1.1.................... moves to amend H.F. No. 2127 as follows:
1.2Delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

1.3    "Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 120B.024, is amended to read:
1.4120B.024 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS; COURSE CREDITS.
1.5    (a) Students beginning 9th grade in the 2004-2005 school year and later must
1.6successfully complete the following high school level course credits for graduation:
1.7    (1) four credits of language arts;
1.8    (2) three credits of mathematics, encompassing at least algebra, geometry, statistics,
1.9and probability sufficient to satisfy the academic standard;
1.10    (3) three credits of science, including at least one credit in biology;
1.11    (4) three and one-half credits of social studies, encompassing at least United
1.12States history, geography, government and citizenship, world history, and economics or
1.13three credits of social studies encompassing at least United States history, geography,
1.14government and citizenship, and world history, and one-half credit of economics taught in
1.15a school's social studies, agriculture education, or business department;
1.16    (5) one credit in the arts; and
1.17    (6) a minimum of seven elective course credits.
1.18    A course credit is equivalent to a student successfully completing an academic
1.19year of study or a student mastering the applicable subject matter, as determined by the
1.20local school district.
1.21    (b) High school students must receive at least one digital course credit under
1.22section 124D.095 to graduate. Where appropriate, a school district may comply with this
1.23requirement by adopting a comparable, locally-established alternate plan to accommodate
1.24an eligible student with disabilities or an English-language learner enrolled in school for
1.25three school years or less.
2.1(c) An agriculture science course may fulfill a science credit requirement in addition
2.2to the specified science credits in biology and chemistry or physics under paragraph (a),
2.3clause (3).
2.4    (c) (d) A career and technical education course may fulfill a science, mathematics, or
2.5arts credit requirement in addition to the specified science, mathematics, or arts credits
2.6under paragraph (a), clause (2), (3), or (5).
2.7EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for all students entering grade 9 in
2.8the 2012-2013 school year and later.

2.9    Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 122A.18, is amended by adding a subdivision
2.10to read:
2.11    Subd. 3b. Technology strategies. All colleges and universities approved by the
2.12Board of Teaching to prepare persons for classroom teacher licensure must include in their
2.13teacher preparation programs the knowledge and skills teacher candidates need to deliver
2.14digital and blended learning and curriculum and engage students with technology.
2.15EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for candidates entering a teacher
2.16preparation program after June 30, 2014.

2.17    Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 122A.60, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
2.18    Subd. 1a. Effective staff development activities. (a) Staff development activities
2.19must:
2.20(1) focus on the school classroom and research-based strategies that improve student
2.21learning;
2.22(2) provide opportunities for teachers to practice and improve their instructional
2.23skills over time;
2.24(3) provide opportunities for teachers to use student data as part of their daily work
2.25to increase student achievement;
2.26(4) enhance teacher content knowledge and instructional skills to accommodate
2.27the delivery of digital and blended learning and curriculum and engage students with
2.28technology;
2.29(5) align with state and local academic standards;
2.30(6) provide opportunities to build professional relationships, foster collaboration
2.31among principals and staff who provide instruction, and provide opportunities for
2.32teacher-to-teacher mentoring; and
3.1(7) align with the plan of the district or site for an alternative teacher professional
3.2pay system.
3.3Staff development activities may include curriculum development and curriculum training
3.4programs, and activities that provide teachers and other members of site-based teams
3.5training to enhance team performance. The school district also may implement other
3.6staff development activities required by law and activities associated with professional
3.7teacher compensation models.
3.8(b) Release time provided for teachers to supervise students on field trips and school
3.9activities, or independent tasks not associated with enhancing the teacher's knowledge
3.10and instructional skills, such as preparing report cards, calculating grades, or organizing
3.11classroom materials, may not be counted as staff development time that is financed with
3.12staff development reserved revenue under section 122A.61.
3.13EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

3.14    Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 122A.60, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
3.15    Subd. 3. Staff development outcomes. The advisory staff development committee
3.16must adopt a staff development plan for improving student achievement. The plan must
3.17be consistent with education outcomes that the school board determines. The plan
3.18must include ongoing staff development activities that contribute toward continuous
3.19improvement in achievement of the following goals:
3.20(1) improve student achievement of state and local education standards in all areas
3.21of the curriculum by using best practices methods;
3.22(2) effectively meet the needs of a diverse student population, including at-risk
3.23children, children with disabilities, and gifted children, within the regular classroom
3.24and other settings;
3.25(3) provide an inclusive curriculum for a racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse
3.26student population that is consistent with the state education diversity rule and the district's
3.27education diversity plan;
3.28(4) improve staff collaboration and develop mentoring and peer coaching programs
3.29for teachers new to the school or district;
3.30(5) effectively teach and model violence prevention policy and curriculum that
3.31address early intervention alternatives, issues of harassment, and teach nonviolent
3.32alternatives for conflict resolution; and
3.33(6) effectively deliver digital and blended learning and curriculum and engage
3.34students with technology; and
4.1(7) provide teachers and other members of site-based management teams with
4.2appropriate management and financial management skills.
4.3EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

