Bill Text: MN SF1126 | 2013-2014 | 88th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: High school graduation exams alignment with college readiness; high school assessments for college and career readiness provisions modifications; college readiness and remediation work group and student career planning group establishment and appropriation
Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-03-07 - Referred to Education [SF1126 Detail]
Download: Minnesota-2013-SF1126-Introduced.html
1.2relating to education; providing for improved career and college readiness;
1.3aligning high school graduation exams with college readiness; appropriating
1.4money;amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 120B.30, subdivisions 1,
1.51a, by adding a subdivision; 120B.35, subdivision 3; 124D.09, subdivision 13;
1.6124D.091, by adding a subdivision.
1.7BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.8 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120B.30, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.9 Subdivision 1. Statewide testing. (a) The commissioner, with advice from experts
1.10with appropriate technical qualifications and experience and stakeholders, consistent with
1.11subdivision 1a, shall include in the comprehensive assessment system, for each grade
1.12level to be tested, state-constructed tests developed from and aligned with the state's
1.13required academic standards under section120B.021 , include multiple choice questions,
1.14.and be administered annually to all students in grades 3 through8 7. State-developed or
1.15contracted high school tests aligned with the state's required academic standards under
1.16section120B.021 and administered to all high school students in a subject other than
1.17writing must include multiple choice questions. The commissioner shall establish one
1.18or more months during which schools shall administer the tests to students each school
1.19year. For students enrolled in grade 8 before the 2005-2006 school year, Minnesota basic
1.20skills tests in reading, mathematics, and writing shall fulfill students' basic skills testing
1.21requirements for a passing state notation. The passing scores of basic skills tests in reading
1.22and mathematics are the equivalent of 75 percent correct for students entering grade 9
1.23based on the first uniform test administered in February 1998. Students who have not
1.24successfully passed a Minnesota basic skills test by the end of the 2011-2012 school year
1.25must pass the graduation-required assessments for diploma under paragraph (c), except that
2.1for the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 school years only, these students may satisfy the state's
2.2graduation test requirement for math by complying with paragraph (d), clauses (1) and (3).
2.3(b) The state assessment system must be aligned to the most recent revision of
2.4academic standards as described in section120B.023 in the following manner:.
2.5(1) mathematics;
2.6(i) grades 3 through 8 beginning in the 2010-2011 school year; and
2.7(ii) high school level beginning in the 2013-2014 school year;
2.8(2) science; grades 5 and 8 and at the high school level beginning in the 2011-2012
2.9school year; and
2.10(3) language arts and reading; grades 3 through 8 and high school level beginning in
2.11the 2012-2013 school year.
2.12 (c) For students enrolled in grade 8 in the 2005-2006 school yearand later until, but
2.13not including, the implementation school year under subdivision 1b, paragraph (f), only
2.14the following options shall fulfill students' state graduation test requirements:
2.15 (1) for reading and mathematics:
2.16 (i) obtaining an achievement level equivalent to or greater than proficient as
2.17determined through a standard setting process on the Minnesota comprehensive
2.18assessments in grade 10 for reading and grade 11 for mathematics or achieving a passing
2.19score as determined through a standard setting process on the graduation-required
2.20assessment for diploma in grade 10 for reading and grade 11 for mathematics or
2.21subsequent retests;
2.22 (ii) achieving a passing score as determined through a standard setting process
2.23on the state-identified language proficiency test in reading and the mathematics test for
2.24English learners or the graduation-required assessment for diploma equivalent of those
2.25assessments for students designated as English learners;
2.26 (iii) achieving an individual passing score on the graduation-required assessment for
2.27diploma as determined by appropriate state guidelines for students with an individualized
2.28education program or 504 plan;
2.29 (iv) obtaining achievement level equivalent to or greater than proficient as
2.30determined through a standard setting process on the state-identified alternate assessment
2.31or assessments in grade 10 for reading and grade 11 for mathematics for students with
2.32an individualized education program; or
2.33 (v) achieving an individual passing score on the state-identified alternate assessment
2.34or assessments as determined by appropriate state guidelines for students with an
2.35individualized education program; and
2.36 (2) for writing:
3.1 (i) achieving a passing score on the graduation-required assessment for diploma;
3.2 (ii) achieving a passing score as determined through a standard setting process on
3.3the state-identified language proficiency test in writing for students designated as English
3.4learners;
3.5 (iii) achieving an individual passing score on the graduation-required assessment for
3.6diploma as determined by appropriate state guidelines for students with an individualized
3.7education program or 504 plan; or
3.8 (iv) achieving an individual passing score on the state-identified alternate assessment
3.9or assessments as determined by appropriate state guidelines for students with an
3.10individualized education program.
