1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to education; providing for education innovation; modifying innovation
1.3 zone provisions; modifying P-TECH approval process; recodifying and reorganizing
1.4 Education Innovation; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 124D.085;
1.5 124D.093, subdivisions 3, 4; Laws 2017, First Special Session chapter 5, article
1.6 2, section 52; repealing Laws 2017, First Special Session chapter 5, article 2,
1.7 section 52, subdivision 3.
1.8BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.9 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124D.085, is amended to read:
1.10 124D.085 EXPERIENTIAL AND APPLIED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR
1.11STUDENTS.
1.12 (a) To strengthen the alignment between career and college ready curriculum and state
1.13and local academic standards and increase students' opportunities for participating in applied
1.14and experiential learning in a nontraditional setting, school districts are encouraged to
1.15provide programs such as:
1.16 (1) magnet schools,;
1.17 (2) language immersion programs,;
1.18 (3) project-based learning,;
1.19 (4) accelerated learning,;
1.20 (5) college prep schools,;
1.21 (6) career and technical education,;
1.22 (7) Montessori schools,;
1Section 1.
REVISOR CR/BM 25-0160201/07/25
State of Minnesota
This Document can be made available
in alternative formats upon request
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H. F. No. 302
NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
Authored by Bakeberg and Mueller01/23/2025
The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Education Policy 2.1 (8) military schools,;
2.2 (9) work-based schools,; and
2.3 (10) place-based learning.
2.4 (b) Districts may provide such programs independently or in cooperation with other
2.5districts, at a school single site, for particular grades, or throughout the district. In addition
2.6to meeting the other accountability measures under chapter 120B, districts may declare that
2.7a student meets or exceeds specific academic standards required for graduation under the
2.8rigorous course of study waiver in section 120B.021, subdivision 1a, where appropriate.
2.9 (b) (c) The board of a district that chooses to participate must publicly adopt and review
2.10a plan for providing a program under this section. The plan must: define the program and
2.11its structure; describe the enrollment process; identify measures and processes for regularly
2.12assessing, evaluating, and publicly reporting on program efficacy and use summary data to
2.13show student progress and outcomes; and establish a data-informed public process for
2.14modifying and revising the plan as needed. A district must publish its plan contents and
2.15evaluation outcomes on the district website.
2.16 (c) (d) For purposes of further integrating experiential and applied learning into career
2.17and college ready curricula, the commissioner may request program information from
2.18providing districts under this section, but is not authorized to approve or deny any school
2.19board-adopted program provided under this section.
2.20 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124D.093, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
2.21 Subd. 3.Application Board approval process.The commissioner must determine the
2.22form and manner of application for a school to be designated a P-TECH school. The
2.23application school board plan for adopting a P-TECH program must contain at least the
2.24following information:
2.25 (1) the written agreement between a public school, a higher education institution under
2.26section 124D.09, subdivision 3, paragraph (a), and a business partner to jointly develop and
2.27support a P-TECH school;
2.28 (2) a proposed school design consistent with subdivisions 1 and 2;
2.29 (3) a description of how the P-TECH school supports the needs of the economic
2.30development region in which the P-TECH school is to be located;
2.31 (4) a description of the facilities to be used by the P-TECH school;
2Sec. 2.
REVISOR CR/BM 25-0160201/07/25 3.1 (5) a description of proposed budgets, curriculum, transportation plans, and other
3.2operating procedures for the P-TECH school;
3.3 (6) the process by which students will be enrolled in the P-TECH school;
3.4 (7) the qualifications required for individuals employed in the P-TECH school; and
3.5 (8) any additional information that the commissioner requires board determines is
3.6appropriate.
3.7 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124D.093, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
3.8 Subd. 4.Approval Grant process.(a) When an appropriation is available, the
3.9commissioner of education must appoint an advisory committee to review the applications
3.10and to recommend approval for those applications that meet the requirements of this section.
3.11The commissioner of education has final authority over application approvals.
3.12 (b) To the extent practicable, the commissioner must ensure an equitable geographic
3.13distribution of approved P-TECH schools.
3.14 (c) Nothing in this subdivision may be construed to authorize the commissioner to
3.15approve or deny a locally adopted P-TECH plan.
