HF 3130

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/27/2023 01:33pm

A bill for an act
relating to higher education; requiring a report on Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities course placement practices; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin REPORT ON MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
COURSE PLACEMENT PRACTICES.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Review. new text end

new text begin (a) The Office of Higher Education shall document, review, and
analyze college admission and course placement policies, practices, and assessments used
by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. The review shall seek to determine
if policies, practices, and assessments used have:
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new text begin (1) adverse consequences for a student and their family, including burdensome economic
and related costs of delaying their degree plans;
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new text begin (2) hindered the participation of students;
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new text begin (3) hindered the placement, retention, or timely college graduation of students; and
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new text begin (4) excluded students from admission thereby hindering their full participation in higher
education.
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new text begin (b) The review must consider impacts for various student communities, including but
not limited to Indigenous students, English as a second language (ESL) students, and students
of color.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Determination. new text end

new text begin Utilizing the review conducted under subdivision 1, the
commissioner shall determine whether:
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new text begin (1) students, including Indigenous students, ESL students, and students of color, are:
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new text begin (i) denied admission;
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new text begin (ii) disproportionately assigned to enroll in developmental courses; or
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new text begin (iii) delayed or deterred in their educational progress; and
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new text begin (2) policies, practices, and instruments:
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new text begin (i) are disproportionately reliant on test scores;
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new text begin (ii) impose barriers for students in terms of enrollment, retention, and completion; and
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new text begin (iii) may be culturally biased.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Recommendation. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall recommend changes based on the
information obtained in subdivisions 1 and 2 to existing measures, instruments, and placement
practices. By February 1, 2024, the commissioner shall report the recommendations to the
chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over
higher education. The commissioner shall seek external advice and expertise to address the
above reviews, determinations, findings, and recommendations.
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Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2024 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of
the Office of Higher Education for the purposes of section 1. This is a onetime appropriation.
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