; 1991 c 265 art 4 s 13; 1993 c 224 art 4 s 24-26; art 14 s 10; 1994 c 647 art 4 s 22,23; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 4 s 18; art 16 s 13; 1996 c 412 art 4 s 7; 1997 c 162 art 1 s 6,7; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 76,103; art 11 s 3; 1998 c 398 art 1 s 16

124D.14 Additional early childhood family education (ECFE) revenue.

In addition to the revenue in section 124D.135, subdivision 1, in fiscal year 1994 a district is eligible for aid equal to $1.60 times the greater of 150 or the number of people under five years of age residing in the school district on September 1 of the last school year. This amount may be used only for in-service education for early childhood family education parent educators, child educators, and home visitors for violence prevention programs and for home visiting programs under section 120B.22. A district that uses revenue under this paragraph for home visiting programs shall provide home visiting program services through its early childhood family education program or shall contract with a public or nonprofit organization to provide such services. A district may establish a new home visiting program only where no existing, reasonably accessible home visiting program meets the program requirements in section 120B.22.

HIST: 1992 c 571 art 10 s 29; 1993 c 224 art 4 s 39; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 103; art 11 s 3

124D.15 Learning readiness programs.

Subdivision 1. Establishment; purpose. A district or a group of districts may establish a learning readiness program for eligible children. The purpose of a learning readiness program is to provide all eligible children adequate opportunities to participate in child development programs that enable the children to enter school with the necessary skills and behavior and family stability and support to progress and flourish.

Subd. 2. Child eligibility. (a) A child is eligible to participate in a learning readiness program offered by the resident district or another district if the child is:

(1) at least 3-1/2 years old but has not entered kindergarten; and

(2) receives developmental screening under section 121A.17 within 90 days of enrolling in the program or the child's fourth birthday.

(b) A child younger than 3-1/2 years old may participate in a learning readiness program if the district or group of districts that establishes the program determines that the program can more effectively accomplish its purpose by including children younger than 3-1/2 years old.

Subd. 3. Program eligibility. A learning readiness program must include the following:

(1) a comprehensive plan to anticipate and meet the needs of participating families by coordinating existing social services programs and by fostering collaboration among agencies or other community-based organizations and programs that provide a full range of flexible, family-focused services to families with young children;

(2) a development and learning component to help children develop appropriate social, cognitive, and physical skills, and emotional well-being;

(3) health referral services to address children's medical, dental, mental health, and nutritional needs;

(4) a nutrition component to meet children's daily nutritional needs;

(5) parents' involvement in meeting children's educational, health, social service, and other needs;

(6) community outreach to ensure participation by families who represent the racial, cultural, and economic diversity of the community;

(7) community-based staff and program resources, including interpreters, that reflect the racial and ethnic characteristics of the children participating in the program; and

(8) a literacy component to ensure that the literacy needs of parents are addressed through referral to and cooperation with adult basic education programs and other adult literacy programs.

Subd. 4. Program goals. Learning readiness programs are encouraged to:

(1) prepare an individualized service plan to meet each child's developmental and learning needs;

(2) provide parent education to increase parents' knowledge, understanding, skills, and experience in child development and learning;

(3) foster substantial parent involvement that may include having parents develop curriculum or serve as a paid or volunteer educator, resource person, or other staff;

(4) identify the needs of families in the content of the child's learning readiness and family literacy;

(5) expand collaboration with public organizations, businesses, nonprofit organizations, or other private organizations to develop a coordinated system of flexible, family-focused services available to anticipate and meet the full range of needs of all eligible children and their families;

(6) coordinate treatment and follow-up services for children's identified physical and mental health problems;

(7) offer transportation for eligible children and their families for whom other forms of transportation are unavailable or would constitute an excessive financial burden;

(8) make substantial outreach efforts to assure significant participation by families with the greatest needs, including those families whose income level does not exceed the most recent update of the poverty guidelines required by sections 652 and 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 (Public Law Number 97-35);

(9) use community-based, trained home visitors serving as paraprofessionals to provide social support, referrals, parent education, and other services;

(10) create community-based family resource centers and interdisciplinary teams; and

(11) enhance the quality of family or center-based child care programs by providing supplementary services and resources, staff training, and assistance with children with special needs.

Subd. 5. Services with new or existing providers. A district is encouraged to contract with a public or nonprofit organization to provide eligible children developmentally appropriate services that meet the program requirements in subdivision 3. In the alternative, a district may pay tuition or fees to place an eligible child in an existing program. A district may establish a new program where no existing, reasonably accessible program meets the program requirements in subdivision 3. Services may be provided in a site-based program or in the home of the child or a combination of both. The district may not restrict participation to district residents.

Subd. 6. Coordination with other providers. (a) The district must coordinate the learning readiness program with existing community-based social services providers and foster collaboration among agencies and other community-based organizations and programs that provide flexible, family-focused services to families with children. The district must actively encourage greater sharing of responsibility and accountability among service providers and facilitate children's transition between programs.

(b) To the extent possible, resources must follow the children so that children receive appropriate services in a stable environment and are not moved from one program location to another. Where geographically feasible, the district must actively promote colocating of services for children and their families.

Subd. 7. Advisory council. Each learning readiness program must have an advisory council composed of members of existing early education-related boards, parents of participating children, child care providers, culturally specific service organizations, local resource and referral agencies, and representatives of early childhood service providers. The council must advise the board in creating and administering the program and must monitor the progress of the program. The council must ensure that children at greatest risk receive appropriate services. If the board is unable to appoint to the advisory council members of existing early education-related boards, it must appoint parents of children enrolled in the program who represent the racial, cultural, and economic diversity of the district and representatives of early childhood service providers as representatives to an existing advisory council.

Subd. 8. Prioritizing services. The district must give greatest priority to providing services to eligible children identified, through a means such as the early childhood screening process, as being developmentally disadvantaged or experiencing risk factors that could impede their learning readiness.

Subd. 9. Child records. (a) A record of a child's progress and development must be maintained in the child's cumulative record while enrolled in the learning readiness program. The cumulative record must be used for the purpose of planning activities to suit individual needs and shall become part of the child's permanent record. The cumulative record is private data under chapter 13. Information in the record may be disseminated to an educator or service provider only to the extent that that person has a need to know the information.

(b) An educator or service provider may transmit information in the child's cumulative record to an educator or service provider in another program for young children when the child applies to enroll in that other program.

Subd. 10. Supervision. A program provided by a board must be supervised by a licensed early childhood teacher, a certified early childhood educator, or a licensed parent educator. A program provided according to a contract between a district and a nonprofit organization or another private organization must be supervised and staffed according to the terms of the contract.

Subd. 11. District standards. The board of the district must develop standards for the learning readiness program that reflect the eligibility criteria in subdivision 3. The board must consider including in the standards the program characteristics in subdivision 4.

Subd. 12. Program fees. A district may adopt a sliding fee schedule based on a family's income but must waive a fee for a participant unable to pay. The fees charged must be designed to enable eligible children of all socioeconomic levels to participate in the program.

Subd. 13. Additional revenue. A district or an organization contracting with a district may receive money or in-kind services from a public or private organization.

HIST: 1991 c 265 art 7 s 6; 1993 c 224 art 4 s 8; 1994 c 647 art 4 s 11; 1997 c 162 art 1 s 3,4; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 20-27,103; art 11 s 3

124D.16 Learning readiness aid.

Subdivision 1. Program review and approval. By February 15, 1992, for the 1991-1992 school year or by May 1 preceding subsequent school years, a district must submit to the commissioners of children, families, and learning, and health:

(1) a description of the services to be provided;

(2) a plan to ensure children at greatest risk receive appropriate services;

(3) a description of procedures and methods to be used to coordinate public and private resources to maximize use of existing community resources, including school districts, health care facilities, government agencies, neighborhood organizations, and other resources knowledgeable in early childhood development;

(4) comments about the district's proposed program by the advisory council required by section 124D.15, subdivision 7; and

(5) agreements with all participating service providers.

Each commissioner may review and comment on the program, and make recommendations to the commissioner of children, families, and learning, within 30 days of receiving the plan.

Subd. 2. Amount of aid. (a) A district is eligible to receive learning readiness aid if the program plan as required by subdivision 1 has been approved by the commissioner.

(b) For fiscal year 1998 and thereafter, a district must receive learning readiness aid equal to:

(1) the number of eligible four-year old children in the district times the ratio of 50 percent of the total learning readiness aid for that year to the total number of eligible four-year old children reported to the commissioner for that year; plus

(2) the number of pupils enrolled in the school district from families eligible for the free or reduced school lunch program times the ratio of 50 percent of the total learning readiness aid for that year to the total number of pupils in the state from families eligible for the free or reduced school lunch program.

Subd. 3. Use of aid. Learning readiness aid shall be used only to provide a learning readiness program and may be used to provide transportation. Not more than five percent of the aid may be used for the cost of administering the program. Aid must be used to supplement and not supplant local, state, and federal funding. Aid may not be used for instruction and services required under sections 125A.03 to 125A.24 and 125A.65. Aid may not be used to purchase land or construct buildings, but may be used to lease or renovate existing buildings.

Subd. 4. Separate accounts. The district must deposit learning readiness aid in a separate account within the community education fund.

HIST: 1991 c 265 art 7 s 13; 1992 c 363 art 2 s 5; 1992 c 499 art 7 s 2; 1993 c 224 art 4 s 22,23; 1994 c 483 s 1; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1997 c 162 art 4 s 59,60; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 74,75,103; art 11 s 3

124D.17 Way to grow/school readiness program.

Subdivision 1. Administration. The commissioner of children, families, and learning shall administer the way to grow/school readiness program, in collaboration with the commissioners of health and human services, to promote intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development and school readiness of children prebirth to age six by coordinating and improving access to community-based and neighborhood-based services that support and assist all parents in meeting the health and developmental needs of their children at the earliest possible age.

Subd. 2. Program components. (a) A way to grow/school readiness program must:

(1) collaborate and coordinate delivery of services with other community organizations and agencies serving children prebirth to age six and their families;

(2) target services to families with children prebirth to age six with services increasing based on need;

(3) build on existing services and coordinate a continuum of prebirth to age six essential services, including but not limited to prenatal health services, parent education and support, and preschool programs;

(4) provide strategic outreach efforts to families using trained paraprofessionals such as home visitors; and

(5) support of neighborhood oriented and culturally specific social support, information, outreach, and other programs to promote healthy development of children and to help parents obtain the information, resources, and parenting skills needed to nurture and care for their children.

(b) A way to grow/school readiness program may include:

(1) a program of home visitors to contact pregnant women early in their pregnancies, encourage them to obtain prenatal care, and provide social support, information, and referrals regarding prenatal care and well-baby care to reduce infant mortality, low birth weight, and childhood injury, disease, and disability;

(2) a program of home visitors to provide social support, information, and referrals regarding parenting skills and to encourage families to participate in parenting skills programs and other family supportive services;

(3) support of neighborhood-based or community-based parent-child and family resource centers or interdisciplinary resource teams to offer supportive services to families with preschool children;

(4) staff training, technical assistance, and incentives for collaboration designed to raise the quality of community services relating to prenatal care, child development, health, and school readiness;

(5) programs to raise general public awareness about practices that promote healthy child development and school readiness;

(6) programs to expand public and private collaboration to promote the development of a coordinated and culturally specific system of services available to all families;

(7) support of periodic screening and evaluation services for preschool children to assure adequate developmental progress;

(8) support of health, educational, and other developmental services needed by families with preschool children;

(9) support of family prevention and intervention programs needed to address risks of child abuse or neglect;

(10) development or support of a jurisdiction-wide coordinating agency to develop and oversee programs to enhance child health, development, and school readiness with special emphasis on neighborhoods with a high proportion of children in need; and

(11) other programs or services to improve the health, development, and school readiness of children in target neighborhoods and communities.

Subd. 3. Eligible grantees. An application for a grant may be submitted by any of the following entities:

(1) a city, town, county, school district, or other local unit of government;

(2) two or more governmental units organized under a joint powers agreement;

(3) a community action agency that satisfies the requirements of section 119A.375, subdivision 1; or

(4) a nonprofit organization, or consortium of nonprofit organizations, that demonstrates collaborative effort with at least one unit of local government.

Subd. 4. Distribution. The commissioner shall give priority to funding existing programs.

To the extent possible, the commissioner shall award grants to applicants with experience or demonstrated ability in providing comprehensive, multidisciplinary, community-based programs with objectives similar to those listed in subdivision 2, or in providing other human services or social services programs using a multidisciplinary, community-based approach.

Subd. 5. Applications. Each grant application must propose a five-year program designed to accomplish the purposes of this section. The application must be submitted on forms provided by the commissioner. The grant application must include:

(1) a description of the specific neighborhoods that will be served under the program and the name, address, and a description of each community agency or agencies with which the applicant intends to contract to provide services using grant money;

(2) a letter of intent from each community agency identified in clause (1) that indicates the agency's willingness to participate in the program and approval of the proposed program structure and components;

(3) a detailed description of the structure and components of the proposed program and an explanation of how each component will contribute to accomplishing the purposes of this section;

(4) a description of how public and private resources, including schools, health care facilities, government agencies, neighborhood organizations, and other resources, will be coordinated and made accessible to families in target neighborhoods, including letters of intent from public and private agencies indicating their willingness to cooperate with the program;

(5) a detailed, proposed budget that demonstrates the ability of the program to accomplish the purposes of this section using grant money and other available resources, including funding sources other than a grant; and

(6) a comprehensive evaluation plan for measuring the success of the program in meeting the objectives of the overall grant program and the individual grant project, including an assessment of the impact of the program in terms of at least three of the following criteria:

(i) utilization rates of community services;

(ii) availability of support systems for families;

(iii) birth weights of newborn babies;

(iv) child accident rates;

(v) utilization rates of prenatal care;

(vi) reported rates of child abuse;

(vii) rates of health screening and evaluation; and

(viii) school readiness of way to grow participants compared to nonparticipants.

Subd. 6. Match. Each dollar of state money must be matched with 50 cents of nonstate money. Programs may match state money with in-kind contributions, including volunteer assistance.

Subd. 7. Advisory committees. The commissioner shall establish a program advisory committee consisting of persons knowledgeable in child development, child health, and family services, who reflect the geographic, cultural, racial, and ethnic diversity of the state; and representatives of the commissioners of children, families, and learning, human services, and health. This program advisory committee must review grant applications, assist in distribution of the grants, and monitor progress of the way to grow/school readiness program. Each grantee must establish a program advisory board of 12 or more members to advise the grantee on program design, operation, and evaluation. The board must include representatives of local units of government and representatives of the project area who reflect the geographic, cultural, racial, and ethnic diversity of that community.

Subd. 8. Report. The advisory committee must report to the education committee of the legislature by January 15, 1993, on the evaluation required in subdivision 5, clause (6), and shall make recommendations for establishing successful way to grow programs in unserved areas of the state.

HIST: 1993 c 224 art 4 s 9; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 28-31,103

124D.18 Purpose of community education programs.

The purpose of sections 124D.18 and 124D.19 is to make maximum use of the public schools of Minnesota by the community and to expand utilization by the school of the human resources of the community, by establishing a community education program.

HIST: 1971 c 900 s 1; 1976 c 239 s 26; 1980 c 609 art 4 s 22; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 103; art 11 s 3

124D.19 Community education programs; advisory council.

Subdivision 1. Authorization. Each school board may initiate a community education program in its district and provide for the general supervision of the program. Each board may, as it considers appropriate, employ community education staff to further the purposes of the community education program.

Subd. 2. Advisory council. Each board must provide for an advisory council to consist of members who represent: various service organizations; churches; public and nonpublic schools; local government including elected officials; public and private nonprofit agencies serving youth and families; parents; youth; park, recreation or forestry services of municipal or local government units located in whole or in part within the boundaries of the school district; and any other groups participating in the community education program in the school district.

Subd. 3. Community education director. (a) Except as provided under paragraphs (b) and (c), each board shall employ a licensed community education director. The board shall submit the name of the person who is serving as director of community education under this section on the district's annual community education report to the commissioner.

(b) A board may apply to the commissioner under Minnesota Rules, part 3512.3500, subpart 9, for authority to use an individual who is not licensed as a community education director.

(c) A board of a district with a total population of 2,000 or less may identify an employee who holds a valid Minnesota principal or superintendent license under Minnesota Rules, chapter 3512, to serve as director of community education. To be eligible for an exception under this paragraph, the board shall certify in writing to the commissioner that the district has not placed a licensed director of community education on unrequested leave.

Subd. 4. Cooperation. The council must function in cooperation with the community education director in an advisory capacity in the interest of promoting the goals and objectives of sections 124D.18 and 124D.19.

Subd. 5. Policy to avoid program duplication. Each council must adopt a policy to reduce and eliminate program duplication within the district.

Subd. 6. Summer programs. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, during the summer a school district may offer community education programs to elementary and secondary pupils. The district may use community education revenue received pursuant to section 124D.20 and charge fees for the cost of the programs.

Subd. 7. Programs for adults with disabilities. A board may offer, as part of a community education program, a program for adults with disabilities. Boards are encouraged to offer programs cooperatively with other districts and organizations. Programs may not be limited to district residents. Programs may include:

(1) services enabling the adults to participate in community activities or community education classes;

(2) classes specifically for adults with disabilities;

(3) outreach activities to identify adults needing service;

(4) activities to increase public awareness of the roles of people with disabilities;

(5) activities to enhance the role of people with disabilities in the community; and

(6) other direct and indirect services and activities benefiting adults with disabilities.

Subd. 8. Program approval. To be eligible for revenue for the program for adults with disabilities, a program and budget must receive approval from the community education section in the department. Approval may be for five years. During that time, a board must report any significant changes to the department for approval. For programs offered cooperatively, the request for approval must include an agreement on the method by which local money is to be derived and distributed. A request for approval must include all of the following:

(1) characteristics of the people to be served;

(2) description of the program services and activities;

(3) program budget and amount of aid requested;

(4) participation by adults with disabilities in developing the program;

(5) assessment of the needs of adults with disabilities; and

(6) cooperative efforts with community organizations.

Subd. 9. Youth development plans. A district advisory council may prepare a youth development plan. The council is encouraged to use the state guidelines when developing the local plan. The school board may approve the youth development plan.

Subd. 10. Youth service programs. (a) A school board may offer, as part of a community education program with a youth development program, a youth service program that provides young people with meaningful opportunities to become involved in their community, develop individual capabilities, make career connections, seek support networks and services, become active citizens, and address community needs through youth service. The board may award up to one credit, or the equivalent, toward graduation for a pupil who completes the youth service requirements of the district. The community education advisory council, after considering the results of the commissioner's study under section 124D.50, subdivision 1, must design the program in cooperation with the district planning, evaluating and reporting committee and local organizations that train volunteers or need volunteers' services.

(b) Programs must include:

(1) preliminary training for pupil volunteers conducted, when possible, by organizations experienced in such training;

(2) supervision of the pupil volunteers to ensure appropriate placement and adequate learning opportunity;

(3) sufficient opportunity, in a positive setting for human development, for pupil volunteers to develop general skills in preparation for employment, to enhance self-esteem and self-worth, and to give genuine service to their community;

(4) integration of academic learning with the service experience; and

(5) integration of youth community service with elementary and secondary curriculum.

(c) Youth service projects include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) human services for the elderly, including home care and related services;

(2) tutoring and mentoring;

(3) training for and providing emergency services;

(4) services at extended day programs;

(5) environmental services; and

(6) service-learning programs in which schools, including post-secondary schools, and employers work together with young people to provide them with meaningful opportunities for community service and with the academic and technical skills that employers require.

(d) The commissioner shall maintain a list of acceptable projects with a description of each project. A project that is not on the list must be approved by the commissioner.

(e) A youth service project must have a community sponsor that may be a governmental unit or nonprofit organization. To assure that pupils provide additional services, each sponsor must assure that pupil services do not displace employees or reduce the workload of any employee.

(f) The commissioner shall assist districts in planning youth service programs, implementing programs, and developing recommendations for obtaining community sponsors.

Subd. 11. Extended day programs. (a) A school board may offer, as part of a community education program, an extended day program for children from kindergarten through grade 6 for the purpose of expanding students' learning opportunities. A program must include the following:

(1) adult supervised programs while school is not in session;

(2) parental involvement in program design and direction;

(3) partnerships with the kindergarten through grade 12 system, and other public, private, or nonprofit entities; and

(4) opportunities for trained secondary school pupils to work with younger children in a supervised setting as part of a community service program.

(b) The district may charge a sliding fee based upon family income for extended day programs. The district may receive money from other public or private sources for the extended day program. The board of the district must develop standards for school age child care programs. Districts must adopt standards within one year after the district first offers services under a program authorized by this subdivision. The state board of education may not adopt rules for extended day programs.

(c) The district shall maintain a separate account within the community services fund for all funds related to the extended day program.

HIST: 1971 c 900 s 4; 1976 c 239 s 29; 1977 c 447 art 4 s 1; 1980 c 609 art 4 s 22; 1982 c 548 art 6 s 1; 1Sp1985 c 12 art 4 s 1; 1987 c 398 art 4 s 3-5; 1988 c 718 art 4 s 1,2; 1989 c 329 art 4 s 1,2; art 9 s 6; 1990 c 562 art 3 s 1,13; 1991 c 199 art 2 s 8; 1991 c 265 art 4 s 1,2; 1993 c 146 art 5 s 13; 1993 c 224 art 12 s 9,10; 1994 c 465 art 2 s 11; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 4 s 30; art 16 s 13; 1997 c 162 art 2 s 12-14; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 36-42,103; art 11 s 3

124D.20 Community education revenue.

Subdivision 1. Total community education revenue. Community education revenue equals the sum of a district's general community education revenue and youth service program revenue.

Subd. 2. Eligibility. To be eligible for community education revenue, a district must operate a community education program that complies with section 124D.19.

Subd. 3. General community education revenue. The general community education revenue for a district equals $5.95 times the greater of 1,335 or the population of the district. The population of the district is determined according to section 275.14.

Subd. 4. Youth service revenue. Youth service program revenue is available to a district that has implemented a youth development plan and a youth service program. Youth service revenue equals $1 times the greater of 1,335 or the population of the district.

Subd. 5. Community education levy. To obtain community education revenue, a district may levy the amount raised by a tax rate of .41 percent times the adjusted net tax capacity of the district. If the amount of the community education levy would exceed the community education revenue, the community education levy shall be determined according to subdivision 6.

Subd. 6. Community education levy; districts off the formula. If the amount of the community education levy for a district exceeds the district's community education revenue, the amount of the community education levy is limited to the district's community education revenue according to subdivision 1.

Subd. 7. Community education aid. A district's community education aid is the difference between its community education revenue and the community education levy. If the district does not levy the entire amount permitted, the community education aid must be reduced in proportion to the actual amount levied.

Subd. 8. Uses of general revenue. (a) General community education revenue may be used for:

(1) nonvocational, recreational, and leisure time activities and programs;

(2) programs for adults with disabilities, if the programs and budgets are approved by the department;

(3) adult basic education programs, according to section 124D.52;

(4) summer programs for elementary and secondary pupils;

(5) implementation of a youth development plan;

(6) implementation of a youth service program;

(7) early childhood family education programs, according to section 124D.13; and

(8) extended day programs, according to section 124D.19, subdivision 11.