3.16 Sec. 4. Laws 2017, First Special Session chapter 5, article 2, section 52, is amended to
3.17read:
3.18 Sec. 52. EDUCATION INNOVATION RESEARCH ZONES PILOT PROGRAM.
3.19 Subdivision 1.Establishment; requirements for participation; research innovation
3.20zone plans.(a) The innovation research zone pilot program is established to improve student
3.21and school outcomes consistent with the world's best workforce comprehensive achievement
3.22and civic readiness requirements under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.11. Innovation
3.23zone partnerships allow school districts and charter schools to research and implement
3.24innovative education programming models designed to better prepare students for the world
3.25of the 21st century.
3.26 (b) One or more school districts or charter schools may join together to form an innovation
3.27zone partnership. The partnership may include other nonschool partners, including
3.28postsecondary institutions, other units of local government, nonprofit organizations, and
3.29for-profit organizations. An innovation zone plan must be collaboratively developed in
3.30concert with the school's instructional staff.
3Sec. 4.
REVISOR CR/BM 25-0160201/07/25 4.1 (c) An innovation research zone partnership must research and may implement innovative
4.2education programs and models that are based on proposed hypotheses. An innovation zone
4.3plan may include an emerging practice not yet supported by peer-reviewed research.
4.4Examples of innovation zone research may include, but are not limited to:
4.5 (1) personalized learning, allowing students to excel at their own pace and according to
4.6their interests, aspirations, and unique needs;
4.7 (2) the use of competency outcomes rather than seat time and course completion to fulfill
4.8standards, credits, and other graduation requirements;
4.9 (3) multidisciplinary, real-world, inquiry-based, and student-directed models designed
4.10to make learning more engaging and relevant, including documenting and validating learning
4.11that takes place beyond the school day and school walls;
4.12 (4) models of instruction designed to close the achievement gap, including new models
4.13for age three to grade 3 models, English as a second language models, early identification
4.14and prevention of mental health issues, and others;
4.15 (5) new partnerships between secondary schools and postsecondary institutions,
4.16employers, or career training institutions enabling students to complete industry certifications,
4.17postsecondary education credits, and other credentials;
4.18 (6) new methods of collaborative leadership including the expansion of schools where
4.19teachers have larger professional roles;
4.20 (7) new ways to enhance parental and community involvement in learning;
4.21 (8) new models of professional development for educators, including embedded
4.22professional development; or
4.23 (9) new models in other areas such as whole child instruction, social-emotional skill
4.24development, technology-based or blended learning, parent and community involvement,
4.25professional development and mentoring, and models that increase the return on investment.;
4.26 (10) new models of evaluation, assessment, and accountability using multiple indicators,
4.27including models that demonstrate alternative ways to validate a student's academic
4.28attainment that have predictive validity to the state tests, and also include other skills, such
4.29as problem solving, creativity, analytical thinking, collaboration, respecting others, global
4.30understanding, postgraduation student performance, and other information;
4.31 (11) improving teacher and principal mentorship and evaluation;
4Sec. 4.
REVISOR CR/BM 25-0160201/07/25 5.1 (12) granting a high school diploma to a student who meets the graduation requirements
5.2under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.02, subdivision 2, while providing the student
5.3opportunities to:
5.4 (i) attain postsecondary credits or degrees through advanced placement, international
5.5baccalaureate, or concurrent enrollment courses; or
5.6 (ii) participate in career and industrial certification programs, including apprenticeship
5.7programs;
5.8 (13) exercising the authority granted under Minnesota Statutes, sections 124D.085,
5.9governing experiential and applied learning opportunities; 124D.52, subdivision 9, governing
5.10standard adult high school diploma requirements; and 126C.05, subdivision 15, paragraph
5.11(b), item (i), governing the use of independent study;
5.12 (14) providing career and technical education programs after school, on weekends, and
5.13during school breaks, including summers through a learning year program under Minnesota
5.14Statutes, section 124D.128 for a student in grade 10, 11, or 12. A district may receive general
5.15education revenue funding for the program if it allows a student to earn both high school
5.16and postsecondary credit, and to earn a career certification or technical college degree, or
5.17participate in an apprenticeship program. A student participating in a learning year program
5.18may attend school year round, and the student's continual learning plan must provide for
5.19the student to meet the high school graduation standards no later than the end of the fall
5.20semester of grade 12;
5.21 (15) implementing models that provide students supports or interventions to reduce the
5.22need for special education services, and to reduce teacher time devoted to required special
5.23education documentation; or
5.24 (16) other innovations as determined by the local boards.
