MN SF2097

Eliminates the $5,000 per-child cap on early childhood education scholarships and requires the commissioner to establish a target average scholarship amount based on a rate survey conducted under section 119B.13.

Makes all Minnesota early learning foundation scholarship program pilot sites eligible to accept early learning scholarships regardless of quality rating requirements.

Increases fiscal year 2015 appropriation for early childhood education scholarships from $23,000,000 to $63,000,000, with a baseline appropriation cap of either twice the previous year's amount or actual funding needed for all eligible requests beginning in fiscal year 2016.

Establishes a learning mentorship pilot program for fiscal years 2015-2017 across five school districts (three in the seven-county metropolitan area, one outside it, and one serving majority American Indian students) to provide volunteer one-on-one mentoring for students needing educational assistance.

Appropriates $1,500,000 for fiscal years 2015-2017 to the Department of Education for learning mentorship pilot project grants and administration, with $600,000 appropriated to the Board of the Arts for arts education in partnership with the President's Turnaround Arts Initiative for fiscal years 2015-2016.