SF 3614

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to education; requiring public school students to complete service
learning hours as a condition of graduating from high school; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 120B.024.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2007 Supplement, section 120B.024, is amended to read:

120B.024 GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS; COURSE CREDITS.

(a) Students deleted text begin beginning 9th grade in the 2004-2005 school year and later deleted text end must
successfully complete the following high school level course credits for graduation:

(1) four credits of language arts;

(2) three credits of mathematics, encompassing at least algebra, geometry, statistics,
and probability sufficient to satisfy the academic standard;

(3) three credits of science, including at least one credit in biology;

(4) three and one-half credits of social studies, encompassing at least United
States history, geography, government and citizenship, world history, and economics or
three credits of social studies encompassing at least United States history, geography,
government and citizenship, and world history, and one-half credit of economics taught in
a school's social studies, agriculture education, or business department;

(5) one credit in the arts; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(6) a minimum of seven elective course credits deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (7) at least 75 hours of student service credit that includes preparation, action, and
reflection components and that may be a locally designed experiential program approved
by the commissioner and may begin during the middle grades, at the discretion of the local
school district or charter school.
new text end

A course credit is equivalent to a student successfully completing an academic
year of study or a student mastering the applicable subject matter, as determined by the
local school district.

(b) An agriculture science course may fulfill a science credit requirement in addition
to the specified science credits in biology and chemistry or physics under paragraph (a),
clause (3).

(c) A career and technical education course may fulfill a science, mathematics, or
arts credit requirement in addition to the specified science, mathematics, or arts credits
under paragraph (a), clause (2), (3), or (5).

new text begin (d) Students may acquire student service hours required under paragraph (a),
clause (7), in curriculum-based courses with identified service learning outcomes and
activities during the school day, through school-sponsored cocurricular activities, through
organizations approved by the commissioner that offer service learning opportunities, and
through out-of-school service learning activities offered by community organizations
approved by the commissioner. A student interested in acquiring service hours in a
manner not consistent with this paragraph must present a written proposal to the chief
school administrator or school service learning committee and receive approval before the
student proceeds with any service learning activity. Each school district and charter school
must establish a verification process to confirm those student service hours that students
complete through cocurricular activities, community organizations, and special activities.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for students beginning 9th grade in
the 2008-2009 school year and later.
new text end