5.25 (d) An innovation zone plan submitted to the commissioner of education must describe:
5.26 (1) how the plan will improve student and school outcomes consistent with the world's
5.27best workforce comprehensive achievement and civic readiness requirements under
5.28Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.11;
5.29 (2) the role of each partner in the zone;
5.30 (3) the research methodology used for each proposed action in the plan;
5.31 (4) (3) the exemptions from statutes and rules in subdivision 2 that the research innovation
5.32zone partnership will use;
5Sec. 4.
REVISOR CR/BM 25-0160201/07/25 6.1 (5) (4) a description of how teachers and other educational staff from the affected school
6.2sites will be included in the planning and implementation process;
6.3 (6) (5) a detailed description of expected outcomes and graduation standards;
6.4 (7) (6) a timeline for implementing the plan and assessing the outcomes; and
6.5 (8) (7) how results of the plan will be disseminated.
6.6The governing board for each partner must approve the innovation zone plan.
6.7 (e) Upon unanimous approval of the initial innovation zone partners and approval of the
6.8commissioner of education, the innovation zone partnership may extend membership to
6.9other partners. A new partner's membership is effective 30 days after the innovation zone
6.10partnership notifies the commissioner of the proposed change in membership unless the
6.11commissioner disapproves the new partner's membership and updates the plan.
6.12 (f) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a school district or charter school
6.13participating in an innovation zone partnership under this section continues to receive all
6.14revenue and maintains its taxation authority in the same manner as before its participation
6.15in the innovation zone partnership. The innovation zone school district and charter school
6.16partners remain organized and governed by their respective school boards with general
6.17powers under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 123B or 124E, and remain subject to any
6.18employment agreements under Minnesota Statutes, chapters 122A and 179A. School district
6.19and charter school employees participating in an innovation zone partnership remain
6.20employees of their respective school district or charter school.
6.21 (g) An innovation zone partnership may submit its plan at any time to the commissioner
6.22in the form and manner specified by the commissioner. The commissioner must approve
6.23or reject the plan after reviewing the recommendation of the Innovation Research Zone
6.24Advisory Panel. An initial innovation zone plan that has been rejected by the commissioner
6.25may be resubmitted to the commissioner after the innovation zone partnership has modified
6.26the plan to meet each individually identified objection.
6.27 (h) An innovation zone plan must not cause an increase in state aid or levies for partners.
6.28 Subd. 2.Exemptions from laws and rules.(a) Notwithstanding any other law to the
6.29contrary, an innovation zone partner with an approved a plan filed with the commissioner
6.30is exempt from each of the following state education laws and rules specifically identified
6.31in its plan:
6.32 (1) any law or rule from which a district-created, site-governed school under Minnesota
6.33Statutes, section 123B.045, is exempt;
6Sec. 4.
REVISOR CR/BM 25-0160201/07/25 7.1 (2) any statute or rule from which the commissioner has exempted another district or
7.2charter school, as identified in the list published on the Department of Education's Web site
7.3website under subdivision 4, paragraph (b);
7.4 (3) online learning program approval under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.095,
7.5subdivision 7, if the school district or charter school offers a course or program online
7.6combined with direct access to a teacher for a portion of that course or program;
7.7 (4) restrictions on extended time revenue under Minnesota Statutes, section 126C.10,
7.8subdivision 2a, for a student who meets the criteria of Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.68,
7.9subdivision 2; and
7.10 (5) any required hours of instruction in any class or subject area for a student who is
7.11meeting all competencies consistent with the graduation standards described in the innovation
7.12zone plan.
7.13 (b) The exemptions under this subdivision must not be construed as exempting an
7.14innovation zone partner from the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments or as increasing
7.15any state aid or levy.