(9) In addition to money from other sources, a district may use up to ten percent of its community education revenue for equipment that is used exclusively in community education programs. This revenue may be used only for the following purposes:

(i) to purchase or lease computers and related materials;

(ii) to purchase or lease equipment for instructional programs; and

(iii) to purchase textbooks and library books.

(b) General community education revenue must not be used to subsidize the direct activity costs for adult enrichment programs. Direct activity costs include, but are not limited to, the cost of the activity leader or instructor, cost of materials, or transportation costs.

Subd. 9. Use of youth service revenue. Youth service revenue may be used to implement a youth development plan approved by the school board and to provide a youth service program according to section 124D.19, subdivision 10.

Subd. 10. Reserve account. Community education revenue, which includes aids, levies, fees, grants, and all other revenues received by the school district for community education programs, must be maintained in a reserve account within the community service fund.

HIST: 1989 c 329 art 4 s 12; 1Sp1989 c 1 art 2 s 11; 1990 c 562 art 3 s 13; art 10 s 3; 1991 c 265 art 4 s 14-18; 1993 c 224 art 4 s 27-30; art 12 s 20; 1994 c 647 art 4 s 24,25; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 4 s 19; art 16 s 13; 1996 c 412 art 4 s 8; 1997 c 162 art 2 s 22,23; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 77,78,103; art 11 s 3; 1998 c 398 art 1 s 17,18

* NOTE: The amendment to subdivision 6 by Laws 1998, chapter *398, article 1, section 18, is effective for revenue for fiscal *year 2000. Laws 1998, chapter 398, article 1, section 52.

124D.21 Additional community education revenue.

(a) A district that is eligible under section 124D.20, subdivision 2, may levy an amount up to the amount authorized by Minnesota Statutes 1986, section 275.125, subdivision 8, clause (2).

(b) Beginning with levies for fiscal year 1995, this levy must be reduced each year by the amount of any increase in the levying district's general community education revenue under section 124D.20, subdivision 3, for that fiscal year over the amount received by the district under section 124.2713, subdivision 3, for fiscal year 1994.

(c) The proceeds of the levy may be used for the purposes set forth in section 124D.20, subdivision 8.

HIST: 1989 c 329 art 4 s 13; 1993 c 224 art 4 s 31; 1994 c 647 art 4 s 26; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 103; art 11 s 3

124D.22 Extended day revenue.

Subdivision 1. Eligibility. A district that offers an extended day program according to section 124D.19, subdivision 11, is eligible for extended day revenue for the additional costs of providing services to children with disabilities or to children experiencing family or related problems of a temporary nature who participate in the extended day program.

Subd. 2. Extended day revenue. The extended day revenue for an eligible district equals the approved additional cost of providing services to children with disabilities or children experiencing family or related problems of a temporary nature who participate in the extended day program.

Subd. 3. Extended day levy. To obtain extended day revenue, a school district may levy an amount equal to the district's extended day revenue as defined in subdivision 2 multiplied by the lesser of one, or the ratio of the quotient derived by dividing the adjusted net tax capacity of the district for the year before the year the levy is certified by the resident pupil units in the district for the school year to which the levy is attributable, to $3,767.

Subd. 4. Extended day aid. A district's extended day aid is the difference between its extended day revenue and its extended day levy. If a district does not levy the entire amount permitted, extended day aid must be reduced in proportion to the actual amount levied.

HIST: 1992 c 499 art 4 s 8; art 12 s 29; 1993 c 224 art 4 s 32; 1997 c 162 art 2 s 24; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 80,81,103; art 11 s 3

124D.23 Family services and community-based collaboratives.

Subdivision 1. Establishment. (a) In order to qualify as a family services collaborative, a minimum of one school district, one county, one public health entity, one community action agency as defined in section 119A.375, and one Head Start grantee if the community action agency is not the designated federal grantee for the Head Start program must agree in writing to provide coordinated family services and commit resources to an integrated fund. Collaboratives are expected to have broad community representation, which may include other local providers, including additional school districts, counties, and public health entities, other municipalities, public libraries, existing culturally specific community organizations, tribal entities, local health organizations, private and nonprofit service providers, child care providers, local foundations, community-based service groups, businesses, local transit authorities or other transportation providers, community action agencies under section 119A.375, senior citizen volunteer organizations, parent organizations, parents, and sectarian organizations that provide nonsectarian services.

(b) Members of the governing bodies of political subdivisions involved in the establishment of a family services collaborative shall select representatives of the nongovernmental entities listed in paragraph (a) to serve on the governing board of a collaborative. The governing body members of the political subdivisions shall select one or more representatives of the nongovernmental entities within the family service collaborative.

Subd. 2. Duties. (a) Each collaborative must:

(1) establish, with assistance from families and service providers, clear goals for addressing the health, developmental, educational, and family-related needs of children and youth and use outcome-based indicators to measure progress toward achieving those goals;

(2) establish a comprehensive planning process that involves all sectors of the community, identifies local needs, and surveys existing local programs;

(3) integrate service funding sources so that children and their families obtain services from providers best able to anticipate and meet their needs;

(4) coordinate families' services to avoid duplicative and overlapping assessment and intake procedures;

(5) focus primarily on family-centered services;

(6) encourage parents and volunteers to actively participate by using flexible scheduling and actively recruiting volunteers;

(7) provide services in locations that are readily accessible to children and families;

(8) use new or reallocated funds to improve or enhance services provided to children and their families;

(9) identify federal, state, and local institutional barriers to coordinating services and suggest ways to remove these barriers; and

(10) design and implement an integrated local service delivery system for children and their families that coordinates services across agencies and is client centered. The delivery system shall provide a continuum of services for children birth to age 18, or birth through age 21 for individuals with disabilities. The collaborative shall describe the community plan for serving pregnant women and children from birth to age six.

(b) The outcome-based indicators developed in paragraph (a), clause (1), may include the number of low birth weight babies, the infant mortality rate, the number of children who are adequately immunized and healthy, require out-of-home placement or long-term special education services, and the number of minor parents.

Subd. 3. Duties of certain coordinating bodies. By mutual agreement of the collaborative and a coordinating body listed in this subdivision, a family services collaborative may assume the duties of a community transition interagency committee established under section 125A.22; an interagency early intervention committee established under section 125A.30; a local advisory council established under section 245.4875, subdivision 5; or a local coordinating council established under section 245.4875, subdivision 6.

Subd. 4. Integrated local service delivery system. A collaborative must design an integrated local service delivery system that coordinates funding streams and the delivery of services between existing agencies. The integrated local service delivery system may:

(1) improve outreach and early identification of children and families in need of services and intervene across service systems on behalf of families;

(2) offer an inclusive service system that supports all families within a community;

(3) coordinate services that eliminate the need to match funding streams, provider eligibilities, or clients with multiple providers;

(4) improve access to services by coordinating transportation services;

(5) provide initial outreach to all new mothers and periodic family visits to children who are potentially at risk;

(6) coordinate assessment across systems to determine which children and families need coordinated multiagency services and supplemental services;

(7) include multiagency service plans and coordinate unitary case management; and

(8) integrate funding of services.

Subd. 5. Information sharing. (a) The school district, county, and public health entity members of a family services collaborative may inform each other as to whether an individual or family is being served by the member, without the consent of the subject of the data. If further information sharing is necessary in order for the collaborative to carry out duties under subdivision 2 or 3, the collaborative may share data if the individual, as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 8, gives written informed consent. Data on individuals shared under this subdivision retain the original classification as defined under section 13.02, as to each member of the collaborative with whom the data is shared.

(b) If a federal law or regulation impedes information sharing that is necessary in order for a collaborative to carry out duties under subdivision 2 or 3, the appropriate state agencies shall seek a waiver or exemption from the applicable law or regulation.

Subd. 6. Integrated fund. (a) A collaborative must establish an integrated fund to help provide an integrated service system and fund additional supplemental services. The integrated fund may consist of federal, state, local, or private resources. The collaborative agreement must specify a minimum financial commitment by the contributors to an integrated fund. Contributors may not reduce their financial commitment except as specified in the agreement or by federal declaration.

(b) A collaborative must seek to maximize federal and private funds by designating local expenditures for services that can be matched with federal or private grant funds and by designing services to meet the requirements for state or federal reimbursement.

(c) Collaboratives may seek to maximize federal reimbursement of funds under section 256F.10.

Subd. 7. Local plans. The collaborative plan must describe how the collaborative will carry out the duties and implement the integrated local services delivery system required under this section. The plan must include a list of the collaborative participants, a copy of the agreement required under subdivision 1, the amount and source of resources each participant will contribute to the integrated fund, and methods for increasing local participation in the collaborative, involving parents and other community members in implementing and operating the collaborative, and providing effective outreach services to all families with young children in the community. The plan must also include specific goals that the collaborative intends to achieve and methods for objectively measuring progress toward meeting the goals.

Subd. 8. Plan approval by the children's cabinet. (a) The children's cabinet must approve local plans for collaboratives. In approving local plans, the children's cabinet must give highest priority to a plan that provides:

(1) early intervention and family outreach services;

(2) family visitation services;

(3) a continuum of services for children from birth to age 18;

(4) family preservation services;

(5) culturally sensitive approaches for delivering services and utilizing culturally specific organizations;

(6) clearly defined outcomes and valid methods of assessment;

(7) effective service coordination;

(8) participation by the maximum number of jurisdictions and local, county, and state funding sources;

(9) integrated community service providers and local resources;

(10) integrated transportation services;

(11) integrated housing services; and

(12) coordinated services that include a children's mental health collaborative authorized by law.

(b) The children's cabinet must ensure that the collaboratives established under this section do not conflict with any state or federal policy or program and do not negatively impact the state budget.

Subd. 9. Receipt of funds. The office of strategic and long-range planning may receive and administer public and private funds for the purposes of Laws 1993, chapter 224.

HIST: 1993 c 224 art 4 s 10; 1994 c 618 art 1 s 18; 1994 c 647 art 4 s 12; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 3 s 4; art 16 s 13; 1996 c 412 art 4 s 4,5; 1997 c 162 art 4 s 58; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 32-35,103; art 11 s 3

124D.24 Citation; Minnesota Family Connections Act.

Sections 124D.25 to 124D.29 may be cited as the "Minnesota Family Connections Act."

HIST: 1981 c 358 art 6 s 6; 1983 c 314 art 9 s 12; 1989 c 329 art 7 s 15; 1991 c 130 s 37; 1994 c 465 art 2 s 1; 1996 c 412 art 4 s 13; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 103; art 11 s 3

124D.25 Purpose of the Family Connections Act.

The legislature recognizes the unique and lifelong learning and development process of all human beings. The legislature is committed to the goal of maximizing the individual growth potential of all learners. The purposes of the Family Connections Act are:

(1) to offer family connections programs which emphasize learning and development based on learner outcomes;

(2) to recognize and utilize the unique skills that teachers, students, family, and the community have in both the teaching process and the learning and development process; and

(3) to provide an opportunity for maximum use of teachers, principals, and counselors.

HIST: 1981 c 358 art 6 s 7; 1983 c 314 art 9 s 12; 1989 c 329 art 7 s 16; 1991 c 130 s 37; 1996 c 412 art 4 s 14; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 103

124D.26 Improved learning program.

Subdivision 1. Authorization. A district or group of districts may establish an improved learning program.

Subd. 2. Rules and rights. The state board of education may waive district compliance with its rules which would prevent implementation of an improved learning program. Participation in an improved learning program as a principal-teacher, counselor-teacher, or career teacher must not affect seniority in the district or rights under the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Subd. 3. Additional funding. A district providing an improved learning program may receive funds for the program from private sources and governmental agencies, including state or federal funds.

HIST: 1981 c 358 art 6 s 8; 1983 c 314 art 9 s 1,12; 1984 c 463 art 7 s 2; 1987 c 398 art 1 s 19,20; 1991 c 130 s 37; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 85,103

124D.27 Advisory council.

The board of a district providing a family connections program must appoint an advisory council. Council members must be selected from the school attendance area in which programs are provided. Members of the council may include students, teachers, principals, administrators and community members. A majority of the members must be parents with children participating in the local program. The local advisory council must advise the board in the development, coordination, supervision, and review of the career teacher program. The council must meet at least two times each year with any established community education advisory council in the district. Members of the council may be members of the community education advisory council. The council must report to the school board.

HIST: 1981 c 358 art 6 s 9; 1983 c 314 art 9 s 12; 1989 c 329 art 7 s 17; 1991 c 130 s 37; 1996 c 412 art 4 s 15; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 86,103

124D.28 Family connections program components.

Subdivision 1. Mandatory components. A family connections program must include:

(1) participation by a designated individual as a career teacher, principal-teacher, or counselor teacher;

(2) an emphasis on each individual child's unique learning and development needs;

(3) procedures to give the career teacher a major responsibility for leadership of the instructional and noninstructional activities of each child beginning with early childhood family education;

(4) procedures to involve parents in the learning and development experiences of their children;

(5) procedures to implement outcome based education by focusing on the needs of the learner;

(6) procedures to coordinate and integrate the instructional program with all community education programs;

(7) procedures to concentrate career teacher programs at sites that provide early childhood family education and subsequent learning and development programs; and

(8) procedures for the district to fund the program.

Subd. 2. Optional components. A family connections program may include:

(1) efforts to improve curricula strategies, instructional strategies, and use of materials that respond to the individual educational needs and learning styles of each pupil in order to enable each pupil to make continuous progress and to learn at a rate appropriate to that pupil's abilities;

(2) efforts to develop student abilities in basic skills; applied learning skills; and, when appropriate, arts; humanities; physical, natural, and social sciences; multicultural education; physical, emotional, and mental health; consumer economics; and career education;

(3) use of community resources and communications media to pursue learning and development opportunities for pupils;

(4) staff development for teachers and other school personnel;

(5) improvements to the learning and development environment, including use of the community in general, to enhance the learning and development process;

(6) cooperative efforts with other agencies involved with human services or child development and development of alternative community based learning and development experiences;

(7) post-secondary education components for pupils who are able to accelerate or programs for pupils with special abilities and interests who are given advanced learning and development opportunities within existing programs;

(8) use of volunteers in the learning and development program;

(9) flexible attendance schedules for pupils;

(10) adult education component;

(11) coordination with early childhood family education and community education programs;

(12) variable student/faculty ratios for special education students to provide for special programming;

(13) inclusion of nonpublic pupils as part of the ratio in the career teacher, principal-teacher, and counselor teacher component;

(14) application of educational research findings;

(15) summer learning and development experiences for students as recommended by the career teacher, principal-teacher, and counselor teacher;

(16) use of education assistants, teacher aides, or paraprofessionals as part of the career teacher program;

(17) establishment of alternative criteria for high school graduation; and

(18) variable age and learning size groupings of students.

HIST: 1981 c 358 art 6 s 10; 1983 c 314 art 9 s 2,12; 1989 c 329 art 7 s 18; 1991 c 130 s 37; 1996 c 412 art 4 s 16; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 87,103

124D.29 Career teacher.

Subdivision 1. Status. A family connections program may include a career teacher, principal-teacher, and counselor teacher component. The career teacher, principal-teacher, and counselor teacher must not be the exclusive teacher for students assigned to them but shall serve as a primary teacher and perform the function of developing and implementing a student's overall learning and development program. The career teacher, principal-teacher, and counselor teacher may be responsible for regular assignments as well as learning and development programs for other assigned students.

Subd. 2. Qualifications. (a) An individual employed as a career teacher must be licensed as a teacher and shall be considered a teacher as defined in section 179A.03, subdivision 18, for purposes of chapter 179A.

(b) An individual employed as a principal teacher must be licensed as a principal and shall be considered a principal, as defined in section 179A.03, subdivision 12, for purposes of chapter 179A.

(c) An individual employed as a counselor teacher must be licensed as a counselor and shall be considered a teacher, as defined in section 179A.03, subdivision 18, for purposes of chapter 179A.

Subd. 3. Staff/student ratio. (a) Except as provided in clause (b), one career teacher, principal-teacher, or counselor teacher shall be assigned for every 125 students. For each special education student included in the assignment, the 1:125 ratio must be reduced by one.

(b) One principal-teacher shall be assigned for every 50 students when the principal-teacher is also the principal of the school.

Subd. 4. Selection; renewal. (a) The board must establish procedures for teachers, principals, and counselors to apply for the position of career teacher, principal-teacher, or counselor teacher. The authority for selection of career teachers, principal-teachers, and counselor teachers is vested in the board and no individual shall have a right to employment as a career teacher, principal-teacher, or counselor teacher based on seniority or order of employment in the district.

(b) Employment of the career teacher, principal-teacher, and counselor teacher may be on a 12-month basis with vacation time negotiated individually with the board. The annual contract of a career teacher, principal-teacher, or counselor teacher may not be renewed, as the board shall see fit. The board must give any teacher whose contract as a career teacher, principal-teacher, or counselor teacher it declines to renew for the following year written notice to that effect before April 15. If the board fails to renew the contract of a career teacher, principal-teacher, or counselor teacher, that individual must be reinstated to another position in the district if eligible pursuant to section 122A.40 or 122A.41.

Subd. 5. Duties. The career teacher, principal-teacher, and counselor teacher is responsible for:

(1) the overall education, learning, and development plan of assigned students. The career teacher, principal-teacher, and counselor teacher must design this plan with the student, parents, and other faculty, and must seek to maximize the learning and development potential and maturation level of each pupil;

(2) measuring the proficiency of the assigned students and assisting other staff in identifying pupil needs and making appropriate educational and subject groupings;

(3) when part of the district's plan, taking responsibility for the parent and early childhood education of assigned students;

(4) designing and being responsible for program components which meet special learning needs of high potential and talented students;

(5) coordinating the ongoing, year-to-year learning and development program for assigned students; and

(6) developing learning and development portfolios.

HIST: 1981 c 358 art 6 s 11; 1983 c 314 art 9 s 12; 1984 c 462 s 27; 1986 c 444; 1989 c 329 art 7 s 19; 1989 c 356 s 49; 1991 c 130 s 37; 1996 c 412 art 4 s 17; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 88-91,103; art 11 s 3

124D.30 Family connections aid.

Subdivision 1. Eligibility. A district that has a family connections program, according to sections 124D.24 to 124D.29, for one or more of its teachers is eligible for aid to extend the teaching contract of a family connections teacher.

Subd. 2. Aid. A district with an approved plan shall receive $30 per pupil served at the school site with the family connections program. The district must provide a match of $15 per pupil served at the school site with the family connections program.

Subd. 3. Commissioner approval. The commissioner may approve plans and applications for districts throughout the state for family connections aid. The commissioner shall establish application procedures and deadlines.

Subd. 4. Use of aid. Family connections aid may be used only to implement a family connections program.

HIST: 1989 c 329 art 7 s 4; 1991 c 130 s 37; 1993 c 224 art 13 s 39; 1996 c 412 art 4 s 9; 1Sp1997 c 4 art 6 s 12; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 82,83,103; art 11 s 3

124D.31 Reserved revenue for certain teacher program.

A district that has a family connections program or a mentor-teacher program may reserve part of the basic revenue under section 126C.10, subdivision 2, for the district's share, of the portion of the teaching contract that is in addition to the standard teaching contract of the district.

HIST: 1989 c 329 art 7 s 7; 1993 c 224 art 7 s 15; 1996 c 412 art 4 s 11; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 103; art 11 s 3

124D.32 Learn and earn graduation achievement program.

Subdivision 1. Grant program established. A learn and earn graduation achievement grant program is established under the administration of the commissioner of children, families, and learning. The purpose of the program is to aid local communities in their efforts to decrease youth crime by improving the secondary educational success and increasing the post-secondary educational opportunities of low-income high school students who reside in and attend schools in communities that have a high level of poverty and juvenile crime. The commissioner shall make grants under this section to applicants to establish local learn and earn programs that are school-centered and that use a community-based approach that provides eligible youth in grades 9 through 12 with individually tailored opportunities for academic enrichment, community service, and personal development that lead to a high school diploma and post-secondary education.

Subd. 2. Program outcome measures. The goals of the learn and earn graduation achievement program are to:

(1) increase school attendance;

(2) decrease school suspensions and dropouts;

(3) increase youth academic achievement, measured by graduation rates and post-secondary enrollment; and

(4) decrease juvenile crime.

Subd. 3. Local programs; application procedure; grant awards. The commissioner shall make grants to eligible applicants to establish local learn and earn programs. Each program shall operate for at least a four-year period. A local program shall select its participants from among eligible students who are entering or are in the ninth grade at the inception of the program. A program may not refill a program slot with another student if a student drops out of the program. Students selected to participate in the program shall be considered part of the program class and students who drop out may return to the program at any time prior to graduation.

The commissioner shall establish the application procedure for awarding grants under this section. The commissioner shall begin awarding grants by May 1, 1998.

Subd. 4. Grant eligibility. An applicant for a grant must be a public secondary school, a nonprofit community-based agency cooperating with a secondary school, area learning center, or alternative learning program approved by the commissioner. Grant applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

(1) at least 20 percent of the students at the participating school or program are eligible to receive a free school lunch;

(2) the area which the participating school or program serves has a high juvenile crime rate or has experienced a significant increase in juvenile crime over the past three school years;

(3) the applicant has a designated program coordinator who will coordinate school and community resources to provide students with sufficient support and continuity to realize program goals; and

(4) the applicant has established an advisory committee that includes representatives of the students and families served by the program and community organizations serving youth and families. The applicant may use an existing advisory committee that includes this representation.

At least 80 percent of a local learn and earn program's participating students at the inception of the program must reside in households with incomes at or below the federal poverty level adjusted for family size.

The commissioner shall give priority to funding local learn and earn programs that serve those communities that have the highest juvenile crime rates and the largest concentrations of economically disadvantaged youth.

Subd. 5. Student eligibility. A student is eligible to participate in a local learn and earn program if the student:

(1) is enrolled in the participating school;

(2) is entering or is in the ninth grade at the inception of the program; and

(3) resides in a household whose income is at or below the federal poverty level adjusted for family size, has been recommended for the program by a teacher or other community member, has requested to participate, or whose participation has been requested by a family member, according to a procedure to be developed by the applicant.

Subd. 6. Program components. Each learn and earn graduation achievement program must provide the opportunity for participating students to complete:

(1) 250 hours each year, not including regular required classroom hours, in basic education competency skills;

(2) 250 hours each year of service to the community; and

(3) 250 hours each year of cultural enrichment and personal development, including but not limited to adult mentoring; participating in community cultural events; developing life skills for use in the home, workplace, and community; and learning to set goals, manage time, and make appropriate behavior choices for varying social situations.

Subd. 7. Program incentives. (a) Each participating student shall receive a monetary stipend for each hour spent in a program component activity, plus a bonus upon completion of each component during each year of the program.

(b) An additional amount equal to or greater than each student's earned stipends and bonuses must be deposited for the student in a post-secondary opportunities account, established by the commissioner through the higher education services office. A student may, upon graduation from high school, use the funds accumulated for the student toward the costs, including tuition, books, and lab fees, of attending a Minnesota post-secondary institution or in a career training program. Funds accumulated for a student shall be available to the student from the time the student graduates from high school until ten years after the date the student entered the learn and earn graduation achievement program. After ten years, the commissioner shall close the student's account and any remaining money in the account shall revert to the general fund.

The commissioner shall establish a procedure for providing the monetary stipends and bonuses to students. The commissioner may delegate this authority to grantees.