3.11 (d) Students enrolled in grade 8 in any school year from the 2005-2006 school
3.12year to the 2009-2010 school year who do not pass the mathematics graduation-required
3.13assessment for diploma under paragraph (c) are eligible to receive a high school diploma
3.14if they:
3.15(1) complete with a passing score or grade all state and local coursework and credits
3.16required for graduation by the school board granting the students their diploma;
3.17(2) participate in district-prescribed academic remediation in mathematics; and
3.18 (3) fully participate in at least two retests of the mathematics GRAD test or until
3.19they pass the mathematics GRAD test, whichever comes first. A school, district, or charter
3.20school must place on the high school transcript a student's current pass status for each
3.21subject that has a required graduation assessment.
3.22In addition, the school board granting the students their diplomas may formally
3.23decide to include a notation of high achievement on the high school diplomas of those
3.24graduating seniors who, according to established school board criteria, demonstrate
3.25exemplary academic achievement during high school.
3.26(e) The 3rd through 8th grade and high school test results shall be available to
3.27districts for diagnostic purposes affecting student learning and district instruction and
3.28curriculum, and for establishing educational accountability. The commissioner must
3.29disseminate to the public the high school test results upon receiving those results.
3.30 (f) The 3rd through 8th grade and high school tests must be aligned with state
3.31academic standards. The commissioner shall determine the testing process and the order
3.32of administration. The statewide results shall be aggregated at the site and district level,
3.33consistent with subdivision 1a.
3.34 (g) In addition to the testing and reporting requirements under this section, the
3.35commissioner shall include the following components in the statewide public reporting
3.36system:
4.1 (1) uniform statewide testing of all students in grades 3 through 8 and at the high
4.2school level that provides appropriate, technically sound accommodations or alternate
4.3assessments;
4.4 (2) educational indicators that can be aggregated and compared across school
4.5districts and across time on a statewide basis, including average daily attendance, high
4.6school graduation rates, and high school drop-out rates by age and grade level;
4.7 (3) state results on the American College Test; and
4.8 (4) state results from participation in the National Assessment of Educational
4.9Progress so that the state can benchmark its performance against the nation and other
4.10states, and, where possible, against other countries, and contribute to the national effort
4.11to monitor achievement.
4.12EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for students entering grade 8 in
4.13the implementation school year established in Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.30,
4.14subdivision 1b, paragraph (f), and later.
4.15 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120B.30, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
4.16 Subd. 1a. Statewide and local assessments; results. (a) For purposes
4.17of conforming with existing federal educational accountability requirements, the
4.18commissioner must develop reading and mathematics assessments for grades 3 through8,
4.19state-developed high school reading and mathematics tests aligned with state academic
4.20standards, 7 and annual science assessments under clause (2) in one grade in the grades 3
4.21through 5 span that districts and sites must use to monitor student growth toward achieving
4.22those standards. The commissioner shall contract for a series of reading, mathematics,
4.23English, and science assessments for grades 8, 10, and 11 under subdivision 1b. The
4.24commissioner must not develop statewide assessments for academic standards in social
4.25studies, health and physical education, and the arts. The commissioner must require:
4.26 (1) annual reading and mathematics assessments in grades 3 through 8, and high
4.27school reading and mathematics tests in grades 10 and 11; and
4.28 (2) annual science assessments in one grade in the grades 3 through 5 span,the grades
4.296 through 8 span, and a life sciences assessment in the grades 9 through 12 span, and the
4.30commissioner must not require students to achieve a passing score on high school science
4.31assessments as a condition of receiving a high school diploma and grades 8, 10, and 11.