7.16 Subd. 3.Innovation Research Zone Advisory Panel.(a) The commissioner must
7.17establish and convene an Innovation Research Zone Advisory Panel to review all innovation
7.18zone plans submitted for approval.
7.19 (b) The panel must be composed of nine members. One member must be appointed by
7.20each of the following organizations: Educators for Excellence, Education Minnesota,
7.21Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals, Minnesota Elementary School
7.22Principals' Association, Minnesota Association of School Administrators, Minnesota School
7.23Boards Association, Minnesota Association of Charter Schools, and the Office of Higher
7.24Education. The commissioner must appoint one member with expertise in evaluation and
7.25research.
7.26 Subd. 4.Role of the commissioner approval.(a) Upon recommendation of the
7.27Innovation Research Zone Advisory Panel, the commissioner may approve up to three
7.28innovation zone plans in the seven-county metropolitan area and up to three in greater
7.29Minnesota. If an innovation zone partnership fails to implement its innovation zone plan as
7.30described in its application and according to the stated timeline, upon recommendation of
7.31the Innovation Research Zone Advisory Panel, the commissioner must may alert the
7.32partnership members and provide the opportunity to remediate. If implementation continues
7.33to fail, the commissioner must may suspend or terminate the innovation zone plan.
7Sec. 4.
REVISOR CR/BM 25-0160201/07/25 8.1 (b) The commissioner must publish a list of the exemptions the commissioner has granted
8.2to a district or charter school on the Department of Education's Web site website by July 1,
8.32017. The list must be updated annually.
8.4 Subd. 5.Project evaluation, dissemination, and report to legislature.Each research
8.5innovation zone partnership must submit project data to the commissioner in the form and
8.6manner provided for in the approved application specified by the commissioner. At least
8.7once every two years, the commissioner must may analyze each innovation zone's progress
8.8in realizing the objectives of the innovation zone partnership's plan. To the extent practicable,
8.9and using existing resources, the commissioner must may summarize and categorize
8.10innovation zone plans and submit a report to the legislative committees having jurisdiction
8.11over education by February 1 of each odd-numbered year in accordance with Minnesota
8.12Statutes, section 3.195.
8.13 Sec. 5. REVISOR INSTRUCTION.
8.14 (a) The revisor of statutes shall renumber the provisions of Minnesota Statutes and laws
8.15listed in column A to the references listed in column B. The revisor shall also make necessary
8.16cross-reference changes in Minnesota Statutes and Minnesota Rules consistent with the
8.17renumbering in this instruction.
Column B8.18 Column A
124F.018.19 Laws 2017, First Special Session
8.20 chapter 5, article 2, section 52
124F.028.21 124D.085
124F.038.22 124D.093
124F.048.23 124D.4535
124F.058.24 124D.46
124F.068.25 124D.47
124F.078.26 124D.48
124F.088.27 124D.49
124F.098.28 124D.50
8.29 (b) Paragraph (a) is intended to be a reorganization of statutes relating to Education
8.30Innovation in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 124F, and not intended to change the meaning
8.31or prior interpretation of those laws.
8.32 Sec. 6. REPEALER.
8.33 Laws 2017, First Special Session chapter 5, article 2, section 52, subdivision 3, is
8.34repealed.
8Sec. 6.
REVISOR CR/BM 25-0160201/07/25 Laws 2017, First Special Session chapter 5, article 2, section 52, subdivision 3
Sec. 52. INNOVATION RESEARCH ZONES PILOT PROGRAM.
Subd. 3.Innovation Research Zone Advisory Panel.(a) The commissioner must establish
and convene an Innovation Research Zone Advisory Panel to review all innovation zone plans
submitted for approval.
(b) The panel must be composed of nine members. One member must be appointed by each of
the following organizations: Educators for Excellence, Education Minnesota, Minnesota Association
of Secondary School Principals, Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association, Minnesota
Association of School Administrators, Minnesota School Boards Association, Minnesota Association
of Charter Schools, and the Office of Higher Education. The commissioner must appoint one member
with expertise in evaluation and research.
1R
APPENDIX
Repealed Minnesota Session Laws: 25-01602