1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education; providing for information technology certifications through 
1.3 	public-private partnership; appropriating money.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL; PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.
 1.6 	(a) The commissioner of education shall contract with a single provider to provide 
1.7 	information technology education opportunities to students in grades 9 through 12. 
1.8 	This partnership must allow participating students and teachers to secure broad-based 
1.9 	information technology certifications.
1.10 	(b) The commissioner shall issue a competitive request for proposals, award the 
1.11 	contract, and make available, through participating school districts, charter schools, and 
1.12 	intermediate districts, instruction on information technology skills and competencies 
1.13 	that are essential for career and college readiness. The request for proposals shall at 
1.14 	least include the following components:
1.15 	(1) a research-based curriculum;
1.16 	(2) online access to the curriculum;
1.17 	(3) instructional software for classroom and student use;
1.18 	(4) certification of skills and competencies in a broad array of information 
1.19 	technology-related skill areas;
1.20 	(5) professional development for teachers; and
1.21 	(6) deployment and program support including, but not limited to, integration with 
1.22 	academic standards under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.021 or 120B.022.

1.23 	Sec. 2. CANCELLATION OF PREVIOUS BIENNIUM APPROPRIATION.
 2.1 	The appropriation made by Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 16, section 16, 
2.2 	subdivision 5, is canceled.

2.3 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

2.4 	Sec. 3. APPROPRIATIONS.
 2.5 		Subdivision 1.Department of Education. The sums indicated in this section are 
2.6 	appropriated  from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years 
2.7 	designated.
2.8 		Subd. 2.Information technology certification partnership. For an information 
2.9 	technology certification partnership:

2.10 | | $ | 300,000 | ..... | 2016
2.11 | | $ | -0- | ..... | 2017
2.12 	This is a onetime appropriation. Any balance in the first year does not cancel but 
2.13 	is available in the second year.