MDE Policy Bill Overview
How to Navigate the MDE Policy Bill
The Minnesota Department of Education is proposing a 120-page education policy bill covering many topics. MREA has developed the summary below where you can review the topics contained in their legislative package. Many of the topics were included in last year’s MDE policy bill. MREA is reviewing the bill language, contained in SF 2822, with a critical eye toward any unfunded mandates and overly prescriptive language, dictating local processes and procedures. We appreciate our members reviewing the legislation and providing feedback to us on any points of concern or support.
Sen. Roger Chamberlain, introduced the bill “by request” which means it was a courtesy to the MDE. It’s unlikely the MDE policy bill will advance in the Senate. The bill has yet to be introduced in the House.
| Line Number | Summary |
| 2.3 | General Education Article 1 |
| 2.8 | Crossed out a locally adopted expectation for learning in the arts |
| 2.21 | Added an area of arts called media arts |
| 8.14 | Took away the deadline of the first day of school to publish testing calendar. Needs to be done by Oct. 1st |
| 8.28 | Blended and On-line learning are no longer in the definition of Digital Learning |
| 9.3 | Define On-line as primarily digital learning off campus |
| 9.8 | Defines Supplemental On-line learning provider |
| 10.9 | Digital Learning,blended learning, and on-line learning do not generate on-line learning funds in this case |
| 16.16 | Crisis on-line learning is defined |
| 16.23 | Defines a crisis online learning plan |
| 16.31 | Crisis on-line learning plan needs consultation from Ed Mn. And implementaton may include 1 day to prepare and one to transition back |
| 17.7 | Need to inform parents one day prior to implementing crisis plan |
| 8.2-17.9 | Changes to On-line learning statutes |
| 17.14 | Redefines ELL |
| 17.28 | Defines American Indian student |
| 19.26 | Placement in another district; Responsibility |
| 21.21 | Placement of children without disabilities; education and transportation |
| 24.2 | Education Excellence Article 2 |
| 27.5 | National and International Education Comparisons- |
| 27.6 | If a district is selected for a national assessment the district will need to participate. |
| 27.15 | Inclusive and welcoming schools Article 3 |
| 28.26 | Instruction must be provided in Ethnic studies |
| 29.11 | Increase the standards development committee to include tribal communities, youth, people of ethnic,racial and geographical diversity |
| as well as gender and sexual orientation religious and linguistic. | |
| 29.23 | Embed Indigenous education standards into the states academic standards and graduation requirements |
| 30.6 | Embed Ethnic studies into standards |
| 31.1 | Ethnic Studies Curriculum |
| 32.1 | American Indian Mascots Prohibited |
| 32.2 | Districts cannot have,adopt, name, symbol or image depicting an American Indian tribe, custom or traditions as mascot, nickname, logo or team name |
| 32.27 | Muti-tiered system of support |
| 33.31 | Dismissal is defined as less than 1 day not one day |
| 34.14 | Non-excusionary discipline disciplinary policies and practices: alternatives to pupil removal and dismissal |
| 34.29 | Pupil withdrawl agreement- parents can do this to avoid expulsion or exclusion for not more than 12 months |
| 35.5 | Districts cannot dismiss a preschooler or prekindergarten students, preK-3 need to use non-exclusionalry discipline |
| 36.2 | Alternative Education services must be provided for a pupil who is suspended more than 5 days |
| 36.12 | Districts need to give students an opportunity to complete all homework while suspended |
| 38.14 | Policies to be established for expulsion, exclusion, dismissals, and withdrawal agreements |
| 39.21 | Discipline complaint proceedures for any member of school community |
| 42.18 | American Indian Education Program Coordinators, paraprofessionals |
| 46.8 | Graducation Ceremonies, Tribal Regalia and objects of cultural significance |
| 46.14 | Retrictive procedures |
| 50.19 | Tobacco products prohibited in public schools |
| 51.27 | An American Indian student may carry a medicine pouch containing loose tobacco for spiritual or culturals practices |
| 52.1 | Health and Wellness Article 4 |
| 53.28 | Commissioner shall develop and adopt state-level standards for social, emotional and cognitive development |
| 54.2 | Teachers Article 5 |
| 55.7 | Curriculum policy |
| 65.8 | Charter Schools Article 6 |
| 77.19 | Nutrition and Libraries Article 7 |
| 77.22 | Summer food service program and child and adult care food program |
| 78.12 | School Libraries and Media Centers |
| 80.13 | Early Childhood Article 8 |
| 91.16 | Career and Technical Education, postsecondary enrollment options, and graduation Article 9 |
| 94.6 | Administrative updates and technical corrections Article 10 |
| 117.22 | Expiration of report mandates |
