Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to improve student attendance across public schools in Minnesota by funding a marketing campaign. This campaign is intended to raise awareness about the importance of regular school attendance and address the negative impacts of absenteeism.

Main Provisions

• Funding: Allocates financial resources from the general fund specifically to the Minnesota Department of Education for this initiative.
• Marketing Campaign: Directs the Department of Education to hire organizations through a request for proposals (RFP) process to develop and launch a student attendance marketing campaign.
• Campaign Goals: Focuses on educating students and their families about the significance of attending school regularly and providing solutions to remove attendance barriers.
• Inclusive Approach: Ensures that the campaign is inclusive and reaches diverse audiences within all public schools in Minnesota.

Significant Changes

• Contract and Evaluation: The Department is empowered to award contracts to organizations that can effectively reach a wide array of students and families. These organizations must demonstrate their project's success through stated goals, strategies, and measurable outcomes.
• Administrative Costs: Allows the Department of Education to utilize up to three percent of the funds to manage the RFP process and contract oversight.
• Temporary Funding: Stipulates that this funding is a one-time allocation, with the provision lasting until June 30, 2028.

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Relevant Terms: education finance, student attendance, marketing campaign, public school students, absenteeism, request for proposals, one-time appropriation.