Subd. 8. Program coordinator. The local learn and earn program coordinator must maintain contact with all participating students and their families; work with the school to link students with the resources needed to improve their educational skills; arrange for service to the community and cultural enrichment opportunities for students; maintain records regarding student completion of program component hours; and perform other administrative duties as necessary. A program coordinator must, to the extent possible, agree to remain with the program for four years to provide continuity of adult contact to the participating students.

Subd. 9. Evaluation and reports. The commissioner shall collect information about participating students and a demographically similar control group and shall evaluate the short-term and long-term benefits participating students receive from the learn and earn graduation achievement program, based on the outcome measures specified in subdivision 2, and any other criteria established by the commissioner as part of the grant application process. The evaluation must include a statistical comparison of students participating in the program and the control group. The commissioner shall follow participating students and the control group for a minimum of six years from the start of the program. The commissioner shall submit a preliminary report to the governor and the chairs of the senate and house committees having jurisdiction over education and crime prevention by December 15, 2001, regarding continuation of the learn and earn graduation achievement program for participating schools and expansion of the program to additional schools. The commissioner shall submit a final report by December 15, 2003.

HIST: 1Sp1997 c 4 art 2 s 38; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 103; 1998 c 398 art 3 s 4-8

124D.33 Male responsibility and fathering grants.

Subdivision 1. Establishment. The commissioner of children, families, and learning, in consultation with the commissioner of human services, shall make male responsibility and fathering grants to youth or parenting programs that collaborate with districts to educate young people, particularly males ages ten to 21, on the responsibilities of parenthood.

Subd. 2. Matching money. Each dollar of state money must be matched with at least 50 cents of nonstate money including in-kind contributions. Those programs with a higher match will have a greater chance of receiving a grant.

Subd. 3. Expected outcomes. Grant recipients must use the funds for programs designed to prevent teen pregnancy and to prevent crime in the long term. Recipient programs must assist youth to:

(1) understand the connection between sexual behavior, adolescent pregnancy, and the roles and responsibilities of marriage and parenting;

(2) understand the long-term responsibility of fatherhood;

(3) understand the importance of fathers in the lives of children;

(4) acquire parenting skills and knowledge of child development; and

(5) find community support for their roles as fathers and nurturers of children.

Subd. 4. Grant applications. (a) An application for a grant may be submitted by a youth or parenting program whose purpose is to reduce teen pregnancy or teach child development and parenting skills in collaboration with a district. Each grant application must include a description of the program's structure and components, including collaborative and outreach efforts; an implementation and evaluation plan to measure the program's success; a plan for using males as instructors and mentors; and a cultural diversity plan to ensure that staff or teachers will reflect the cultural backgrounds of the population served and that the program content is culturally sensitive.

(b) Grant recipients must, at a minimum, provide education in responsible parenting and child development, responsible decision-making related to marriage and relationships, and the legal implications of paternity. Grant recipients also must provide public awareness efforts in the collaborating school district. Grant recipients may offer support groups, health and nutrition education, and mentoring and peer teaching.

(c) A grant applicant must establish an advisory committee to assist the applicant in planning and implementation of a grant. The advisory committee must include student representatives, adult males from the community, representatives of community organizations, teachers, parent educators, and representatives of family social service agencies.

Subd. 5. Administration. The commissioner shall administer male responsibility and fathering grants. The commissioner shall establish a grant review committee composed of teachers and representatives of community organizations, student organizations, and education or family social service agencies that offer parent education programs.

HIST: 1994 c 647 art 8 s 24; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 94-97,103

* NOTE: See section 15.059, subdivision 5a, for expiration *of male responsibility and fathering grants review committee.

124D.331 Educational program for pregnant minors and minor parents.

Upon request, a district must make available to a pregnant minor or a minor custodial parent an educational program to enable the minor to earn a high school diploma. The department must develop program designs and provide districts with technical assistance. A district's educational program must use appropriate community services and must recognize each pupil's individual needs and parental responsibilities. The district must designate at least one person to review quarterly each pupil's progress in the program.

If a pupil receives social services according to section 257.33 or employment and training services according to section 256.736, the district must develop the pupil's educational program in consultation with the providers of the services and shall provide a liaison when necessary. The pupil may request that an adult, selected by the pupil, assist in developing the educational program.

HIST: 1988 c 718 art 7 s 42; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 128,164

124D.34 Minnesota school-to-work student organization.

Subdivision 1. Citation. This section may be cited as the "Minnesota School-To-Work Student Organization Act."

Subd. 2. Creation of foundation. There is created the Minnesota school-to-work student organization foundation. The purpose of the foundation is to promote vocational student organizations and applied leadership opportunities in Minnesota public and nonpublic schools through public-private partnerships. The foundation is a nonprofit organization. The board of directors of the foundation and activities of the foundation are under the direction of the state board of education.

Subd. 3. Board of directors. The board of directors of the school-to-work student organization foundation consists of:

(1) seven members appointed by the board of directors of the school-to-work student organizations and chosen so that each represents one of the following career areas: agriculture, family and consumer sciences, service occupations, health occupations, marketing, business, and technical/industrial;

(2) seven members from business, industry, and labor appointed by the governor to staggered terms and chosen so that each represents one of the following career areas: agriculture, family and consumer sciences, service occupations, health occupations, marketing, business, and technical/industrial;

(3) five students or alumni of school-to-work student organizations representing diverse career areas, three from secondary student organizations, and two from post-secondary student organizations. The students or alumni shall be appointed by the criteria and process agreed upon by the executive directors of the student-to-work organizations; and

(4) four members from education appointed by the governor to staggered terms and chosen so that each represents one of the following groups: school district level administrators, secondary school administrators, middle school administrators, and post-secondary administrators.

Executive directors of vocational education student organizations are ex officio, nonvoting members of the board.

Subd. 4. Foundation programs. The foundation shall advance applied leadership and intracurricular vocational learning experiences for students. These may include, but are not limited to:

(1) recognition programs and awards for students demonstrating excellence in applied leadership;

(2) summer programs for student leadership, career development, applied academics, and mentorship programs with business and industry;

(3) recognition programs for teachers, administrators, and others who make outstanding contributions to school-to-work programs;

(4) outreach programs to increase the involvement of urban and suburban students;

(5) organized challenges requiring cooperation and competition for secondary and post-secondary students;

(6) assistance and training to community teams to increase career awareness and empowerment of youth as community leaders; and

(7) assessment and activities in order to plan for and implement continuous improvement.

To the extent possible, the foundation shall make these programs available to students in all parts of the state.

Subd. 5. Powers and duties. The foundation may:

(1) identify and plan common goals and priorities for the various school-to-work student organizations in Minnesota;

(2) publish brochures or booklets relating to the purposes of the foundation and collect reasonable fees for the publications;

(3) seek and receive public and private money, grants, and in-kind services and goods from nonstate sources for the purposes of the foundation, without complying with section 7.09, subdivision 1;

(4) contract with consultants on behalf of the school-to-work student organizations;

(5) plan, implement, and expend money for awards and other forms of recognition for school-to-work student programs; and

(6) identifying an appropriate name for the foundation.

Subd. 6. Contracts. The foundation board shall review and approve each contract of the board. Each contract of the foundation board shall be subject to the same review and approval procedures as a contract of the state board of education.

Subd. 7. Foundation staff. The state board of education shall appoint the executive director of the foundation from three candidates nominated and submitted by the foundation board of directors and, as necessary, other staff who shall perform duties and have responsibilities solely related to the foundation. The employees appointed are not state employees under chapter 43A, but are covered under section 3.736. The employees may participate in the state health and state insurance plans for employees in unclassified service. The employees shall be supervised by the executive director.

The commissioner shall appoint from the office of lifework development a liaison to the foundation board.

Subd. 8. Public funding. The state shall identify and secure appropriate funding for the basic staffing of the foundation and individual student school-to-work student organizations at the state level.

Subd. 9. Private funding. The foundation must seek private resources to supplement the available public money. Individuals, businesses, and other organizations may contribute to the foundation in any manner specified by the board of directors. All money received shall be administered by the board of directors.

Subd. 10. Report. The board of directors of the foundation must submit an annual report on the progress of its activities to the state board of education and to the board of trustees of the Minnesota state colleges and universities. The annual report shall contain a financial report for the preceding year. The foundation shall submit a biennium report to the legislature before February 15, in the odd-numbered year.

Subd. 11. Appropriation. All the amounts received by the foundation pursuant to this section are annually appropriated to the foundation.

Subd. 12. Student organizations. Individual boards of vocational education student organizations shall continue their operations in accordance with section 124D.355 and applicable federal law.

HIST: 1996 c 412 art 4 s 3; 1Sp1997 c 4 art 3 s 2-9; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 4-8,103; art 11 s 3

124D.35 Youth entrepreneurship education program.

The commissioner shall establish a youth entrepreneurship education program to improve the academic and entrepreneurial skills of students and aid in their transition from school to business creation. The program shall strengthen local economies by creating jobs that enable citizens to remain in their communities and to foster cooperation among educators, economic development professionals, business leaders, and representatives of labor. Assistance under this section shall be available to new or existing student-operated or school-operated businesses that have an educational purpose, and provide service or products for customers or clients who do not attend or work at the sponsoring school. The commissioner may require an equal local match for assistance under this section up to the maximum grant amount of $20,000.

HIST: 1993 c 369 s 47; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 4 s 1; 1996 c 369 s 8,12

124D.355 Vocational education student organizations.

Subdivision 1. Activities of the organization. Any student enrolled in a vocational technical education program approved by the state board of education or the board of trustees of the Minnesota state colleges and universities may belong to a vocational student organization that is operated as an integral part of the vocational program. The commissioner of children, families, and learning and the board of trustees of the Minnesota state colleges and universities may provide necessary technical assistance and leadership at the state level for administration of approved vocational student organizations and fiscal accounts, including administration of state and national conferences.

Subd. 2. Accounts of the organization. The commissioner and the board of trustees of the Minnesota state colleges and universities may retain dues and other money collected on behalf of students participating in approved vocational student organizations and may deposit the money in separate accounts. The money in these accounts shall be available for expenditures for state and national activities related to specific organizations. Administration of money collected under this section is not subject to the provisions of chapters 15, 16A, 16B, and 16C, and may be deposited outside the state treasury. Money shall be administered under the policies of the applicable state board or agency relating to post-secondary and secondary vocational student organizations and is subject to audit by the legislative auditor. Any unexpended money shall not cancel but may be carried forward to the next fiscal year.

HIST: 1975 c 432 s 71; 1988 c 718 art 3 s 4; 1989 c 329 art 3 s 20; 1990 c 375 s 3; 1993 c 224 art 13 s 45; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1996 c 412 art 13 s 25,26; 1998 c 386 art 2 s 40

124D.36 Citation; Minnesota Youth Works Act.

Sections 124D.37 to 124D.45 shall be cited as the "Minnesota Youth Works Act."

HIST: 1993 c 146 art 5 s 2; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 103; art 11 s 3

124D.37 Purpose of the Minnesota Youth Works Act.

The purposes of sections 124D.37 to 124D.45 are to:

(1) renew the ethic of civic responsibility in Minnesota;

(2) empower youth to improve their life opportunities through literacy, job placement, and other essential skills;

(3) empower government to meet its responsibility to prepare young people to be contributing members of society;

(4) help meet human, educational, environmental, and public safety needs, particularly those needs relating to poverty;

(5) prepare a citizenry that is academically competent, ready for work, and socially responsible;

(6) demonstrate the connection between youth and community service, community service and education, and education and meaningful opportunities in the business community;

(7) demonstrate the connection between providing opportunities for at-risk youth and reducing crime rates and the social costs of troubled youth;

(8) create linkages for a comprehensive youth service and learning program in Minnesota including school age programs, higher education programs, youth work programs, and service corps programs; and

(9) coordinate federal and state activities that advance the purposes in this section.

HIST: 1993 c 146 art 5 s 3; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 103; art 11 s 3

124D.38 Definitions.

Subdivision 1. Applicability. The definitions in this section apply to sections 124D.37 to 124D.45.

Subd. 2. Eligible organization. "Eligible organization" means:

(1) a local unit of government including a statutory or home rule charter city, township, county, or group of two or more contiguous counties;

(2) an existing nonprofit organization organized under chapter 317A;

(3) an educational institution;

(4) a private industry council;

(5) a state agency; or

(6) a federal agency.

Subd. 3. Federal law. "Federal law" means Public Law Number 101-610, as amended, or any other federal law or program assisting youth community service, work-based learning, or youth transition from school to work.

Subd. 4. Mentor. "Mentor" means a business person, an adult from the community, or a person who has successfully completed the youth works program who volunteers to establish a one-on-one relationship with a participant in the youth works program to encourage and guide the participant to obtain an education, participate in service and work-related activities, and effectively use postservice benefits.

Subd. 5. Participant. "Participant" means an individual enrolled in a program that receives assistance under sections 124D.37 to 124D.45.

Subd. 6. Placement. "Placement" means the matching of a participant with a specific project.

Subd. 7. Program. "Program" means an activity carried out with assistance provided under sections 124D.37 to 124D.45.

Subd. 8. Project. "Project" means an activity that results in a specific identifiable service or product that could not be done from the resources of the eligible organization and that does not duplicate the routine services or functions of the eligible organization.

Subd. 9. Commission. "Commission" means the Minnesota commission on national and community service established in section 121.703.

Subd. 10. Council. "Council" means the governor's workforce development council.

HIST: 1993 c 146 art 5 s 4; 1994 c 647 art 4 s 2,3; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 4 s 2; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 103; art 11 s 3

124D.39 Youth works program.

The youth works program is established to fulfill the purposes of section 124D.37. The youth works program must supplement existing programs and services. The program must not displace existing programs and services, existing funding of programs or services, or existing employment and employment opportunities. No eligible organization may terminate, layoff, or reduce the hours of work of an employee to place or hire a program participant. No eligible organization may place or hire an individual for a project if an employee is on layoff from the same or a substantially equivalent position.

HIST: 1993 c 146 art 5 s 6,20; 1Sp1997 c 4 art 3 s 20; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 9,103; art 11 s 3; 1998 c 398 art 3 s 18

124D.40 Youth works grants.

Subdivision 1. Application. An eligible organization interested in receiving a grant under sections 124D.39 to 124D.44 may prepare and submit to the commission, and beginning January 1, 1997, the council, an application that complies with section 124D.41.

Subd. 2. Grant authority. The commission and, beginning January 1, 1997, the council must use any state appropriation and any available federal funds, including any grant received under federal law, to award grants to establish programs for youth works meeting the requirements of section 124D.41. At least one grant each must be available for a metropolitan proposal, a rural proposal, and a statewide proposal. If a portion of the suburban metropolitan area is not included in the metropolitan grant proposal, the statewide grant proposal must incorporate at least one suburban metropolitan area. In awarding grants, the commission and, beginning January 1, 1997, the council may select at least one residential proposal and one nonresidential proposal, provided the proposals meet or exceed the criteria in section 124D.41.

HIST: 1993 c 146 art 5 s 7,20; 1994 c 647 art 4 s 5; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 4 s 3; 1Sp1997 c 4 art 3 s 20; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 10,103; art 11 s 3; 1998 c 398 art 3 s 18

124D.41 Grant applications.

Subdivision 1. Applications required. An organization seeking federal or state grant money under sections 124D.39 to 124D.44 shall prepare and submit to the commission and, beginning January 1, 1997, the council an application that meets the requirements of this section. The commission and, beginning January 1, 1997, the council must develop, and the applying organizations must comply with, the form and manner of the application.

Subd. 2. Application content. An applicant on its application must:

(1) propose a program to provide participants the opportunity to perform community service to meet specific unmet community needs, and participate in classroom, work-based, and service-learning;

(2) assess the community's unmet educational, human, environmental, and public safety needs, the resources and programs available for meeting those needs, and how young people participated in assessing community needs;

(3) describe the educational component of the program, including classroom hours per week, classroom time for participants to reflect on the program experience, and anticipated academic outcomes related to the service experience;

(4) describe the work to be performed, the ratio of youth participants to crew leaders and mentors, and the expectations and qualifications for crew leaders and mentors;

(5) describe local funds or resources available to meet the match requirements of section 124D.44;

(6) describe any funds available for the program from sources other than the requested grant;

(7) describe any agreements with local businesses to provide participants with work-learning opportunities and mentors;

(8) describe any agreement with local post-secondary educational institutions to offer participants course credits for their community service-learning experience;

(9) describe any agreement with a local high school or an alternative learning center to provide remedial education, credit for community service work and work-based learning, or graduate equivalency degrees;

(10) describe any pay for service or other program delivery mechanism that will provide reimbursement for benefits conferred or recover costs of services participants perform;

(11) describe how local resources will be used to provide support and assistance for participants to encourage them to continue with the program, fulfill the terms of the contract, and remain eligible for any postservice benefit;

(12) describe the arbitration mechanism for dispute resolution required under section 124D.42, subdivision 2;

(13) describe involvement of community leaders in developing broad-based support for the program;

(14) describe the consultation and sign-off process to be used with any local labor organization representing employees in the area engaged in work similar to that proposed for the program to ensure that no current employees or available employment positions will be displaced by program participants;

(15) certify to the commission and, beginning January 1, 1997, the council, and to any certified bargaining representatives representing employees of the applying organization that the project will not decrease employment opportunities that would be available without the project; will not displace current employees including any partial displacement in the form of reduced hours of work other than overtime, wages, employment benefits, or regular seasonal work; will not impair existing labor agreements; and will not result in the substitution of project funding for preexisting funds or sources of funds for ongoing work;

(16) describe the length of the required service period, which may not be less than six months or more than two years, a method to incorporate a participant's readiness to advance or need for postservice financial assistance into individual service requirements, and any opportunity for participating part time or in another program;

(17) describe a program evaluation plan that contains cost-effectiveness measures, measures of participant success including educational accomplishments, job placements, community contributions, and ongoing volunteer activities, outcome measures based on a preprogram and postprogram survey of community rates of arrest, incarceration, teenage pregnancy, and other indicators of youth in trouble, and a list of local resources dedicated to reducing these rates;

(18) describe a three-year financial plan for maintaining the program;

(19) describe the role of local youth in developing all aspects of the grant proposal; and

(20) describe the process by which the local private industry council participated in, and reviewed the grant application.

HIST: 1993 c 146 art 5 s 8,20; 1994 c 647 art 4 s 6; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 4 s 4,30; 1Sp1997 c 4 art 3 s 20; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 11,103; art 11 s 3; 1998 c 398 art 3 s 18

124D.42 Program provisions.

Subdivision 1. Participant eligibility. (a) An individual is eligible to participate in full-time youth community service if the individual:

(1) is at least 17 years old;

(2) is a citizen of the United States or lawfully admitted for permanent residency;

(3) is applying for service and has received a high school diploma or its equivalent, or agrees to attain a high school diploma or its equivalent while participating in the program; and

(4) agrees to act as an alumni volunteer or an alumni mentor upon successfully completing the program and postprogram education.

(b) An individual is eligible to participate in part-time youth community service if the individual is at least 15 years old and meets the requirements under paragraph (a), clauses (2) to (4).

Subd. 2. Terms of service. (a) A participant shall agree to perform community service for the period required unless the participant is unable to complete the terms of service for the reason provided in paragraph (b).

An agreement to perform community service must be in the form of a written contract between the participant and the grantee organization. Terms of the contract must include a length of service between six months and two years, the amount of the postservice benefit earned upon completion of the contracted length of service, the participant's education goals and commitment, the anticipated date of completion, dismissal for cause, including failure to fully participate in the education component, and the exclusive right to challenge a dismissal for cause through binding arbitration. The arbitrator must be chosen jointly by the grantee organization and the participant from the community or, if agreement cannot be reached, an arbitrator must be determined from a list of arbitrators provided by the American Arbitration Association. The sole remedy available to the participant through arbitration is reinstatement to the program and eligibility for postservice benefits. The parent or guardian of a minor shall consent in writing to the contract between the participant and the grantee organization.

(b) If the grantee organization releases a participant from completing a term of service in a program receiving assistance under sections 124D.39 to 124D.44 for compelling personal circumstances as demonstrated by the participant, or if the program in which the participant serves does not receive continued funding for any reason, the grantee organization may provide the participant with that portion of the financial assistance described in subdivision 3 that corresponds to the quantity of the service obligation completed by the individual.

If the grantee organization terminates a participant for cause or a participant resigns without demonstrating compelling personal circumstances under this section, no postservice benefit under subdivision 3 may be paid.

(c) A participant performing part-time service under sections 124D.37 to 124D.45 shall serve at least two weekends each month and two weeks during the year. A part-time participant shall serve at least 900 hours during a period of not more than two years, or three years if enrolled in an institution of higher education. A participant performing full-time service under sections 124D.37 to 124D.45 shall serve at least 1,700 hours during a period of not less than nine months, or more than one year.

(d) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, for purposes of tort liability under sections 3.732 and 3.736, while participating in a program a participant is an employee of the state.

(e) Participants performing community service in a program are not public employees for purposes of chapter 43A, 179A, 197, 353, or any other law governing hiring or discharging of public employees.

Subd. 3. Postservice benefit. (a) Each eligible organization must agree to provide to every participant who fulfills the terms of a contract under section 124D.42, subdivision 2, a nontransferable postservice benefit. The benefit must be not less than $4,725 per year of full-time service or prorated for part-time service or for partial service of at least 900 hours. Upon signing a contract under section 124D.42, subdivision 2, each eligible organization must deposit funds to cover the full amount of postservice benefits obligated, except for national education awards that are deposited in the national service trust fund. Funds encumbered in fiscal years 1994 and 1995 for postservice benefits must be available until the participants for whom the funds were encumbered are no longer eligible to draw benefits.

(b) Nothing in this subdivision prevents a grantee organization from using funds from nonfederal or nonstate sources to increase the value of postservice benefits above the value described in paragraph (a).

(c) The higher education services office must establish an account for depositing funds for postservice benefits received from eligible organizations. If a participant does not complete the term of service or, upon successful completion of the program, does not use a postservice benefit according to subdivision 4 within seven years, the amount of the postservice benefit must be refunded to the eligible organization or, at the organization's discretion, dedicated to another eligible participant. Interest earned on funds deposited in the postservice benefit account is appropriated to the higher education services office for the costs of administering the postservice benefits accounts.

(d) The state must provide an additional postservice benefit to any participant who successfully completes the program. The benefit must be a credit of five points to be added to the competitive open rating of a participant who obtains a passing grade on a civil service examination under chapter 43A. The benefit is available for five years after completing the community service.

Subd. 4. Uses of postservice benefits. (a) A postservice benefit for a participant provided under subdivision 3, paragraph (a), (b), or (c), must be available for seven years after completing the program and may only be used for:

(1) paying a student loan;

(2) costs of attending an institution of higher education; or

(3) expenses incurred by a student in an approved youth apprenticeship program under sections 124D.46 to 124D.49 or in a registered apprenticeship program approved by the department of labor and industry.

Financial assistance provided under this subdivision must be in the form of vendor payments whenever possible. Any postservice benefits provided by federal funds or vouchers may be used as a downpayment on, or closing costs for, purchasing a first home.

(b) Postservice benefits are to be used to develop skills required in occupations where numbers of jobs are likely to increase. The commission, in consultation with the workforce development council, and beginning January 1, 1997, the workforce development council, must determine how the benefits may be used in order to best prepare participants with skills that build on their service-learning and equip them for meaningful employment.

