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CHAPTER 124D. Education programs

Table of Sections
SectionHeadnote
124D.01Definitions.

ENROLLMENT ALTERNATIVES

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.07Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 6 art 1 s 55 subd 1
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.

SCHOOL BREAKFAST AND LUNCH

124D.111Lunch aid; food service accounting.
124D.112Repealed, 1998 c 398 art 6 s 38; 1999 c 241 art 7 s 3
124D.113Repealed, 1999 c 241 art 7 s 3
124D.114Lactose reduced milk.
124D.115School breakfast program.
124D.1155Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 6 art 5 s 14
124D.1156Fast break to learning breakfast program.
124D.116Repealed, 1999 c 241 art 7 s 3
124D.117Districts to offer school breakfast program.
124D.118School milk program.
124D.119Summer food service replacement aid.
124D.1195Commodity donated food revolving fund.

LEARNING YEAR PROGRAMS

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 commissioner; flexible learning year programs.
124D.127Termination of flexible learning year program.
124D.128Learning year program to provide instruction throughout year.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

124D.13Early childhood family education (ECFE) programs.
124D.135Early childhood family education (ECFE) revenue.
124D.14Repealed, 1999 c 205 art 1 s 73
124D.15School readiness programs.
124D.16School 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.22School-age care revenue.
124D.221After-school enrichment programs.
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.32Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 6 art 2 s 78
124D.33Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 3 art 2 s 18
124D.331Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 3 art 2 s 18

EMPLOYMENT-RELATED EDUCATION

124D.34Minnesota foundation for student organizations.
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.385Minnesota commission on national and community service.
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.453Repealed, 1999 c 241 art 3 s 5; 2000 c 489 art 4 s 9
124D.454Access to Minnesota's transition 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.

ADULT EDUCATION

124D.51Evening schools; adult and continuing education.
124D.518Adult basic education aid definitions.
124D.52Adult basic education.
124D.521Consortium requirements.
124D.522Adult basic education supplemental service grants.
124D.53Repealed, 2000 c 489 art 1 s 46
124D.531Adult basic education aid.
124D.54Adult high school graduation aid.
124D.548Repealed, 1998 c 398 art 6 s 38
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.

LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY (LEP)

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.

ASSURANCE OF MASTERY

124D.66Assurance of mastery programs.
124D.67Repealed, 1999 c 241 art 1 s 69

GRADUATION INCENTIVES

124D.68Graduation incentives program.
124D.69Aid for alternative programs provided under contract.
124D.70Repealed, 1999 c 241 art 2 s 62

AMERICAN INDIAN EDUCATION

124D.71Citation; American Indian Education Act.
124D.72Policy.
124D.73Definitions.
124D.74American Indian 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.85Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 6 art 2 s 78

SCHOOL DESEGREGATION AND INTEGRATION

124D.86Integration revenue.
124D.87Interdistrict desegregation or integration transportation aid.
124D.871Magnet school and program grants.
124D.88Metropolitan magnet school grants.
124D.89Summer cultural exchange grant program.
124D.892Office of desegregation/integration.
124D.894Repealed, 2001 c 161 s 58
124D.895Parental involvement programs.
124D.896Desegregation/integration and inclusive education rules.

ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS

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

ENROLLMENT ALTERNATIVES

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. (a) 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.

(b) A district may refuse to allow a pupil who is expelled under section 121A.45 to enroll during the term of the expulsion if the student was expelled for:

(1) possessing a dangerous weapon, as defined by United States Code, title 18, section 930, paragraph (g)(2), at school or a school function;

(2) possessing or using an illegal drug at school or a school function;

(3) selling or soliciting the sale of a controlled substance while at school or a school function; or

(4) committing a third-degree assault as described in section 609.223, subdivision 1.

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) A pupil enrolled in a nonresident district under a desegregation plan approved by the commissioner of children, families, and learning 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.

(d) Section 124D.03, subdivision 2, applies to a transfer into or out of a district with a 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.

Subd. 12. Termination of enrollment. A district may terminate the enrollment of a nonresident student enrolled under this section or section 124D.07 or 124D.08 at the end of a school year if the student meets the definition of a habitual truant under section 260C.007, subdivision 19, the student has been provided appropriate services under chapter 260A, and the student's case has been referred to juvenile court. A district may also terminate the enrollment of a nonresident student over the age of 16 enrolled under this section if the student is absent without lawful excuse for one or more periods on 15 school days and has not lawfully withdrawn from school under section 120A.22, subdivision 8.

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; 1998 c 398 art 5 s 55; 1999 c 139 art 4 s 2; 1999 c 241 art 9 s 25; 2000 c 489 art 6 s 16; 1Sp2001 c 6 art 2 s 19

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 Perpich 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; 1999 c 241 art 10 s 8

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 Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 6 art 1 s 55 subd 1

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, unless the site's ranking falls below the state average for elementary schools. 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 the formula allowance according to section 126C.10, subdivision 2, times .0485 times the pupil units calculated according to paragraph (a). This amount shall be paid to the school district for transportation costs.

Subd. 7. Repealed, 1999 c 241 art 2 s 62

Subd. 8. Repealed, 1999 c 241 art 2 s 62

HIST: 1996 c 412 art 1 s 11; 1Sp1997 c 4 art 2 s 5-7; 1998 c 397 art 11 s 3; 1999 c 241 art 2 s 9; 2000 c 489 art 6 s 17

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. (a) 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.

(b) 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.

(c) 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.

(d) 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. 2a. Charter school advisory council. (a) A charter school advisory council is established under section 15.059. The advisory council is composed of seven members from throughout the state who have demonstrated experience with or interest in charter schools. The advisory council shall bring to the attention of the commissioner any matters related to charter schools that the council deems necessary and shall:

(1) encourage school boards to make full use of charter school opportunities;

(2) encourage the creation of innovative schools;

(3) provide leadership and support for charter school sponsors to increase the innovation in and the effectiveness, accountability, and fiscal soundness of charter schools;

(4) serve an ombudsman function in facilitating the operations of new and existing charter schools;

(5) promote timely financial management training for newly elected members of a charter school board of directors and ongoing training for other members of a charter school board of directors;

(6) review charter school applications and recommend approving or disapproving the applications; and

(7) facilitate compliance with auditing and other reporting requirements. The advisory council shall refer all its proposals to the commissioner who shall provide time for reports from the council.

(b) The charter school advisory council under this subdivision expires June 30, 2003.

Subd. 3. Sponsor. A school board; intermediate school district school board; education district organized under sections 123A.15 to 123A.19; charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that is a member of the Minnesota council of nonprofits or the Minnesota council on foundations, registered with the attorney general's office, and reports an end-of-year fund balance of at least $2,000,000; Minnesota private college that grants two- or four-year degrees and is registered with the higher education services office under chapter 136A; community college, state university, or technical college, governed by the board of trustees of the Minnesota state colleges and universities; or the University of Minnesota 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 commissioner. A board must vote on charter school application for sponsorship no later than 90 days after receiving the application. After 90 days, the applicant may apply to the commissioner. If a board elects not to sponsor a charter school, the applicant may appeal the board's decision to the commissioner. The commissioner may elect to sponsor the charter school or assist the applicant in finding an eligible sponsor. The school must be organized and operated as a cooperative under chapter 308A or nonprofit corporation under chapter 317A and the provisions under the applicable chapter shall apply to the school except as provided in this section. Notwithstanding sections 465.717 and 465.719, a school district may create a corporation for the purpose of creating a charter school.

(b) Before the operators may form and operate a school, the sponsor must file an affidavit with the commissioner 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 commissioner must approve or disapprove the sponsor's proposed authorization within 60 days of receipt of the affidavit. Failure to obtain commissioner 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, before entering into a contract or other agreement for professional or other services, goods, or facilities, must incorporate as a cooperative under chapter 308A or as a nonprofit corporation under chapter 317A and must establish a board of directors composed of at least five members until a timely election for members of the charter school board of directors is held according to the school's articles and bylaws. A charter school board of directors must be composed of at least five members. 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 for members of the school's board of directors. 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 before the school completes its third year of operation, unless the commissioner waives the requirement for a majority of licensed teachers on the board. Board of director meetings must comply with chapter 13D.

(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.

(e) The commissioner annually must provide timely financial management training to newly elected members of a charter school board of directors and ongoing training to other members of a charter school board of directors. Training must address ways to:

(1) proactively assess opportunities for a charter school to maximize all available revenue sources;

(2) establish and maintain complete, auditable records for the charter school;

(3) establish proper filing techniques;

(4) document formal actions of the charter school, including meetings of the charter school board of directors;

(5) properly manage and retain charter school and student records;

(6) comply with state and federal payroll record-keeping requirements; and

(7) address other similar factors that facilitate establishing and maintaining complete records on the charter school's operations.

Subd. 4a. Conflict of interest. (a) A member of a charter school board of directors is prohibited from serving as a member of the board of directors or as an employee or agent of or a contractor with a for-profit entity with whom the charter school contracts, directly or indirectly, for professional services, goods, or facilities. A violation of this prohibition renders a contract voidable at the option of the commissioner. A member of a charter school board of directors who violates this prohibition shall be individually liable to the charter school for any damage caused by the violation.

(b) An individual may serve as a member of the board of directors if no conflict of interest under paragraph (a) exists.

(c) A member of a charter school board of directors that serves as a member of the board of directors or as an employee or agent of or a contractor with a nonprofit entity with whom the charter school contracts, directly or indirectly, for professional services, goods, or facilities, must disclose all potential conflicts to the commissioner.

(d) The conflict of interest provisions under this subdivision do not apply to compensation paid to a teacher employed by the charter school who also serves as a member of the board of directors.

