1st Engrossment - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/06/2013 05:53pm
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:
Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 124D.52, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:
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(a) The commissioner shall
adopt rules for providing a standard adult high school diploma to persons who:
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(1) are not eligible for kindergarten through grade 12 services;
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(2) do not have a high school diploma; and
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(3) successfully complete an adult basic education program of instruction approved
by the commissioner of education necessary to earn an adult high school diploma.
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(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.
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This section is effective July 1, 2014.
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(a) 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.
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(b) The commissioner of education must appoint representatives from the following
organizations to the task force by July 1, 2013:
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(1) one employee of the Department of Education with expertise in adult basic
education;
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(2) five administrators and instructional experts 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;
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(3) one employee of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities with expertise
in adult basic education;
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(4) one employee of the Department of Employment and Economic Development
with expertise in adult basic education and employment; and
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(5) one member of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce familiar with adult basic
education programs under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.52.
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(c) The commissioner of education must convene the task force. Task force
members are not eligible for compensation or reimbursement for expenses related to task
force activities. The commissioner, upon request, must provide technical assistance to
task force members.
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(d) 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.
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This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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