Bill Text: MN SF1528 | 2011-2012 | 87th Legislature | Engrossed

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Teachers 21st century tools; digital learning authorization; students online course encouragement; Online Learning Option Act modifications; online learning advisory council provisions modifications; report requirement and appropriation

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2012-05-07 - Secretary of State Chapter 273 05/03/12 [SF1528 Detail]

Download: Minnesota-2011-SF1528-Engrossed.html

1.1A bill for an act
1.2relating to education; providing 21st century tools for teachers; encouraging
1.3students to take one online course; requiring a report;amending Minnesota
1.4Statutes 2010, sections 124D.095, subdivision 10; 126C.15, subdivision 1.
1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 124D.095, subdivision 10, is amended to
1.7read:
1.8    Subd. 10. Online Learning Advisory Council. (a) An Online Learning Advisory
1.9Council is established. The term for each council member shall be three years. The
1.10advisory council is composed of 12 members from throughout the state who have
1.11demonstrated experience with or interest in online learning. The members of the council
1.12shall be appointed by the commissioner. The advisory council shall bring to the attention
1.13of the commissioner any matters related to online learning and provide input to the
1.14department in matters related, but not restricted, to:
1.15(1) quality assurance;
1.16(2) teacher qualifications;
1.17(3) program approval;
1.18(4) special education;
1.19(5) attendance;
1.20(6) program design and requirements; and
1.21(7) fair and equal access to programs.
1.22(b) By June 30, 2013, the Online Learning Advisory Council with the support of the
1.23Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Learning Commons shall:
2.1(1) oversee the development and maintenance of a catalog of publicly available
2.2digital learning content currently aligned to Minnesota academic standards to include:
2.3(i) indexing of Minnesota academic standards with which curriculum is aligned;
2.4(ii) a method for student and teacher users to provide evaluative feedback; and
2.5(iii) a plan for ongoing maintenance;
2.6(2) conduct a study to examine methods for including student performance data
2.7on the digital resources within the catalog to include a report to the committees of the
2.8legislature having jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education within three
2.9months of enactment recommending a student performance data collection process to be
2.10implemented.
2.11(c) The Online Learning Advisory Council under this subdivision expires June
2.1230, 2013.

2.13    Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 126C.15, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
2.14    Subdivision 1. Use of revenue. The basic skills revenue under section 126C.10,
2.15subdivision 4
, must be reserved and used to meet the educational needs of pupils who
2.16enroll under-prepared to learn and whose progress toward meeting state or local content or
2.17performance standards is below the level that is appropriate for learners of their age. Any
2.18of the following may be provided to meet these learners' needs:
2.19(1) direct instructional services under the assurance of mastery program according
2.20to section 124D.66;
2.21(2) remedial instruction in reading, language arts, mathematics, other content areas,
2.22or study skills to improve the achievement level of these learners;
2.23(3) additional teachers and teacher aides to provide more individualized instruction
2.24to these learners through individual tutoring, lower instructor-to-learner ratios, or team
2.25teaching;
2.26(4) a longer school day or week during the regular school year or through a summer
2.27program that may be offered directly by the site or under a performance-based contract
2.28with a community-based organization;
2.29(5) comprehensive and ongoing staff development consistent with district and site
2.30plans according to section 122A.60, for teachers, teacher aides, principals, and other
2.31personnel to improve their ability to identify the needs of these learners and provide
2.32appropriate remediation, intervention, accommodations, or modifications;
2.33(6) instructional materials, digital learning, and technology appropriate for meeting
2.34the individual needs of these learners;
3.1(7) programs to reduce truancy, encourage completion of high school, enhance
3.2self-concept, provide health services, provide nutrition services, provide a safe and secure
3.3learning environment, provide coordination for pupils receiving services from other
3.4governmental agencies, provide psychological services to determine the level of social,
3.5emotional, cognitive, and intellectual development, and provide counseling services,
3.6guidance services, and social work services;
3.7(8) bilingual programs, bicultural programs, and programs for learners of limited
3.8English proficiency;
3.9(9) all day kindergarten;
3.10(10) extended school day and extended school year programs; and
3.11(11) substantial parent involvement in developing and implementing remedial
3.12education or intervention plans for a learner, including learning contracts between the
3.13school, the learner, and the parent that establish achievement goals and responsibilities of
3.14the learner and the learner's parent or guardian.

3.15    Sec. 3. ONLINE LEARNING COURSE.
3.16All Minnesota students are strongly encouraged to take at least one online learning
3.17course before graduating high school.

3.18    Sec. 4. ONLINE LEARNING ADVISORY COUNCIL REPORT.
3.19(a) The Online Learning Advisory Council shall review Minnesota education
3.20laws and rules pertaining to classroom learning to determine which ones, if any, inhibit
3.21digital learning. The council shall include the results of their review in the report under
3.22paragraph (d).
3.23(b) The council shall review the effect of student-teacher ratios and teacher licensure
3.24requirements on digital learning and include the review in its report under paragraph (d).
3.25(c) The Minnesota Department of Education shall provide assistance to the Online
3.26Learning Advisory Council for the review and report upon request.
3.27(d) The council shall report to the committees of the legislature having jurisdiction
3.28over kindergarten through grade 12 education with its recommendations, including any
3.29proposed legislation, by June 30, 2013.
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