(c) The postservice benefit must not be included in determining financial need when establishing eligibility or award amounts for financial assistance programs under chapter 136A.

Subd. 5. Living allowance. (a) A participant in a full-time community service program shall receive a monthly stipend of not less than $500. An eligible organization may provide participants with additional amounts from nonstate sources. The amount of the living allowance may be prorated for part-time participants.

(b) Nothing in this subdivision requires an existing program to decrease any stipend, salary, or living allowance provided to a participant under the program.

(c) In addition to the living allowance provided under paragraph (a), a grantee organization shall provide health and child care coverage to each participant in a full-time youth works program who does not otherwise have access to health or child care coverage. The state must include the cost of group health and child care coverage in the grant to the eligible organization.

Subd. 6. Program training. (a) The commission and, beginning January 1, 1997, the council must, within available resources, ensure an opportunity for each participant to have three weeks of training in a residential setting. If offered, each training session must:

(1) orient each participant in the nature, philosophy, and purpose of the program;

(2) build an ethic of community service through general community service training; and

(3) provide additional training as it determines necessary.

(b) Each grantee organization shall also train participants in skills relevant to the community service opportunity.

Subd. 7. Training and education requirements. Each grantee organization must assess the educational level of each entering participant. Each grantee shall work to enhance the educational skills of each participant. The commission and, beginning January 1, 1997, the council may coordinate or contract with educational institutions or other providers for educational services and evaluation. All grantees shall give priority to educating and training participants who do not have a high school diploma or its equivalent, or who cannot afford post-secondary training and education.

HIST: 1993 c 146 art 5 s 9,20; 1994 c 647 art 4 s 7; 1995 c 131 s 2; 1995 c 212 art 3 s 59; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 4 s 5-9,30; 1Sp1997 c 4 art 3 s 20; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 12-16,103; art 11 s 3; 1998 c 398 art 3 s 18

124D.43 Priority given to eligible organization meeting specific goals.

The commission and, beginning January 1, 1997, the council must give priority to an eligible organization proposing a program that meets the goals of sections 124D.39 to 124D.42, and that:

(1) involves youth in a meaningful way in all stages of the program, including assessing community needs, preparing the application, and assuming postservice leadership and mentoring responsibilities;

(2) serves a community with significant unmet needs;

(3) provides an approach that is most likely to reduce arrest rates, incarceration rates, teenage pregnancy, and other indicators of troubled youth;

(4) builds linkages with existing, successful programs; and

(5) can be operational quickly.

HIST: 1993 c 146 art 5 s 10,20; 1994 c 647 art 4 s 8; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 4 s 10; 1Sp1997 c 4 art 3 s 20; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 17,103; art 11 s 3; 1998 c 398 art 3 s 18

124D.44 Match requirements.

Youth works grant funds must be used for the living allowance, cost of employer taxes under sections 3111 and 3301 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, workers' compensation coverage, and health benefits for each program participant. Youthworks grant funds may also be used to supplement applicant resources to fund postservice benefits for program participants. Applicant resources, from sources and in a form determined by the commission and, beginning January 1, 1997, the council, must be used to provide for all other program costs, including the portion of the applicant's obligation for postservice benefits that is not covered by state or federal grant funds and such costs as supplies, materials, transportation, and salaries and benefits of those staff directly involved in the operation, internal monitoring, and evaluation of the program. Administrative expenses must not exceed five percent of total program costs.

HIST: 1993 c 146 art 5 s 11,20; 1994 c 647 art 4 s 9; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 4 s 11; 1Sp1997 c 4 art 3 s 20; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 103; 1998 c 398 art 3 s 18

124D.45 Evaluation and reporting requirements.

Subdivision 1. Grantee organizations. Each grantee organization shall report to the commission and, beginning January 1, 1997, the council at the time and on the matters requested by the commission and, beginning January 1, 1997, the council.

Subd. 2. Interim report. The commission and, beginning January 1, 1997, the council must report semiannually to the legislature with interim recommendations to change the program.

Subd. 3. Final report. The commission and, beginning January 1, 1997, the council must present a final report to the legislature by January 1, 1998, summarizing grantee evaluations, reporting on individual participants and participating grantee organizations, and recommending any changes to improve or expand the program.

HIST: 1993 c 146 art 5 s 12,20; 1994 c 647 art 4 s 10; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 4 s 12; 1Sp1997 c 4 art 3 s 20; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 18,19,103; 1998 c 398 art 3 s 18

124D.453 Current funding for secondary vocational education.

Subdivision 1. State payment of aids. The state shall pay aids for secondary vocational programs on a current funding basis.

Subd. 2. Limit. The commissioner may withhold all or any portion of the aid paid under this section for a secondary vocational education program which receives funds from any other source. A district or center must not receive a total amount of state aid pursuant to this section which, when added to funds from other sources, will provide the program an amount for salaries and travel which exceeds 100 percent of the amount of its expenditures for salaries and travel in the program.

Subd. 3. Secondary vocational aid. A district's secondary vocational education aid for a fiscal year equals the lesser of:

(a) $80 times the district's average daily membership in grades 10 to 12; or

(b) 25 percent of approved expenditures for the following:

(1) salaries paid to essential, licensed personnel providing direct instructional services to students in that fiscal year for services rendered in the district's approved secondary vocational education programs;

(2) contracted services provided by a public or private agency other than a Minnesota school district or cooperative center under subdivision 7;

(3) necessary travel between instructional sites by licensed secondary vocational education personnel;

(4) necessary travel by licensed secondary vocational education personnel for vocational student organization activities held within the state for instructional purposes;

(5) curriculum development activities that are part of a five-year plan for improvement based on program assessment;

(6) necessary travel by licensed secondary vocational education personnel for noncollegiate credit bearing professional development; and

(7) specialized vocational instructional supplies.

(c) Up to ten percent of a district's secondary vocational aid may be spent on equipment purchases. Districts using secondary vocational aid for equipment purchases must report to the department on the improved learning opportunities for students that result from the investment in equipment.

Subd. 4. Allocation from cooperative centers and intermediate districts. For purposes of subdivisions 3, paragraph (b), and 5, paragraph (b), a cooperative center or an intermediate district must allocate its approved expenditures for secondary vocational education programs among participating districts. For purposes of subdivision 5, paragraph (a), a cooperative center or an intermediate district must allocate its secondary vocational aid for fiscal year 1994 among participating districts. For 1995 and later fiscal years, secondary vocational aid for services provided by a cooperative center or an intermediate district shall be paid to the participating district.

Subd. 5. Aid guarantee. Notwithstanding subdivision 3, the secondary vocational education aid for a district is not less than the lesser of:

(a) 95 percent of the secondary vocational education aid the district received for the previous fiscal year; or

(b) 40 percent of the approved expenditures for secondary vocational programs included in subdivision 3, paragraph (b).

Subd. 6. Compliance with rules. Aid must be paid under this section only for services rendered or for costs incurred in secondary vocational education programs approved by the commissioner and operated in accordance with rules promulgated by the state board. These rules must provide minimum student-staff ratios required for a secondary vocational education program area to qualify for this aid. The rules must not require the collection of data at the program or course level to calculate secondary vocational aid. The rules must not require any minimum number of administrative staff, any minimum period of coordination time or extended employment for secondary vocational education personnel, or the availability of vocational student activities or organizations for a secondary vocational education program to qualify for this aid. The requirement in these rules that program components be available for a minimum number of hours must not be construed to prevent pupils from enrolling in secondary vocational education courses on an exploratory basis for less than a full school year. The state board must not require a district to offer more than four credits or 560 hours of vocational education course offerings in any school year. Rules relating to secondary vocational education programs must not incorporate the provisions of the state plan for vocational education by reference. This aid shall be paid only for services rendered and for costs incurred by essential, licensed personnel who meet the work experience requirements for licensure pursuant to the rules of the state board. Licensed personnel means persons holding a valid secondary vocational license issued by the commissioner. If an average of five or fewer secondary full-time equivalent students are enrolled per teacher in an approved post-secondary program at intermediate district No. 287, 916, or 917, licensed personnel means persons holding a valid vocational license issued by the commissioner or the board of trustees of the Minnesota state colleges and universities. Notwithstanding section 127A.42, the commissioner may modify or withdraw the program or aid approval and withhold aid under this section without proceeding under section 127A.42 at any time. To do so, the commissioner must determine that the program does not comply with rules of the state board or that any facts concerning the program or its budget differ from the facts in the district's approved application.

Subd. 7. Aid for contracted services. In addition to the provisions of subdivisions 2 and 6, a school district or cooperative center may contract with a public or private agency other than a Minnesota school district or cooperative center for the provision of secondary vocational education services. The state board must promulgate rules relating to program approval procedures and criteria for these contracts and aid must be paid only for contracts approved by the commissioner. The district or cooperative center contracting for these services must be construed to be providing the services.

Subd. 8. District reports. Each district or cooperative center must report data to the department for all secondary vocational education programs as required by the department to implement the secondary vocational aid formula.

HIST: 1976 c 271 s 62; 1977 c 447 art 5 s 10; 1978 c 764 s 69-71; 1979 c 334 art 5 s 27; 1981 c 358 art 5 s 39-42; 1982 c 548 art 5 s 12-15; 1984 c 463 art 5 s 24; 1Sp1985 c 12 art 6 s 9,10; 1Sp1986 c 1 art 9 s 12,13; 1987 c 398 art 3 s 22; 1989 c 329 art 3 s 8-11; 1990 c 562 art 3 s 3; 1991 c 265 art 3 s 13,14; 1993 c 224 art 3 s 24,25; art 13 s 41; 1993 c 374 s 7,8; 1994 c 647 art 3 s 12-15; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1996 c 412 art 13 s 16; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 109-115,164; art 11 s 3

124D.454 Access to Minnesota's school-to-work system for children with a disability.

Subdivision 1. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to provide a method to fund school-to-work programs for children with a disability. As used in this section, the term "children with a disability" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in section 125A.02.

Subd. 2. Definitions. For the purposes of this section and section 125A.77, the definitions in this subdivision apply.

(a) "Base year" for fiscal year 1996 means fiscal year 1995. Base year for later fiscal years means the second fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which aid will be paid.

(b) "Basic revenue" has the meaning given it in section 126C.10, subdivision 2. For the purposes of computing basic revenue pursuant to this section, each child with a disability shall be counted as prescribed in section 126C.05, subdivision 1.

(c) "Average daily membership" has the meaning given it in section 126C.05.

(d) "Program growth factor" means 1.00 for fiscal year 1998 and later.

(e) "Aid percentage factor" means 60 percent for fiscal year 1996, 70 percent for fiscal year 1997, 80 percent for fiscal year 1998, 90 percent for fiscal year 1999, and 100 percent for fiscal year 2000 and later.

Subd. 3. Base revenue. (a) The school-to-work program-disabled base revenue equals the sum of the following amounts computed using base year data:

(1) 68 percent of the salary of each essential licensed person who provides direct instructional services to students employed during that fiscal year for services rendered in that district's school-to-work program for children with a disability;

(2) 47 percent of the costs of necessary equipment for school-to-work programs for children with a disability;

(3) 47 percent of the costs of necessary travel between instructional sites by school-to-work program teachers of children with a disability but not including travel to and from local, regional, district, state, or national vocational student organization meetings;

(4) 47 percent of the costs of necessary supplies for school-to-work programs for children with a disability but not to exceed an average of $47 in any one school year for each child with a disability receiving these services;

(5) for school-to-work programs for children with disabilities provided by a contract approved by the commissioner with public, private, or voluntary agencies other than a Minnesota school district or cooperative center, in place of programs provided by the district, 52 percent of the difference between the amount of the contract and the basic revenue of the district for that pupil for the fraction of the school day the pupil receives services under the contract;

(6) for school-to-work programs for children with disabilities provided by a contract approved by the commissioner with public, private, or voluntary agencies other than a Minnesota school district or cooperative center, that are supplementary to a full educational program provided by the school district, 52 percent of the amount of the contract; and

(7) for a contract approved by the commissioner with another Minnesota school district or cooperative center for vocational evaluation services for children with a disability for children that are not yet enrolled in grade 12, 52 percent of the amount of the contract.

(b) If requested by a school district for school-to-work programs during the base year for less than the full school year, the commissioner may adjust the base revenue to reflect the expenditures that would have occurred during the base year had the program been operated for the full year.

Subd. 4. Adjusted secondary vocational-disabled base revenue. For fiscal year 1996 and later, a district's adjusted secondary vocational-disabled base revenue equals the district's secondary vocational-disabled base revenue times the ratio of the district's average daily membership for the current school year to the district's average daily membership for the base year.

Subd. 5. State total school-to-work program-disabled revenue. The state total school-to-work program-disabled revenue for fiscal year 1998 equals $8,924,000. The state total school-to-work program-disabled revenue for fiscal year 1999 equals $8,976,000. The state total school-to-work program-disabled revenue for later fiscal years equals:

(1) the state total school-to-work program-disabled revenue for the preceding fiscal year; times

(2) the program growth factor; times

(3) the ratio of the state total average daily membership for the current fiscal year to the state total average daily membership for the preceding fiscal year.

Subd. 6. School district secondary vocational-disabled revenue. (a) A school district's secondary vocational-disabled revenue for fiscal year 1996 and later equals the state total secondary vocational-disabled revenue, minus the amount determined under paragraph (b), times the ratio of the district's adjusted secondary vocational-disabled base revenue to the state total adjusted secondary vocational-disabled base revenue.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), if the secondary vocational-disabled base revenue for a district equals zero and no district residents were enrolled in secondary vocational-disabled programs during the base year, the secondary vocational-disabled revenue equals the amount computed according to subdivision 3 using current year data.

Subd. 7. School district secondary vocational-disabled aid. A school district's secondary vocational-disabled aid for fiscal year 1996 and later equals the district's secondary vocational-disabled revenue times the aid percentage factor for that year.

Subd. 8. Use of aid. The aid provided pursuant to this section shall be paid only for services rendered as designated in subdivision 2 or for the costs designated in subdivision 3 which are incurred in school-to-work programs for children with a disability which are approved by the commissioner of children, families, and learning and operated in accordance with rules promulgated by the state board. These rules shall be subject to the restrictions provided in section 124D.453, subdivision 6. The procedure for application for approval of these programs shall be as provided in section 125A.75, subdivisions 4 and 6, and the application review process shall be conducted by the office of lifework development in the department.

Subd. 9. Payment of aid. All aid pursuant to this section shall be paid to the district or cooperative center providing the services. All aid received by a district or center from any source for school-to-work programs for children with a disability shall be utilized solely for that purpose.

Subd. 10. Exclusion. A district shall not receive aid pursuant to section 124D.453, 125A.76, or 125A.77 for salaries, supplies, travel or equipment for which the district receives aid pursuant to this section.

Subd. 11. Revenue allocation from cooperative centers and intermediate districts. For purposes of this section and section 125A.77, a cooperative center or an intermediate district must allocate its approved expenditures for school-to-work programs for children with a disability among participating school districts. Aid for school-to-work programs for children with a disability for services provided by a cooperative or intermediate district shall be paid to the participating districts.

HIST: 1978 c 764 s 72; 1979 c 334 art 5 s 28; 1981 c 358 art 5 s 43-45; 1982 c 548 art 5 s 16-18; 1Sp1985 c 12 art 3 s 18; 1987 c 398 art 3 s 23-25; 1Sp1987 c 4 art 1 s 1; 1989 c 329 art 3 s 12-14; 1991 c 265 art 3 s 15,38; 1993 c 224 art 3 s 26-28; 1993 c 374 s 9; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 13 s 5; art 15 s 18-24; art 16 s 13; 1996 c 412 art 3 s 28,29; 1997 c 7 art 1 s 62; 1Sp1997 c 4 art 2 s 27,28; art 3 s 13-16; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 116,164; art 11 s 3

124D.46 Education and employment transitions system.

Subdivision 1. Goals. To better prepare all learners to make transitions between education and employment, a comprehensive education and employment transitions system is established that is driven by multisector partnerships and takes a lifelong approach to workforce development. The goals of the statewide education and employment transitions system are:

(1) to improve the skills learners need to achieve greater levels of self-sufficiency through education, training, and work;

(2) to improve work-related counseling and information about career opportunities and vocational education programs available to learners to facilitate workforce development;

(3) to integrate opportunities for work-based learning, service-learning, and other applied learning methods into the elementary, secondary, and post-secondary curriculum and state and local graduation standards;

(4) to increase participation in employment opportunities and demonstrate the relationship between education and employment at the elementary, secondary, and post-secondary education levels;

(5) to promote the efficient use of public and private resources by coordinating elementary, secondary, and post-secondary education with related government programs;

(6) to expand educational options available to all learners through collaborative efforts between school districts, post-secondary institutions, employers, organized labor, workers, learners, parents, community-based organizations, and other interested parties;

(7) to increase opportunities for women, minorities, individuals with a disability, and at-risk learners to fully participate in work-based learning;

(8) to establish performance standards for learners that integrate state and local graduation standards and generally recognized industry and occupational skill standards; and

(9) to provide support systems including a unified labor market information system; a centralized quality assurance system with information on learner achievement, employer satisfaction, and measurable system outcomes; a statewide marketing system to promote the importance of lifework development; a comprehensive professional development system for public and private sector partners; and a comprehensive system for providing technical support to local partnerships for education and employment transitions.

Subd. 2. Funding. Work-based learning programs incorporating post-secondary instruction implemented under this section and sections 124D.47 to 124D.49 shall provide for student funding according to section 124D.09.

Subd. 3. Governor's workforce development council. The governor's workforce development council is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating the statewide education and employment transitions system and achieving the goals of the system.

Subd. 4. Partnership grants. The council must award grants to implement local education and employment transition partnerships established under section 124D.49. Grants under this section may be used for the local education and employment transitions system, youth apprenticeship and other work-based learning programs, youth employer programs, youth entrepreneurship programs, and other programs and purposes the council determines fulfill the purposes of the education and employment transitions system. The council must evaluate grant proposals on the basis of the elements required in the local plan described in section 124D.49, subdivision 3. The council must develop and publicize the grant application process and review and comment on the proposals submitted. Priority in awarding grants must be given to local partnerships that include multiple communities and a viable base of educational, work-based learning, and employment opportunities.

Subd. 5. Expired

Subd. 6. Expired

HIST: 1993 c 335 s 1; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 4 s 23; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 99,100,103; art 11 s 3

124D.47 Comprehensive youth apprenticeship program.

Subdivision 1. Academic instruction and work-related learning. Comprehensive youth apprenticeship programs and other work-based learning programs under the education and employment transitions system must integrate academic instruction and work-related learning in the classroom and at the workplace. Schools, in collaboration with learners' employers, must use competency-based measures to evaluate learners' progress in the program. Learners who successfully complete the program must receive academic and occupational credentials from the participating school.

Subd. 2. Youth apprenticeship programs. (a) A comprehensive youth apprenticeship program must require representatives of secondary and post-secondary school systems, affected local businesses, industries, occupations and labor, as well as the local community, to be actively and collaboratively involved in advising and managing the program and ensuring, in consultation with local private industry councils, that the youth apprenticeship program meets local labor market demands, provides student apprentices with the high skill training necessary for career advancement, meets applicable state graduation requirements and labor standards, pays apprentices for their work and provides support services to program participants.

(b) Local employers, collaborating with labor organizations where appropriate, must assist the program by analyzing workplace needs, creating work-related curriculum, employing and adequately paying youth apprentices engaged in work-related learning in the workplace, training youth apprentices to become skilled in an occupation, providing student apprentices with a workplace mentor, periodically informing the school of an apprentice's progress, and making a reasonable effort to employ youth apprentices who successfully complete the program.

(c) A student participating in a comprehensive youth apprenticeship program must sign a youth apprenticeship agreement with participating entities that obligates youth apprentices, their parents or guardians, employers, and schools to meet program requirements; indicates how academic instruction, work-based learning, and worksite learning and experience will be integrated; ensures that successful youth apprentices will receive a recognized credential of academic and occupational proficiency; and establishes the wage rate and other benefits for which youth apprentices are eligible while employed during the program.

(d) Secondary school principals, counselors, or business mentors familiar with the education to employment transitions system must inform entering secondary school students about available occupational and career opportunities and the option of entering a youth apprenticeship or other work-based learning program to obtain post-secondary academic and occupational credentials.

HIST: 1993 c 224 art 14 s 17; 1993 c 335 s 3; 1993 c 374 s 25; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 4 s 24,25; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 103

124D.48 General application of workplace health and safety laws; displacement of workers prohibited.

(a) All state and federal laws relating to workplace health and safety apply to youth apprenticeships.

(b) The employment of a youth apprentice may not displace or cause any reduction in the number of nonovertime hours worked, wages, or benefits of a currently employed worker.

HIST: 1993 c 335 s 6; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 103

124D.49 Education and employment transitions partnerships.

Subdivision 1. Local partnerships; establishment. Local education and employment transitions partnerships may be established to implement local education and employment transitions systems. Local partnerships must represent multiple sectors in the community, including, at a minimum, representatives of employers, primary and secondary education, labor and professional organizations, workers, learners, parents, community-based organizations, and to the extent possible, post-secondary education.

Subd. 2. Board. A local education and employment transitions partnership must establish a governing board for planning and implementing work-based and other applied learning programs. The board must consist of at least one representative from each member of the education and employment transitions partnership. A majority of the board must consist of representatives of local or regional employers.

Subd. 3. Local education and employment transitions systems. A local education and employment transitions partnership must assess the needs of employers, employees, and learners, and develop a plan for implementing and achieving the objectives of a local or regional education and employment transitions system. The plan must provide for a comprehensive local system for assisting learners and workers in making the transition from school to work or for retraining in a new vocational area. The objectives of a local education and employment transitions system include:

(1) increasing the effectiveness of the educational programs and curriculum of elementary, secondary, and post-secondary schools and the work site in preparing students in the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in the workplace;

(2) implementing learner outcomes for students in grades kindergarten through 12 designed to introduce the world of work and to explore career opportunities, including nontraditional career opportunities;

(3) eliminating barriers to providing effective integrated applied learning, service-learning, or work-based curriculum;

(4) increasing opportunities to apply academic knowledge and skills, including skills needed in the workplace, in local settings which include the school, school-based enterprises, post-secondary institutions, the workplace, and the community;

(5) increasing applied instruction in the attitudes and skills essential for success in the workplace, including cooperative working, leadership, problem-solving, and respect for diversity;

(6) providing staff training for vocational guidance counselors, teachers, and other appropriate staff in the importance of preparing learners for the transition to work, and in methods of providing instruction that incorporate applied learning, work-based learning, and service-learning experiences;

(7) identifying and enlisting local and regional employers who can effectively provide work-based or service-learning opportunities, including, but not limited to, apprenticeships, internships, and mentorships;

(8) recruiting community and workplace mentors including peers, parents, employers and employed individuals from the community, and employers of high school students;

(9) identifying current and emerging educational, training, and employment needs of the area or region, especially within industries with potential for job growth;

(10) improving the coordination and effectiveness of local vocational and job training programs, including vocational education, adult basic education, tech prep, apprenticeship, service-learning, youth entrepreneur, youth training and employment programs administered by the commissioner of economic security, and local job training programs under the Job Training Partnership Act, United States Code, title 29, section 1501, et seq.;

(11) identifying and applying for federal, state, local, and private sources of funding for vocational or applied learning programs;

(12) providing students with current information and counseling about career opportunities, potential employment, educational opportunities in post-secondary institutions, workplaces, and the community, and the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed;

(13) providing educational technology, including interactive television networks and other distance learning methods, to ensure access to a broad variety of work-based learning opportunities;

(14) including students with disabilities in a district's vocational or applied learning program and ways to serve at-risk learners through collaboration with area learning centers under sections 123A.05 to 123A.09, or other alternative programs; and

(15) providing a warranty to employers, post-secondary education programs, and other post-secondary training programs, that learners successfully completing a high school work-based or applied learning program will be able to apply the knowledge and work skills included in the program outcomes or graduation requirements. The warranty shall require education and training programs to continue to work with those learners that need additional skill development until they can demonstrate achievement of the program outcomes or graduation requirements.