4.4    Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 124D.095, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
4.5    Subd. 2. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the
4.6meanings given them.
4.7    (a) "Online Digital learning" is an interactive course or program that delivers
4.8instruction from a teacher to a student by computer; is combined with other traditional
4.9delivery methods that include frequent student assessment and may include actual teacher
4.10contact time; and meets or exceeds state academic standards. "Blended learning" is a
4.11form of digital learning that occurs when: a student learns part-time in a supervised
4.12physical setting and part-time through digital delivery of instruction; or a student learns
4.13in a supervised physical setting where digital curriculum is used as a primary method to
4.14deliver instruction.
4.15    (b) "Online Digital learning provider" is a school district, an intermediate school
4.16district, an organization of two or more school districts operating under a joint powers
4.17agreement, or a charter school located in Minnesota that provides online digital learning to
4.18students.
4.19    (c) "Student" is a Minnesota resident enrolled in a school under section 120A.22,
4.20subdivision 4 , in kindergarten through grade 12.
4.21    (d) "Online Digital learning student" is a student enrolled in an online a digital
4.22learning course or program delivered by an online a digital provider under paragraph (b).
4.23    (e) "Enrolling district" means the school district or charter school in which a student
4.24is enrolled under section 120A.22, subdivision 4, for purposes of compulsory attendance.
4.25    (f) "Supplemental online digital learning" means an online a digital course taken in
4.26place of a course period during the regular school day at a local district school.
4.27    (g) "Full-time online digital provider" means an enrolling school authorized by the
4.28department to deliver comprehensive public education at any or all of the elementary,
4.29middle, or high school levels.
4.30(h) "Online Digital course syllabus" is a written document that an online a digital
4.31learning provider transmits to the enrolling district using a format prescribed by the
4.32commissioner to identify the state academic standards embedded in an online a digital
4.33course, the course content outline, required course assessments, expectations for actual
4.34teacher contact time and other student-to-teacher communications, and the academic
4.35support available to the online digital learning student.
5.1EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

5.2    Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 124D.095, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
5.3    Subd. 4. Online Digital learning parameters. (a) An online A digital learning
5.4student must receive academic credit for completing the requirements of an online a digital
5.5learning course or program. Secondary credits granted to an online a digital learning
5.6student count toward the graduation and credit requirements of the enrolling district. The
5.7enrolling district must apply the same graduation requirements to all students, including
5.8online digital learning students, and must continue to provide nonacademic services
5.9to online digital learning students. If a student completes an online a digital learning
5.10course or program that meets or exceeds a graduation standard or the grade progression
5.11requirement at the enrolling district, that standard or requirement is met. The enrolling
5.12district must use the same criteria for accepting online digital learning credits or courses
5.13as it does for accepting credits or courses for transfer students under section 124D.03,
5.14subdivision 9 . The enrolling district may reduce the course schedule of an online a digital
5.15learning student in proportion to the number of online digital learning courses the student
5.16takes from an online a digital learning provider that is not the enrolling district.
5.17    (b) An online A digital learning student may:
5.18    (1) enroll in supplemental online digital learning courses equal to a maximum of
5.1950 percent of the student's full schedule of courses per term during a single school year
5.20and the student may exceed the supplemental online digital learning registration limit
5.21if the enrolling district permits supplemental online digital learning enrollment above
5.22the limit, or if the enrolling district and the online digital learning provider agree to the
5.23instructional services;
5.24    (2) complete course work at a grade level that is different from the student's current
5.25grade level; and
5.26    (3) enroll in additional courses with the online digital learning provider under a
5.27separate agreement that includes terms for paying any tuition or course fees.
5.28    (c) An online A digital learning student has the same access to the computer
5.29hardware and education software available in a school as all other students in the enrolling
5.30district. An online A digital learning provider must assist an online a digital learning
5.31student whose family qualifies for the education tax credit under section 290.0674 to
5.32acquire computer hardware and educational software for online digital learning purposes.
5.33    (d) An enrolling district may offer online digital learning to its enrolled students.
5.34Such online digital learning does not generate online digital learning funds under this
5.35section. An enrolling district that offers online digital learning only to its enrolled students
6.1is not subject to the reporting requirements or review criteria under subdivision 7, unless
6.2the enrolling district is a full-time online digital provider. A teacher with a Minnesota
6.3license must assemble and deliver must supervise but need not be physically present for
6.4the delivery of instruction to enrolled students receiving online digital learning from an
6.5enrolling district. The delivery of instruction occurs when the student interacts with the
6.6computer or the teacher and receives ongoing assistance and assessment of learning. The
6.7instruction may include curriculum developed by persons other than a teacher holding a
6.8Minnesota license.
6.9    (e) Both full-time and supplemental online digital learning providers are subject to
6.10the reporting requirements and review criteria under subdivision 7. A teacher holding a
6.11Minnesota license must assemble and deliver supervise the delivery of instruction to
6.12online digital learning students but is not required to be physically present during the
6.13delivery of that instruction. The delivery of instruction occurs when the student interacts
6.14with the computer or the teacher and receives ongoing assistance and assessment of
6.15learning. The instruction may include curriculum developed by persons other than a
6.16teacher holding a Minnesota license. Unless the commissioner grants a waiver, a teacher
6.17providing online learning instruction must not instruct more than 40 students in any one
6.18online learning course or program.
6.19    (f) To enroll in more than 50 percent of the student's full schedule of courses per
6.20term in online digital learning, the student must qualify to exceed the supplemental online
6.21digital learning registration limit under paragraph (b) or apply to enroll in an approved
6.22full-time online digital learning program, consistent with subdivision 3, paragraph (a).
6.23Full-time online digital learning students may enroll in classes at a local school under a
6.24contract for instructional services between the online digital learning provider and the
6.25school district.