4.32 (b) The commissioner must ensure that all statewide tests administered to elementary
4.33and secondary students measure students' academic knowledge and skills and not students'
4.34values, attitudes, and beliefs.
4.35 (c) Reporting of assessment results must:
5.1 (1) provide timely, useful, and understandable information on the performance of
5.2individual students, schools, school districts, and the state;
5.3 (2) include a value-added growth indicator of student achievement under section
5.4120B.35, subdivision 3
, paragraph (b); and
5.5 (3)(i) for students enrolled in grade 8 before the 2005-2006 school year, determine
5.6whether students have met the state's basic skills requirements; and
5.7 (ii) for students enrolled in grade 8 in the 2005-2006 school year and later, determine
5.8whether students have met the state's academic standards.
5.9 (d) Consistent with applicable federal law and subdivision 1, paragraph(d) (g),
5.10clause (1), the commissioner must include appropriate, technically sound accommodations
5.11or alternative assessments for the very few students with disabilities for whom statewide
5.12assessments are inappropriate and for English learners.
5.13 (e) A school, school district, and charter school must administer statewide
5.14assessments under this section, as the assessments become available, to evaluate student
5.15proficiency in the context of the state's grade level academic standards. If a state
5.16assessment is not available, a school, school district, and charter school must determine
5.17locally if a student has met the required academic standards. A school, school district,
5.18or charter school may use a student's performance on a statewide assessment as one of
5.19multiple criteria to determine grade promotion or retention. A school, school district, or
5.20charter school may use a high school student's performance on a statewide assessment
5.21as a percentage of the student's final grade in a course, or place a student's assessment
5.22score on the student's transcript.
5.23EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for students entering grade 8 in
5.24the implementation school year established in Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.30,
5.25subdivision 1b, paragraph (f), and later.
5.26 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120B.30, is amended by adding a subdivision
5.27to read:
5.28 Subd. 1b. High school and college-ready assessments. (a) Using a solicitation
5.29process that includes a request for proposal process, the commissioner shall contract for a
5.30series of assessments that has the following features:
5.31(1) is composed of assessments given in grades 8, 10, and 11;
5.32(2) tests reading, mathematics, English, and science;
5.33(3) includes a nationally recognized college entrance exam;
5.34(4) includes a college placement diagnostic exam;
5.35(5) includes career exploration elements;
6.1(6) are predictive of college readiness;
6.2(7) are also given in grade 12 and later, as needed; and
6.3(8) have results accepted by postsecondary institutions for admission purposes.
6.4(b) Upon contracting with an organization under paragraph (a), the commissioner
6.5shall conduct an alignment study with the contractor's assessments to determine if there
6.6are areas in the applicable academic standards under section 120B.021 that are not
6.7adequately tested in the series. If there are areas of the standards not adequately tested, the
6.8commissioner shall as part of the contract require supplemental items to test these areas.
6.9(c) Upon contracting with an organization under paragraph (a), the commissioner
6.10shall seek necessary waivers from federal accountability requirements to replace
6.11assessments under subdivision 1a with the assessments under this subdivision.
6.12(d) The chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities or the
6.13chancellor's designee shall, in consultation with the Department of Education, validate
6.14(1) the minimum scores on the reading, mathematics, and English sections of the college
6.15entrance exam that demonstrate preparedness for entry in a two- or four-year bachelor
6.16degree program and (2) the minimum scores on the reading, mathematics, and English
6.17sections of the college placement diagnostic exam that demonstrate preparedness for entry
6.18into a certificate-level program.
6.19(e) A student who, based on (1) the level of achievement on the grade 10 assessment
6.20and (2) the growth of achievement between the grade 8 and 10 assessments, is on track to
6.21achieve the minimum score required under paragraph (d), clause (1) on the college entrance
6.22exam shall initially be given the college entrance exam in grade 11. All other students shall
6.23initially be given the college placement diagnostic exam in grade 11. A student initially
6.24given the college entrance exam who does not achieve the minimum score in all required
6.25subjects under paragraph (d), clause (1), shall be given the college placement diagnostic
6.26exam in these subjects. A student given the college placement diagnostic exam who
6.27achieves the minimum score required under paragraph (d), clause (2) in grade 11, shall
6.28have a state-sponsored opportunity to take the college entrance exam in grade 11 or 12.
