1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education; modifying certain gifted and talented provisions; improving 
1.3 	transitional outcomes;amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 120B.15.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 120B.15, is amended to read:
1.6 	120B.15 GIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENTS PROGRAMS.
1.7 	(a) School districts may identify students, locally develop programs addressing 
1.8 	instructional and affective needs, provide staff development, and evaluate programs to 
1.9 	provide gifted and talented students with challenging and appropriate educational programs.
1.10 	(b) School districts must adopt guidelines for assessing and identifying students for 
1.11 	participation in gifted and talented programs consistent with section 120B.11, subdivision 
1.12 	2, clause (2). The guidelines should must include the use of:
1.13 	(1) multiple and objective criteria; and
1.14 	(2) assessments and identification procedures that are:
1.15 	(i) valid and reliable,;
1.16 	(ii) fair, and;
1.17 	(iii) based on current theory and research. Assessments and procedures should be;
1.18 	(iv) capable of identifying gifts and talents in individual academic domains; and
2.1 	(v) sensitive to underrepresented groups, including, but not limited to, low-income
2.2 	students, minority students, twice-exceptional students, students with disabilities or a 504 
2.3 	plan under section 125A.55, and English learners.
2.4 	(c) School districts must adopt procedures for the academic acceleration of gifted and 
2.5 	talented students consistent with section 120B.11, subdivision 2, clause (2). These procedures 
2.6 	must include how the district will:
2.7 	(1) assess a student's readiness and motivation for acceleration; and
2.8 	(2) match the level, complexity, and pace of the curriculum to a student to achieve the 
2.9 	best type of academic acceleration for that student.
2.10 	(d) School districts must adopt procedures consistent with section 124D.02, subdivision 
2.11 	1, for early admission to kindergarten or first grade of gifted and talented learners consistent 
2.12 	with section 120B.11, subdivision 2, clause (2). The procedures must be sensitive to 
2.13 	underrepresented groups.