(e) The conflict of interest provisions under this subdivision do not apply to a teacher who provides services to a charter school through a cooperative formed under chapter 308A when the teacher also serves on the charter school board of directors.

Subd. 5. Conversion of existing schools. A board may convert one or more of its existing schools to charter schools under this section if 60 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 must be completed within 90 days of the commissioner's approval of the sponsor's proposed authorization. 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. 6a. Audit report. The charter school must submit an audit report to the commissioner by December 31 each year. The charter school, with the assistance of the auditor conducting the audit, must include with the report a copy of all charter school agreements for corporate management services. If the entity that provides the professional services to the charter school is exempt from taxation under section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, that entity must file with the commissioner by February 15 a copy of the annual return required under section 6033 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. If the commissioner receives as part of the audit report a management letter indicating that a material weakness exists in the financial reporting systems of a charter school, the charter school must submit a written report to the commissioner explaining how the material weakness will be resolved. Upon the request of an individual, the charter school must make available in a timely fashion the minutes of meetings of members, the board of directors, and committees having any of the authority of the board of directors, and statements showing the financial result of all operations and transactions affecting income and surplus during the school's last annual accounting period and a balance sheet containing a summary of its assets and liabilities as of the closing date of the accounting period.

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.

(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. Audits must be conducted in compliance with generally accepted governmental auditing standards, the Federal Single Audit Act, if applicable, and section 6.65. A charter school is subject to and must comply with sections 15.054; 118A.01; 118A.02; 118A.03; 118A.04; 118A.05; 118A.06; 123B.52, subdivision 5; 471.38; 471.391; 471.392; 471.425; 471.87; 471.88, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, and 15; 471.881; and 471.89. The audit must comply with the requirements of sections 123B.75 to 123B.83, except to the extent deviations are necessary because of the program at the school. Deviations must be approved by the commissioner. The department of children, families, and learning, state auditor, or legislative auditor may conduct financial, program, or compliance audits. A charter school determined to be in statutory operating debt under sections 123B.81 to 123B.83 must submit a plan under section 123B.81, subdivision 4.

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

(k) A charter school must comply with sections 13.32; 120A.22, subdivision 7; 121A.75; and 260B.171, subdivisions 3 and 5.

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. If a charter school is the only school located in a town serving pupils within a particular grade level, then pupils that are residents of the town must be given preference for enrollment before accepting pupils by lot. If a pupil lives within two miles of a charter school and the next closest public school is more than five miles away, the charter school must give those pupils preference for enrollment before accepting other pupils by lot.

A charter school shall give preference for enrollment to a sibling of an enrolled pupil and to a foster child of that pupil's parents before accepting other pupils 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 commissioner for public school students. In the absence of the commissioner's 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 commissioner 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 charter school's state aid may be reduced under section 127A.42 if the school employs a teacher who is not appropriately licensed or approved by the board of teaching. 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. A person, without holding a valid administrator's license, may perform administrative, supervisory, or instructional leadership duties.

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 commissioner the information required by the sponsor or the commissioner. The reports are public data under chapter 13.

Subd. 15. Review and comment. The department must review and comment on the evaluation, by the sponsor, of the performance of a charter school before the charter school's contract is renewed. A sponsor shall monitor and evaluate the fiscal and student performance of the school, and may for this purpose annually assess a charter school: (1) in its first, second, or third year of operation up to $30 per student up to a maximum of $10,000; and (2) in its fourth or a subsequent year of operation up to $10 per student up to a maximum of $3,500. The information for the review and comment shall be reported by the sponsor to the commissioner of children, families, and learning in a timely manner.

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 commissioner 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 commissioner.

(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, except when the commissioner approves the decision of a different eligible sponsor to authorize the charter school.

(c) The commissioner, after providing reasonable notice to the board of directors of a charter school and the existing sponsor, and after providing an opportunity for a public hearing, may terminate the existing sponsorial relationship if the charter school has a history of:

(1) financial mismanagement; or

(2) repeated violations of the law.

Subd. 23a. Related party lease costs. (a) A charter school is prohibited from entering a lease of real property with a related party as defined in this subdivision, unless the lessor is a nonprofit corporation under chapter 317A or a cooperative under chapter 308A, and the lease cost is reasonable under section 124D.11, subdivision 4, clause (1).

(b) For purposes of this subdivision:

(1) A "related party" is an affiliate or close relative of the other party in question, an affiliate of a close relative, or a close relative of an affiliate.

(2) "Affiliate" means a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, another person.

(3) "Close relative" means an individual whose relationship by blood, marriage, or adoption to another individual is no more remote than first cousin.

(4) "Person" means an individual or entity of any kind.

(5) "Control" includes the terms "controlling," "controlled by," and "under common control with" and means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management, operations, or policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise.

(c) A lease of real property to be used for a charter school, not excluded in paragraph (b), must contain the following statement: "This lease is subject to Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.10, subdivision 23a."

(d) If a charter school enters into as lessee a lease with a related party and the charter school subsequently closes, the commissioner has the right to recover from the lessor any lease payments in excess of those that are reasonable under section 124.11, subdivision 4, clause (1).

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 commissioner, 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 3,55; 1999 c 241 art 5 s 7-11; 2000 c 489 art 6 s 18-23; 1Sp2001 c 6 art 2 s 20-26,66; 2002 c 352 s 10

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

Subdivision 1. General education revenue. (a) General education revenue must be paid to a charter school as though it were a district. The general education revenue for each adjusted marginal cost pupil unit is the state average general education revenue per pupil unit, plus the referendum equalization aid allowance in the pupil's district of residence, 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.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), for charter schools in the first year of operation, general education revenue shall be computed using the number of adjusted pupil units in the current fiscal year.

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. The commissioner must review and either approve or deny a lease aid application using the following criteria:

(1) the reasonableness of the price based on current market values;

(2) the extent to which the lease conforms to applicable state laws and rules; and

(3) the appropriateness of the proposed lease in the context of the space needs and financial circumstances of the charter school.

A charter school must not use the building lease aid it receives for custodial, maintenance service, utility, or other operating costs. The amount of building lease aid per pupil unit served for a charter school for any year shall not exceed the lesser of (a) 90 percent of the approved cost or (b) the product of the pupil units served for the current school year times $1,500.

Subd. 5. Special education aid. Except as provided in subdivision 2, 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.

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.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), a charter school may not receive aid, a grant, or revenue if a levy is required to obtain the money, except as otherwise provided in this section.

(c) 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.

(d) A charter school may receive money from any source for capital facilities needs. In the year-end report to the commissioner of children, families, and learning, the charter school shall report the total amount of funds received from grants and other outside sources.

(e) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) or (b), a charter school may apply for a grant to receive the aid portion of integration revenue under section 124D.86, subdivision 3, for enrolled students who are residents of a district that is eligible for integration revenue. The commissioner shall determine grant recipients and may adopt application guidelines. The grants must be competitively determined and must demonstrate that enrolling pupils in the charter school contributes to desegregation or integration purposes as determined by the commissioner. If the charter school has elected not to provide transportation under section 124D.10, subdivision 16, the aid shall be reduced by the amount per pupil unit specified for the district where the charter school is located under section 123B.92, subdivision 8.

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.

Subd. 9. Payment of aids to charter schools. (a) Notwithstanding section 127A.45, subdivision 3, aid payments for the current fiscal year to a charter school not in its first year of operation shall be of an equal amount on each of the 23 payment dates. A charter school in its first year of operation 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.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), for a charter school ceasing operation prior to the end of a school year, 83 percent of the amount due for the school year may be paid to the school after audit of prior fiscal year and current fiscal year pupil counts.

(c) Notwithstanding section 127A.45, subdivision 3, and paragraph (a), 83 percent of the start-up cost aid under subdivision 8 shall be paid within 45 days after the first day of student attendance for that school year.

(d) In order to receive state aid payments under this subdivision, a charter school in its first three years of operation must submit a quarterly report to the department of children, families, and learning. The report must list each student by grade, show the student's start and end dates, if any, with the charter school, and for any student participating in a learning year program, the report must list the hours and times of learning year activities. The report must be submitted not more than two weeks after the end of the calendar quarter to the department. The department must develop a Web-based reporting form for charter schools to use when submitting enrollment reports. A charter school in its fourth and subsequent year of operation must submit enrollment information to the department in the form and manner requested by the department.

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; art 5 s 55; 1999 c 241 art 1 s 2; art 5 s 12-14; 2000 c 254 s 17; 2000 c 489 art 2 s 4; art 6 s 24; 1Sp2001 c 6 art 2 s 27,28; art 8 s 2; 2002 c 374 art 1 s 1

SCHOOL BREAKFAST AND LUNCH

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 eight 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; 2000 c 489 art 7 s 2

124D.112 Repealed, 1998 c 398 art 6 s 38; 1999 c 241 art 7 s 3

124D.113 Repealed, 1999 c 241 art 7 s 3

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, then 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; 2000 c 254 s 18

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.1155 Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 6 art 5 s 14

124D.1156 Fast break to learning breakfast program.

Subdivision 1. Eligibility. The commissioner shall provide funding to the 41 targeted breakfast program grant recipients under Laws 1997, First Special Session chapter 4, article 6, section 19, and then to public or nonpublic elementary schools that participate in the federal School Breakfast and Lunch Programs where at least 33 percent of the lunches served to children during the second preceding school year were provided free or at a reduced price. Schools shall not charge student households for fast break to learning meals. Schools shall encourage all children to eat a nutritious breakfast, either at home or at school, and shall work to eliminate barriers to participation at school such as inadequate facilities and transportation.

Subd. 2. Program. The fast break to learning school breakfast program enables schools participating in the federal School Breakfast and Lunch Programs to cover the costs for school breakfast without charging student households.