6.29(f) The commissioner shall establish an implementation school year. The
6.30implementation school year must be the next school year after the contract under this
6.31subdivision has been established and all necessary waivers of federal accountability
6.32requirements have been received. In the implementation year, students in grade 8 shall
6.33be given the grade 8 assessment under this section. For students enrolled in grade 8 in
6.34the implementation school year or later only a minimum score or higher on the reading,
6.35mathematics, and English sections of the college entrance exam under paragraph (d),
6.36clause (1), or a minimum score or higher on the reading, mathematics, and English
7.1sections of the college placement diagnostic exam under paragraph (d), clause (2), shall
7.2fulfill students' state graduation test requirements. The commissioner shall certify the
7.3implementation school year to the revisor of statutes.
7.4 Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120B.35, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
7.5 Subd. 3. State growth target; other state measures. (a) The state's educational
7.6assessment system measuring individual students' educational growth is based on
7.7indicators of achievement growth that show an individual student's prior achievement.
7.8Indicators of achievement and prior achievement must be based on highly reliable
7.9statewide or districtwide assessments.
7.10(b) The commissioner, in consultation with a stakeholder group that includes
7.11assessment and evaluation directors and staff and researchers must implement a model
7.12that uses a value-added growth indicator and includes criteria for identifying schools
7.13and school districts that demonstrate medium and high growth under section120B.299 ,
7.14subdivisions 8 and 9, and may recommend other value-added measures under section
7.15120B.299, subdivision 3
. The model may be used to advance educators' professional
7.16development and replicate programs that succeed in meeting students' diverse learning
7.17needs. Data on individual teachers generated under the model are personnel data under
7.18section13.43 . The model must allow users to:
7.19(1) report student growth consistent with this paragraph; and
7.20(2) for all student categories, report and compare aggregated and disaggregated state
7.21growth data using the nine student categories identified under the federal 2001 No Child
7.22Left Behind Act and two student gender categories of male and female, respectively,
7.23following appropriate reporting practices to protect nonpublic student data.
7.24The commissioner must report separate measures of student growth and proficiency,
7.25consistent with this paragraph.
7.26(c) When reporting student performance under section120B.36, subdivision 1 , the
7.27commissioner annually, beginning July 1, 2011, must reporttwo three core measures
7.28indicating the extent to which current high school graduates are being prepared for
7.29postsecondary academic and career opportunities:
7.30(1) the percentage of students on track to take the college entrance exam under
7.31section 120B.30, subdivision 1b, paragraph (e);
7.32(2) a preparation measure indicating the number and percentage of high school
7.33graduates in the most recent school year who completed course work important to
7.34preparing them for postsecondary academic and career opportunities, consistent with
8.1the core academic subjects required for admission to Minnesota's public colleges and
8.2universities as determined by the Office of Higher Education under chapter 136A; and
8.3(2) (3) a rigorous coursework measure indicating the number and percentage of high
8.4school graduates in the most recent school year who successfully completed one or more
8.5college-level advanced placement, international baccalaureate, postsecondary enrollment
8.6options including concurrent enrollment, other rigorous courses of study under section
8.7120B.021, subdivision 1a
, or industry certification courses or programs.
8.8When reporting the core measures under clauses (1)and (2) to (3), the commissioner
8.9must also analyze and report separate categories of information using the nine student
8.10categories identified under the federal 2001 No Child Left Behind Act and two student
8.11gender categories of male and female, respectively, following appropriate reporting
8.12practices to protect nonpublic student data.
