Certain disclosures and implementation of corequisite model requirement related to developmental courses

A bill for an act

relating to higher education; requiring certain disclosures and implementation of

a corequisite model related to developmental courses; requiring a report; proposing

coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 135A.

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

Section 1.

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[135A.082] DEVELOPMENTAL COURSES.

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Subdivision 1.

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Developmental course requirements.

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(a) For purposes of this section,

the following terms have the meanings given:

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(1) "adult basic education programs" means state-funded educational programs designed

to provide foundational skills in reading, writing, and other academic areas necessary for

workforce readiness and postsecondary education;

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(2) "corequisite model" means a course model in which students enroll directly in

college-level English courses that provide credits toward graduation while receiving

concurrent academic support; and

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(3) "developmental course" means a postsecondary course taken to prepare a student

for college-level work and that the postsecondary institution does not grant credit for and

that cannot be used to meet degree, diploma, or certificate requirements.

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(b) Public postsecondary institutions that receive financial aid on behalf of students

under section 136A.121 must:

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(1) provide clear, written explanations to students regarding the difference between

uncredited remedial or developmental courses and courses that provide credits that count

toward graduation and require students to sign a written acknowledgment that the student

understands the difference;

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(2) implement a one-semester corequisite model for English courses in place of traditional

stand-alone developmental education courses; and

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(3) refer any student who does not meet the minimum placement criteria for enrollment

in the corequisite course described in clause (2) to an adult basic education program for

foundational skill development prior to reenrollment in credit-bearing courses.

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(c) The commissioner must:

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(1) establish guidelines for the effective integration of one-semester corequisite support

with credit-bearing courses; and

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(2) provide technical assistance to institutions transitioning from traditional developmental

education models to a corequisite model.

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Subd. 2.

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Reporting.

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The commissioner must annually report on the department's website

the following summary data:

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(1) the number of students placed in noncredit remedial or developmental courses,

credit-bearing corequisite courses, or who are referred to an adult basic education program;

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(2) the number of students who complete uncredited remedial or developmental education

within one academic year; and

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(3) the number of students who enroll in credit-bearing courses after completing remedial

or developmental courses.

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