Subd. 3. Program reimbursement. State funds are provided to reimburse fast break to learning school breakfasts. Each school year, the state must reimburse schools for the difference between the per meal federal rate of reimbursement and the per meal state average cost. Meals that are reimbursed at a federal rate that is equal to or higher than the state average cost do not qualify for fast break to learning funds. Schools must use the funds to provide school breakfast to school children every day school is in session.

HIST: 1Sp2001 c 6 art 5 s 2

124D.116 Repealed, 1999 c 241 art 7 s 3

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.1195 Commodity donated food revolving fund.

A revolving fund is established for the purpose of depositing cash received for commodity donated foods that have been lost, damaged, recalled, or diverted for processing. The state shall use the fund to issue payments for the value of the lost, damaged, recalled, or diverted commodity donated foods and related costs.

HIST: 1Sp2001 c 6 art 5 s 3

LEARNING YEAR PROGRAMS

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 commissioner 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; 1998 c 398 art 5 s 55

124D.122 Establishment of flexible learning year program.

The board of any district, with the approval of the commissioner, 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; 1998 c 398 art 5 s 55

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 commissioner; flexible learning year programs.

Subdivision 1. Powers and duties. The commissioner 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 commissioner's 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 commissioner 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; 1998 c 398 art 5 s 55

124D.127 Termination of flexible learning year program.

The board of any district, with the approval of the commissioner of children, families, and learning, 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; 1998 c 398 art 5 s 55

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.

Subd. 2. Commissioner designation. (a) 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 126C.05, 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. The record system must include the date the pupil originally enrolled in a learning year program, the pupil's grade level, the date of each grade promotion, the average daily membership generated in each grade level, the number of credits or standards earned, and the number needed to graduate.

(b) A student who has not completed a school district's graduation requirements may continue to enroll in courses the student must complete in order to graduate until the student satisfies the district's graduation requirements or the student is 21 years old, whichever comes first.

Subd. 3. Student planning. A district must inform all pupils and their parents about the learning year program and that participation in the program is optional. A continual learning plan must be developed at least annually for each pupil with the participation of the pupil, parent or guardian, teachers, and other staff; each participant must sign and date the plan. The plan must specify the learning experiences that must occur during the entire fiscal year and, for secondary students, for graduation. The plan must include:

(1) the pupil's learning objectives and experiences, including courses or credits the pupil plans to complete each year and, for a secondary pupil, the graduation requirements the student must complete;

(2) the assessment measurements used to evaluate a pupil's objectives;

(3) requirements for grade level or other appropriate progression; and

(4) for pupils generating more than one average daily membership in a given grade, an indication of which objectives were unmet.

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. Repealed, 2000 c 254 s 51

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. Average daily membership shall be computed under section 126C.05, subdivision 15. 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. 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. The dates a participating pupil is promoted must be reported in a timely manner to the department.

Subd. 6a. Process to address audit findings. (a) If, during an audit of a district's learning year program, the commissioner finds that the district is not meeting program requirements, the commissioner must notify the board of that district in writing. The notice must specify the findings in detail, describe the correction required, set a reasonable time during which the findings should be corrected, and advise that general education revenue to the district may be reduced. The commissioner may extend the time allowed for the correction.

(b) A board that receives a notice under paragraph (a) may decide by majority vote of the entire board to dispute that:

(1) the specified finding exists;

(2) the time allowed is reasonable; or

(3) the commissioner should reduce district general education revenue.

The board must give the commissioner written notice of the board's decision within 30 days of receipt of the audit report. After making any further investigations the commissioner deems necessary, the commissioner must decide whether or not to adhere to the commissioner's original notice and must notify the board of the commissioner's decision.

(c) The commissioner may reduce or withhold state general education revenues as the result of an audit. The commissioner may decide not to reduce or withhold state general education revenues if the district corrects the specified finding, or after receiving the district's notice disputing the finding, the commissioner decides the finding does not exist.

Subd. 7. Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 6 art 2 s 78

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; 1998 c 398 art 5 s 55; 2000 c 489 art 10 s 4; 1Sp2001 c 6 art 2 s 29-33

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

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 school 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 must establish a reasonable sliding fee scale 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; 1999 c 205 art 1 s 41,70

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

Subdivision 1. Revenue. The revenue for early childhood family education programs for a school district equals $113.50 for fiscal years 2000 and 2001 and $120 for 2002 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. For fiscal year 2001 to obtain early childhood family education revenue, a district may levy an amount equal to the tax rate of .5282 percent times the adjusted tax capacity of the district for the year preceding the year the levy is certified. Beginning with levies for fiscal year 2002, by September 30 of each year, the commissioner shall establish a tax rate for early childhood education revenue that raises $21,027,000 for fiscal year 2002 and $22,135,000 in fiscal year 2003 and each subsequent year. 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.

Subd. 8. Reserve account limit. (a) Under this section, the average balance, during the most recent three-year period in a district's early childhood family education reserve account on June 30 of each year, adjusted for any prior reductions under this subdivision, must not be greater than 25 percent of the district's early childhood family education annual revenue for the prior year. If a district's adjusted average early childhood family education reserve over the three-year period is in excess of 25 percent of the prior year annual revenue, the district's early childhood family education state aid and levy authority for the current school year must be reduced by the excess reserve amount. The aid reduction equals the product of the excess reserve amount times the ratio of the district's aid for the prior year under subdivision 4 to the district's revenue for the prior year under subdivision 1. The levy reduction equals the excess reserve amount minus the aid reduction. The commissioner must reallocate aid and levy reduced under this subdivision to other eligible early childhood family education programs in proportion to each district's revenue for the prior year under subdivision 1.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), for fiscal year 2003, the excess reserve amount shall be computed using the balance in a district's early childhood family education reserve account on June 30, 2002. For fiscal year 2004, the excess reserve amount shall be computed using the adjusted average balance in a district's early childhood family education reserve account on June 30, 2002, and June 30, 2003.

Subd. 9. Waiver. If a district anticipates that the reserve account may exceed the 25 percent limit established under subdivision 8 because of extenuating circumstances, prior approval to exceed the limit must be obtained in writing from the commissioner.

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; 1999 c 205 art 1 s 42,43; 1999 c 249 s 7; 1Sp2001 c 3 art 1 s 8,9

124D.14 Repealed, 1999 c 205 art 1 s 73

124D.15 School readiness programs.

Subdivision 1. Establishment; purpose. A district or a group of districts may establish a school readiness program for eligible children. The purpose of a school 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 school 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 school 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 school 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. School 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 school 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 school 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 school 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 school 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 school 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 school 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; 1999 c 205 art 1 s 70

124D.16 School readiness aid.

Subdivision 1. Program review and approval. A school district shall biennially by May 1 submit to the commissioners of children, families, and learning and health the program plan required under this subdivision. As determined by the commissioners, one-half of the districts shall first submit the plan by May 1 of the 2000-2001 school year and one-half of the districts shall first submit the plan by May 1 of the 2001-2002 school year. The program plan must include:

(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 school readiness aid if the program plan required by subdivision 1 has been approved by the commissioner.

(b) For fiscal year 2002 and thereafter, a district must receive school readiness aid equal to:

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

(2) the number of pupils enrolled in the school district from families eligible for the free or reduced school lunch program for the second previous school year times the ratio of 50 percent of the total school 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 for the second previous school year.

Subd. 3. Use of aid. School readiness aid shall be used only to provide a school 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 school readiness aid in a separate account within the community education fund.

Subd. 5. Reserve account. School readiness revenue, which includes aids, fees, grants, and all other revenues received by the district school readiness programs, must be maintained in a reserve account within the community service fund.

Subd. 6. Reserve account limit. (a) Under this section, the average balance, during the most recent three-year period, in a district's school readiness reserve account on June 30 of each year, adjusted for any prior reductions under this subdivision, must not be greater than 25 percent of the district's school readiness annual revenue for the prior year. If a district's adjusted average school readiness reserve over the three-year period is in excess of 25 percent of the prior year annual revenue, the district's current year school readiness state aid must be reduced by the excess reserve amount. The commissioner must reallocate aid reduced under this subdivision to other eligible school readiness programs in proportion to each district's aid for the prior year under subdivision 2.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), for fiscal year 2003, the excess reserve amount shall be computed using the balance in a district's school readiness reserve account on June 30, 2002. For fiscal year 2004, the excess reserve amount shall be computed using the adjusted average balance in a district's school readiness reserve account on June 30, 2002, and June 30, 2003.

Subd. 7. Waiver. If a district anticipates that the reserve account may exceed the 25 percent limit established under subdivision 6 because of extenuating circumstances, prior approval to exceed the limit must be obtained in writing from the commissioner.

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; 1999 c 205 art 1 s 70; 2000 c 489 art 1 s 8; 1Sp2001 c 3 art 1 s 10-13

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 committee. 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. Repealed, 1999 c 86 art 2 s 6

HIST: 1993 c 224 art 4 s 9; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1998 c 397 art 3 s 28-31,103; 1999 c 86 art 2 s 2

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. School-age care programs. (a) A school board may offer, as part of a community education program, a school-age care program for children from kindergarten through grade 6 for the purpose of expanding students' learning opportunities. If the school board chooses not to offer a school-age care program, it may allow an appropriate insured community group, for profit entity or nonprofit organization to use available school facilities for the purpose of offering a school-age care program.

(b) A school-age care 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;

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

(5) access to available school facilities, including the gymnasium, sports equipment, computer labs, and media centers, when not otherwise in use as part of the operation of the school. The school district may establish reasonable rules relating to access to these facilities and may require that:

(i) the organization request access to the facilities and prepare and maintain a schedule of proposed use;

(ii) the organization provide evidence of adequate insurance to cover the activities to be conducted in the facilities; and

(iii) the organization prepare and maintain a plan demonstrating the adequacy and training of staff to supervise the use of the facilities.