8.13(d) When reporting student performance under section120B.36, subdivision 1 , the
8.14commissioner annually, beginning July 1, 2014, must report summary data on school
8.15safety and students' engagement and connection at school. The summary data under this
8.16paragraph are separate from and must not be used for any purpose related to measuring
8.17or evaluating the performance of classroom teachers. The commissioner, in consultation
8.18with qualified experts on student engagement and connection and classroom teachers,
8.19must identify highly reliable variables that generate summary data under this paragraph.
8.20The summary data may be used at school, district, and state levels only. Any data on
8.21individuals received, collected, or created that are used to generate the summary data
8.22under this paragraph are nonpublic data under section13.02, subdivision 9 .
8.23EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for the implementation school year
8.24established in section 120B.30, subdivision 1b, paragraph (f), and later.
8.25 Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 124D.09, subdivision 13, is amended to read:
8.26 Subd. 13. Financial arrangements. For a pupil enrolled in a course under this
8.27section, the department must make payments according to this subdivision for courses that
8.28were taken for secondary credit.
8.29The department must not make payments to a school district or postsecondary
8.30institution for a course taken for postsecondary credit only. The department must not
8.31make payments to a postsecondary institution for a course from which a student officially
8.32withdraws during the first 14 days of the quarter or semester or who has been absent from
8.33the postsecondary institution for the first 15 consecutive school days of the quarter or
8.34semester and is not receiving instruction in the home or hospital.
9.1A postsecondary institution shall receive the following:
9.2(1) for an institution granting quarter credit, the reimbursement per credit hour shall
9.3be an amount equal to the sum of (i) 88 percent of the product of the formula allowance
9.4minus $415, multiplied by 1.3, and divided by 45 and (ii) $33 for books and fees; or
9.5(2) for an institution granting semester credit, the reimbursement per credit hour
9.6shall be an amount equal to the sum of (i) 88 percent of the product of the general revenue
9.7formula allowance minus $415, multiplied by 1.3, and divided by 30 and (ii) $33 for
9.8books and fees.
9.9The department must pay to each postsecondary institution 100 percent of the
9.10amount in clause (1) or (2) within 30 days of receiving initial enrollment information
9.11each quarter or semester. If changes in enrollment occur during a quarter or semester,
9.12the change shall be reported by the postsecondary institution at the time the enrollment
9.13information for the succeeding quarter or semester is submitted. At any time the
9.14department notifies a postsecondary institution that an overpayment has been made, the
9.15institution shall promptly remit the amount due.
9.16EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for the 2013-2014 school year and
9.17later.
9.18 Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 124D.091, is amended by adding a
9.19subdivision to read:
9.20 Subd. 4. Support programs. The commissioner, in conjunction with the Minnesota
9.21concurrent enrollment partnership, shall provide support programs during the school year
9.22for teachers who attended the training programs and teachers experienced in teaching
9.23concurrent enrollment courses. The support programs shall provide teachers with
9.24opportunities to share instructional ideas with other teachers. The state may pay the costs
9.25of participating in the support programs, including substitute teachers, if necessary, and
9.26program affiliation costs.
9.27 Sec. 7. COLLEGE READINESS AND REMEDIATION WORK GROUP.
9.28The commissioner of education must convene a group of recognized and qualified
9.29experts on college readiness and remediation by August 1, 2013. The work group
9.30must include representatives from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities two- and
9.31four-year institutions, the Department of Education, and current high school teachers and
9.32principals. The work group shall:
9.33(1) identify ways to determine skill deficits in high school students using assessments
9.34under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.30, and other methods;
10.1(2) recommend targeted interventions and indicators for each interventions use;
10.2(3) recommend additional methods for demonstrating successful remediation other
10.3than retest that would be accepted at two- and four-year Minnesota State College and
10.4Universities; and
10.5(4) recommend benchmarks consistent with the testing requirements of this act for
10.6admission into a four-year Minnesota State College or University without completion of
10.7a college entrance exam.
10.8(b) The commissioner must submit a written report from the work group to the
10.9legislative committees with jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education by
10.10February 15, 2014.