Subd. 4. Annual reports. A local education and employment transitions partnership must annually publish a report and submit information to the council as required. The report must include information required by the council for the statewide system performance assessment. The report must be available to the public in the communities served by the local education and employment transitions partnership. The report must be published no later than September 1 of the year following the year in which the data was collected.

HIST: 1Sp1995 c 3 art 4 s 26,30; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 101,103; art 11 s 3

124D.50 Service-learning and work-based learning curriculum and programs.

Subdivision 1. Service-learning and work-based learning programs study. The governor's workforce development council must assist the commissioner in studying how to combine community service activities and service-learning with work-based learning programs.

Subd. 2. Service-learning programs developed. The commissioner, in consultation with the commission, shall develop a service-learning program curriculum that includes a policy framework and strategies for youth community service and an infrastructure for mentoring youth. The commissioner shall include in the curriculum at least the following:

(1) youth community service strategies that enable young people to make significant contributions to the welfare of their community through such organizations as schools, colleges, government agencies, and community-based organizations or through individual efforts;

(2) mentoring strategies that enable young people to be matched with caring, responsible individuals who can encourage and guide the young people in their personal growth and development;

(3) guidelines, criteria, and procedures for community service programs that incorporate the results of the study in subdivision 1; and

(4) criteria for community service activities and service-learning.

Subd. 3. Structuring programs according to grade or education level. The service-learning curriculum must accommodate students' grade level or the last completed grade level of the participants not currently enrolled in school. Schools must provide at least the following:

(1) for students in grades 7 to 9, an opportunity to learn about service-learning activities and possible occupations;

(2) for students in grade 10, an opportunity to apply for service-learning under section 124D.19 subdivision 10, and youth apprenticeship programs; and

(3) for students in grades 11 and 12 and young people not currently enrolled in school, an opportunity to become involved in community service activities, participate in youth apprenticeship programs, and, depending upon the individual's demonstrated abilities, complete high school or pursue post-secondary coursework.

Subd. 4. Programs following youth community service. (a) The Minnesota commission on national and community service in cooperation with the governor's workforce development council, the commissioner and the higher education services office, shall provide for those participants who successfully complete youth community service under sections 124D.39 to 124D.44, the following:

(1) for those who have a high school diploma or its equivalent, an opportunity to participate in a youth apprenticeship program at a community or technical college; and

(2) for those who are post-secondary students, an opportunity to participate in an educational program that supplements post-secondary courses leading to a degree or a statewide credential of academic and occupational proficiency.

(b) Participants who successfully complete a youth community service program under sections 124D.39 to 124D.45 are eligible to receive an education voucher as provided under section 124D.42, subdivision 4. The voucher recipient may apply the voucher toward the cost of the recipient's tuition and other education-related expenses at a post-secondary school under paragraph (a).

(c) The governor's workforce development council, in cooperation with the board of trustees of the Minnesota state colleges and universities, must establish a mechanism to transfer credit earned in a youth apprenticeship program between the technical colleges and other post-secondary institutions offering applied associate degrees.

HIST: 1993 c 146 art 5 s 14; 1994 c 647 art 4 s 13-15; 1995 c 212 art 3 s 59; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 4 s 13,14,30; art 16 s 13; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 51,52,103; art 11 s 3

124D.505 Minnesota career information system.

(a) The department of children, families, and learning, through the Minnesota career information system (MCIS), may provide career information to, including, but not limited to, school districts and other educational organizations, employment and training services, human service agencies, libraries, and families. The department shall collect fees necessary to recover all expenditures related to the operation of the Minnesota career information system.

(b) Grants and other legislative funds may be accepted and used for the improvement or operation of the Minnesota career information system. All receipts shall be deposited in a special account in the special revenue fund that shall be carried over at the end of each fiscal year. The money in the account, along with any interest earned, is appropriated to the commissioner of children, families, and learning for the Minnesota career information system and must be for the sole use and benefit of the system. The department shall recognize that the Minnesota career information system operates under a self-supporting directive, and accordingly, must provide sufficient administrative latitude within the confines of law to enable the system to operate effectively.

HIST: 1Sp1997 c 4 art 3 s 1; 1998 c 397 art 4 s 51

124D.51 Evening schools; adult and continuing education.

The board may establish and maintain public evening schools and adult and continuing education programs. The evening schools and adult and continuing education programs maintained by the board must be available to all persons over 16 years of age who, from any cause, are unable to attend the full-time elementary or secondary schools of such district.

HIST: Ex1959 c 71 art 4 s 17; 1961 c 225 s 1; 1967 c 173 s 2; 1969 c 21 s 1; 1969 c 104 s 1; 1973 c 491 s 1; 1975 c 359 s 23; 1978 c 616 s 5; 1979 c 334 art 6 s 9; 1980 c 609 art 6 s 16; 1981 c 194 s 1; 1981 c 358 art 7 s 22; 1982 c 548 art 6 s 4; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 309 s 24; 1987 c 398 art 7 s 20; 1988 c 626 s 1; 1988 c 668 s 2; 1988 c 718 art 7 s 21; 1991 c 265 art 6 s 22; art 9 s 36; 1992 c 499 art 12 s 8; 1993 c 224 art 12 s 16; art 13 s 17; 1994 c 647 art 6 s 11-13; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 9 s 20; art 16 s 13; 1996 c 412 art 3 s 10; art 6 s 1; 1Sp1997 c 4 art 6 s 7; art 7 s 4; 1998 c 397 art 1 s 54; art 3 s 53,103; art 5 s 88-90; art 6 s 62-68; art 8 s 1,2; art 11 s 3; 1998 c 398 art 6 s 17

124D.52 Adult basic education.

Subdivision 1. Program requirements. An adult basic education program is a day or evening program offered by a district that is for people over 16 years of age who do not attend an elementary or secondary school. The program offers academic instruction necessary to earn a high school diploma or equivalency certificate. Tuition and fees may not be charged to a learner for instruction paid under this section, except for a security deposit to assure return of materials, supplies, and equipment.

Subd. 2. Program approval. (a) To receive aid under this section, a district, a consortium of districts, or a private nonprofit organization must submit an application by June 1 describing the program, on a form provided by the department. The program must be approved by the commissioner according to the following criteria:

(1) how the needs of different levels of learning will be met;

(2) for continuing programs, an evaluation of results;

(3) anticipated number and education level of participants;

(4) coordination with other resources and services;

(5) participation in a consortium, if any, and money available from other participants;

(6) management and program design;

(7) volunteer training and use of volunteers;

(8) staff development services;

(9) program sites and schedules; and

(10) program expenditures that qualify for aid.

(b) The commissioner may grant adult basic education funds to a private, nonprofit organization to provide services that are not offered by a district or that are supplemental to a district's program. The program provided under this provision must be approved and funded according to the same criteria used for district programs.

(c) Adult basic education programs may be approved under this subdivision for up to five years. Five-year program approval must be granted to an applicant who has demonstrated the capacity to:

(1) offer comprehensive learning opportunities and support service choices appropriate for and accessible to adults at all basic skill need levels;

(2) provide a participatory and experiential learning approach based on the strengths, interests, and needs of each adult, that enables adults with basic skill needs to:

(i) identify, plan for, and evaluate their own progress toward achieving their defined educational and occupational goals;

(ii) master the basic academic reading, writing, and computational skills, as well as the problem-solving, decision making, interpersonal effectiveness, and other life and learning skills they need to function effectively in a changing society;

(iii) locate and be able to use the health, governmental, and social services and resources they need to improve their own and their families' lives; and

(iv) continue their education, if they desire, to at least the level of secondary school completion, with the ability to secure and benefit from continuing education that will enable them to become more employable, productive, and responsible citizens;

(3) plan, coordinate, and develop cooperative agreements with community resources to address the needs that the adults have for support services, such as transportation, flexible course scheduling, convenient class locations, and child care;

(4) collaborate with business, industry, labor unions, and employment-training agencies, as well as with family and occupational education providers, to arrange for resources and services through which adults can attain economic self-sufficiency;

(5) provide sensitive and well trained adult education personnel who participate in local, regional, and statewide adult basic education staff development events to master effective adult learning and teaching techniques;

(6) participate in regional adult basic education peer program reviews and evaluations; and

(7) submit accurate and timely performance and fiscal reports.

Subd. 3. Accounts; revenue; aid. Each district, group of districts, or private nonprofit organization providing adult basic education programs must establish and maintain accounts separate from all other district accounts for the receipt and disbursement of all funds related to these programs. All revenue received pursuant to this section must be utilized solely for the purposes of adult basic education programs. Federal and state aid plus levy must not equal more than 100 percent of the actual cost of providing these programs.

HIST: Ex1959 c 71 art 5 s 26; 1969 c 864 s 1; 1971 c 827 s 1; 1975 c 432 s 42; 1976 c 271 s 50; 1977 c 447 art 4 s 2,3; 1981 c 358 art 4 s 1-4; 1982 c 548 art 6 s 14,15; 1983 c 314 art 4 s 1; 1Sp1985 c 12 art 4 s 3; 1987 c 398 art 4 s 8-10; 1988 c 718 art 7 s 31; 1989 c 329 art 4 s 7-9; 1Sp1989 c 1 art 2 s 11; 1990 c 562 art 10 s 2; 1991 c 265 art 4 s 8,9; 1993 c 224 art 4 s 19; art 12 s 19; 1994 c 647 art 4 s 16-18; 1997 c 162 art 2 s 16; 1Sp1997 c 4 art 6 s 11; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 69,70,103

124D.53 Adult basic education aid.

Subdivision 1. Full-time equivalent. In this section "full-time equivalent" means 408 contact hours for a student at the adult secondary instructional level and 240 contact hours for a student at a lower instructional level. "Full-time equivalent" for an English as a second language student means 240 contact hours.

Subd. 2. Programs funded. Adult basic education programs established under section 124D.52 and approved by the commissioner are eligible for revenue under this section.

Subd. 3. Aid. Adult basic education aid for each approved program equals 65 percent of the general education formula allowance times the number of full-time equivalent students in its adult basic education program.

Subd. 4. Aid. Adult basic education aid is equal to the difference between an approved program's adult basic education revenue and its adult basic education levy. Beginning with levies payable in 1998, if the district does not levy the full amount permitted, the adult education aid must be reduced in proportion to the actual amount levied.

Subd. 5. Aid guarantee. For fiscal year 1998, any adult basic education program that receives less state aid than in fiscal year 1997 shall receive additional aid equal to 80 percent of the difference between its 1997 aid and the amount of aid under Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 124.2601, subdivision 5. For fiscal year 1999, additional aid under this subdivision equals 80 percent of the additional aid computed for fiscal year 1998. For fiscal year 2000, the additional aid under this subdivision equals 60 percent of the additional aid computed for fiscal year 1998. For fiscal year 2001, the additional aid under this subdivision equals 40 percent of the additional aid computed for fiscal year 1998. For fiscal year 2002, the additional aid under this subdivision equals 20 percent of the additional aid computed for fiscal year 1998. For fiscal year 2003 and later, the additional aid under this subdivision equals zero.

Subd. 6. Proration. If the total appropriation for adult basic education aid is insufficient to pay all approved programs the full amount of aid earned, the department must proportionately reduce each approved program's aid.

HIST: 1991 c 265 art 4 s 10; 1992 c 499 art 4 s 6; 1993 c 224 art 4 s 20,21; 1994 c 647 art 4 s 19-21; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1997 c 162 art 2 s 17-20; 1Sp1997 c 5 s 47; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 71,72,103; art 11 s 3; 1998 c 398 art 1 s 14,15

* NOTE: The amendment to subdivision 3 by Laws 1998, chapter *398, article 1, section 14, is effective July 1, 1999. Laws *1998, chapter 398, article 1, section 52.

* NOTE: Subdivision 4 is repealed by Laws 1998, chapter 398, *article 1, section 51, effective July 1, 1999.

124D.54 Adult high school graduation aid.

Subdivision 1. Aid eligibility. For fiscal years 1998 and later, adult high school graduation aid for eligible pupils age 21 or over, equals 65 percent of the general education formula allowance times 1.30 times the average daily membership under section 126C.05, subdivision 12. Adult high school graduation aid must be paid in addition to any other aid to the district. Pupils age 21 or over may not be counted by the district for any purpose other than adult high school graduation aid.

Subd. 2. Aid follows pupil. Adult high school graduation aid accrues to the account and the fund of the eligible programs, under section 124D.68, subdivision 3, that serve adult diploma students.

HIST: 1988 c 718 art 6 s 9; 1990 c 562 art 4 s 3; 1991 c 265 art 4 s 12; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 4 s 17; art 16 s 13; 1997 c 162 art 2 s 21; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 103; art 11 s 3

124D.548 General education development (GED) tests rules; state board.

The state board may amend rules to reflect changes in the national minimum standard score for passing the General Education Development (GED) tests.

HIST: Ex1959 c 71 art 2 s 11; 1965 c 718 s 1; 1969 c 9 s 23,24; 1969 c 288 s 1; 1973 c 492 s 14; 1975 c 162 s 6,7; 1976 c 271 s 21; 1977 c 347 s 19; 1977 c 447 art 7 s 4; 1982 c 424 s 130; 1982 c 548 art 4 s 4,23; 1983 c 258 s 22; 1984 c 640 s 32; 1985 c 248 s 70; 1987 c 178 s 5; 1987 c 398 art 7 s 5; 1989 c 329 art 7 s 2; art 8 s 1; art 9 s 4; 1990 c 375 s 3; 1991 c 265 art 9 s 13; 1993 c 224 art 12 s 2-6; art 14 s 4; 1994 c 647 art 7 s 1; art 8 s 1; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 7 s 1; art 16 s 13; 1996 c 412 art 7 s 1; 1997 c 1 s 1; 1997 c 162 art 2 s 11; 1998 c 397 art 4 s 1,51; art 11 s 3; 1998 c 398 art 5 s 6,7

* NOTE: This section is repealed by Laws 1998, chapter 398, *article 6, section 38, effective December 31, 1999. Laws 1998, *chapter 298, article 6, section 39.

124D.549 General education development (GED) tests rules; commissioner.

The commissioner may amend rules to reflect changes in the national minimum standard score for passing the general education development (GED) tests.

HIST: Ex1959 c 71 art 2 s 16; 1969 c 1129 art 8 s 16; 1977 c 305 s 41; 1978 c 764 s 8; 1983 c 150 s 1; 1992 c 499 art 8 s 1; 1993 c 224 art 9 s 16,17; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1998 c 398 art 6 s 4-12

* NOTE: This section, as added by Laws 1998, chapter 398, *article 6, section 8, is effective December 31, 1999. Laws *1998, chapter 398, article 6, section 39.

124D.55 General education development (GED) test fees.

The commissioner shall pay 60 percent of the fee that is charged to an eligible individual for the full battery of a general education development (GED) test, but not more than $20 for an eligible individual.

HIST: 1991 c 265 art 4 s 11; 1992 c 499 art 4 s 7; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 73,103

124D.56 Community education program revenue; adults with disabilities.

Subdivision 1. Revenue amount. A district that is eligible according to section 124D.20, subdivision 2, may receive revenue for a program for adults with disabilities. Revenue for the program for adults with disabilities for a district or a group of districts equals the lesser of:

(1) the actual expenditures for approved programs and budgets; or

(2) $60,000.

Subd. 2. Aid. Program aid for adults with disabilities equals the lesser of:

(1) one-half of the actual expenditures for approved programs and budgets; or

(2) $30,000.

Subd. 3. Levy. A district may levy for a program for adults with disabilities an amount up to the amount designated in subdivision 2. In the case of a program offered by a group of districts, the levy amount must be apportioned among the districts according to the agreement submitted to the department.

Subd. 4. Outside revenue. A district may receive money from public or private sources to supplement revenue for the program for adults with disabilities. Aid may not be reduced as a result of receiving money from these sources.

Subd. 5. Use of revenue. Revenue for the program for adults with disabilities may be used only to provide programs for adults with disabilities.

HIST: 1989 c 329 art 4 s 14; 1990 c 562 art 3 s 13; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 79,103; art 11 s 3

124D.57 Hearing impaired educational support services.

Subdivision 1. Responsibility of commissioner. The commissioner shall coordinate and may pay for support services for hearing impaired persons to assure access to educational opportunities. Services may be provided to adult students who are hearing impaired and (1) have been denied access to educational opportunities because of the lack of support services or (2) are presently enrolled or (3) are contemplating enrollment in an educational program and would benefit from support services. The commissioner shall also be responsible for conducting in-service training for public and private agencies regarding the needs of hearing impaired persons in the adult education system.

Subd. 2. Support services. The state board may pay school districts or public or private community agencies for the following support services:

(1) interpreter services to provide translation for an individual or a group of students; or

(2) notetaker services to convert spoken language to written language when the student must maintain visual contact with other persons such as an interpreter or instructor.

Subd. 3. Programs included. Support services may be provided for:

(1) local school district adult education programs;

(2) adult technical college programs; and

(3) avocational education programs sponsored by public or private community agencies.

HIST: 1981 c 358 art 3 s 9; 1987 c 258 s 12; 1989 c 246 s 2; 1993 c 224 art 13 s 5; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 2,103

124D.58 Citation; Education for Limited English Proficient Students Act.

Sections 124D.58 to 124D.64 may be cited as the Education for Limited English Proficient Students Act.

HIST: 1980 c 609 art 3 s 14; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 164; art 11 s 3

124D.59 Definitions.

Subdivision 1. Generally. For purposes of sections 124D.58 to 124D.65, the terms defined in this section shall have the meanings given them.

Subd. 2. Pupil of limited English proficiency. "Pupil of limited English proficiency" means a pupil in any of the grades of kindergarten through 12 who meets the following requirements:

(1) the pupil, as declared by a parent or guardian first learned a language other than English, comes from a home where the language usually spoken is other than English, or usually speaks a language other than English; and

(2) the pupil's score is significantly below the average district score for pupils of the same age on a nationally normed English reading or English language arts achievement test. A pupil's score shall be considered significantly below the average district score for pupils of the same age if it is one-third of a standard deviation below that average score.

Subd. 3. Essential instructional personnel. "Essential instructional personnel" means the following:

(1) a teacher licensed by the state board of teaching to teach bilingual education or English as a second language;

(2) a teacher with an exemption from a teaching license requirement pursuant to section 124D.62 who is employed in a school district's English as a second language or bilingual education program;

(3) any teacher as defined in section 122A.15 who holds a valid license from the state board of teaching, if the district assures the department that the teacher will obtain the preservice and in-service training the department considers necessary to enable the teacher to provide appropriate service to pupils of limited English proficiency.

Subd. 4. English as a second language program. "English as a second language program" means a program for the instruction of pupils of limited English proficiency in the following English language skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Subd. 5. Bilingual education program. "Bilingual education program" means an educational program in which instruction is given in both English and the primary language of the pupil of limited English proficiency to the extent necessary to allow the pupil to progress effectively through the educational system and to attain the basic skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking in the English language so that the pupil will be able to perform ordinary classwork successfully in English.

Subd. 6. Primary language. "Primary language" means a language other than English which is the language normally used by the child or the language which is spoken in the child's home environment.

Subd. 7. Parent. "Parent" includes a child's legal guardian.

Subd. 8. Educational program for pupils of limited English proficiency. "Educational program for pupils of limited English proficiency" means an English as a second language program, bilingual education program, or both an English as a second language and a bilingual education program.

HIST: 1980 c 609 art 3 s 15; 1981 c 358 art 3 s 18; 1982 c 548 art 3 s 22; 1986 c 444; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 130,131,164; art 11 s 3

124D.60 Rights of parents.

Subdivision 1. Notice. Within ten days after the enrollment of any pupil in an instructional program for limited English proficient students, the district in which the pupil resides must notify the parent by mail. This notice must:

(1) be in writing in English and in the primary language of the pupil's parents;

(2) inform the parents that their child has been enrolled in an instructional program for limited English proficient students;

(3) contain a simple, nontechnical description of the purposes, method and content of the program;

(4) inform the parents that they have the right to visit the educational program for limited English proficient students in which their child is enrolled;

(5) inform the parents of the time and manner in which to request and receive a conference for the purpose of explaining the nature and purpose of the program; and

(6) inform the parents of their rights to withdraw their child from an educational program for limited English proficient students and the time and manner in which to do so.

The department shall, at the request of the district, prepare the notice in the primary language of the parent.

Subd. 2. Withdrawal from program. Any parent whose child is enrolled in an educational program for limited English proficient students shall have the right, either at the time of the original notification of enrollment or at the close of any semester thereafter, to withdraw the child from the program by providing written notice of this intent to the principal of the school in which the child is enrolled or to the superintendent of the district in which the child resides. Nothing in this section shall preclude a parent from reenrolling a child of limited English proficiency in an educational program for limited English proficient students.

Subd. 3. Parental involvement. A district which receives moneys pursuant to section 124D.65 must encourage involvement of parents of pupils enrolled in the educational program for limited English proficient students in this program. The district shall solicit the views of parents about the program and its effects upon their children.

HIST: 1980 c 609 art 3 s 17; 1982 c 548 art 3 s 23; 1986 c 444; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 132,164; art 11 s 3

124D.61 General requirements for programs.

A district which receives aid pursuant to section 124.273 must comply with the following program requirements:

(1) to the extent possible, the district must avoid isolating children of limited English proficiency for a substantial part of the school day; and

(2) in predominantly nonverbal subjects, such as art, music, and physical education, pupils of limited English proficiency shall be permitted to participate fully and on an equal basis with their contemporaries in public school classes provided for these subjects. To the extent possible, the district must assure to pupils enrolled in a program for limited English proficient students an equal and meaningful opportunity to participate fully with other pupils in all extracurricular activities.

HIST: 1980 c 609 art 3 s 18; 1982 c 548 art 3 s 24; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 133,164

124D.62 Exemption from licensure requirements for limited English proficiency (LEP) or English as a second language (ESL) teachers.

Subdivision 1. Exemptions. The commissioner may grant an exemption from the licensure requirement in the hiring of teachers of English as a second language or bilingual education teachers to a district if the commissioner finds that compliance would impose a hardship upon the district in the securing of teachers for its educational programs for limited English proficient students. The commissioner shall notify the board of teaching of any exemptions granted pursuant to this section.

Subd. 2. Granting a license. A teacher serving under an exemption as provided in subdivision 1 shall be granted a license as soon as that teacher qualifies for it. Not more than one year of service by a teacher under an exemption shall be credited to the teacher for the purposes of section 122A.40. For purposes of section 122A.41, a teacher shall receive credit equal to the number of years the teacher served under an exemption.