(c) The district may charge a sliding fee based upon family income for school-age care programs. The district may receive money from other public or private sources for the school-age care program. The board of the district must develop standards for school-age child care programs. The state board of education may not adopt rules for school-age care programs.

(d) The district shall maintain a separate account within the community services fund for all funds related to the school-age care program.

(e) A district is encouraged to coordinate the school-age care program with its special education, vocational education, adult basic education, early childhood family education programs, kindergarten through grade 12 instruction and curriculum services, youth development and youth service agencies, and with related services provided by other governmental agencies and nonprofit agencies.

Subd. 12. Youth after-school enrichment programs. Each district operating a community education program under this section may establish a youth after-school enrichment program to maintain and expand participation by school-age youth in supervised activities during nonschool hours. The youth after-school enrichment programs must include activities that support development of social, mental, physical, and creative abilities of school-age youth; provide structured youth programs during high-risk times; and design programming to promote youth leadership development and improved academic performance.

Subd. 13. Youth after-school enrichment program goals. The goals of youth after-school enrichment programs are to:

(1) collaborate with and leverage existing community resources that have demonstrated effectiveness;

(2) reach out to children and youth, including at-risk youth, in the community;

(3) increase the number of children participating in adult-supervised programs during nonschool hours;

(4) support academic achievement; and

(5) increase skills in technology, the arts, sports, and other activities.

Subd. 14. Community education; annual report. Each district offering a community education program under this section must annually report to the department information regarding the cost per participant and cost per contact hour for each community education program, including youth after-school enrichment programs, that receives aid or levy. The department must include cost per participant and cost per contact hour information by program in the community education annual report.

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; 1999 c 205 art 1 s 44; 1Sp2001 c 3 art 2 s 8-10

124D.20 Community education revenue.

Subdivision 1. Total community education revenue. Total community education revenue equals the sum of a district's general community education revenue, youth service program revenue, and youth after-school enrichment 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. 4a. Youth after-school enrichment revenue. In fiscal year 2003 and thereafter, youth after-school enrichment revenue for a district operating a youth after-school enrichment program under section 124D.19, subdivision 12, equals:

(1) $1.85 times the greater of 1,335 or the population of the district, as defined in section 275.14, not to exceed 10,000; and

(2) $0.43 times the population of the district, as defined in section 275.14, in excess of 10,000. Youth after-school enrichment revenue must be reserved for youth after-school enrichment programs.

Subd. 5. Total community education levy. To obtain total community education revenue, a district operating a youth after-school enrichment program under section 124D.19, subdivision 12, may levy the amount raised by a maximum tax rate of .7431 percent times the adjusted net tax capacity of the district. To obtain total community education revenue, a district not operating a youth after-school enrichment program may levy the amount raised by a maximum tax rate of .4795 percent times the adjusted net tax capacity of the district. If the amount of the total community education levy would exceed the total community education revenue, the total 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; 1999 c 205 art 2 s 1; 1Sp2001 c 3 art 2 s 11-13

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 Minnesota Statutes 1992, 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; 2000 c 254 s 19

124D.22 School-age care revenue.

Subdivision 1. Eligibility. A district that offers a school-age care program according to section 124D.19, subdivision 11, is eligible for school-age care 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 school-age care program.

Subd. 2. School-age care revenue. The school-age care 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 school-age care program.

Subd. 3. School-age care levy. To obtain school-age care revenue, a school district may levy an amount equal to the district's school-age care 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 $3,280.

Subd. 4. School-age care aid. A district's school-age care aid is the difference between its school-age care revenue and its school-age care levy. If a district does not levy the entire amount permitted, school-age care 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; 1999 c 205 art 1 s 45

124D.221 After-school enrichment programs.

Subdivision 1. Establishment. A competitive statewide after-school enrichment grant program is established to provide implementation grants to community or nonprofit organizations, to political subdivisions, or to school-based programs. The commissioner shall develop criteria for after-school enrichment programs.

Subd. 2. Priority neighborhoods. For grants in Minneapolis and St. Paul, the commissioner must give priority to neighborhoods in this subdivision. In Minneapolis, priority neighborhoods are Near North, Hawthorne, Sumner-Glenwood, Harrison, Jordan, Powderhorn, Central, Whittier, Cleveland, McKinley, Waite Park, Sheridan, Holland, Lyndale, Folwell, and Phillips. In St. Paul, priority neighborhoods are Summit-University, Thomas-Dale, North End, Payne-Phalen, Daytons Bluff, and the West Side.

Subd. 3. Program outcomes. The expected outcomes of the after-school enrichment programs are to:

(1) increase the number of children participating in adult-supervised programs in nonschool hours;

(2) support academic achievement, including the areas of reading and math;

(3) reduce the amount of juvenile crime;

(4) increase school attendance and reduce the number of school suspensions;

(5) increase the number of youth engaged in community service and other activities designed to support character improvement, strengthen families, and instill community values;

(6) increase skills in technology, the arts, sports, and other activities; and

(7) increase and support the academic achievement and character development of adolescent parents.

Subd. 4. Plan. An applicant shall develop a plan for an after-school enrichment program for youth. The plan must include:

(1) collaboration with and leverage of existing community resources that have demonstrated effectiveness;

(2) creative outreach to children and youth;

(3) involvement of local governments, including park and recreation boards or schools, unless no government agency is appropriate;

(4) community control over the design of the enrichment program; and

(5) identification of the sources of nonpublic funding.

Subd. 5. Plan approval; grants. An applicant shall submit a plan developed under subdivision 4 to the commissioner for approval. The commissioner shall award a grant for the implementation of an approved plan.

HIST: 1999 c 205 art 3 s 1; 2000 c 489 art 1 s 9

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) parenting time 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.

Subd. 10. Liability insurance. The commissioner of children, families, and learning may designate one collaborative to act as a lead collaborative for purposes of obtaining liability coverage for participating collaboratives.

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; 1999 c 205 art 1 s 46; 2000 c 444 art 2 s 4

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 commissioner of children, families, and learning 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; 1998 c 398 art 5 s 55

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 paragraph (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 Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 6 art 2 s 78

124D.33 Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 3 art 2 s 18

124D.331 Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 3 art 2 s 18

EMPLOYMENT-RELATED EDUCATION

124D.34 Minnesota foundation for student organizations.

Subdivision 1. Citation. This section may be cited as the "Minnesota Foundation For Student Organizations Act."

Subd. 2. Creation of foundation. There is created the Minnesota Foundation for Student Organizations. 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 commissioner of children, families, and learning.

Subd. 3. Board of directors. The board of directors of the Minnesota Foundation for Student Organizations 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 commissioner of children, families, and learning.

Subd. 7. Foundation staff. The commissioner of children, families, and learning 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 commissioner of children, families, and learning 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; 1998 c 398 art 5 s 55; 1999 c 241 art 3 s 4

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 commissioner of children, families, and learning 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; 1998 c 398 art 5 s 55

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 124D.385.

Subd. 10. Repealed, 2000 c 254 s 51

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; 2000 c 254 s 20

124D.385 Minnesota commission on national and community service.

Subdivision 1. Creation. The Minnesota commission on national and community service is established to assist the governor and the legislature in implementing sections 124D.37 to 124D.45 and federal law. Retroactive to the first Monday in January 1994, the terms of the members of the first commission shall be, as nearly as possible, one year for one-third of the members, two years for one-third of the members, and three years for one-third of the members. The members of the first commission shall determine the length of their terms by lot. Thereafter, the terms of commission members shall be for three years. Commission members may be reappointed upon the completion of their current term. The compensation, filling of vacancies, and removal of members are governed by section 15.0575. The commission may accept gifts and contributions from public and private organizations.

Subd. 2. Membership. (a) The commission consists of 18 voting members. Voting members shall include the commissioner of children, families, and learning, a representative of the children's cabinet elected by the members of the children's cabinet, and the executive director of the higher education services office.

(b) The governor shall appoint 15 additional voting members. Eight of the voting members appointed by the governor shall include a representative of public or nonprofit organizations experienced in youth employment and training, organizations promoting adult service and volunteerism, community-based service agencies or organizations, local public or private sector labor unions, local governments, business, a national service program, and Indian tribes. The remaining seven voting members appointed by the governor shall include an individual with expertise in the educational, training, and development needs of youth, particularly disadvantaged youth; a youth or young adult who is a participant in a higher education-based service-learning program; a disabled individual representing persons with disabilities; a youth who is out-of-school or disadvantaged; an educator of primary or secondary students; an educator from a higher education institution; and an individual between the ages of 16 and 25 who is a participant or supervisor in a youth service program.

(c) The governor shall appoint up to five ex officio nonvoting members from among the following agencies or organizations: the departments of economic security, natural resources, human services, health, corrections, agriculture, public safety, finance, and labor and industry, the housing finance agency, and Minnesota Technology, Inc. A representative of the corporation for national and community service shall also serve as an ex officio nonvoting member.

(d) Voting and ex officio nonvoting members may appoint designees to act on their behalf. The number of voting members who are state employees shall not exceed 25 percent.

(e) The governor shall ensure that, to the extent possible, the membership of the commission is balanced according to geography, race, ethnicity, age, and gender. The speaker of the house and the majority leader of the senate shall each appoint two legislators to be nonvoting members of the commission.