6.26    Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 124D.095, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
6.27    Subd. 7. Department of Education. (a) The department must review and approve
6.28online or disapprove digital learning providers within 60 business days of receiving the
6.29digital provider's completed application. If the commissioner disapproves the application ,
6.30the commissioner must notify the digital provider of the deficiencies in the application
6.31and the digital provider then has 20 business days to address the deficiencies. If the
6.32digital provider does not address the deficiencies to the commissioner's satisfaction, the
6.33commissioner's disapproval is final.
6.34(b) The online digital learning courses and programs must be rigorous, aligned with
6.35state academic standards, and contribute to grade progression in a single subject. The
7.1online digital provider, other than a digital provider offering digital learning to its enrolled
7.2students only under subdivision 4, paragraph (d), must give the commissioner written
7.3assurance that: (1) all courses meet state academic standards; and (2) the online digital
7.4learning curriculum, instruction, and assessment, expectations for actual teacher-contact
7.5time or other student-to-teacher communication, and academic support meet nationally
7.6recognized professional standards and are described as such in an online a digital course
7.7syllabus that meets the commissioner's requirements. Once an online a digital learning
7.8provider is approved under this paragraph, all of its online digital learning course offerings
7.9are eligible for payment under this section unless a course is successfully challenged by an
7.10enrolling district or the department under paragraph (b).
7.11    (b) (c) The commissioner may approve a digital provider for an initial term of three
7.12consecutive school years, and may reapprove a digital provider for a subsequent term of
7.13three to five consecutive school years if warranted by the digital provider's academic,
7.14financial, and operational performance. For the commissioner to reapprove a digital
7.15provider, among other effectiveness criteria established by the commissioner, a digital
7.16provider must demonstrate to the commissioner it is making satisfactory progress toward
7.17meeting its education goals and performance objectives and those of its students, as
7.18described in its application.
7.19(d) An enrolling district may challenge the validity of a course offered by an online a
7.20digital learning provider. The department must review such challenges based on the
7.21certification procedures under paragraph (a) (b). The department may initiate its own
7.22review of the validity of an online a digital learning course offered by an online a digital
7.23learning provider.
7.24    (c) (e) The department may collect a fee not to exceed $250 for certifying online
7.25digital learning providers or $50 per course for reviewing a challenge by an enrolling
7.26district.
7.27    (d) (f) The department must develop, publish, and maintain a list of approved online
7.28digital learning providers and online learning courses and programs that it has reviewed
7.29and certified approved.
7.30(g) The commissioner must work with district schools, intermediate districts, and
7.31charter schools to develop digital learning consortia.

