HF 3861

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 05/15/2010 12:04pm

A bill for an act
relating to higher education; establishing an applied learning initiative in the
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities for technical education; appropriating
money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 136F.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [136F.34] APPLIED LEARNING INSTITUTES FOR TECHNICAL
EDUCATION.
new text end

new text begin (a) Beginning in fiscal year 2012, with appropriations for this section, the board
shall designate up to ten colleges as applied learning institutes eligible to participate in
the development and expansion of the technical education pilot project offered by the
Northeast Higher Education District. An applied learning institute must be established in
each region of the state that is not currently served. The board must select participating
institutions based on the development of partnerships with area high schools and an
established network of regional business and industry participants. The board must award
at least $1,000,000 to each selected institute to enhance opportunities for state-of-the-art
technical education for high school students. Up to one-half of the first year's allocation of
funding under this section to an institute may be used to purchase equipment necessary
to establish a technical education curriculum in area high schools in which students are
provided with the technical skills necessary for the workforce.
new text end

new text begin (b) Within each region, the participating college must develop partnerships with
regional high schools, and their eleventh and twelfth grade students may participate in
the institute. Students from participating high schools may also access the facilities and
faculty of the partner college. The partner colleges and high schools may enter into
agreements for concurrent enrollment programs in the high schools or students may use
postsecondary enrollment options. Students who successfully complete applied learning
college courses through an institute must be awarded college credit and the credits must
transfer to an affiliated college for continuation of postsecondary technical education.
new text end

new text begin (c) Each institute and its partner high schools must develop relationships with
regional business and industry to identify job prospects and requirements for institute
participants and to generate support for the institutes. The Northeast Higher Education
District must assist in the development of each of the new applied learning institutes.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; APPLIED LEARNING INSTITUTES.
new text end

new text begin $....... each year beginning in fiscal year 2012, is appropriated from the general fund
to the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities for development
and implementation of applied learning institutes for technical education under Minnesota
Statutes, section 136F.34.
new text end