HF 1149

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/04/2013 01:55pm

A bill for an act
relating to education; establishing a 13th grade pilot project; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. 13TH GRADE PILOT PROJECT.

Subdivision 1.

Establishment.

A 13th grade pilot project is established as
an education and employability solution for young adults who are unemployed,
underemployed, not enrolled in postsecondary education, and do not have a defined career
pathway. The 13th grade is a 12-month nonresidential college readiness and career
pathways employability program focused on the academic, technical, and soft-skill
building of disconnected young adults.

Subd. 2.

Pilot project.

(a) The commissioner of education shall develop a
one-year 13th grade pilot project, with one site being operated by the Minneapolis Urban
League. The commissioner must select the pilot sites by December 1, 2013. Interested
organizations may submit an application to the commissioner, in the form and manner
prescribed by the commissioner, including a detailed budget plan and how their program
meets the criteria under paragraph (b).

(b) The pilot sites must:

(1) use a community-based requirement model accepting referrals from community
members, faith organizations, educational partners, and other stakeholders;

(2) have a program cohort of 100 young adults for each site;

(3) use the following criteria to select program participants:

(i) the results of a comprehensive career, academic, and personal assessment;

(ii) demonstrated commitment to the program;

(iii) written literacy, verbal comprehension, numeracy, and computer skills;

(iv) staff interviews; and

(v) program shadowing;

(4) provide an individualized participant assessment at the three-month, six-month,
nine-month, and 12-month marks;

(5) allow for participants to leave the program once the desired skills are achieved
based on their individualized assessment results; and

(6) provide wrap-around services, including physical and mental health assessments
and referral to support services.

Subd. 3.

Report.

The pilot sites must report the outcomes of their program to the
commissioner by February 1, 2015. The report must include, at a minimum, number
of young adults served, the length of participation in the program, the chosen career
pathways of program participants, and results of the National Career Readiness Credential
assessment. The commissioner must report program results to the education committees
of the legislature by March 1, 2015.

Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.

Subdivision 1.

Department of Education.

The sums indicated in this section are
appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years
indicated.

Subd. 2.

13th grade pilot project.

For the 13th grade pilot project:

	$	.......	.....	2014