SF 410

2nd Engrossment - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/21/2013 09:04am

A bill for an act
relating to education; standardizing requirements for an adult high school
diploma; establishing an advisory task force; authorizing rulemaking; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 124D.52, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 124D.52, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Standard high school diploma for adults. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner shall
adopt rules for providing a standard adult high school diploma to persons who:
new text end

new text begin (1) are not eligible for kindergarten through grade 12 services;
new text end

new text begin (2) do not have a high school diploma; and
new text end

new text begin (3) successfully complete an adult basic education program of instruction approved
by the commissioner of education necessary to earn an adult high school diploma.
new text end

new text begin (b) Persons participating in an approved adult basic education program of instruction
must demonstrate proficiency in a standard set of competencies that reflect the knowledge
and skills sufficient to ensure that postsecondary programs and institutions and potential
employers regard persons with a standard high school diploma and persons with a standard
adult high school diploma as equally well prepared and qualified graduates. Approved
adult basic education programs of instruction under this subdivision must issue a standard
adult high school diploma to persons who successfully demonstrate proficiency in the
competencies, knowledge, and skills required by the program.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2014.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin STANDARD ADULT HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA ADVISORY TASK
FORCE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of education shall appoint a
nine-member advisory task force to recommend programmatic requirements for adult
basic education programs of instruction leading to a standard adult high school diploma
under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.52, subdivision 8.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of education must appoint representatives
from the following organizations to the task force by July 1, 2013:
new text end

new text begin (1) one employee of the Department of Education with expertise in adult basic
education;
new text end

new text begin (2) five administrators and secondary teachers with expertise in development of
education curriculum from local adult basic education programs located in rural, suburban,
and urban areas of the state, at least one of whom represents Literacy Action network;
new text end

new text begin (3) one employee of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities with expertise
in adult basic education;
new text end

new text begin (4) one employee of the Department of Employment and Economic Development
with expertise in adult basic education and employment; and
new text end

new text begin (5) one member of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce familiar with adult basic
education programs under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.52.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin The duties of the task force shall include:
new text end

new text begin (1) reviewing "Minnesota Adult Secondary Credential: a Student Strategy for
Workforce Readiness and Individual Prosperity," a report submitted in 2012 by the
Minnesota Adult Secondary Task Force, and other relevant materials; and
new text end

new text begin (2) developing specific criteria to be used in awarding the new adult diploma.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin First meeting. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of education must convene the first
meeting of the task force by August 1, 2013.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Chair. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall appoint a chair.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Compensation. new text end

new text begin Task force members are not eligible for compensation or
reimbursement for expenses related to task force activities.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Assistance. new text end

new text begin The commissioner, upon request, must provide technical
assistance to task force members.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin By February 1, 2014, the task force must submit its
recommendations to the commissioner of education for providing a standard adult high
school diploma to persons who are not eligible for kindergarten through grade 12 services,
who do not have a high school diploma, and who successfully complete an approved adult
basic education program of instruction necessary to earn an adult high school diploma.
The commissioner must consider these recommendations when adopting rules under
Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.52, subdivision 8.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Sunset. new text end

new text begin The task force sunsets the day after submitting its report under
subdivision 8, or February 2, 2014, whichever is earlier.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end