as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 02/17/2017 09:13am
A bill for an act
relating to education; establishing an after-school community learning grant
program; appropriating money.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
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A competitive grant program is established
to support community-based organizations, schools, political subdivisions, or child care
centers that service young people in kindergarten through grade 12 after school or during
nonschool hours. Grants must be used to offer enrichment activities that promote positive
youth development, including mentoring, leadership, community engagement, agriculture,
art, music, literacy, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, health, and recreation
programs.
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The commissioner of education shall develop the form and method
for applying for the grants. The application must include information on the applicant's
outreach to children and youth that qualify for free or reduced-price lunch and two-year
measurable goals and activities linked to research or best practices. The commissioner may
consider the following criteria to allocate the grants:
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(1) increasing access to protective factors that build young people's capacity to become
productive adults, such as connections to a caring adult;
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(2) developing children's skills and behaviors necessary to succeed in postsecondary
education and career opportunities; and
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(3) encouraging attendance and improving performance in school.
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To the extent practicable, the selection of applicants shall result
in an equitable distribution of grant awards among geographic areas within Minnesota,
including rural, suburban, and urban communities. The commissioner shall also give priority
to programs that collaborate with and leverage existing community resources that have
demonstrated effectiveness. Applicants selected as grantees are eligible to receive a two-year
renewable grant, contingent upon satisfactory progress toward goals and objectives and the
availability of funds.
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The sums indicated in this section are
appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years
designated.
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For after-school community learning
grants under section 1:
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$ new text end |
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5,000,000 new text end |
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..... new text end |
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2018 new text end |
|
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$ new text end |
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5,000,000 new text end |
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..... new text end |
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2019 new text end |
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The Department of Education may use up to two percent of the appropriation in each
fiscal year for administration and evaluation purposes. The Department of Education may
use up to five percent of the appropriation in each fiscal year to partner with Ignite
Afterschool and other youth development organizations in order to provide capacity building,
professional development, and technical assistance to ensure implementation of high-quality,
research-driven learning opportunities.
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Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.
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