1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education; standardizing requirements for an adult high school 
1.3 	diploma; establishing an advisory task force; authorizing rulemaking;amending 
1.4 	Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 124D.52, by adding a subdivision.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 124D.52, is amended by adding a 
1.7 	subdivision to read:
1.8 		Subd. 8.Standard high school diploma for adults. (a) The commissioner shall 
1.9 	adopt rules for providing a standard adult high school diploma to persons who:
1.10 	(1) are not eligible for kindergarten through grade 12 services;
1.11 	(2) do not have a high school diploma; and
1.12 	(3) successfully complete an adult basic education program of instruction approved 
1.13 	by the commissioner of education necessary to earn an adult high school diploma.
1.14 	(b) Persons participating in an approved adult basic education program of instruction 
1.15 	must demonstrate proficiency in a standard set of competencies that reflect the knowledge 
1.16 	and skills sufficient to ensure that postsecondary programs and institutions and potential 
1.17 	employers regard persons with a standard high school diploma and persons with a standard 
1.18 	adult high school diploma as equally well prepared and qualified graduates. Approved 
1.19 	adult basic education programs of instruction under this subdivision must issue a standard 
1.20 	adult high school diploma to persons who successfully demonstrate proficiency in the 
1.21 	competencies, knowledge, and skills required by the program.

1.22 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2014.

2.1 	Sec. 2. STANDARD ADULT HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA ADVISORY TASK 
2.2 	FORCE.
 2.3 	(a) The commissioner of education shall appoint a nine-member advisory task 
2.4 	force to recommend programmatic requirements for adult basic education programs of 
2.5 	instruction leading to a standard adult high school diploma under Minnesota Statutes, 
2.6 	section 124D.52, subdivision 8. 
2.7 	(b) The commissioner of education must appoint representatives from the following 
2.8 	organizations to the task force by July 1, 2013:
2.9 	(1) one employee of the Department of Education with expertise in adult basic 
2.10 	education;
2.11 	(2) five administrators and instructional experts from local adult basic education 
2.12 	programs located in rural, suburban, and urban areas of the state, at least one of whom 
2.13 	represents Literacy Action network;
2.14 	(3) one employee of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities with expertise 
2.15 	in adult basic education;
2.16 	(4) one employee of the Department of Employment and Economic Development 
2.17 	with expertise in adult basic education and employment; and
2.18 	(5) one member of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce familiar with adult basic 
2.19 	education programs under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.52.
2.20 	(c) The commissioner of education must convene the task force. Task force 
2.21 	members are not eligible for compensation or reimbursement for expenses related to task 
2.22 	force activities. The commissioner, upon request, must provide technical assistance to 
2.23 	task force members.
2.24 	(d) By February 1, 2014, the task force must submit its recommendations to the 
2.25 	commissioner of education for providing a standard adult high school diploma to persons 
2.26 	21 years and older who successfully complete an approved adult basic education program 
2.27 	of instruction necessary to earn an adult high school diploma. The commissioner must 
2.28 	consider these recommendations when adopting rules under Minnesota Statutes, section 
2.29 	124D.52, subdivision 8.

2.30 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.