Subd. 3. Duties. (a) The commission shall:

(1) develop, with the assistance of the governor, the commissioner of children, families, and learning, and affected state agencies, a comprehensive state plan to provide services under sections 124D.37 to 124D.45 and federal law;

(2) actively pursue public and private funding sources for services, including funding available under federal law;

(3) administer the youth works grant program under sections 124D.39 to 124D.44, including soliciting and approving grant applications from eligible organizations, and administering individual postservice benefits;

(4) establish an evaluation plan for programs developed and services provided under sections 124D.37 to 124D.45;

(5) report to the governor, commissioner of children, families, and learning, and legislature; and

(6) administer the federal AmeriCorps program.

(b) Nothing in sections 124D.37 to 124D.45 precludes an organization from independently seeking public or private funding to accomplish purposes similar to those described in paragraph (a).

Subd. 4. Delegation to nonprofit. The commission may create a private nonprofit corporation that is exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code of 1986. If the commission creates a private nonprofit corporation, the commission must serve as the corporation's board of directors. The private nonprofit corporation is not subject to laws governing state agencies or political subdivisions, except the provisions of chapter 13, the Open Meeting Law under chapter 13D, salary limits under section 15A.0815, subdivision 2, and audits by the legislative auditor under chapter 3 apply. Further provided that the board of directors and the executive director of the nonprofit corporation are each considered an "official" for purposes of section 10A.071. The commission may delegate any or all of its powers and duties under federal law or under sections 124D.37 to 124D.45 to the corporation if the nonprofit corporation is approved under federal law to administer the National and Community Service Trust Act. The commission may revoke a delegation of powers and duties at any time, and must revoke the delegation if the corporation is no longer approved under federal law as the administrator in the state of Minnesota for the National and Community Service Trust Act.

HIST: 1993 c 146 art 5 s 5; 1994 c 483 s 1; 1994 c 647 art 4 s 4; 1995 c 131 s 2,3; 1995 c 212 art 3 s 59; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 4 s 30,31; art 16 s 13; 1996 c 305 art 1 s 30; 1Sp1997 c 4 art 3 s 10; 2000 c 254 s 50; 2002 c 220 art 10 s 32; 2002 c 334 s 1,2

* NOTE: The amendment to subdivision 3 by Laws 2002, chapter *334, section 1, is effective the day after the commission on *national and community service certifies to the commissioner of *finance that it has created a nonprofit corporation under *subdivision 4, that the corporation has been approved by the *Corporation for National and Community Service to carry out the *National and Community Service Trust Act, and that the *commission has delegated duties to administer sections 124D.37 *to 124D.45. Laws 2002, chapter 334, section 3, the effective *date.

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 an application that complies with section 124D.41.

Subd. 2. Grant authority. The commission 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 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; 2000 c 254 s 21

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 an application that meets the requirements of this section. The commission 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 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; 2000 c 254 s 22

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 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 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 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 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 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; 2000 c 254 s 23-25

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

The commission 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; 2000 c 254 s 26

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, health benefits for each program participant, and administrative expenses, which must not exceed five percent of total program costs. 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, 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.

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; 2000 c 489 art 4 s 1

124D.45 Evaluation and reporting requirements.

Subdivision 1. Grantee organizations. Each grantee organization shall report to the commission at the time and on the matters requested by the commission.

Subd. 2. Interim report. The commission must report semiannually to the legislature with interim recommendations to change the program.

Subd. 3. Repealed, 2000 c 254 s 51

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; 2000 c 254 s 27,28

124D.453 Repealed, 1999 c 241 art 3 s 5; 2000 c 489 art 4 s 9

124D.454 Access to Minnesota's transition system for children with a disability.

Subdivision 1. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to provide a method to fund transition 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, 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 transition 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 transition program for children with a disability;

(2) 47 percent of the costs of necessary equipment for transition programs for children with a disability;

(3) 47 percent of the costs of necessary travel between instructional sites by transition 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 transition 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 transition 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 transition 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 transition 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 transition-disabled base revenue. For fiscal year 1996 and later, a district's adjusted transition-disabled base revenue equals the district's transition-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 transition program-disabled revenue. The state total transition program-disabled revenue for fiscal year 2000 equals $8,982,000. The state total transition program-disabled revenue for fiscal year 2001 equals $8,966,000. The state total transition program-disabled revenue for later fiscal years equals:

(1) the state total transition 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 transition-disabled revenue. (a) A school district's transition-disabled revenue for fiscal year 1996 and later equals the state total transition-disabled revenue, minus the amount determined under paragraph (b), times the ratio of the district's adjusted transition-disabled base revenue to the state total adjusted transition-disabled base revenue.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), if the transition-disabled base revenue for a district equals zero and no district residents were enrolled in transition-disabled programs during the base year, the transition-disabled revenue equals the amount computed according to subdivision 3 using current year data.

Subd. 7. School district transition-disabled aid. A school district's transition-disabled aid for fiscal year 1996 and later equals the district's transition-disabled revenue times the aid percentage factor for that year.

Subd. 8. Use of aid. The aid provided under this section shall be paid only for services rendered or for the costs which are incurred according to this section for transition 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 commissioner. 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 transition 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 or 125A.76 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, a cooperative center or an intermediate district must allocate its approved expenditures for transition programs for children with a disability among participating school districts. Aid for transition 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; 1998 c 398 art 5 s 55; 1999 c 241 art 2 s 10; art 3 s 4; 2000 c 254 s 29; 2000 c 489 art 4 s 3-5; art 10 s 5,6; 1Sp2001 c 6 art 8 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

ADULT EDUCATION

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.518 Adult basic education aid definitions.

Subdivision 1. Applicability. The definitions in this section apply to sections 124D.52 to 124D.531.

Subd. 2. Adult basic education consortium. "Adult basic education consortium" means a voluntary association of school districts, public agencies, or nonprofit organizations that work together to provide coordinated adult basic education services in a designated geographic area, and that act as a fiscal entity providing adult basic education services.

Subd. 3. Contact hours. (a) "Contact hours" means the number of hours during which a student was engaged in learning activities provided by an approved adult education program. Contact hours excludes homework but includes interactive distance learning. The commissioner may only reallocate contact hours among programs to adjust for changes in program membership between the first prior program year and the current program year based on the actual contact hours reported for the first prior program year.

(b) For revenue beginning in fiscal year 2002, contact hours for a provider of adult basic education services funded in fiscal year 2000, but not eligible for basic population aid in fiscal year 2001, is computed by multiplying the provider's contact hours by 1.03.

(c) For aid in fiscal year 2001, contact hours in fiscal year 2000 equals the number of full-time equivalent learners times the contact hours. A level one full-time equivalent learner is equal to 240 contact hours and a level two full-time learner is equal to 408 contact hours.

Subd. 4. First prior program year. "First prior program year" means the period from May 1 of the second prior fiscal year through April 30 of the first prior fiscal year.

Subd. 5. Unreimbursed expenses. "Unreimbursed expenses" means allowable adult basic education expenses of a program, in the current program year, that are not covered by payments from federal or private for-profit sources.

HIST: 2000 c 489 art 1 s 10; 1Sp2001 c 3 art 3 s 1

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.

Each approved adult basic education program must develop a memorandum of understanding with the local workforce development centers located in the approved program's service delivery area. The memorandum of understanding must describe how the adult basic education program and the workforce development centers will cooperate and coordinate services to provide unduplicated, efficient, and effective services to clients.

Adult basic education aid must be spent for adult basic education purposes as specified in sections 124D.518 to 124D.531.

Subd. 2. Program approval. (a) To receive aid under this section, a district, a consortium of districts, the department of corrections, 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;

(10) program expenditures that qualify for aid;

(11) program ability to provide data related to learner outcomes as required by law; and

(12) a copy of the memorandum of understanding described in subdivision 1 submitted to the commissioner.

(b) 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;

(7) submit accurate and timely performance and fiscal reports;

(8) submit accurate and timely reports related to program outcomes and learner follow-up information; and

(9) spend adult basic education aid on adult basic education purposes only, which are specified in sections 124D.518 to 124D.531.

(c) The commissioner shall require each district to provide notification by February 1, 2001, of its intent to apply for funds under this section as a single district or as part of an identified consortium of districts. A district receiving funds under this section must notify the commissioner by February 1 of its intent to change its application status for applications due the following June 1.

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. State aid must not equal more than 100 percent of the unreimbursed expenses of providing these programs, excluding in-kind costs.

Subd. 4. English as a second language programs. Persons may teach English as a second language classes conducted at a worksite, if they meet the requirements of section 122A.19, subdivision 1, clause (a), regardless of whether they are licensed teachers. Persons teaching English as a second language for an approved adult basic education program must possess a bachelor's or master's degree in English as a second language, applied linguistics, or bilingual education, or a related degree as approved by the commissioner.

Subd. 5. Basic service level. A district, or a consortium of districts, with a program approved by the commissioner under subdivision 2 must establish, in consultation with the commissioner, a basic level of service for every adult basic education site in the district or consortium. The basic service level must describe minimum levels of academic instruction and support services to be provided at each site. The program must set a basic service level that promotes effective learning and student achievement with measurable results. Each district or consortium of districts must submit its basic service level to the commissioner for approval.

Subd. 6. Cooperative English as a second language and adult basic education programs. (a) A school district, or adult basic education consortium that receives revenue under section 124D.531, may deliver English as a second language, citizenship, or other adult education programming in collaboration with community-based and nonprofit organizations located within its district or region, and with correctional institutions. The organization or correctional institution must have the demonstrated capacity to offer education programs for adults. Community-based or nonprofit organizations must meet the criteria in paragraph (b), or have prior experience. A community-based or nonprofit organization or a correctional institution may be reimbursed for unreimbursed expenses as defined in section 124D.518, subdivision 5, for the administration of English as a second language or adult basic education programs, not to exceed eight percent of the total funds provided by a school district or adult basic education consortium. The administrative reimbursement for a school district or adult basic education consortium that delivers services cooperatively with a community-based or nonprofit organization or correctional institution is limited to five percent of the program aid, not to exceed the unreimbursed expenses of administering programs delivered by community-based or nonprofit organizations or correctional institutions.