10.11 Sec. 8. STUDENT CAREER PLANNING WORK GROUP.
10.12The commissioner of education must convene a group of recognized and qualified
10.13experts on student career planning by August 1, 2013. The work group must include
10.14representatives from the Department of Education, the Department of Employment and
10.15Economic Development, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, the University of
10.16Minnesota, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, the Minnesota Business Partnership,
10.17the Minnesota Private Colleges Council, high school teachers, and high school counselors.
10.18The work group shall identify ways to improve and standardize student career planning
10.19across the state. The commissioner must submit a written report from the work group to
10.20the legislative committees with jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education
10.21by February 15, 2014.
10.22 Sec. 9. APPROPRIATION.
10.23 Subdivision 1. Department of Education. The sums indicated in this section are
10.24appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years
10.25designated.
10.26 Subd. 2. Concurrent enrollment support programs. For concurrent enrollment
10.27support programs under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.091, subdivision 4:
10.30 Sec. 10. REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION.
10.31Upon certification by the commissioner of education to the revisor of statutes of the
10.32implementation school year under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.30, subdivision 1b,
11.1paragraph (f), the revisor of statutes shall change the term "implementation school year
11.2under subdivision 1b, paragraph (f)" to the certified school year in Minnesota Statutes,
11.3section 120B.30, subdivision 1, paragraph (c).
1.3aligning high school graduation exams with college readiness; appropriating
1.4money;amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 120B.30, subdivisions 1,
1.51a, by adding a subdivision; 120B.35, subdivision 3; 124D.09, subdivision 13;
1.6124D.091, by adding a subdivision.
1.7BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.8 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120B.30, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.9 Subdivision 1. Statewide testing. (a) The commissioner, with advice from experts
1.10with appropriate technical qualifications and experience and stakeholders, consistent with
1.11subdivision 1a, shall include in the comprehensive assessment system, for each grade
1.12level to be tested, state-constructed tests developed from and aligned with the state's
1.13required academic standards under section
1.14.and be administered annually to all students in grades 3 through
1.15contracted high school tests aligned with the state's required academic standards under
1.16section
1.17writing must include multiple choice questions. The commissioner shall establish one
1.18or more months during which schools shall administer the tests to students each school
1.19year. For students enrolled in grade 8 before the 2005-2006 school year
1.20
1.21
1.22
1.23
1.24successfully passed a Minnesota basic skills test by the end of the 2011-2012 school year
1.25must pass the graduation-required assessments for diploma under paragraph (c), except that
2.1for the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 school years only, these students may satisfy the state's
2.2graduation test requirement for math by complying with paragraph (d), clauses (1) and (3).
2.3(b) The state assessment system must be aligned to the most recent revision of
2.4academic standards as described in section
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.9
2.10
2.11
2.12 (c) For students enrolled in grade 8 in the 2005-2006 school year
2.13not including, the implementation school year under subdivision 1b, paragraph (f), only
2.14the following options shall fulfill students' state graduation test requirements:
2.15 (1) for reading and mathematics:
2.16 (i) obtaining an achievement level equivalent to or greater than proficient as
2.17determined through a standard setting process on the Minnesota comprehensive
2.18assessments in grade 10 for reading and grade 11 for mathematics or achieving a passing
2.19score as determined through a standard setting process on the graduation-required
2.20assessment for diploma in grade 10 for reading and grade 11 for mathematics or
2.21subsequent retests;
2.22 (ii) achieving a passing score as determined through a standard setting process
2.23on the state-identified language proficiency test in reading and the mathematics test for
2.24English learners or the graduation-required assessment for diploma equivalent of those
2.25assessments for students designated as English learners;
2.26 (iii) achieving an individual passing score on the graduation-required assessment for
2.27diploma as determined by appropriate state guidelines for students with an individualized
2.28education program or 504 plan;
2.29 (iv) obtaining achievement level equivalent to or greater than proficient as
2.30determined through a standard setting process on the state-identified alternate assessment
2.31or assessments in grade 10 for reading and grade 11 for mathematics for students with
2.32an individualized education program; or
2.33 (v) achieving an individual passing score on the state-identified alternate assessment
2.34or assessments as determined by appropriate state guidelines for students with an
2.35individualized education program; and
2.36 (2) for writing:
3.1 (i) achieving a passing score on the graduation-required assessment for diploma;
3.2 (ii) achieving a passing score as determined through a standard setting process on
3.3the state-identified language proficiency test in writing for students designated as English
3.4learners;
3.5 (iii) achieving an individual passing score on the graduation-required assessment for
3.6diploma as determined by appropriate state guidelines for students with an individualized
3.7education program or 504 plan; or
3.8 (iv) achieving an individual passing score on the state-identified alternate assessment
3.9or assessments as determined by appropriate state guidelines for students with an
3.10individualized education program.
