HF 694 Summary

• Amends definition of "instruction" to include nontraditional instructional programs and updates "world's best workforce" goals to ensure students have choice of nontraditional instructional programs.

• Creates new statute (124D.061) requiring school districts to provide at least two nontraditional instructional programs in each grade K-12, including examples such as magnet schools, online learning, language immersion, project-based learning, career/technical programs, and Montessori schools.

• Requires nontraditional instructional programs to provide at least 80 percent of interested students' daily instruction and allows districts to meet requirements through multiple compliance options including joint powers agreements with adjoining districts.

• Mandates school boards adopt public plans describing their nontraditional instructional programs, enrollment processes, assessment measures, and data-informed processes for program modification, with input from parents and community members.

• Requires commissioner to submit annual report to legislature by February 15 summarizing district participation in and outcomes of nontraditional instructional programs; effective for 2016-2017 school year and later.