Some bills showing up this year for consideration were as follows:  There was a bipartisan bill which would have given more revenue to safe schools programs.  It went nowhere.  A DFL bill with Rep.Kahn as chief author would have made proficiency in a second world language a requirement for graduation.  It did not get a hearing.  A third bill which did not get a hearing was HF 2143 Mariani/SF 1837 Torres Ray.This bill would have set staffing ratios for teachers and student services personnel.  Each school district and charter school would have been required to convene a data analysis team to analyze and interpret student performance data so that all licensed school staff could use the data to inform classroom instruction and improve student learning.  “Each school board and charter school must engage in a formal strategic planning process that, among other things, targets at-risk student populations between prekindergarten and grade 12″.  “Each school board and charter school must develop a strategic plan to promote parent education and parent community involvement for the purpose of improving student learning….”  “By January 1, 2013, a school board would need to adopt a written policy that prohibits harassment, bullying, intimidation and violence…”To better understand a young child’s ability to learn, the screening required also may include an assessment and evaluation of the child’s social and emotional development, the child’s approaches to learning, language, and literacy development, and the child’s familiarity with math, science, and creative arts.”

A bill has been sent to the Governor and signed which would extend for one year the use of prone restraints.  There are two final bills to mention.  One would expand the use of the PSEO program, HF 2025, Urdahl.  The second would require all students who graduate to have at least one course in digital learning, HF 2127, Myhra.

Ralph D. Maves, MSPA Lobbyist