(b) A community-based organization or nonprofit organization that delivers education services under this section must demonstrate that it has met the following criteria:

(1) be legally established as a nonprofit organization;

(2) have an established system for fiscal accounting and reporting that is consistent with the department of children, families, and learning's adult basic education completion report and reporting requirements under section 124D.531;

(3) require all instructional staff to complete a training course in teaching adult learners; and

(4) develop a learning plan for each student that identifies defined educational and occupational goals with measures to evaluate progress.

Subd. 7. Performance tracking system. (a) By July 1, 2000, each approved adult basic education program must develop and implement a performance tracking system to provide information necessary to comply with federal law and serve as one means of assessing the effectiveness of adult basic education programs. The tracking system must be designed to collect data on the following core outcomes for learners who have completed participation in the adult basic education program:

(1) demonstrated improvements in literacy skill levels in reading, writing, speaking the English language, numeracy, problem solving, English language acquisition, and other literacy skills;

(2) placement in, retention in, or completion of post-secondary education, training, unsubsidized employment, or career advancement; and

(3) receipt of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent.

(b) A district, group of districts, state agency, or private nonprofit organization providing an adult basic education program may meet this requirement by developing a tracking system based on either or both of the following methodologies:

(1) conducting a reliable follow-up survey; or

(2) submitting student information, including social security numbers for data matching.

Data related to obtaining employment must be collected in the first quarter following program completion or can be collected while the student is enrolled, if known. Data related to employment retention must be collected in the third quarter following program exit. Data related to any other specified outcome may be collected at any time during a program year.

(c) When a student in a program is requested to provide the student's social security number, the student must be notified in a written form easily understandable to the student that:

(1) providing the social security number is optional and no adverse action may be taken against the student if the student chooses not to provide the social security number;

(2) the request is made under section 124D.52, subdivision 7;

(3) if the student provides the social security number, it will be used to assess the effectiveness of the program by tracking the student's subsequent career; and

(4) the social security number will be shared with the department of children, families, and learning; Minnesota state colleges and universities; and the department of economic security in order to accomplish the purposes of this section and will not be used for any other purpose or reported to any other governmental entities.

(d) Annually a district, group of districts, state agency, or private nonprofit organization providing programs under this section must forward the tracking data collected to the department of children, families, and learning. For the purposes of longitudinal studies on the employment status of former students under this section, the department of children, families, and learning must forward the social security numbers to the department of economic security to electronically match the social security numbers of former students with wage detail reports filed under section 268.044. The results of data matches must, for purposes of this section and consistent with the requirements of the United States Code, title 29, section 2871, of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, be compiled in a longitudinal form by the department of economic security and released to the department of children, families, and learning in the form of summary data that does not identify the individual students. The department of children, families, and learning may release this summary data. State funding for adult basic education programs must not be based on the number or percentage of students who decline to provide their social security numbers or on whether the program is evaluated by means of a follow-up survey instead of data matching.

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; 1999 c 205 art 4 s 3,4; 2000 c 489 art 1 s 11-15; 1Sp2001 c 3 art 3 s 2

124D.521 Consortium requirements.

(a) Each consortium, as defined under section 124D.518, subdivision 1, must meet at least twice per year to develop and amend as necessary an annual consortium agreement signed by all members and filed with the department of children, families, and learning that at a minimum includes:

(1) a description of the members and fiscal agent of the consortium;

(2) a description of the contributions of each member of the consortium and the process for distributing state aid among the members; and

(3) the state adult basic education assurances from the annual adult basic education program application.

As a condition of membership in a consortium, each member must make a documented contribution toward the cost of adult basic education programming, either as a direct financial contribution, or an in-kind contribution.

(b) Each consortium's designated fiscal agent must:

(1) collect data from consortium members;

(2) submit required performance reports and fiscal reports to the state;

(3) receive state adult basic education aid under section 124D.531 for adult basic education programming delivered by the consortium; and

(4) distribute state adult basic education aid to members of the consortium according to the consortium agreement.

HIST: 2000 c 489 art 1 s 16

124D.522 Adult basic education supplemental service grants.

(a) The commissioner, in consultation with the policy review task force under section 124D.521, may make grants to nonprofit organizations to provide services that are not offered by a district adult basic education program or that are supplemental to either the statewide adult basic education program, or a district's adult basic education program. The commissioner may make grants for: staff development for adult basic education teachers and administrators; training for volunteer tutors; training, services, and materials for serving disabled students through adult basic education programs; statewide promotion of adult basic education services and programs; development and dissemination of instructional and administrative technology for adult basic education programs; programs which primarily serve communities of color; adult basic education distance learning projects, including television instruction programs; and other supplemental services to support the mission of adult basic education and innovative delivery of adult basic education services.

(b) The commissioner must establish eligibility criteria and grant application procedures. Grants under this section must support services throughout the state, focus on educational results for adult learners, and promote outcome-based achievement through adult basic education programs. Beginning in fiscal year 2002, the commissioner may make grants under this section from the state total adult basic education aid set aside for supplemental service grants under section 124D.531. Up to one-fourth of the appropriation for supplemental service grants must be used for grants for adult basic education programs to encourage and support innovations in adult basic education instruction and service delivery. A grant to a single organization cannot exceed $100,000. Nothing in this section prevents an approved adult basic education program from using state or federal aid to purchase supplemental services.

HIST: 2000 c 489 art 1 s 17; 1Sp2001 c 3 art 3 s 3

124D.53 Repealed, 2000 c 489 art 1 s 46

124D.531 Adult basic education aid.

Subdivision 1. State total adult basic education aid. (a) The state total adult basic education aid for fiscal year 2001 equals $30,157,000. The state total adult basic education aid for later years equals:

(1) the state total adult basic education aid for the preceding fiscal year; times

(2) the lesser of:

(i) 1.08, or

(ii) the greater of 1.00 or the ratio of the state total contact hours in the first prior program year to the state total contact hours in the second prior program year. Beginning in fiscal year 2002, two percent of the state total adult basic education aid must be set aside for adult basic education supplemental service grants under section 124D.522.

(b) The state total adult basic education aid, excluding basic population aid, equals the difference between the amount computed in paragraph (a), and the state total basic population aid under subdivision 2.

Subd. 2. Basic population aid. A district is eligible for basic population aid if the district has a basic service level approved by the commissioner under section 124D.52, subdivision 5, or is a member of a consortium with an approved basic service level. Basic population aid is equal to the greater of $4,000 or $1.80 times the population of the district. District population is determined according to section 275.14.

Subd. 3. Program revenue. Adult basic education programs established under section 124D.52 and approved by the commissioner are eligible for revenue under this subdivision. For fiscal year 2001 and later, adult basic education revenue for each approved program equals the sum of:

(1) the basic population aid under subdivision 2 for districts participating in the program during the current program year; plus

(2) 84 percent times the amount computed in subdivision 1, paragraph (b), times the ratio of the contact hours for students participating in the program during the first prior program year to the state total contact hours during the first prior program year; plus

(3) eight percent times the amount computed in subdivision 1, paragraph (b), times the ratio of the enrollment of students with limited English proficiency during the second prior school year in districts participating in the program during the current program year to the state total enrollment of students with limited English proficiency during the second prior school year in districts participating in adult basic education programs during the current program year; plus

(4) eight percent times the amount computed in subdivision 1, paragraph (b), times the ratio of the latest federal census count of the number of adults aged 20 or older with no diploma residing in the districts participating in the program during the current program year to the latest federal census count of the state total number of adults aged 20 or older with no diploma residing in the districts participating in adult basic education programs during the current program year.

Subd. 4. Adult basic education program aid limit. (a) Notwithstanding subdivisions 2 and 3, the total adult basic education aid for a program per prior year contact hour must not exceed four times the rate per prior year contact hour computed under subdivision 3, clause (2).

(b) For fiscal year 2002 and later, the aid for a program under subdivision 3, clause (2), adjusted for changes in program membership, must not exceed the aid for that program under subdivision 3, clause (2), for the first preceding fiscal year by more than the greater of 17 percent or $20,000.

(c) Adult basic education aid is payable to a program for unreimbursed costs.

Subd. 5. Aid guarantee. Notwithstanding subdivisions 1, 3, and 4, for fiscal year 2001, any adult basic education program qualifying for aid under this section, that receives less state aid than in fiscal year 2000 must receive additional aid equal to the difference between its fiscal year 2000 aid and its fiscal year 2001 aid.

Subd. 6. Payment of aid to fiscal agent. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), adult basic education aid must be paid directly to the fiscal agent of each approved program. An approved program must have only one fiscal agent.

(b) A district that is part of a consortium may request direct payment of basic population aid under subdivision 2. The district must make a written request to the commissioner by June 15 for aid payments the following fiscal year. The request must include certification that:

(1) the district will deposit direct aid payments in a separate adult basic education account; and

(2) the district will use direct aid payments only for adult basic education instruction.

Subd. 7. Program audits. Programs that receive aid under this section must maintain records that support the aid payments. The commissioner may audit these records upon request. The commissioner must establish procedures for conducting fiscal audits of adult basic education programs according to the schedule in this subdivision. In calendar year 2003, the commissioner must audit one-half of approved adult basic education programs that received aid for fiscal year 2002, and in calendar year 2004, the commissioner must audit the remaining unaudited programs for aid received in fiscal year 2003. Beginning with fiscal year 2005, the commissioner must, at a minimum, audit each adult basic education program once every five years. The commissioner must establish procedures to reconcile any discrepancies between aid payments based on information reported to the commissioner and aid estimates based on a program audit.