3.11 (d) Students enrolled in grade 8 in any school year from the 2005-2006 school
3.12year to the 2009-2010 school year who do not pass the mathematics graduation-required
3.13assessment for diploma under paragraph (c) are eligible to receive a high school diploma
3.14if they:
3.15(1) complete with a passing score or grade all state and local coursework and credits
3.16required for graduation by the school board granting the students their diploma;
3.17(2) participate in district-prescribed academic remediation in mathematics; and
3.18 (3) fully participate in at least two retests of the mathematics GRAD test or until
3.19they pass the mathematics GRAD test, whichever comes first. A school, district, or charter
3.20school must place on the high school transcript a student's current pass status for each
3.21subject that has a required graduation assessment.
3.22In addition, the school board granting the students their diplomas may formally
3.23decide to include a notation of high achievement on the high school diplomas of those
3.24graduating seniors who, according to established school board criteria, demonstrate
3.25exemplary academic achievement during high school.
3.26(e) The 3rd through 8th grade and high school test results shall be available to
3.27districts for diagnostic purposes affecting student learning and district instruction and
3.28curriculum, and for establishing educational accountability. The commissioner must
3.29disseminate to the public the high school test results upon receiving those results.
3.30 (f) The 3rd through 8th grade and high school tests must be aligned with state
3.31academic standards. The commissioner shall determine the testing process and the order
3.32of administration. The statewide results shall be aggregated at the site and district level,
3.33consistent with subdivision 1a.
3.34 (g) In addition to the testing and reporting requirements under this section, the
3.35commissioner shall include the following components in the statewide public reporting
3.36system:
4.1 (1) uniform statewide testing of all students in grades 3 through 8 and at the high
4.2school level that provides appropriate, technically sound accommodations or alternate
4.3assessments;
4.4 (2) educational indicators that can be aggregated and compared across school
4.5districts and across time on a statewide basis, including average daily attendance, high
4.6school graduation rates, and high school drop-out rates by age and grade level;
4.7 (3) state results on the American College Test; and
4.8 (4) state results from participation in the National Assessment of Educational
4.9Progress so that the state can benchmark its performance against the nation and other
4.10states, and, where possible, against other countries, and contribute to the national effort
4.11to monitor achievement.
4.12EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for students entering grade 8 in
4.13the implementation school year established in Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.30,
4.14subdivision 1b, paragraph (f), and later.
4.15 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120B.30, subdivision 1a, is amended to read:
4.16 Subd. 1a. Statewide and local assessments; results. (a) For purposes
4.17of conforming with existing federal educational accountability requirements, the
4.18commissioner must develop reading and mathematics assessments for grades 3 through
4.19
4.20
4.21through 5 span that districts and sites must use to monitor student growth toward achieving
4.22those standards. The commissioner shall contract for a series of reading, mathematics,
4.23English, and science assessments for grades 8, 10, and 11 under subdivision 1b. The
4.24commissioner must not develop statewide assessments for academic standards in social
4.25studies, health and physical education, and the arts. The commissioner must require:
4.26 (1) annual reading and mathematics assessments in grades 3 through 8, and high
4.27school reading and mathematics tests in grades 10 and 11; and
4.28 (2) annual science assessments in one grade in the grades 3 through 5 span,
4.29
4.30
4.31
4.32 (b) The commissioner must ensure that all statewide tests administered to elementary
4.33and secondary students measure students' academic knowledge and skills and not students'
4.34values, attitudes, and beliefs.
