1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education; establishing an advisory task force to recommend options 
1.3 	for accelerated K-12 science and mathematics programs throughout Minnesota. 
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. ADVISORY TASK FORCE ON OPTIONS FOR ACCELERATED K-12 
1.6 	SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT MINNESOTA.
 1.7 	(a) An advisory task force on options for accelerated K-12 science and mathematics 
1.8 	programs throughout Minnesota is established to consider and recommend to the 
1.9 	legislature alternatives for delivering accelerated science and mathematics programs 
1.10 	to eligible students throughout Minnesota. Recommended programs must provide 
1.11 	accelerated science and mathematics instruction to eligible students in grades 6 through 
1.12 	12 and be cost effective and efficiently implemented and operated. Other recommended 
1.13 	programs may offer accelerated science and mathematics instruction to other eligible 
1.14 	elementary grade students and provide out-of-school and summer school K-12 science 
1.15 	and mathematics instruction throughout the state. 
1.16 	(b) The advisory task force at least must:
1.17 	(1) evaluate and compare at least five alternatives for delivering accelerated science 
1.18 	and mathematics programs to Minnesota students, which may include online learning, 
1.19 	satellite science and mathematics centers, a consortium of available accelerated science 
1.20 	and mathematics or accelerated education programs, and residential and nonresidential 
1.21 	accelerated science and mathematics academies that may be patterned after the Perpich 
1.22 	Center for Arts Education under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 129C, among other 
1.23 	alternatives;
2.1 	(2) identify and evaluate possible members for a science, mathematics, engineering, 
2.2 	and technology leadership consortium composed of representatives of corporations, 
2.3 	organizations, educational institutions, and research facilities to help implement 
2.4 	accelerated K-12 science and mathematics programs in Minnesota;
2.5 	(3) evaluate and compare at least three alternatives for preparing and assisting 
2.6 	educational leaders who are literate in science and mathematics to help implement 
2.7 	accelerated K-12 science and mathematics programs in Minnesota, which may include 
2.8 	gifted education and accelerated science and mathematics teacher training programs and 
2.9 	residential and  nonresidential accelerated science and mathematics academies that also 
2.10 	provide professional development and educational outreach programs; and 
2.11 	(4) identify and evaluate postsecondary career and technical education programs 
2.12 	offering or requiring accelerated science and mathematics instruction.
2.13 	(c) The commissioner of education shall appoint an advisory task force on options 
2.14 	for accelerated K-12 science and mathematics programs throughout Minnesota that is 
2.15 	composed of the following representatives: a gifted education coordinator, an educator 
2.16 	holding a gifted education certificate or an instructor in a graduate level gifted education 
2.17 	program; a currently licensed or retired high school physical science teacher; a currently 
2.18 	licensed or retired high school mathematics teacher; a faculty member providing 
2.19 	instruction under the Minnesota postsecondary enrollment options program or an educator 
2.20 	providing instruction under the college in the schools program; a faculty member or 
2.21 	educator providing instruction in the Minnesota talented youth mathematics program; a 
2.22 	University of Minnesota mathematics or engineering professor; a University of Minnesota 
2.23 	physical science professor; a manager or director in a high technology field, corporation, 
2.24 	organization, or facility; a manager or director in a medical field or profession; a manager 
2.25 	or director in a research-based field, corporation, organization, or facility; one parent of a 
2.26 	high school student gifted in mathematics or science from each congressional district; a 
2.27 	physical science teacher and a biology teacher, one of whom is licensed to teach middle 
2.28 	level students and one of whom is licensed to teach high school level students; a high 
2.29 	school career and technical instructor; a faculty member in a postsecondary institution 
2.30 	offering technical two-year degrees who provides career and technical instruction; a 
2.31 	manager or director in a mathematics or science industry who employs persons with 
2.32 	associate degrees in a technical field; a manager or director in the biosciences industry; 
2.33 	and two at-large members.  Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the task force 
2.34 	may conduct meetings of its members by telephone or other electronic means where all 
2.35 	members can hear one another and all the discussion, at least one member is physically 
2.36 	present at the regular meeting location, and interested members of the public can hear all 
3.1 	the discussion. Task force members' terms and other task force matters are subject to 
3.2 	Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059.  The task force must submit by January 30, 2007, a 
3.3 	written report and presentation to the Education Policy and Finance committees of the 
3.4 	legislature that include recommendations on alternatives for delivering accelerated science 
3.5 	and mathematics programs to eligible students throughout Minnesota.
3.6 	(d) Upon request, the commissioner of education must provide the task force with 
3.7 	technical, fiscal, and other support services.
3.8 	(e) The task force expires February 1, 2007.

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