Subd. 8. Administrative cap. A consortium or district shall not spend more than five percent of the consortium or district's total adult basic education aid on administrative costs.

Subd. 9. Fiscal reports. Programs that receive aid under this section must submit an annual report to the commissioner that includes revenue and expense reports for each district and program, including instructional services offered in partnership with businesses and nonprofit organizations.

HIST: 2000 c 489 art 1 s 19; 1Sp2001 c 3 art 3 s 4-6

124D.54 Adult high school graduation aid.

Subdivision 1. Aid eligibility. Adult high school graduation aid for eligible pupils age 21 or over equals:

(1) for fiscal year 2000: 1.30 multiplied by the average daily membership under section 126C.05, subdivision 12, multiplied by the greater of (i) $1,676 or (ii) $3,251,000 divided by the state total weighted average daily membership, not to exceed $2,295;

(2) for fiscal year 2001 and later fiscal years: $2,338 multiplied by 1.30 multiplied by 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; 1999 c 205 art 4 s 7; 1999 c 249 s 4

124D.548 Repealed, 1998 c 398 art 6 s 38

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

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 commissioner 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; 1998 c 398 art 5 s 55

LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY (LEP)

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 who meets the following requirements:

(1) the pupil in kindergarten through grade 12, 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) for a pupil in kindergarten through grade 2, the pupil is determined by developmentally appropriate measures, which might include observations, teacher judgment, parent recommendations, or developmentally appropriate assessment instruments, to lack the necessary English skills to participate fully in classes taught in English; or

(3) the pupil in grades 3 through 12 scores below the state cutoff score on an assessment measuring emerging academic English provided by the commissioner.

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; 1Sp2001 c 6 art 2 s 48

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 124D.65 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; 2000 c 254 s 31

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. Repealed, 1999 c 241 art 1 s 69

Subd. 2. Repealed, 1999 c 241 art 1 s 69

Subd. 3. Repealed, 1999 c 241 art 1 s 69; art 2 s 62

Subd. 4. State total LEP revenue. (a) The state total limited English proficiency programs revenue for fiscal year 2000 equals $27,454,000.

(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 2000 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.

(c) A district's limited English proficiency programs revenue for fiscal year 2001 and later equals the product of $584 times the greater of 20 or the number of adjusted marginal cost pupils of limited English proficiency enrolled in the district during the current fiscal year.

(d) A pupil ceases to generate state limited English proficiency aid in the school year following the school year in which the pupil attains the state cutoff score on a commissioner-provided assessment that measures the pupil's emerging academic English.

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; 1999 c 241 art 1 s 3,4; art 2 s 11; 2000 c 464 art 3 s 1; 2000 c 489 art 2 s 5; 1Sp2001 c 6 art 3 s 4

ASSURANCE OF MASTERY

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 Repealed, 1999 c 241 art 1 s 69

GRADUATION INCENTIVES

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 unemployment 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 commissioner of children, families, and learning.

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 basic skills revenue to the eligible program and ten percent of the district's average general education revenue less basic skills revenue to the contracting 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 contracting 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. Basic skills revenue shall be paid according to section 126C.10, subdivision 4.

(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.

(c) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b), for an eligible program that provides chemical treatment services to students, the department must pay 100 percent of the revenue to 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; 1998 c 398 art 5 s 55; 1999 c 107 s 66; 1999 c 241 art 1 s 5; 2000 c 489 art 3 s 3; 2000 c 343 s 4

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 95 percent of the district's average general education less basic skills revenue per pupil unit times the number of pupil units for pupils attending the program. Basic skills revenue shall be paid according to section 126C.10, subdivision 4. 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.

Subd. 3. Uncommon schools serving students with chemical dependencies; allocation of funds. In addition to the amounts provided in section 124D.68, subdivision 9, a school district may allocate funds from its undesignated general fund to a private contracted alternative program, including a private contracted alternative program that is tuition free and provides a comprehensive secondary academic program for students who have been assessed chemically dependent and who have completed a licensed treatment program for chemical dependency.

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; 1999 c 241 art 1 s 6; 1Sp2001 c 6 art 1 s 13; 2002 c 374 art 4 s 1

124D.70 Repealed, 1999 c 241 art 2 s 62

AMERICAN INDIAN EDUCATION

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 education programs.

Subdivision 1. Program described. American Indian education programs are programs in public elementary and secondary schools, nonsectarian nonpublic, community, tribal, or alternative schools enrolling American Indian children designed to:

(1) support post-secondary preparation for pupils;

(2) support the academic achievement of American Indian students with identified focus to improve reading and mathematic skills;

(3) make the curriculum more relevant to the needs, interests, and cultural heritage of American Indian pupils;

(4) provide positive reinforcement of the self-image of American Indian pupils;

(5) develop intercultural awareness among pupils, parents, and staff; and

(6) supplement, not supplant, state and federal educational and cocurricular programs.

Program components may include: development of support components for students in the areas of academic achievement, retention, and attendance; 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 supplemental instruction in American Indian language, literature, history, and culture. Districts offering programs may make contracts for the provision of program components by establishing cooperative liaisons with tribal programs and American Indian social service agencies. These programs may also be provided as components of early childhood and family education programs.

Subd. 2. Voluntary enrollment. Enrollment in American Indian 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 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 education programs.

Subd. 4. Location of programs. American Indian education programs must be located in facilities in which regular classes in a variety of subjects are offered on a daily basis. Programs may operate on an extended day or extended year 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 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; 1Sp2001 c 6 art 2 s 34-38

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 commissioner of children, families, and learning.

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 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; 1998 c 398 art 5 s 55; 1Sp2001 c 6 art 2 s 39

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 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 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; 1Sp2001 c 6 art 2 s 40

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, 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; 1Sp2001 c 6 art 2 s 41

124D.79 Community and commissioner participation in American Indian education.

Subdivision 1. Community involvement. The commissioner 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; 1998 c 398 art 5 s 55

124D.80 Committees on American Indian education programs.

Subdivision 1. Establishment. The commissioner of children, families, and learning shall create an 18-member American Indian education committee. The commissioner must appoint members with the assistance of the Indian affairs council as provided under section 3.922, subdivision 6, and the higher education services office. 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, with membership consisting of representatives from the 11 reservations and the Minnesota Chippewa tribe, the chair of the Minnesota Indian affairs council, urban advisory council, and five urban at-large representatives, two of which reside in the metropolitan area, one of which resides in the Duluth area, one of which resides in the Bemidji area, and one of which resides in the southern region of the state.

Subd. 2. Committee to advise commissioner. The committee on American Indian education programs shall advise the commissioner in the administration of the commissioner's duties under sections 124D.71 to 124D.82 and other programs for the education of American Indian people, as determined by the commissioner. The committee shall also provide advice to the commissioner in awarding scholarships to eligible American Indian students and in administering the commissioner's duties regarding awarding of American Indian post-secondary preparation grants to school districts. The committee may work in multiple subcommittees focused on general Indian education issues and scholarship-related issues.

Subd. 3. Expenses; expiration. The committee must be reimbursed for expenses according to section 15.059, subdivision 6. The commissioner must determine the membership terms and the duration of the committee, which shall expire no later than June 30, 2003.

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; 1998 c 398 art 5 s 55; 1Sp2001 c 13 s 9-11

124D.81 Continuation of Indian education grants.

Subdivision 1. Grants; procedures. Each fiscal year the commissioner of children, families, and learning must make grants to no fewer than six American Indian 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 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 124D.71 to 124D.82. The commissioner must submit all proposals to the state advisory committee on American Indian 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 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 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 education programs funded under this section.

Subd. 6. Money from other sources. A district or participating school providing American Indian 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 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; 1998 c 398 art 5 s 55; 2000 c 254 s 32; 1Sp2001 c 6 art 2 s 42-46

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 126C.05, subdivision 6, 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 commissioner of children, families, and learning, 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; 1998 c 398 art 5 s 55; 2000 c 254 s 33

124D.84 Indian scholarships.

Subdivision 1. Awards. The commissioner, with the advice and counsel of the Minnesota Indian education 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 commissioner, has the capabilities to benefit from further education. Scholarships must be for accredited degree programs in accredited Minnesota colleges or universities or for courses in accredited Minnesota business, technical, or vocational schools. Scholarships may also be given to students attending Minnesota colleges that are in candidacy status for obtaining full accreditation, and are eligible for and receiving federal financial aid programs. Students are also eligible for scholarships when enrolled as students in Minnesota higher education institutions that have joint programs with other accredited higher education institutions. 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 where the student receives federal financial aid. 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 federal standardized need analysis. Applicants are encouraged to apply for all other sources of financial aid. The amount and type of each scholarship shall be determined through the advice and counsel of the Minnesota Indian education 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 recommendation of the Minnesota Indian education committee.

Subd. 2. Indian scholarship committee. The Minnesota Indian scholarship committee is established. The commissioner 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 commissioner 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 commissioner in awarding scholarships to eligible American Indian students and in administering the commissioner'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; 1998 c 398 art 5 s 55; 2000 c 489 art 3 s 4; 1Sp2001 c 6 art 2 s 49

124D.85 Repealed, 1Sp2001 c 6 art 2 s 78

SCHOOL DESEGREGATION AND INTEGRATION

124D.86 Integration revenue.

Subdivision 1. Use of revenue. Integration revenue under this section must be used for programs established under a desegregation plan filed with the department of children, families, and learning according to Minnesota Rules, parts 3535.0100 to 3535.0180, or under court order. The revenue must be used to create or enhance learning opportunities which are designed to provide opportunities for students to have increased interracial contacts through classroom experiences, staff initiatives, and other educationally related programs.