HIST: 1980 c 609 art 3 s 19; 1991 c 265 art 9 s 58; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 134,164; art 11 s 3

124D.63 Technical assistance.

The commissioner shall provide technical assistance to districts receiving aid pursuant to section 124D.65 and to post-secondary institutions for preservice and in-service training for bilingual education teachers and English as a second language teachers employed in educational programs for limited English proficient students, teaching methods, curriculum development, testing and testing mechanisms, and the development of instructional materials for these educational programs.

HIST: 1980 c 609 art 3 s 20; 1982 c 548 art 3 s 25; 1993 c 224 art 13 s 47; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 135,164; art 11 s 3

124D.64 Discrimination prohibited.

Nothing in the provisions of sections 124D.58 to 124D.63 shall be construed to violate the provisions of section 123B.30 or chapter 363. Programs and activities pursuant to sections 124D.58 to 124D.63 shall be deemed to be positive action programs to combat discrimination.

HIST: 1980 c 609 art 3 s 22; 1993 c 224 art 14 s 16; 1994 c 465 art 2 s 1; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 164; art 11 s 3

124D.65 Limited English proficiency (LEP) programs aid.

Subdivision 1. Adjusted LEP base revenue. (a) A district's adjusted limited English proficiency programs base revenue for fiscal year 1996 and later equals the product of:

(1) the district's base revenue for limited English proficiency programs under this section and section 125A.77, times

(2) the ratio of:

(i) the greater of 20 or the number of pupils of limited English proficiency enrolled in the district during the current fiscal year to

(ii) the greater of 20 or the number of pupils of limited English proficiency enrolled in the district during the base year.

(b) For the purposes of this section, the base year for fiscal year 1996 is fiscal year 1995. The base year for later fiscal years is the second fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which aid shall be paid. The current year is the fiscal year for which aid shall be paid.

(c) For the purposes of this section, a teacher includes nonlicensed personnel who provide direct instruction to students of limited English proficiency under the supervision of a licensed teacher.

Subd. 2. LEP base revenue. (a) The limited English proficiency programs base revenue equals the sum of the following amounts, computed using base year data:

(1) 68 percent of the salary of one full-time equivalent teacher for each 40 pupils of limited English proficiency enrolled, or 68 percent of the salary of one-half of a full-time teacher in a district with 20 or fewer pupils of limited English proficiency enrolled; and

(2) for supplies and equipment purchased or rented for use in the instruction of pupils of limited English proficiency an amount equal to 47 percent of the sum actually spent by the district but not to exceed an average of $47 in any one school year for each pupil of limited English proficiency receiving instruction.

(b) For the purposes of this subdivision, a teacher includes nonlicensed personnel who provide direct instruction to students of limited English proficiency under the supervision of a licensed teacher.

(c) If requested by a school district operating a limited English proficiency program during the base year for less than the full school year, the commissioner may adjust the base revenue to reflect the expenditures that would have occurred during the base year had the program been operated for the full school year.

Subd. 3. LEP aid. A district's limited English proficiency aid for fiscal year 1998 equals the aid percentage factor under section 125A.76, subdivision 1, times the district's limited English proficiency revenue.

Subd. 4. State total LEP revenue. (a) The state total limited English proficiency programs revenue for fiscal year 1998 equals $14,629,000. The state total limited English proficiency programs revenue for fiscal year 1999 equals $16,092,000.

(b) The state total limited English proficiency programs revenue for later fiscal years equals:

(1) the state total limited English proficiency programs revenue for the preceding fiscal year; times

(2) the program growth factor under section 125A.76 subdivision 1; times

(3) the ratio of the state total number of pupils with limited English proficiency for the current fiscal year to the state total number of pupils with limited English proficiency for the preceding fiscal year.

Subd. 5. School district LEP revenue. (a) A school district's limited English proficiency programs revenue for fiscal year 1996 and later equals the state total limited English proficiency programs revenue, minus the amount determined under paragraph (b), times the ratio of the district's adjusted limited English proficiency programs base revenue to the state total adjusted limited English proficiency programs base revenue.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), if the limited English proficiency programs base revenue for a district equals zero, the limited English proficiency programs revenue equals the sum of the following amounts, computed using current year data:

(1) 68 percent of the salary of one full-time equivalent teacher for each 40 pupils of limited English proficiency enrolled, or 68 percent of the salary of one-half of a full-time teacher in a district with 20 or fewer pupils of limited English proficiency enrolled; and

(2) for supplies and equipment purchased or rented for use in the instruction of pupils of limited English proficiency an amount equal to 47 percent of the sum actually spent by the district but not to exceed an average of $47 in any one school year for each pupil of limited English proficiency receiving instruction.

Subd. 6. Participation of nonpublic school pupils. In counting the number of pupils of limited English proficiency for purposes of this section, districts may include pupils of limited English proficiency who attend nonpublic schools in the district. A district which counts those pupils and receives aid pursuant to this section must offer those pupils the same programs on the same terms that it offers to pupils of limited English proficiency who attend the public school. A program provided for a nonpublic school pupil pursuant to this subdivision must be provided at a public school or a neutral site as defined in section 123B.41, subdivision 13. Nonpublic school pupils served by a district's educational program for pupils of limited English proficiency must be counted for average daily membership pursuant to sections 126C.01, subdivisions 6 to 8, and 126C.19, subdivisions 1 to 4.

Subd. 7. Application dates. To obtain aid for limited English proficiency programs, a district must submit information required by the department to implement this section.

Subd. 8. Notification; revenue. The department must promptly inform each applicant district of the amount of revenue it will receive pursuant to this section.

Subd. 9. Records; audit. A district which applies for aid pursuant to this section must maintain records which support the information contained in all of its applications. The commissioner may audit these records upon request. A district which receives aid pursuant to this section must keep additional records in the manner prescribed by the commissioner to ensure that an educational program for pupils of limited English proficiency is implemented and operated in accordance with sections 124D.58 to 124D.64.

Subd. 10. Money from other sources. A district providing a program for pupils of limited English proficiency must be eligible to receive moneys for these programs from other government agencies and from private sources when these moneys are available.

Subd. 11. Allocations from cooperative units. For the purposes of this section and section 125A.77, pupils of limited English proficiency enrolled in a cooperative or intermediate school district unit shall be counted by the school district of residence, and the cooperative unit shall allocate its approved expenditures for limited English proficiency programs among participating school districts. Limited English proficiency aid for services provided by a cooperative or intermediate school district shall be paid to the participating school districts.

HIST: 1981 c 358 art 3 s 10; 1982 c 548 art 3 s 8-11; 1983 c 314 art 1 s 22; art 3 s 8; 1Sp1985 c 12 art 3 s 10; 1987 c 398 art 3 s 17; art 7 s 26; 1989 c 329 art 3 s 4,5; 1991 c 265 art 3 s 5; 1993 c 224 art 3 s 11,12; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 15 s 1-3; art 16 s 13; 1996 c 412 art 3 s 11-14; 1Sp1997 c 4 art 2 s 8-11; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 93-96,164; art 11 s 3; 1998 c 398 art 1 s 21

124D.66 Assurance of mastery programs.

Subdivision 1. Eligible districts. A district with a local process to review curriculum and instruction may provide an assurance of mastery program to eligible pupils.

Subd. 2. Eligible pupils. A pupil is eligible to receive services through an assurance of mastery program if the pupil has not demonstrated progress toward mastering the required graduation standards, after receiving instruction that was designed to enable the pupil to make progress toward mastering the required graduation standards in a regular classroom setting. A pupil also is eligible to receive services through an assurance of mastery program if the pupil, based on the professional judgment of a classroom teacher or a team of licensed professionals, demonstrates a need for alternative instructional strategies or interventions. To determine pupil eligibility, a district must use a process adopted by the school board to review curriculum and instruction, for the subjects and at the grade level at which the district uses the revenue.

Subd. 3. Eligible services. (a) Assurance of mastery programs may provide direct instructional services to an eligible pupil, or a group of eligible pupils, under the following conditions in paragraphs (b) to (d).

(b) Instruction may be provided at one or more grade levels from kindergarten to grade 8 and for students in grades 9 through 12 who have failed the basic skills tests. If an assessment of pupils' needs within a district demonstrates that the eligible pupils in grades kindergarten to grade 8 are being appropriately served, a district may serve eligible pupils in grades 9 to 12.

(c) Instruction must be provided under the supervision of the eligible pupil's regular classroom teacher. Instruction may be provided by the eligible pupil's classroom teacher, by another teacher, by a team of teachers, or by an education assistant or aide. A special education teacher may provide instruction, but instruction that is provided under this section is not eligible for aid under section 125A.76.

(d) The instruction that is provided must differ from the initial instruction the pupil received in the regular classroom setting. The instruction may differ by presenting different curriculum than was initially presented in the regular classroom or by presenting the same curriculum:

(1) at a different rate or in a different sequence than it was initially presented;

(2) using different teaching methods or techniques than were used initially; or

(3) using different instructional materials than were used initially.

HIST: 1Sp1997 c 4 art 2 s 12; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 164; art 11 s 3; 1998 c 398 art 2 s 25,164

124D.67 Assurance of mastery revenue.

Subdivision 1. Instruction. A district may receive assurance of mastery revenue to provide direct instructional services to eligible pupils.

Subd. 2. Eligible districts. To be eligible to receive assurance of mastery revenue, a district must have a local process to review curriculum and instruction.

Subd. 3. Eligible pupils. A pupil is eligible to receive services provided with assurance of mastery revenue if the pupil has not demonstrated progress toward mastering the required graduation standards, after receiving instruction that was designed to enable the pupil to make progress toward mastering the required graduation standards in a regular classroom setting. To determine pupil eligibility, a district must use a process adopted by the school board to review curriculum and instruction, for the subjects and at the grade level at which the district uses the revenue.

Subd. 4. Eligible services. Assurance of mastery revenue must be used to provide direct instructional services to an eligible pupil, or group of eligible pupils, under the following conditions:

(a) Instruction may be provided at one or more grade levels from kindergarten through grade 8. If an assessment of pupils' needs within a district demonstrates that the eligible pupils in grades kindergarten through 8 are being appropriately served, a district may serve eligible pupils in grades 9 through 12.

(b) Instruction must be provided under the supervision of the eligible pupil's regular classroom teacher. Instruction may be provided by the eligible pupil's classroom teacher, by another teacher, by a team of teachers, or by an education assistant or aide. A special education teacher may provide instruction, but instruction that is provided under this section is not eligible for aid under section 125A.75.

(c) The instruction that is provided must differ from the initial instruction the pupil received in the regular classroom setting. The instruction may differ by presenting different curriculum than was initially presented in the regular classroom, or by presenting the same curriculum:

(1) at a different rate or in a different sequence than it was initially presented;

(2) using different teaching methods or techniques than were used initially; or

(3) using different instructional materials than were used initially.

Subd. 5. Revenue amount. Assurance of mastery revenue is the sum of state and district money. The sum may equal up to $45 for fiscal year 1991 and thereafter times the number of adjusted pupil units in kindergarten through grade 8 in the district. The district shall determine the amount of money it will provide and the state shall provide an equal amount of money.

Subd. 6. Uses of revenue. Assurance of mastery revenue may be used only to provide eligible services to eligible pupils.

Subd. 7. District report. A district that receives assurance of mastery revenue shall include the following in a report:

(1) a summary of initial assessment results used to determine pupil eligibility to receive instructional services;

(2) a description of the services provided to eligible pupils; and

(3) a summary of assessment results for eligible pupils obtained after providing the services.

HIST: 1989 c 329 art 3 s 6; 1991 c 265 art 3 s 6; 1996 c 412 art 3 s 15-17; art 7 s 9-11; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 97,164; art 11 s 3

124D.68 Graduation incentives program.

Subdivision 1. Purpose. The legislature finds that it is critical to provide options for children to succeed in school. Therefore, the purpose of this section is to provide incentives for and encourage all Minnesota students who have experienced or are experiencing difficulty in the traditional education system to enroll in alternative programs.

Subd. 2. Eligible pupils. The following pupils are eligible to participate in the graduation incentives program:

(a) any pupil under the age of 21 who:

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

(2) is at least one year behind in satisfactorily completing coursework or obtaining credits for graduation;

(3) is pregnant or is a parent;

(4) has been assessed as chemically dependent;

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

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

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

(8) has experienced mental health problems;

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

(10) speaks English as a second language or has limited English proficiency; or

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

(b) any person who is at least 21 years of age and who:

(1) has received fewer than 14 years of public or nonpublic education, beginning at age 5;

(2) has not completed the requirements for a high school diploma; and

(3) at the time of application, (i) is eligible for reemployment insurance benefits or has exhausted the benefits, (ii) is eligible for, or is receiving income maintenance and support services, as defined in section 268.0111, subdivision 5, or (iii) is eligible for services under the displaced homemaker program, state wage-subsidy program, or any programs under the federal Jobs Training Partnership Act or its successor.

Subd. 3. Eligible programs. (a) A pupil who is eligible according to subdivision 2 may enroll in area learning centers under sections 123A.05 to 123A.08, or according to section 122A.164.

(b) A pupil who is eligible according to subdivision 2 and who is between the ages of 16 and 21 may enroll in post-secondary courses under section 124D.09.

(c) A pupil who is eligible under subdivision 2, may enroll in any public elementary or secondary education program. However, a person who is eligible according to subdivision 2, clause (b), may enroll only if the school board has adopted a resolution approving the enrollment.

(d) A pupil who is eligible under subdivision 2, may enroll in any nonpublic, nonsectarian school that has contracted with the serving school district to provide educational services.

(e) A pupil who is between the ages of 16 and 21 may enroll in any adult basic education programs approved under section 124D.52 and operated under the community education program contained in section 124D.19.

Subd. 4. Additional eligible program. A pupil who is at least 16 years of age, who is eligible under subdivision 2, clause (a), and who has been enrolled only in a public school, if the pupil has been enrolled in any school, during the year immediately before transferring under this subdivision, may transfer to any nonpublic school that has contracted with the serving school district to provide nonsectarian educational services. The school must enroll every eligible pupil who seeks to transfer to the school under this program subject to available space.

Subd. 5. Pupil enrollment. Any eligible pupil may apply to enroll in an eligible program. Approval of the resident district is not required for:

(1) an eligible pupil to enroll in any eligible program in a nonresident district under subdivision 3 or 4 or an area learning center established under section 123A.05; or

(2) an eligible pupil under subdivision 2, to enroll in an adult basic education program approved under section 124D.52.

Subd. 6. Dissemination of information. A district must disseminate information, developed by the department, about the graduation incentives program to residents in the district who are under the age of 21.

Subd. 7. Desegregation plans. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, students may not enroll in a nonresident district under this section if their enrollment in another district would result in a violation of a district's desegregation plan, as mandated and approved by the state board of education.

Subd. 8. Aid adjustments. General education aid and transportation aid attributable to a pupil covered by programs under this section must be paid according to sections 127A.47, subdivision 7, and 123B.92, subdivision 3, respectively.

Subd. 9. Enrollment verification. (a) For a pupil attending an eligible program full time under subdivision 3, paragraph (d), the department must pay 90 percent of the district's average general education revenue less compensatory revenue to the eligible program and ten percent of the district's average general education revenue less compensatory revenue to the resident district within 30 days after the eligible program verifies enrollment using the form provided by the department. For a pupil attending an eligible program part time, revenue shall be reduced proportionately, according to the amount of time the pupil attends the program, and the payments to the eligible program and the resident district shall be reduced accordingly. A pupil for whom payment is made according to this section may not be counted by any district for any purpose other than computation of general education revenue. If payment is made for a pupil under this subdivision, a district shall not reimburse a program under section 124D.69 for the same pupil. Compensatory revenue shall be paid according to section 126C.10, subdivision 3.

(b) The department must pay up to 100 percent of the revenue to the eligible program if there is an agreement to that effect between the school district and the eligible program.

Subd. 10. Severability. If for any reason any portion of this section is found by a court to be unconstitutional, the remaining portions of the section shall remain in effect.

HIST: 1987 c 398 art 8 s 15; 1988 c 718 art 6 s 12,13; art 7 s 37-40; 1989 c 222 s 30,31; 1989 c 329 art 7 s 8,9; art 9 s 14; 1990 c 562 art 4 s 4-6; 1991 c 265 art 4 s 20-25; 1992 c 363 art 2 s 3; 1992 c 499 art 9 s 12; 1993 c 224 art 4 s 34-37; art 7 s 23; art 9 s 54; 1994 c 488 s 8; 1994 c 647 art 4 s 28-30; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 1 s 51; art 8 s 8; art 16 s 13; 1996 c 412 art 4 s 18-22; 1997 c 7 art 1 s 70; 1Sp1997 c 4 art 2 s 34; art 5 s 18,19; art 6 s 15; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 122-126,164; art 11 s 3

124D.69 Aid for alternative programs provided under contract.

Subdivision 1. Aid. If a pupil enrolls in an alternative program, eligible under section 124D.68, subdivision 3, paragraph (d), or subdivision 4, operated by a private organization that has contracted with a school district to provide educational services for eligible pupils under section 124D.68, subdivision 2, the district contracting with the private organization must reimburse the provider an amount equal to at least 90 percent of the district's average general education less compensatory revenue per pupil unit times the number of pupil units for pupils attending the program. Compensatory revenue must be allocated according to section 126C.15, subdivision 2. For a pupil attending the program part time, the revenue paid to the program must be reduced proportionately, according to the amount of time the pupil attends the program, and revenue paid to the district shall be reduced accordingly. Pupils for whom a district provides reimbursement may not be counted by the district for any purpose other than computation of general education revenue. If payment is made to a district or program for a pupil under this section, the department must not make a payment for the same pupil under section 124D.68, subdivision 9.

Subd. 2. Reserve account. During the term of the contract to provide educational services under subdivision 1, all state aid under subdivision 1 accrues to the account assigned to the alternative program site and is reserved for that site.

HIST: 1987 c 398 art 8 s 16; 1988 c 486 s 70; 1988 c 718 art 7 s 41; 1989 c 329 art 7 s 10; 1990 c 562 art 4 s 7; 1991 c 265 art 7 s 21; 1992 c 499 art 9 s 13; 1994 c 647 art 4 s 31; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1996 c 412 art 4 s 23; 1Sp1997 c 4 art 2 s 36; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 127,164; art 11 s 3

124D.70 Additional revenue for homeless students.

In addition to revenue received under sections 124D.68, subdivisions 8 and 9, and 124D.69, subdivision 1, a district shall receive additional revenue for homeless pupils who are eligible to participate in the graduation incentives program according to section 124D.68, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (9), equal to $100 per pupil unit. The revenue received under this section shall be used for expanding education services to include preschool, after-school, or summer school programs to provide transition and follow-up services to homeless pupils who are placed or mainstreamed in a district school, or to provide parent education and support services. The additional revenue shall be paid to the public or nonprofit school program providing services to homeless pupils. A student shall not be considered homeless under this section if the student was displaced from home as a result of a natural disaster.

HIST: 1Sp1997 c 4 art 2 s 35; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 164; art 11 s 3

124D.71 Citation; American Indian Education Act.

Sections 124D.71 to 124D.82 may be cited as the American Indian Education Act of 1988.

HIST: 1977 c 312 s 1; 1988 c 718 art 3 s 5; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 164; art 11 s 3

124D.72 Policy.

The legislature finds that a more adequate education is needed for American Indian people in the state of Minnesota. The legislature recognizes the unique educational and culturally related academic needs of American Indian people. The legislature also is concerned about the lack of American Indian teachers in the state. Therefore, pursuant to the policy of the state to ensure equal educational opportunity to every individual, it is the purpose of sections 124D.71 to 124D.82 to provide for American Indian education programs specially designed to meet these unique educational or culturally related academic needs or both.

HIST: 1977 c 312 s 2; 1978 c 706 s 43; 1988 c 718 art 3 s 6; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 164; art 11 s 3

124D.73 Definitions.

Subdivision 1. Scope. For the purposes of sections 124D.71 to 124D.82, the terms defined in this section have the meanings given them.

Subd. 2. American Indian child. "American Indian child" means any child, living on or off a reservation, who is enrolled or eligible for enrollment in a federally recognized tribe.

Subd. 3. Advisory task force. "Advisory task force" means the state advisory task force on American Indian education programs.

Subd. 4. Participating school; American Indian school. "Participating school" and "American Indian school" mean a school that:

(1) is not operated by a school district; and

(2) is eligible for a grant under Title IV of the Indian Education Act for the education of American Indian children.

HIST: 1977 c 312 s 3; 1979 c 219 s 1; 1988 c 718 art 3 s 7; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 164; art 11 s 3

124D.74 American Indian language and culture education programs.

Subdivision 1. Program described. American Indian language and culture education programs are programs in elementary and secondary schools enrolling American Indian children designed:

(1) to make the curriculum more relevant to the needs, interests, and cultural heritage of American Indian pupils;

(2) to provide positive reinforcement of the self-image of American Indian pupils; and

(3) to develop intercultural awareness among pupils, parents, and staff. Program components may include: instruction in American Indian language, literature, history, and culture; development of support components for staff, including in-service training and technical assistance in methods of teaching American Indian pupils; research projects, including experimentation with and evaluation of methods of relating to American Indian pupils; provision of personal and vocational counseling to American Indian pupils; modification of curriculum, instructional methods, and administrative procedures to meet the needs of American Indian pupils; and establishment of cooperative liaisons with nonsectarian nonpublic, community, tribal or alternative schools offering curricula which reflect American Indian culture. Districts offering programs may make contracts for the provision of program components by nonsectarian nonpublic, community, tribal or alternative schools. These programs may also be provided as components of early childhood and family education programs.

Subd. 2. Voluntary enrollment. Enrollment in American Indian language and culture education programs must be voluntary. School districts and participating schools must make affirmative efforts to encourage participation. They shall encourage parents to visit classes or come to school for a conference explaining the nature of the program and provide visits by school staff to parents' homes to explain the nature of the program.

Subd. 3. Enrollment of other children; shared time enrollment. To the extent it is economically feasible, a district or participating school may make provision for the voluntary enrollment of non-American Indian children in the instructional components of an American Indian language and culture education program in order that they may acquire an understanding of the cultural heritage of the American Indian children for whom that particular program is designed. However, in determining eligibility to participate in a program, priority must be given to American Indian children. American Indian children and other children enrolled in an existing nonpublic school system may be enrolled on a shared time basis in American Indian language and culture education programs.

Subd. 4. Location of programs. American Indian language and culture education programs must be located in facilities in which regular classes in a variety of subjects are offered on a daily basis.

Subd. 5. Assignment of students. A school district or participating school must not, in providing these programs, assign students to schools in a way which will have the effect of promoting segregation of students by race, sex, color, or national origin.

Subd. 6. Nonverbal courses and extracurricular activities. In predominantly nonverbal subjects, such as art, music, and physical education, American Indian children shall participate fully and on an equal basis with their contemporaries in school classes provided for these subjects. Every school district or participating school shall ensure to children enrolled in American Indian language and culture education programs an equal and meaningful opportunity to participate fully with other children in all extracurricular activities. This subdivision shall not be construed to prohibit instruction in nonverbal subjects or extracurricular activities which relate to the cultural heritage of the American Indian children, or which are otherwise necessary to accomplish the objectives described in sections 124D.71 to 124D.82.

HIST: 1977 c 312 s 4; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 138-142,164; art 11 s 3

124D.75 Licenses for American Indian language and culture education teachers; exemptions.

Subdivision 1. American Indian language and culture education licenses. The board of teaching must grant initial and continuing teaching licenses in American Indian language and culture education that bear the same duration as other initial and continuing licenses. The board must grant licenses to persons who present satisfactory evidence that they:

(1) possess competence in an American Indian language or possess unique qualifications relative to or knowledge and understanding of American Indian history and culture; or

(2) possess a bachelor's degree or other academic degree approved by the board or meet such requirements as to course of study and training as the board may prescribe, or possess such relevant experience as the board may prescribe.

This evidence may be presented by affidavits, resolutions, or by such other methods as the board may prescribe. Individuals may present applications for licensure on their own behalf or these applications may be submitted by the superintendent or other authorized official of a school district, participating school, or an American Indian school.

Subd. 2. Persons holding general teaching licenses. A person holding a general teaching license who presents the board with satisfactory evidence of competence in an American Indian language, or knowledge and understanding of American Indian history and culture may be licensed under this section.

Subd. 3. Resolution or letter. All persons applying for a license under this section must submit to the board a resolution or letter of support signed by an American Indian tribal government or its designee. All persons holding a license under this section on July 1, 1995, must have on file or file with the board a resolution or letter of support signed by a tribal government or its designee by January 1, 1996, or the next renewal date of the license thereafter.

Subd. 4. Employment of teachers. Teachers employed in an American Indian language and culture education program pursuant to sections 124D.71 to 124D.82 shall not be employed to replace any presently employed teacher who otherwise would not be replaced.

Subd. 5. Teacher preparation programs. For the purpose of licensing American Indian language and culture education teachers, the board may approve programs at colleges or universities designed for their training subject to the approval of the state board of education.

Subd. 6. Persons eligible for employment; exemptions. Any person licensed under this section shall be eligible for employment by a school board or a participating school as a teacher in an American Indian language and culture education program in which the American Indian language or culture in which the person is licensed is taught. A school district or participating school may prescribe only those additional qualifications for teachers licensed under this section as are approved by the board of teaching. Any school board or participating school upon request may be exempted from the licensure requirements of this section in the hiring of one or more American Indian language and culture education teachers for any school year in which compliance would, in the opinion of the commissioner, create a hardship in the securing of the teachers.

Subd. 7. Persons serving under exemptions; licensure; tenure. An American Indian language and culture education teacher serving under an exemption as provided in subdivision 6 shall be granted a license as soon as that teacher achieves the qualifications for the license. Not more than one year of service by an American Indian language and culture education teacher under an exemption shall be credited to the teacher for the purposes of section 122A.40 and not more than two years shall be credited for the purposes of section 122A.41; and the one or two years shall be deemed to precede immediately and be consecutive with the year in which a teacher becomes licensed.

Subd. 8. Compensation. A teacher holding a license or exemption under this section shall be compensated according to a schedule which is at least equivalent to that applicable to teachers holding general licenses.

Subd. 9. Affirmative efforts in hiring. In hiring for all positions in these programs, school districts and participating schools shall give preference to and make affirmative efforts to seek, recruit, and employ persons who share the culture of the American Indian children who are enrolled in the program. The district or participating school shall provide procedures for the involvement of the parent advisory committees in designing the procedures for the recruitment, screening and selection of applicants. This subdivision shall not be construed to limit the school board's authority to hire and discharge personnel.

HIST: 1977 c 312 s 5; 1986 c 444; 1988 c 718 art 3 s 8; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 3 s 9; art 16 s 13; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 143-146,164; art 11 s 3

124D.76 Teachers aides; community coordinators.

In addition to employing American Indian language and culture education teachers, each district or participating school providing programs pursuant to sections 124D.71 to 124D.82 may employ teachers' aides. Teachers' aides must not be employed for the purpose of supplanting American Indian language and culture education teachers.

Any district or participating school which conducts American Indian language and culture education programs pursuant to sections 124D.71 to 124D.82 must employ one or more full-time or part-time community coordinators if there are 100 or more students enrolled in the program. Community coordinators shall promote communication understanding, and cooperation between the schools and the community and shall visit the homes of children who are to be enrolled in an American Indian language and culture education program in order to convey information about the program.

HIST: 1977 c 312 s 6; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 147,164; art 11 s 3

124D.77 Recruiting and retaining Indian teachers.

This section applies to a board of a district in which there are at least ten American Indian children enrolled. The board must actively recruit teacher applicants who are American Indian from the time it is reasonably expected that a position will become available until the position is filled or September 1, whichever is earlier. Notwithstanding section 122A.40, subdivision 7, 10, or 11, 122A.41, subdivisions 4 and 14, any other law to the contrary, or any provision of a contract entered into after May 7, 1988, to the contrary, when placing a teacher on unrequested leave of absence, the board may retain a probationary teacher or a teacher with less seniority in order to retain an American Indian teacher.

HIST: 1988 c 718 art 3 s 9; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 148,164; art 11 s 3

124D.78 Parent and community participation.

Subdivision 1. Parent committee. School boards and American Indian schools must provide for the maximum involvement of parents of children enrolled in education programs, including language and culture education programs, programs for elementary and secondary grades, special education programs, and support services. Accordingly, the board of a school district in which there are ten or more American Indian children enrolled and each American Indian school must establish a parent committee. If a committee whose membership consists of a majority of parents of American Indian children has been or is established according to federal, tribal, or other state law, that committee may serve as the committee required by this section and is subject to, at least, the requirements of this subdivision and subdivision 2.

The parent committee must develop its recommendations in consultation with the curriculum advisory committee required by section 120B.11, subdivision 3. This committee must afford parents the necessary information and the opportunity effectively to express their views concerning all aspects of American Indian education and the educational needs of the American Indian children enrolled in the school or program. The committee must also address the need for adult education programs for American Indian people in the community. The board or American Indian school must ensure that programs are planned, operated, and evaluated with the involvement of and in consultation with parents of children served by the programs.

Subd. 2. Resolution of concurrence. Prior to December 1, the board or American Indian school must submit to the department a copy of a resolution adopted by the parent committee. The copy must be signed by the chair of the committee and must state whether the committee concurs with the educational programs for American Indian children offered by the school board or American Indian school. If the committee does not concur with the educational programs, the reasons for nonconcurrence and recommendations shall be submitted with the resolution. By resolution, the board must respond, in cases of nonconcurrence, to each recommendation made by the committee and state its reasons for not implementing the recommendations.

Subd. 3. Membership. The committee must be composed of parents of children eligible to be enrolled in American Indian education programs; secondary students eligible to be served; American Indian language and culture education teachers and aides; American Indian teachers; counselors; adult American Indian people enrolled in educational programs; and representatives from community groups. A majority of each committee must be parents of children enrolled or eligible to be enrolled in the programs. The number of parents of American Indian and non-American Indian children shall reflect approximately the proportion of children of those groups enrolled in the programs.

Subd. 4. Alternate committee. If the organizational membership or the board of directors of an American Indian school consists of parents of children attending the school, that membership or board may serve also as the parent committee.

HIST: 1977 c 312 s 7; 1988 c 718 art 3 s 10-13; 1991 c 265 art 3 s 18; 1994 c 647 art 3 s 19; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1997 c 7 art 1 s 71; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 149-151,164; art 11 s 3

124D.79 Community and commissioner participation in American Indian education.

Subdivision 1. Community involvement. The state board must provide for the maximum involvement of the state committees on American Indian education, parents of American Indian children, secondary students eligible to be served, American Indian language and culture education teachers, American Indian teachers, teachers' aides, representatives of community groups, and persons knowledgeable in the field of American Indian education, in the formulation of policy and procedures relating to the administration of sections 124D.71 to 124D.82.

Subd. 2. Technical assistance. The commissioner shall provide technical assistance to districts, schools and post-secondary institutions for preservice and in-service training for American Indian education teachers and teacher's aides, teaching methods, curriculum development, testing and testing mechanisms, and the development of materials for American Indian education programs.

Subd. 3. Application for funds. The commissioner shall apply for money which may be available under federal programs for American Indian education, including funds for administration, demonstration projects, training, technical assistance, planning and evaluation.

HIST: 1977 c 312 s 8; 1979 c 334 art 3 s 14; 1980 c 609 art 3 s 8,9; 1988 c 718 art 3 s 14; 1993 c 224 art 13 s 48,49; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 152,153,164; art 11 s 3

124D.80 Committees on American Indian education programs.

Subdivision 1. Establishment. The state board of education shall create one or more American Indian education committees. Members must include representatives of tribal bodies, community groups, parents of children eligible to be served by the programs, American Indian administrators and teachers, persons experienced in the training of teachers for American Indian education programs, persons involved in programs for American Indian children in American Indian schools, and persons knowledgeable in the field of American Indian education. Members shall be appointed so as to be representative of significant segments of the population of American Indians.

Subd. 2. Committee to advise state board. Each committee on American Indian education programs shall advise the state board in the administration of its duties under sections 124D.71 to 124D.82 and other programs for the education of American Indian people, as determined by the state board.

Subd. 3. Expenses. Each committee must be reimbursed for expenses according to section 15.059, subdivision 6. The state board must determine the membership terms and the duration of each committee, which expire no later than June 30, 2001.

HIST: 1979 c 219 s 2; 1983 c 260 s 27; 1988 c 718 art 3 s 15; 1996 c 412 art 3 s 32; 1997 c 192 s 21; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 154,155,164; art 11 s 3

* NOTE: See section 15.059, subdivision 5a, for expiration *of American Indian education committee.

124D.81 Continuation of Indian education grants.

Subdivision 1. Grants; procedures. Each fiscal year the state board of education must make grants to no fewer than six American Indian language and culture education programs. At least three programs must be in urban areas and at least three must be on or near reservations. The board of a local district, a participating school or a group of boards may develop a proposal for grants in support of American Indian language and culture education programs. Proposals may provide for contracts for the provision of program components by nonsectarian nonpublic, community, tribal, or alternative schools. The commissioner shall prescribe the form and manner of application for grants, and no grant shall be made for a proposal not complying with the requirements of sections 126.45 to 126.55. The state board must submit all proposals to the state advisory task force on American Indian language and culture education programs for its recommendations concerning approval, modification, or disapproval and the amounts of grants to approved programs.

Subd. 2. Plans. Each district or participating school submitting a proposal under subdivision 1 must develop and submit with the proposal a plan which shall:

(a) Identify the measures to be used to meet the requirements of sections 124D.71 to 124D.82;

(b) Identify the activities, methods and programs to meet the identified educational needs of the children to be enrolled in the program;

(c) Describe how district goals and objectives as well as the objectives of sections 124D.71 to 124D.82 are to be achieved;

(d) Demonstrate that required and elective courses as structured do not have a discriminatory effect within the meaning of section 124D.74, subdivision 5;

(e) Describe how each school program will be organized, staffed, coordinated, and monitored; and

(f) Project expenditures for programs under sections 124D.71 to 124D.82.

Subd. 3. Additional requirements. Each district receiving a grant under this section must each year conduct a count of American Indian children in the schools of the district; test for achievement; identify the extent of other educational needs of the children to be enrolled in the American Indian language and culture education program; and classify the American Indian children by grade, level of educational attainment, age and achievement. Participating schools must maintain records concerning the needs and achievements of American Indian children served.

Subd. 4. Nondiscrimination; testing. In accordance with recognized professional standards, all testing and evaluation materials and procedures utilized for the identification, testing, assessment and classification of American Indian children must be selected and administered so as not to be racially or culturally discriminatory and must be valid for the purpose of identifying, testing, assessing, and classifying American Indian children.

Subd. 5. Records. Participating schools and districts must keep records and afford access to them as the commissioner finds necessary to ensure that American Indian language and culture education programs are implemented in conformity with sections 124D.71 to 124D.82. Each school district or participating school must keep accurate, detailed, and separate revenue and expenditure accounts for pilot American Indian language and culture education programs funded under this section.

Subd. 6. Money from other sources. A district or participating school providing American Indian language and culture education programs shall be eligible to receive moneys for these programs from other government agencies and from private sources when the moneys are available.

Subd. 7. Exceptions. Nothing in sections 124D.71 to 124D.82 shall be construed as prohibiting a district or school from implementing an American Indian language and culture education program which is not in compliance with sections 124D.71 to 124D.82 if the proposal and plan for that program is not funded pursuant to this section.

HIST: 1977 c 312 s 10; 1979 c 334 art 3 s 16; 1980 c 609 art 3 s 10-12; 1981 c 358 art 3 s 19; 1983 c 314 art 3 s 12; 1987 c 398 art 3 s 26; 1993 c 224 art 13 s 50; art 14 s 13; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 156-161,164; art 11 s 3

124D.82 Discrimination prohibited.

Nothing in the provisions of sections 124D.71 to 124D.82 shall be construed to violate the provisions of section 123B.30 or chapter 363. Programs and activities pursuant to sections 124D.71 to 124D.82 shall be deemed to be positive action programs to combat discrimination.

HIST: 1977 c 312 s 11; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 164; art 11 s 3

124D.83 State revenue for American Indian tribal contract or grant schools.

Subdivision 1. Authorization. (a) Each year each American Indian-controlled tribal contract or grant school authorized by the United States Code, title 25, section 450f, that is located on a reservation within the state is eligible to receive tribal contract or grant school aid subject to the requirements in paragraphs (b) to (d).

(b) The school must plan, conduct, and administer an education program that complies with the requirements of either this chapter and chapters 120A, 120B, 121A, 122A, 123A, 123B, 125A, 125B, 126C, 127A, 129, and 268A or Code of Federal Regulations, title 25, sections 31.0 to 45.80.

(c) The school must comply with all other state statutes governing independent school districts or their equivalent in the Code of Federal Regulations, title 25.

(d) The state tribal contract or grant school aid must be used to supplement, and not to replace, the money for American Indian education programs provided by the federal government.

Subd. 2. Revenue amount. An American Indian-controlled tribal contract or grant school that is located on a reservation within the state and that complies with the requirements in subdivision 1 is eligible to receive tribal contract or grant school aid. The amount of aid is derived by:

(1) multiplying the formula allowance under section 126C.10, subdivision 2, less $170, times the difference between (i) the resident pupil units as defined in section 124A.02, subdivision 15, in average daily membership, excluding section 126C.05, subdivision 13, and (ii) the number of pupils for the current school year, weighted according to section 126C.05, subdivision 1, receiving benefits under section 123B.42 or 123B.44 or for which the school is receiving reimbursement under section 124D.69;

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

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

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

(5) multiplying the sum of the resident pupil units, including section 126C.05, subdivision 13, in average daily membership plus the tribal contract compensation revenue pupil units by the lesser of $1,500 or the result in clause (4).

Subd. 3. Waiver. Notwithstanding subdivision 1, paragraphs (b) and (c), a tribal contract or grant school:

(1) is not subject to the Minnesota Election Law;

(2) has no authority under this section to levy for property taxes, issue and sell bonds, or incur debt; and

(3) may request through its managing tribal organization a recommendation of the state board of education, for consideration of the legislature, that a tribal contract or grant school not be subject to specified statutes related to independent school districts.

Subd. 4. Early childhood family education revenue. A school receiving aid under this section is eligible to receive early childhood family education revenue to provide early childhood family education programs for parents and children who are enrolled or eligible for enrollment in a federally recognized tribe. The revenue equals 1.5 times the statewide average expenditure per participant under section 124D.135, times the number of children and parents participating full time in the program. The program must comply with section 124D.13, except that the school is not required to provide a community education program or establish a community education advisory council. The program must be designed to improve the skills of parents and promote American Indian history, language, and culture. The school must make affirmative efforts to encourage participation by fathers. Admission may not be limited to those enrolled in or eligible for enrollment in a federally recognized tribe.

Subd. 5. Tribal contract pupil units. Pupil units for pupils enrolled in tribal contract schools shall be used only for the purpose of computing tribal contract aid according to this section.

HIST: 1989 c 329 art 3 s 15; 1990 c 426 art 1 s 16; 1990 c 562 art 3 s 4,5; 1991 c 265 art 3 s 16; 1994 c 647 art 9 s 11; 1996 c 412 art 3 s 30,31; 1Sp1997 c 4 art 2 s 29,30; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 117-120,164; art 11 s 3

124D.84 Indian scholarships.

Subdivision 1. Awards. The state board, with the advice and counsel of the Minnesota Indian scholarship committee, may award scholarships to any Minnesota resident student who is of one-fourth or more Indian ancestry, who has applied for other existing state and federal scholarship and grant programs, and who, in the opinion of the board, has the capabilities to benefit from further education. Scholarships must be for advanced or specialized education in accredited or approved colleges or in business, technical or vocational schools. Scholarships shall be used to defray the total cost of education including tuition, incidental fees, books, supplies, transportation, other related school costs and the cost of board and room and shall be paid directly to the college or school concerned. The total cost of education includes all tuition and fees for each student enrolling in a public institution and the portion of tuition and fees for each student enrolling in a private institution that does not exceed the tuition and fees at a comparable public institution. Each student shall be awarded a scholarship based on the total cost of the student's education and a standardized need analysis. The amount and type of each scholarship shall be determined through the advice and counsel of the Minnesota Indian scholarship committee.

When an Indian student satisfactorily completes the work required by a certain college or school in a school year the student is eligible for additional scholarships, if additional training is necessary to reach the student's educational and vocational objective. Scholarships may not be given to any Indian student for more than five years of study without special approval of the Minnesota Indian scholarship committee.

Subd. 2. Indian scholarship committee. The Minnesota Indian scholarship committee is established. The state board must appoint members with the assistance of the Indian affairs council as provided in section 3.922, subdivision 6. Members shall be reimbursed for expenses as provided in section 15.059, subdivision 6. The state board shall determine the membership terms and duration of the committee, which expires no later than June 30, 2001. The committee shall provide advice to the state board in awarding scholarships to eligible American Indian students and in administering the state board's duties regarding awarding of American Indian post-secondary preparation grants to school districts.

HIST: Ex1959 c 71 art 5 s 36; 1971 c 176 s 1; 1977 c 384 s 1; 1983 c 258 s 28; 1Sp1985 c 11 s 12; 1988 c 629 s 28; 1988 c 718 art 3 s 3; 1993 c 224 art 9 s 32; art 13 s 40; 1993 c 374 s 23; 1997 c 192 s 20; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 107,164

* NOTE: See section 15.059, subdivision 5a, for expiration *of Indian scholarship committee.

124D.85 Indian post-secondary preparation grants.

The state board of education, with the advice of the Minnesota Indian scholarship committee, may make grants to districts or tribal grant or contract schools to support post-secondary preparation for secondary pupils who are of one-fourth or more Indian ancestry and who, in the opinion of the superintendent, have the capabilities to benefit from higher education. Distribution of the grants must be in accordance with a plan prepared by the state board, with the advice of the Minnesota Indian scholarship committee, that describes the objectives and methods of implementing the grant program, including the manner in which grants will be distributed in proportion to the geographical distribution of the Indian population of the state.

HIST: 1Sp1985 c 11 s 13; 1Sp1997 c 4 art 2 s 26; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 108,164

124D.86 Integration revenue.

Subdivision 1. Use of the revenue. Integration revenue under this section must be used for programs established under a desegregation plan mandated by the state board or under court order, to increase learning opportunities and reduce the learning gap between learners living in high concentrations of poverty and their peers.

Subd. 2. Separate account. Integration revenue shall be maintained in a separate account to identify expenditures for salaries and programs related to this revenue.

Subd. 3. Integration revenue. For fiscal year 1999 and later fiscal years, integration revenue equals the following amounts:

(1) for independent school district No. 709, Duluth, $193 times the resident pupil units for the school year;

(2) for independent school district No. 625, St. Paul, $427 times the resident pupil units for the school year;

(3) for special school district No. 1, Minneapolis, $523 times the resident pupil units for the school year; and

(4) for a district not listed in clause (1), (2), or (3) that is required to implement a plan according to the requirements of Minnesota Rules, parts 3535.0200 to 3535.2200, the lesser of the actual cost of implementing the plan during the fiscal year or $93 times the resident pupil units for the school year.

Subd. 4. Integration levy. A district may levy an amount equal to 33 percent for fiscal year 2000 and 22 percent for fiscal year 2001 and thereafter of the district's integration revenue as defined in subdivision 3.

Subd. 5. Integration aid. A district's integration aid equals 67 percent for fiscal year 2000 and 78 percent for fiscal year 2001 and thereafter of the district's integration revenue as defined in subdivision 3.

Subd. 6. Alternative attendance programs. (a) The integration aid under subdivision 5 must be adjusted for each pupil attending a nonresident district under sections 123A.05 to 123A.08, 124D.03, 124D.06, 124D.07, and 124D.08 if the enrollment of the pupil in the nonresident district contributes to desegregation or integration purposes. The adjustments must be made according to this subdivision.

(b) Aid paid to the district of the pupil's residence must be reduced by an amount equal to the revenue per resident pupil unit of the resident district times the number of resident pupil units attributable to the pupil for the time the pupil is enrolled in a nonresident district.

(c) Aid paid to a district serving nonresidents must be increased by an amount equal to the aid reduction to the resident district under paragraphs (b) and (d).

(d) If the amount of the reduction to be made from the aid of a district is greater than the amount of aid otherwise due the district, the excess reduction must be made from other state aids due the district.

HIST: 1Sp1997 c 4 art 2 s 18; 1998 c 389 art 2 s 4,5; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 164; art 11 s 3

* NOTE: The amendments to subdivisions 4 and 5 by Laws 1998, *chapter 389, article 2, sections 4 and 5, are effective for *revenue for fiscal year 2000. Laws 1998, chapter 389, article *2, section 23.

124D.87 Interdistrict desegregation or integration transportation grants.

(a) A district that provides transportation of pupils to and from an interdistrict program for desegregation or integration purposes may apply to the commissioner for a grant to cover the additional costs of transportation.

(b) A district in the metropolitan area may apply to the commissioner for a grant to cover the costs of transporting pupils who are enrolled under section 124D.03 if the enrollment of the student in the nonresident district contributes to desegregation or integration purposes. The commissioner shall develop the form and manner of applications, the criteria to be used to determine when transportation is for desegregation or integration purposes, and the accounting procedure to be used to determine excess costs. In determining the grant amount, the commissioner shall consider other revenue received by the district for transportation for desegregation or integration purposes.

(c) Grants may be awarded under paragraph (b) only if grants awarded under paragraph (a) have been fully funded.

HIST: 1Sp1995 c 3 art 2 s 50; art 16 s 13; 1996 c 412 art 2 s 13; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 88,164; art 11 s 3

124D.88 Metropolitan magnet school grants.

Subdivision 1. Policy and purpose. A metropolitan magnet school grant program is established for the purpose of promoting integrated education for students in prekindergarten through grade 12, increasing mutual understanding among all students, and addressing the inability of local school districts to provide required construction funds through local property taxes. The program seeks to encourage districts located in whole or in part within the seven-county metropolitan area to make available to school age children residing in the metropolitan area those educational programs, services, and facilities that are essential to meeting all children's needs and abilities. The program anticipates using the credit of the state, to a limited degree, to provide grants to metropolitan area school districts to improve the educational opportunities and academic achievement of disadvantaged children and the facilities that are available to those children.

Subd. 2. Approval authority; application forms. To the extent money is available, the commissioner may approve projects from applications submitted under this section. The grant money must be used only to design, acquire, construct, expand, remodel, improve, furnish, or equip the building or site of a magnet school facility according to contracts entered into within 24 months after the date on which a grant is awarded.

Subd. 3. Grant application process. (a) Any group of school districts that meets the criteria required under paragraph (b)(i) may apply for a magnet school grant in an amount not to exceed $15,000,000 for the approved costs or expansion of a magnet school facility.

(b)(i) Any group of districts that submits an application for a grant shall submit a proposal to the commissioner for review and comment under section 123B.71, and the commissioner shall prepare a review and comment on the proposed magnet school facility, regardless of the amount of the capital expenditure required to design, acquire, construct, remodel, improve, furnish, or equip the facility. The commissioner must not approve an application for a magnet school grant for any facility unless the facility receives a favorable review and comment under section 123B.71 and the participating districts:

(1) establish a joint powers board under section 471.59 to represent all participating districts and govern the magnet school facility;

(2) design the planned magnet school facility to meet the applicable requirements contained in Minnesota Rules, chapter 3535;

(3) submit a statement of need, including reasons why the magnet school will facilitate integration and improve learning;

(4) prepare an educational plan that includes input from both community and professional staff; and

(5) develop an education program that will improve learning opportunities for students attending the magnet school.

(ii) The districts may develop a plan that permits social service, health, and other programs serving students and community residents to be located within the magnet school facility. The commissioner shall consider this plan when preparing a review and comment on the proposed facility.

(c) When two or more districts enter into an agreement establishing a joint powers board to govern the magnet school facility, all member districts shall have the same powers.

(d) A joint powers board of participating school districts established under paragraphs (b) and (c) that intends to apply for a grant must adopt a resolution stating the costs of the proposed project, the purpose for which the debt is to be incurred, and an estimate of the dates when the contracts for the proposed project will be completed. A copy of the resolution must accompany any application for a state grant under this section.

(e)(i) The commissioner shall examine and consider all grant applications. If the commissioner finds that any joint powers district is not a qualified grant applicant, the commissioner shall promptly notify that joint powers board. The commissioner shall make awards to no more than two qualified applicants whose applications have been on file with the commissioner more than 30 days.

(ii) A grant award is subject to verification by the joint powers board under paragraph (f). A grant award must not be made until the participating districts determine the site of the magnet school facility. If the total amount of the approved applications exceeds the amount of grant funding that is or can be made available, the commissioner shall allot the available amount equally between the approved applicant districts. The commissioner shall promptly certify to each qualified joint powers board the amount, if any, of the grant awarded to it.

(f) Each grant must be evidenced by a contract between the joint powers board and the state acting through the commissioner. The contract obligates the state to pay to the joint powers board an amount computed according to paragraph (e)(ii) and a schedule, and terms and conditions acceptable to the commissioner of finance.

HIST: 1994 c 643 s 62; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1996 c 284 s 1,2; 1Sp1997 c 4 art 2 s 33; art 7 s 7; 1998 c 397 art 7 s 159,164; art 11 s 3; 1998 c 404 s 48

124D.89 Summer cultural exchange grant program.

Subdivision 1. Cultural exchange program goals. (a) 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 (b) to (e).

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

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

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

(e) The program must create opportunities for staff exchanges on a cultural basis.

Subd. 2. Cultural exchange grants. A district together with a group of districts, a cooperative governmental unit, the center for arts and education, or a post-secondary institution may apply for cultural exchange grants. The commissioner 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; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 136,137,164

124D.892 Office of desegregation/integration.

Subdivision 1. Establishment. (a) An office of desegregation/integration is established in the department of children, families, and learning to coordinate and support activities related to student enrollment, student and staff recruitment and retention, transportation, and interdistrict cooperation among metropolitan school districts.

(b) At the request of a metropolitan school district involved in cooperative desegregation/integration efforts, the office shall perform any of the following activities:

(1) assist districts with interdistrict student transfers, including student recruitment, counseling, placement, and transportation;

(2) coordinate and disseminate information about schools and programs;

(3) assist districts with new magnet schools and programs;

(4) assist districts in providing staff development and in-service training; and

(5) coordinate and administer staff exchanges.

(c) The office shall collect data on the efficacy of districts' desegregation/integration efforts and make recommendations based on the data. The office shall periodically consult with the metropolitan council to coordinate school desegregation/integration efforts with the housing, social, economic, and infrastructure needs of the metropolitan area. The office shall develop a process for resolving students' disputes and grievances about student transfers under a desegregation/integration plan.

Subd. 2. Coordination. The commissioner may request information or assistance from, or contract with, any state or local agency or officer, local unit of government, or recognized expert to assist the commissioner in performing the activities described in subdivision 1.

Subd. 3. Advisory board. The commissioner shall establish an advisory board composed of:

(1) eight superintendents, each of whom shall be selected by the superintendents of the school districts located in whole or in part within each of the eight metropolitan districts established under section 473.123, subdivision 3c; and

(2) one person each selected by the Indian affairs council, the council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans, the council on Black Minnesotans, and the council on affairs of Chicano/Latino people.

The advisory board shall advise the office on complying with the requirements under subdivision 1. The advisory board may solicit comments from teachers, parents, students, and interested community organizations and others.

HIST: 1994 c 647 art 8 s 2; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1997 c 7 art 3 s 3; 1998 c 397 art 4 s 51; 1998 c 398 art 6 s 13

* NOTE: See section 15.059, subdivision 5a, for expiration *of the desegregation/integration advisory board.

* NOTE: The amendment to subdivision 2 by Laws 1998, chapter *398, article 6, section 13, is effective December 31, 1999. *Laws 1998, chapter 398, article 6, section 39.

124D.894 State multicultural education advisory committee.

(a) The commissioner shall appoint a state multicultural education advisory committee to advise the department and the state board on multicultural education. The committee must have 12 members and be composed of representatives from among the following groups and community organizations: African-American, Asian-Pacific, Hispanic, and American Indian.

(b) The state committee shall provide information and recommendations on:

(1) department procedures for reviewing and approving district plans and disseminating information on multicultural education;

(2) department procedures for improving inclusive education plans, curriculum and instruction improvement plans, and performance-based assessments;

(3) developing learner outcomes which are multicultural; and

(4) other recommendations that will further inclusive, multicultural education.

(c) The committee shall also participate in determining the criteria for and awarding the grants established under Laws 1993, chapter 224, article 8, section 22, subdivision 8.

HIST: 1993 c 224 art 8 s 10; 1998 c 397 art 4 s 51

* NOTE: See section 15.059, subdivision 5a, for expiration *of committee.

124D.895 Parental involvement programs.

Subdivision 1. Program goals. The department, in consultation with the state curriculum advisory committee, must develop guidelines and model plans for parental involvement programs that will:

(1) engage the interests and talents of parents or guardians in recognizing and meeting the emotional, intellectual, and physical needs of their school-age children;

(2) promote healthy self-concepts among parents or guardians and other family members;

(3) offer parents or guardians a chance to share and learn about educational skills, techniques, and ideas;

(4) provide creative learning experiences for parents or guardians and their school-age children, including involvement from parents or guardians of color;

(5) encourage parents to actively participate in their district's curriculum advisory committee under section 126.666 in order to assist the school board in improving children's education programs; and

(6) encourage parents to help in promoting school desegregation/integration.

Subd. 2. Plan contents. Model plans for a parental involvement program must include at least the following:

(1) program goals;

(2) means for achieving program goals;

(3) methods for informing parents or guardians, in a timely way, about the program;

(4) strategies for ensuring the full participation of parents or guardians, including those parents or guardians who lack literacy skills or whose native language is not English, including involvement from parents or guardians of color;

(5) procedures for coordinating the program with kindergarten through grade 12 curriculum, with parental involvement programs currently available in the community, with the PER process under sections 126.661 to 126.67, and with other education facilities located in the community;

(6) strategies for training teachers and other school staff to work effectively with parents and guardians;

(7) procedures for parents or guardians and educators to evaluate and report progress toward program goals; and

(8) a mechanism for convening a local community advisory committee composed primarily of parents or guardians to advise a district on implementing a parental involvement program.

Subd. 3. Plan activities. Activities contained in the model plans must include:

(1) educational opportunities for families that enhance children's learning development;

(2) educational programs for parents or guardians on families' educational responsibilities and resources;

(3) the hiring, training, and use of parental involvement liaison workers to coordinate family involvement activities and to foster communication among families, educators, and students;

(4) curriculum materials and assistance in implementing home and community-based learning activities that reinforce and extend classroom instruction and student motivation;

(5) technical assistance, including training to design and carry out family involvement programs;

(6) parent resource centers;

(7) parent training programs and reasonable and necessary expenditures associated with parents' attendance at training sessions;

(8) reports to parents on children's progress;

(9) use of parents as classroom volunteers, or as volunteers in before and after school programs for school-age children, tutors, and aides;

(10) soliciting parents' suggestions in planning, developing, and implementing school programs;

(11) educational programs and opportunities for parents or guardians that are multicultural, gender fair, and disability sensitive;

(12) involvement in a district's curriculum advisory committee or a school building team under section 126.666; and

(13) opportunities for parent involvement in developing, implementing, or evaluating school and district desegregation/integration plans.

HIST: 1990 c 562 art 8 s 34; 1991 c 130 s 37; 1992 c 499 art 8 s 7; 1994 c 647 art 4 s 32,33; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1998 c 397 art 6 s 119,124

124D.896 Desegregation/integration and inclusive education rules.

(a) By January 10, 1999, the commissioner shall make rules relating to desegregation/integration and inclusive education.

(b) In adopting a rule related to school desegregation/integration, the commissioner shall address the need for equal educational opportunities for all students and racial balance as defined by the commissioner.

HIST: Ex1959 c 71 art 2 s 11; 1965 c 718 s 1; 1969 c 9 s 23,24; 1969 c 288 s 1; 1973 c 492 s 14; 1975 c 162 s 6,7; 1976 c 271 s 21; 1977 c 347 s 19; 1977 c 447 art 7 s 4; 1982 c 424 s 130; 1982 c 548 art 4 s 4,23; 1983 c 258 s 22; 1984 c 640 s 32; 1985 c 248 s 70; 1987 c 178 s 5; 1987 c 398 art 7 s 5; 1989 c 329 art 7 s 2; art 8 s 1; art 9 s 4; 1990 c 375 s 3; 1991 c 265 art 9 s 13; 1993 c 224 art 12 s 2-6; art 14 s 4; 1994 c 647 art 7 s 1; art 8 s 1; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 7 s 1; art 16 s 13; 1996 c 412 art 7 s 1; 1997 c 1 s 1; 1997 c 162 art 2 s 11; 1998 c 397 art 4 s 1,51; art 11 s 3; 1998 c 398 art 5 s 6,7

* NOTE: This section is repealed by Laws 1998, chapter 398, *article 6, section 38, effective January 10, 1999.

124D.90 School enrichment partnership program.

Subdivision 1. Establishment. The school enrichment partnership program is established. The purpose of the program is to encourage districts to expand the involvement of the private sector in the delivery of academic programs. The program will provide matching state funds for those provided by the private sector.

Subd. 2. Revenue eligibility. A district or group of districts is eligible to receive state aid under this program. Districts may enter into joint agreements to provide programs or make expenditures under this section. The limitations under this subdivision apply to these programs or expenditures as if they were operated by a single district. A district may receive $1 of state aid for each $2 raised from the private sector. The private match must be in the form of cash. Specific types of noncash support may be considered for the private match. State aid is limited to the lesser of $75,000 or $10 per pupil unit per district.

Subd. 3. Revenue management. The use of the state and private funds provided under this section is under the general control of the board. The board may establish, without using state funds or public employees, a separate foundation to directly manage the funds. The private funds must be used to acquire instructional or noninstructional academic materials of a capital nature including, but not limited to, textbooks, globes, maps, and other academic material. The funds shall not be used for salaries or other employee benefits.

Subd. 4. Procedures; report. The Minnesota academic excellence foundation, under the direction of the commissioner must establish application forms, guidelines, procedures, and timelines for the distribution of state aid. The commissioner may require reporting necessary to evaluate the program. Measures of success will include numbers of partnerships and funds raised; numbers of school foundations formed; and demonstrated linkages of partnerships to improved instructional delivery resulting in increased student learning.

Subd. 5. Results-oriented charter schools. Notwithstanding section 124D.11, subdivision 6, paragraph (b), a results-oriented charter school is eligible to participate in the program under this section as if it were a district.

HIST: 1Sp1995 c 3 art 4 s 16; art 16 s 13; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 68,103; art 11 s 3

124D.91 Citation; Minnesota Local Partnership Act.

Sections 124D.92 and 124D.93 may be cited as the Minnesota Local Partnership Act.

HIST: 1991 c 265 art 7 s 14; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 103; art 11 s 3

124D.92 Purpose of the Minnesota Local Partnership Act.

The purpose of the Minnesota Local Partnership Act is to design methods to focus on the development and learning of children and youth in Minnesota in the 1990's and the next century. Cooperation and collaboration of all services, including education, health, and human services for children and youth will be encouraged at the local and state level. The program will provide incentives to design a system of child-focused coordinated services to enhance the learning and development of individual children and youth.

HIST: 1991 c 265 art 7 s 15; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 103

124D.93 Minnesota local partnership program.

Subdivision 1. Establishment. A program is established under the direction of the state board of education with the cooperation of the commissioners of children, families, and learning, health, and human services. It is expected that participants and other districts will become exemplary districts by the year 2000.

Subd. 2. Eligibility. An applicant for revenue may be any one of the following:

(1) a district located in a city of the first class offering a program in cooperation with other districts or by itself, in one or more areas in the district or in the entire district;

(2) at least two cooperating districts located in the seven-county metropolitan area but not located in a city of the first class;

(3) a group of districts that are all members of the same education district;

(4) an education district;

(5) a group of cooperating districts none of which are members of any education district; or

(6) a district.

Subd. 3. Community education council. Each revenue recipient must establish one or more community education councils. A community education council may be composed of elected representatives of local governments, an education district board, school boards, human service providers, health providers, education providers, community service organizations, clergy, local education sites, and local businesses. The community education council shall plan for the education, human service, and health needs of the community and collaborative ways to modify or build facilities for use by all community residents. A council formed under this subdivision may be an expansion of and replace the community education advisory council required by section 124D.19, subdivision 2.

Subd. 4. Application process. To obtain revenue, a district or districts must submit an application to the state board in the form and manner established by the state board. Additional information may be required by the state board.

Subd. 5. Revenue. The state board may award revenue to up to four applicants. The board may determine the size of the award based upon the application. Recipients must be located throughout the state.

Subd. 6. Proceeds of revenue. Revenue may be used for initial planning expenses and for implementing child-focused learning and development programs.

HIST: 1991 c 265 art 7 s 16; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 84,103; art 11 s 3

124D.94 Minnesota academic excellence foundation.

Subdivision 1. Citation. This section may be cited as the "Minnesota Academic Excellence Act."

Subd. 2. Creation of foundation. There is created the Minnesota academic excellence foundation. The purpose of the foundation shall be to promote academic excellence in Minnesota public and nonpublic schools and communities through public-private partnerships. The foundation shall be a nonprofit organization. The board of directors of the foundation and foundation activities are under the direction of the state board of education.

Subd. 3. Board of directors. The board of directors of the foundation shall consist of the commissioner of children, families, and learning, a member of the state board of education selected by the state board who shall serve as chair and 20 members to be appointed by the governor. Of the 20 members appointed by the governor, eight shall represent a variety of education groups and 12 shall represent a variety of business groups. The commissioner of children, families, and learning shall serve as secretary for the board of directors and provide administrative support to the foundation. An executive committee of the foundation board composed of the board officers and chairs of board committees, may only advise and make recommendations to the foundation board.

Subd. 4. Foundation programs. The foundation may develop programs that advance the concept of educational excellence. These may include, but are not limited to:

(a) recognition programs and awards for students demonstrating academic excellence;

(b) summer institute programs for students with special talents;

(c) recognition programs for teachers, administrators, and others who contribute to academic excellence;

(d) summer mentorship programs with business and industry for students with special career interests and high academic achievements;

(e) governor's awards ceremonies and special campaigns to promote awareness and expectation for academic achievement;

(f) an academic league to provide organized challenges requiring cooperation and competition for public and nonpublic pupils in elementary and secondary schools;

(g) systemic transformation initiatives and assistance and training to community teams to increase school performance in the state's education institutions through strategic quality planning for continuous improvement, empowerment of multiple stakeholders, validation of results via customer-supplier relationships, and a total system approach based on best practices in key process areas; and

(h) activities to measure customer satisfaction for delivery of services to education institutions in order to plan for and implement continuous improvement.

To the extent possible, the foundation shall make these programs available to students in all parts of the state.

Subd. 5. Powers and duties. The foundation may:

(1) establish and collect membership fees;

(2) publish brochures or booklets relating to the purposes of the foundation and collect reasonable fees for the publications;

(3) receive money, grants, and in-kind goods or services from nonstate sources for the purposes of the foundation, without complying with section 7.09, subdivision 1;

(4) contract with consultants;

(5) expend money for awards and other forms of recognition and appreciation; and

(6) determine procedures and expenditures for awards and recognitions to teachers, students, donors, and other people who are not employees of the executive branch.

Subd. 6. Contracts. The foundation board shall review and approve each contract of the board. Each contract of the foundation board shall be subject to the same review and approval procedures as a contract of the state board of education.

Subd. 7. Foundation staff. (a) The state board shall appoint the executive director and other staff who shall perform duties and have responsibilities solely related to the foundation.

(b) As part of the annual plan of work, the foundation, under the direction of the state board, may appoint up to three employees. The employees appointed under this paragraph are not state employees under chapter 43A, but are covered under section 3.736. At the foundation board's discretion, the employees may participate in the state health and state insurance plans for employees in unclassified service. The employees shall be supervised by the executive director.

Subd. 8. Private funding. The foundation shall seek private resources to supplement the available public money. Individuals, businesses, and other organizations may contribute to the foundation in any manner specified by the board of directors. All money received shall be administered by the board of directors.

Subd. 9. Report. The board of directors of the foundation shall submit an annual report to the state board of education on the progress of its activities. The annual report shall contain a financial report for the preceding year, including all receipts and expenditures of the foundation.

Subd. 10. Appropriation. There is annually appropriated to the academic excellence foundation all amounts received by the foundation pursuant to this section.

HIST: 1983 c 314 art 8 s 4; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 398 art 7 s 6-10; 1989 c 329 art 11 s 1; 1990 c 562 art 8 s 4,5; 1991 c 130 s 4,5; 1991 c 265 art 11 s 6; 1993 c 224 art 7 s 3,4; 1994 c 647 art 11 s 1; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 103

124D.95 Summer scholarships for academic enrichment.

Subdivision 1. Establishment. A scholarship program is established to enable secondary students to attend summer programs sponsored by post-secondary institutions.

Subd. 2. Eligible student. To be eligible for a scholarship, a student shall:

(1) be a United States citizen or permanent resident of the United States;

(2) be a resident of Minnesota;

(3) attend an eligible program;

(4) have completed at least one year of secondary school but not have graduated from high school;

(5) have earned at least a B average or its equivalent during the semester or quarter prior to application, or have earned at least a B average or its equivalent during the semester or quarter prior to application in the academic subject area applicable to the summer program the student wishes to attend;

(6) demonstrate need for financial assistance; and

(7) be 19 years of age or younger.

Subd. 3. Financial need. Need for financial assistance shall be based on family income, family size, and special necessary expenditures of the family. The higher education services office shall review the financial need of each pupil to meet the actual costs of attending the summer program, as determined by the institution sponsoring the summer program. The office shall award scholarships within the limits of the appropriation for this section. If the amount appropriated is insufficient, the office shall allocate the amount appropriated in the manner it determines. A scholarship shall not exceed $1,000.

Subd. 4. Eligible institutions. A scholarship may be used only at an eligible institution. A Minnesota public post-secondary institution is an eligible institution. A private post-secondary institution is eligible if it:

(1) is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges;

(2) offers an associate or baccalaureate degree program approved under section 136A.65, subdivision 1; and

(3) is located in Minnesota.

Subd. 5. Eligible programs. A scholarship may be used only for an eligible program. To be eligible, a program must:

(1) provide, as its primary purpose, academic instruction for student enrichment in curricular areas including, but not limited to, communications, humanities, social studies, social science, science, mathematics, art, or foreign languages;

(2) not be offered for credit to post-secondary students;

(3) not provide remedial instruction;

(4) meet any other program requirements established by the higher education services office; and

(5) be approved by the director of the higher education services office.

Subd. 6. Advisory committee. An advisory committee shall assist the state board of education in approving eligible programs and shall assist the higher education services office in planning, implementing, and evaluating the scholarship program. The committee shall consist of 11 members, to include the executive director of the higher education services office or a representative, the commissioner of children, families, and learning or a representative, two secondary school administrators and two secondary teachers appointed by the commissioner of children, families, and learning, the executive director of the academic excellence foundation, a private college representative appointed by the president of the Minnesota private college council, a community college representative and a state university representative appointed by the chancellor of the Minnesota state colleges and universities, and a University of Minnesota representative appointed by the president of the University of Minnesota. The committee expires June 30, 2001.

Subd. 7. Information. The higher education services office, in cooperation with the academic excellence foundation, must assemble and distribute information about scholarships and eligible programs.

Subd. 8. Administration. The higher education services office shall determine the time and manner for scholarship applications, awards, and program approval.

HIST: 1Sp1985 c 12 art 8 s 22; 1987 c 398 art 7 s 35,36; 1988 c 629 s 29; 1988 c 718 art 7 s 43; 1989 c 293 s 12; 1989 c 329 art 11 s 9,10; 1993 c 224 art 13 s 51,52; 1Sp1993 c 2 art 3 s 3; 1995 c 212 art 3 s 1; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1997 c 183 art 3 s 7-9; 1997 c 192 s 22; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 162,164

* NOTE: See section 15.059, subdivision 5a, for expiration *of summer scholarship advisory committee.

124D.96 Welfare and correctional institutions' policies for educational programs.

Before July 1 of each year, each welfare and correctional institution which offers an elementary, secondary or vocational educational program shall develop a written policy for its educational program for the next school year. The institutional policy shall specify the educational goals for the institution; instructional plans for implementing these goals; estimated number and grade level of students; number of licensed educational staff; areas of licensure; student to staff ratios; number of supervisory personnel; proposed educational budget; procedures for evaluation of the program; and any other information deemed necessary by the commissioner of children, families, and learning for the evaluation of the educational institutions. The institutions shall submit the policy to the commissioner of children, families, and learning who will review the policy to determine whether the program and personnel employed in the program are adequate to meet the institution's obligation to provide instruction and services in compliance with the state board's rules and standards. If necessary, the commissioner shall make recommendations to the institution for changes in its educational program.

HIST: 1982 c 470 s 2; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13

124D.97 Veterans training program.

The commissioner shall continue the veterans training program. All receipts to the veterans training revolving fund for the veterans training program are appropriated to the commissioner to pay the necessary expenses of operation of the program. The department must act as the state agency for approving educational institutions for purposes of United States Code, title 38, chapter 36, relating to educational benefits for veterans and other persons. The state board may adopt rules to fulfill its obligations as the state approving agency. All federal money received for purposes of the veterans training program must be deposited in the veterans training revolving fund and is appropriated to the department for those purposes.

HIST: 1979 c 335 s 16; 1993 c 224 art 13 s 42; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1998 c 397 art 4 s 49,51

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes