1.1A bill for an act1.2relating to education; proposing a transitions plan for high school students 1.3to successfully pursue postsecondary education and employment; amending 1.4Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 120B.125; proposing coding for new law in 1.5Minnesota Statutes, chapter 121A.1.6BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:1.7    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 120B.125, is amended to read:1.8120B.125 PLANNING FOR STUDENTS' SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION 1.9TO POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT; INVOLUNTARY 1.10CAREER TRACKING PROHIBITED.1.11(a) Consistent with sections 120B.128, 120B.13, 120B.131, 120B.132, 120B.14, 1.12120B.15, 125A.08, and other related sections, school districts are strongly encouraged to 1.13assist all students by no later than grade 9 to explore their college and career interests and 1.14aspirations and develop a plan for a smooth and successful transition to postsecondary 1.15education or employment. All students' plans must be designed to:1.16(1) provide a comprehensive academic plan for completing a college and 1.17career-ready curriculum premised on meeting state and local academic standards and 1.18developing 21st century skills such as team work, collaboration, and good work habits;1.19(2) emphasize academic rigor and high expectations;1.20(3) help students identify personal learning styles that may affect their postsecondary 1.21education and employment choices;1.22(4) help students succeed at gaining access to postsecondary education and career 1.23options;2.1(5) integrate strong academic content into career-focused courses and integrate 2.2relevant career-focused courses into strong academic content;2.3(6) help students and families identify and gain access to appropriate counseling 2.4and other supports and assistance that enable students to complete required coursework, 2.5prepare for postsecondary education and careers, and obtain information about 2.6postsecondary education costs and eligibility for financial aid and scholarship;2.7(7) help students and families identify collaborative partnerships of kindergarten 2.8through grade 12 schools, postsecondary institutions, economic development agencies, and 2.9employers that support students' transition to postsecondary education and employment 2.10and provide students with experiential learning opportunities; and2.11(8) be reviewed and revised at least annually by the student, the student's parent or 2.12guardian, and the school or district to ensure that the student's course-taking schedule 2.13keeps the student "on track" to meet state and local high school graduation requirements 2.14and with a reasonable chance to succeed with employment or postsecondary education 2.15without the need to first complete remedial course work.2.16(b) A school district may develop grade-level curricula or provide instruction that 2.17introduces students to various careers, but must not require any curriculum, instruction, 2.18or employment-related activity that obligates an elementary or secondary student to 2.19involuntarily select a career, career interest, employment goals, or related job training.2.20(c) School districts are encouraged to seek and use revenue and in-kind contributions 2.21from nonstate sources and to seek administrative cost savings through innovative local 2.22funding arrangements, such as the Collaboration Among Rochester Educators (CARE) 2.23model for funding postsecondary enrollment options, among other sources, for purposes 2.24of implementing this section.2.25EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment 2.26and applies to students graduating in the 2013-2014 school year and later.2.27    Sec. 2. [121A.39] SCHOOL COUNSELORS.2.28A school district is strongly encouraged to have an adequate student-to-counselor 2.29ratio for its students beginning in the 2015-2016 school year and later.