1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education; establishing a commission to study high school reform.
1.3 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.4 	Section 1. LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION ON HIGH SCHOOL REFORM.
 1.5 		Subdivision 1.Establishment; membership. (a) The Legislative Commission 
1.6 	on High School Reform is established to study restructuring and improving state high 
1.7 	school instruction, curriculum, and services to better prepare in high school the necessary 
1.8 	workforce for Minnesota business, industry, and labor needs.
1.9 	(b) The commission consists of ten members with five members from the house of 
1.10 	representatives appointed by the speaker and five members from the senate appointed by 
1.11 	the Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration. The 
1.12 	house of representatives and senate shall provide staff support.
1.13 		Subd. 2.Duties. The commission shall study and recommend strategies to 
1.14 	restructure and improve high school education for a prepared workforce by:
1.15 	(1) considering how restructuring will improve: 
1.16 	(i) the development and implementation of high academic standards; 
1.17 	(ii) high school instruction, curriculum, and services; and 
1.18 	(iii) student achievement and ability to meet high academic standards and high 
1.19 	school graduation requirements;
1.20 	(2) examining the educational systems of other countries and territories such as 
1.21 	Canada, Finland, Japan, and Puerto Rico;
1.22 	(3) examining the feasibility and potential improvement to high school curriculum, 
1.23 	adequate yearly progress, and student achievement by providing three tracks of programs, 
2.1 	such as academic, vocational/technical, and commercial, as based on the abilities and 
2.2 	interests of students;
2.3 	(4) considering how any restructuring and improvement can meet the needs of 
2.4 	current and future business, industry, and labor needs; and
2.5 	(5) considering any other educational practices and restructuring that recognize 
2.6 	the relationship between business organizations, labor organizations, industry, and high 
2.7 	academic standards.
2.8 		Subd. 3.Report. The commission shall report its findings and recommendations 
2.9 	on state high school reform to the committees of the house of representatives and senate 
2.10 	having jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education and the governor's 
2.11 	office by January 11, 2008.
2.12 		Subd. 4.Expiration. The commission expires January 31, 2008.

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