7.32    Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 124D.095, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
7.33    Subd. 10. Online Digital Learning Advisory Council. (a) An Online A Digital
7.34Learning Advisory Council is established. The term for each council member shall be
7.35three years. The advisory council is composed of 12 members from throughout the
8.1state who have demonstrated experience with or interest in online digital learning. The
8.2members of the council shall be appointed by the commissioner. The advisory council
8.3shall bring to the attention of the commissioner any matters related to online digital
8.4learning and provide input to the department in matters related, but not restricted, to:
8.5(1) quality assurance;
8.6(2) teacher qualifications;
8.7(3) program approval;
8.8(4) special education;
8.9(5) attendance;
8.10(6) program design and requirements; and
8.11(7) fair and equal access to programs.
8.12(b) The Digital Learning Advisory Council, in consultation with the department and
8.13the Minnesota Learning Commons, shall:
8.14(1) develop and maintain a catalog of publicly available digital learning content
8.15aligned with Minnesota academic standards that includes:
8.16(i) an index of Minnesota academic standards aligned with curriculum;
8.17(ii) feedback from student and teacher catalog users; and
8.18(iii) a maintenance plan; and
8.19(2) recommend to the committees of the legislature having jurisdiction over
8.20kindergarten through grade 12 education within three months of enactment how to add
8.21student performance data to the digital resources included in the catalog.
8.22(c) The Online Learning Advisory Council under this subdivision expires June
8.2330, 2013.

8.24    Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 126C.15, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
8.25    Subdivision 1. Use of revenue. The basic skills revenue under section 126C.10,
8.26subdivision 4 , must be reserved and used to meet the educational needs of pupils who
8.27enroll under-prepared to learn and whose progress toward meeting state or local content or
8.28performance standards is below the level that is appropriate for learners of their age. Any
8.29of the following may be provided to meet these learners' needs:
8.30(1) direct instructional services under the assurance of mastery program according
8.31to section 124D.66;
8.32(2) remedial instruction in reading, language arts, mathematics, other content areas,
8.33or study skills to improve the achievement level of these learners;
9.1(3) additional teachers and teacher aides to provide more individualized instruction
9.2to these learners through individual tutoring, lower instructor-to-learner ratios, or team
9.3teaching;
9.4(4) a longer school day or week during the regular school year or through a summer
9.5program that may be offered directly by the site or under a performance-based contract
9.6with a community-based organization;
9.7(5) comprehensive and ongoing staff development consistent with district and site
9.8plans according to section 122A.60, for teachers, teacher aides, principals, and other
9.9personnel to improve their ability to identify the needs of these learners and provide
9.10appropriate remediation, intervention, accommodations, or modifications;
9.11(6) instructional materials, digital learning, and technology appropriate for meeting
9.12the individual needs of these learners;
9.13(7) programs to reduce truancy, encourage completion of high school, enhance
9.14self-concept, provide health services, provide nutrition services, provide a safe and secure
9.15learning environment, provide coordination for pupils receiving services from other
9.16governmental agencies, provide psychological services to determine the level of social,
9.17emotional, cognitive, and intellectual development, and provide counseling services,
9.18guidance services, and social work services;
9.19(8) bilingual programs, bicultural programs, and programs for learners of limited
9.20English proficiency;
9.21(9) all day kindergarten;
9.22(10) extended school day and extended school year programs; and
9.23(11) substantial parent involvement in developing and implementing remedial
9.24education or intervention plans for a learner, including learning contracts between the
9.25school, the learner, and the parent that establish achievement goals and responsibilities of
9.26the learner and the learner's parent or guardian.

9.27    Sec. 10. DIGITAL LEARNING ADVISORY COUNCIL REPORT.
9.28(a) The Digital Learning Advisory Council, in consultation with recognized experts
9.29and interested stakeholders, shall review state education statutes and rules and recommend
9.30how best to amend the statutes and rules to effectively integrate technology into K-12 and
9.31postsecondary education.
9.32(b) The council shall review the effect of student-teacher ratios and teacher licensure
9.33requirements on digital learning and include the review in its report under paragraph (d).
9.34(c) The Minnesota Department of Education shall assist the council upon request.
10.1(d) The council must submit a report to the K-12 education committees of the
10.2legislature by January 15, 2013, recommending statutory and rule changes to better
10.3integrate technology into K-12 and postsecondary education.
10.4EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

10.5    Sec. 11. REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION.
10.6In the next edition of Minnesota Statutes and Minnesota Rules, the revisor of statutes
10.7shall substitute the term "digital" for the term "online" wherever the term "online" appears
10.8pertaining to Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.095."
10.9Amend the title accordingly