new text begin [120B.025] ETHNIC STUDIES.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definition. new text end

new text begin "Ethnic studies" means the critical and interdisciplinary study
of race, ethnicity, and indigeneity with a focus on the experiences and perspectives of people
of color within and beyond the United States. Ethnic studies analyzes the ways in which
race and racism have been and continue to be powerful social, cultural, and political forces,
and their connections to other groups of stratification, including gender, class, sexuality,
and legal status.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Requirement. new text end

new text begin (a) Every public school in Minnesota must offer as part of the
social studies curriculum one or more ethnic studies courses that include the following
topics:
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new text begin (1) Latinx Studies;
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new text begin (2) African American Studies;
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new text begin (3) Asian American Studies;
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new text begin (4) Indigenous/First Nations Studies; or
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new text begin (5) Ethnic Studies 101.
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new text begin (b) Ethnic studies courses may also focus specifically on a particular group of national
or ethnic origin, including Hmong Studies or Somali Studies.
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new text begin (c) An ethnic studies course must meet state ethnic studies standards.
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new text begin (d) A student beginning 9th grade in the 2023-2024 school year and later must
successfully complete a semester-long ethnic studies course to graduate from high school.
A district or charter school must offer an ethnic studies course that fulfills the requirements
of this paragraph without increasing the number of credits required for graduation under
section 120B.024.
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new text begin (e) School districts and charter schools must provide ethnic studies curriculum in
elementary schools and middle schools by the 2024-2025 school year in accordance with
Department of Education rules on ethnic studies.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Rulemaking. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of education must adopt rules for statewide
academic standards for ethnic studies curriculum to be required for all kindergarten through
grade 12 students. The rules must include a process for implementing standards statewide.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin School needs assessment. new text end

new text begin (a) A school district or charter school must conduct
an ethnic studies school needs assessment with students, parents or guardians, and community
members to determine the priorities for course selection, implementation, and timeline. The
ethnic studies school needs assessment must include qualitative and quantitative components.
Qualitative priorities must include a schoolwide listening session or feedback forum with
students, parents or guardians, and community members. Quantitative priorities must include
a school survey.
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new text begin (b) A school district or charter school must annually evaluate the implementation of
ethnic studies instruction by seeking feedback from students, parents or guardians, and
community members. A school district or charter school must report to the commissioner
of education in the form and manner determined by the commissioner on plans to modify
implementation based on the annual evaluation.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Department of Education. new text end

new text begin (a) The Department of Education must hire dedicated
ethnic studies staff sufficient to fulfill the following department duties:
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new text begin (1) ensure that each school district or charter school implements ethnic studies courses
and curriculum that fulfill ethnic studies standards;
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new text begin (2) support school districts and charter schools in providing training for teachers and
school district staff to successfully implement ethnic studies standards;
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new text begin (3) require each school district or charter school to annually evaluate the implementation
of the ethnic studies curriculum by seeking feedback from students, parents or guardians,
and community members;
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new text begin (4) encourage school districts and charter schools to hire a dedicated coordinator for
ethnic studies implementation with support from the Department of Education; and
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new text begin (5) make available to school districts and charter schools the following:
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new text begin (i) a model ethnic studies curriculum;
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new text begin (ii) an ethnic studies school survey for each school district and charter school to use as
part of a school needs assessment;
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new text begin (iii) a list of recommended materials, resources, sample curricula, and pedagogical skills
for use in kindergarten through grade 12 that accurately reflect the diversity of the state of
Minnesota;
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new text begin (iv) training materials for teachers and district and school staff, including an ethnic
studies coordinator, to implement ethnic studies requirements, including a school needs
assessment; and
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new text begin (v) other resources to assist districts and charter schools in successfully implementing
ethnic studies standards.
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new text begin (b) The commissioner must review the ethnic studies standards, once adopted, every ten
years. Review of the state standards must include robust community engagement and
consultation with stakeholders.
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