Subd. 1a. Budget approval process. Each year before a district receives any revenue under subdivision 3, clause (4), the district must submit to the department of children, families, and learning, for its review and approval a budget detailing the costs of the desegregation/integration plan filed under Minnesota Rules, parts 3535.0100 to 3535.0180. Notwithstanding chapter 14, the department may develop criteria for budget approval. The department shall consult with the desegregation advisory board in developing these criteria. The criteria developed by the department should address, at a minimum, the following:

(1) budget items cannot be approved unless they are part of any overall desegregation plan approved by the district for isolated sites or by the multidistrict collaboration council and participation individual members;

(2) the budget must indicate how revenue expenditures will be used specifically to support increased opportunities for interracial contact;

(3) components of the budget to be considered by the department, including staffing, curriculum, transportation, facilities, materials, and equipment and reasonable planning costs, as determined by the department; and

(4) if plans are proposed to enhance existing programs, the total budget being appropriated to the program must be included, indicating what part is to be funded using integration revenue and what part is to be funded using other revenues.

Subd. 1b. Plan components. Plans submitted by each district under Minnesota Rules, parts 3535.0160 and 3535.0170, must be approved by the district's board each year before integration revenue will be awarded. If a district is applying for revenue for a plan that is part of a multidistrict council, the individual district shall not receive revenue unless it ratifies the plan adopted by its multidistrict council or approves a modified plan with a written explanation of any modifications. Each plan shall contain:

(1) an identification of the integration issues at the sites or districts covered by Minnesota Rules, parts 3535.0100 to 3535.0180;

(2) a description of the community outreach that preceded the integration plan, such that the commissioner can determine whether the membership of the planning councils complied with the requirements of Minnesota Rules, parts 3535.0100 to 3535.0180; and

(3) the specific goals of the integration plan.

By June 30 of the subsequent fiscal year, each district shall report to the commissioner in writing about the extent to which the integration goals identified in the plan were met.

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. Integration revenue equals the following amounts:

(1) for independent school district No. 709, Duluth, $207 times the adjusted pupil units for the school year;

(2) for independent school district No. 625, St. Paul, $446 times the adjusted pupil units for the school year;

(3) for special school district No. 1, Minneapolis, the sum of $446 times the adjusted pupil units for the school year and an additional $35 times the adjusted pupil units for the school year that is provided entirely through a local levy;

(4) for a district not listed in clause (1), (2), or (3), that must implement a plan under Minnesota Rules, parts 3535.0100 to 3535.0180, where the district's enrollment of protected students, as defined under Minnesota Rules, part 3535.0110, exceeds 15 percent, the lesser of (i) the actual cost of implementing the plan during the fiscal year minus the aid received under subdivision 6, or (ii) $130 times the adjusted pupil units for the school year;

(5) for a district not listed in clause (1), (2), (3), or (4), that is required to implement a plan according to the requirements of Minnesota Rules, parts 3535.0100 to 3535.0180, the lesser of

(i) the actual cost of implementing the plan during the fiscal year minus the aid received under subdivision 6, or

(ii) $93 times the adjusted pupil units for the school year.

Any money received by districts in clauses (1) to (4) which exceeds the amount received in fiscal year 2000 shall be subject to the budget requirements in subdivision 1a; and

(6) for a member district of a multidistrict integration collaborative that files a plan with the commissioner, but is not contiguous to a racially isolated district, integration revenue equals the amount defined in clause (5).

Subd. 4. Integration levy. A district may levy an amount equal to 37 percent for fiscal year 2003, 22 percent for fiscal year 2004, 29 percent for fiscal year 2005, and 22 percent for fiscal year 2006 and thereafter of the district's integration revenue as defined in subdivision 3.

Subd. 5. Integration aid. A district's integration aid equals 63 percent for fiscal year 2003, 78 percent for fiscal year 2004, 71 percent for fiscal year 2005, and 78 percent for fiscal year 2006 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 residing in a district eligible for integration revenue under subdivision 3, clause (1), (2), or (3), and attending a nonresident district under sections 123A.05 to 123A.08, 124D.03, 124D.06, 124D.07, and 124D.08, that is not eligible for integration revenue under subdivision 3, clause (1), (2), or (3), and has implemented a plan under Minnesota Rules, parts 3535.0100 to 3535.0180, 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 a district serving nonresidents must be increased by an amount equal to the revenue per pupil unit of the resident district under subdivision 3, clause (1), (2), or (3), minus the revenue attributable to the pupil in the nonresident district under subdivision 3, clause (4), for the time the pupil is enrolled in the nonresident 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; 1999 c 241 art 1 s 7; art 9 s 26,27; 2000 c 489 art 2 s 6-10; 1Sp2001 c 6 art 2 s 47; 2002 c 220 art 3 s 2,3; 2002 c 377 art 5 s 1

124D.87 Interdistrict desegregation or integration transportation aid.

(a) A district that provides transportation of pupils to and from an interdistrict program for desegregation or integration purposes is eligible for state aid to reimburse the additional costs of transportation during the preceding fiscal year.

(b) A district in the metropolitan area may apply to the commissioner for state aid to reimburse the costs of transporting pupils who are enrolled under section 124D.03 during the preceding fiscal year 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 for state aid, 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 aid amounts, the commissioner shall consider other revenue received by the district for transportation for desegregation or integration purposes.

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; 1999 c 241 art 2 s 12; 2000 c 489 art 2 s 11

124D.871 Magnet school and program grants.

(a) The commissioner of education, in consultation with the desegregation/integration office under section 124D.892, shall award grants to school districts and chartered public schools for planning and developing magnet schools and magnet programs.

(b) Grant recipients must use the grant money under paragraph (a) to establish or operate a magnet school or a magnet program and provide all students with equal educational opportunities. Grant recipients may expend grant money on:

(1) teachers who provide instruction or services to students in a magnet school or magnet program;

(2) educational paraprofessionals who assist teachers in providing instruction or services to students in a magnet school or magnet program;

(3) clerical support needed to operate a magnet school or magnet program;

(4) equipment, equipment maintenance contracts, materials, supplies, and other property needed to operate a magnet school or magnet program;

(5) minor remodeling needed to operate a magnet school or magnet program;

(6) transportation for field trips that are part of a magnet school or magnet program curriculum;

(7) program planning and staff and curriculum development for a magnet school or magnet program;

(8) disseminating information on magnet schools and magnet programs; and

(9) indirect costs calculated according to the state's statutory formula governing indirect costs.

HIST: 1994 c 647 art 8 s 38

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), clause (1), may apply for a magnet school grant in an amount not to exceed the approved costs or expansion of a magnet school facility.

(b)(1) 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:

(i) establish a joint powers board under section 471.59 to represent all participating districts and govern the magnet school facility;

(ii) design the planned magnet school facility to meet the applicable requirements contained in Minnesota Rules, chapter 3535;

(iii) submit a statement of need, including reasons why the magnet school will facilitate integration and improve learning;

(iv) prepare an educational plan that includes input from both community and professional staff; and

(v) develop an education program that will improve learning opportunities for students attending the magnet school.

(2) 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)(1) 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.

(2) 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), clause (2), and a schedule, and terms and conditions acceptable to the commissioner of finance.

(g) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 123B.02, subdivision 3, the joint powers and its individual members may enter into long-term lease agreements as part of the magnet school program.

Subd. 4. Start-up costs. During the first two years of a metropolitan magnet school's operation, the school is eligible for aid to pay for start-up costs and additional operating costs. Start-up cost aid equals $500 times the magnet school's pupil units served for that year.

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; 1999 c 241 art 4 s 10; 2000 c 489 art 3 s 5,6; 2000 c 492 art 1 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. 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

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 school districts.

(b) At the request of a 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 metropolitan 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) nine superintendents, eight of whom are 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 one who is from a district outside the seven-county metropolitan area that is considered racially isolated or that has a racially isolated school site according to Minnesota Rules, part 3535.0110;

(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; and

(3) the superintendent of independent school district No. 709, Duluth.

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.

The advisory board shall expire June 30, 2003.

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; 2000 c 489 art 3 s 7; 2001 c 7 s 32; 1Sp2001 c 6 art 2 s 50,51

124D.894 Repealed, 2001 c 161 s 58

* NOTE: This section was also amended by Laws 2001, First *Special Session chapter 6, article 2, section 52, to read as *follows:

* "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. The committee *shall expire June 30, 2003.

* (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."

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 120B.11 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 process under sections 120B.10 to 120B.11, 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 120B.11; 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; 2000 c 254 s 34

124D.896 Desegregation/integration and inclusive education rules.

(a) By January 10, 1999, the commissioner shall propose 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; art 6 s 38; 2000 c 254 s 35,50

ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS

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 commissioner of children, families, and learning with the cooperation of the commissioners of 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 commissioner in the form and manner established by the commissioner. Additional information may be required by the commissioner.

Subd. 5. Revenue. The commissioner may award revenue to up to four applicants. The commissioner 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; 1998 c 398 art 5 s 55

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 commissioner of children, families, and learning.

Subd. 3. Board of directors. The board of directors of the foundation shall consist of the commissioner of children, families, and learning 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 members of the board of directors shall select one member to serve as chair. 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 department of children, families, and learning.

Subd. 7. Foundation staff. (a) The foundation board with review by the commissioner 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, with review by the commissioner, 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 commissioner of children, families, and learning 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; 1998 c 398 art 5 s 55; 1999 c 241 art 6 s 4-6

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. Repealed, 2001 c 161 s 58

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; 1998 c 398 art 5 s 55

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 department of children, families, and learning 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; 1998 c 398 art 5 s 55

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 commissioner 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; 1998 c 398 art 5 s 55

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes