1999 Minnesota Statutes

     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.  Participating school districts shall offer 
 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 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; 1999 c 241 art 9 s 28