MN SF3246

Appropriates $21,246,000 for fiscal year 2016 and $22,023,000 for fiscal year 2017 to the Minnesota Department of Education.

Allocates $50,000 in fiscal year 2017 to contract with the University of Minnesota's Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement for a comprehensive evaluation of the relationship between teacher performance on licensure skills exams and teacher preparation, teacher performance, and student outcomes.

Requires the Department of Education to submit a report to legislative committees having jurisdiction over K-12 education upon completion of the evaluation, with the Board of Teaching providing technical assistance as requested.

Designates funds for the Board of Teaching ($718,000 annually), Board of School Administrators ($228,000-$231,000), Regional Centers of Excellence ($1,000,000 annually), School Safety Technical Assistance Center ($500,000 annually), School Finance Division ($250,000 annually), and English Academic Proficiency and Success Act implementation ($441,000-$720,000).

Sets the Department of Education's base budget at $21,973,000 for fiscal year 2018 and $21,948,000 for fiscal year 2019.