4.35 (c) Reporting of assessment results must:
5.1 (1) provide timely, useful, and understandable information on the performance of
5.2individual students, schools, school districts, and the state;
5.3 (2) include a value-added growth indicator of student achievement under section
5.5 (3)(i) for students enrolled in grade 8 before the 2005-2006 school year, determine
5.6whether students have met the state's basic skills requirements; and
5.7 (ii) for students enrolled in grade 8 in the 2005-2006 school year and later, determine
5.8whether students have met the state's academic standards.
5.9 (d) Consistent with applicable federal law and subdivision 1, paragraph
5.10clause (1), the commissioner must include appropriate, technically sound accommodations
5.11or alternative assessments for the very few students with disabilities for whom statewide
5.12assessments are inappropriate and for English learners.
5.13 (e) A school, school district, and charter school must administer statewide
5.14assessments under this section, as the assessments become available, to evaluate student
5.15proficiency in the context of the state's grade level academic standards. If a state
5.16assessment is not available, a school, school district, and charter school must determine
5.17locally if a student has met the required academic standards. A school, school district,
5.18or charter school may use a student's performance on a statewide assessment as one of
5.19multiple criteria to determine grade promotion or retention. A school, school district, or
5.20charter school may use a high school student's performance on a statewide assessment
5.21as a percentage of the student's final grade in a course, or place a student's assessment
5.22score on the student's transcript.
5.23EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for students entering grade 8 in
5.24the implementation school year established in Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.30,
5.25subdivision 1b, paragraph (f), and later.
5.26 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120B.30, is amended by adding a subdivision
5.27to read:
5.28 Subd. 1b. High school and college-ready assessments. (a) Using a solicitation
5.29process that includes a request for proposal process, the commissioner shall contract for a
5.30series of assessments that has the following features:
5.31(1) is composed of assessments given in grades 8, 10, and 11;
5.32(2) tests reading, mathematics, English, and science;
5.33(3) includes a nationally recognized college entrance exam;
5.34(4) includes a college placement diagnostic exam;
5.35(5) includes career exploration elements;
6.1(6) are predictive of college readiness;
6.2(7) are also given in grade 12 and later, as needed; and
6.3(8) have results accepted by postsecondary institutions for admission purposes.
6.4(b) Upon contracting with an organization under paragraph (a), the commissioner
6.5shall conduct an alignment study with the contractor's assessments to determine if there
6.6are areas in the applicable academic standards under section 120B.021 that are not
6.7adequately tested in the series. If there are areas of the standards not adequately tested, the
6.8commissioner shall as part of the contract require supplemental items to test these areas.
6.9(c) Upon contracting with an organization under paragraph (a), the commissioner
6.10shall seek necessary waivers from federal accountability requirements to replace
6.11assessments under subdivision 1a with the assessments under this subdivision.
6.12(d) The chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities or the
6.13chancellor's designee shall, in consultation with the Department of Education, validate
6.14(1) the minimum scores on the reading, mathematics, and English sections of the college
6.15entrance exam that demonstrate preparedness for entry in a two- or four-year bachelor
6.16degree program and (2) the minimum scores on the reading, mathematics, and English
6.17sections of the college placement diagnostic exam that demonstrate preparedness for entry
6.18into a certificate-level program.
6.19(e) A student who, based on (1) the level of achievement on the grade 10 assessment
6.20and (2) the growth of achievement between the grade 8 and 10 assessments, is on track to
6.21achieve the minimum score required under paragraph (d), clause (1) on the college entrance
6.22exam shall initially be given the college entrance exam in grade 11. All other students shall
6.23initially be given the college placement diagnostic exam in grade 11. A student initially
6.24given the college entrance exam who does not achieve the minimum score in all required
6.25subjects under paragraph (d), clause (1), shall be given the college placement diagnostic
6.26exam in these subjects. A student given the college placement diagnostic exam who
6.27achieves the minimum score required under paragraph (d), clause (2) in grade 11, shall
6.28have a state-sponsored opportunity to take the college entrance exam in grade 11 or 12.
6.29(f) The commissioner shall establish an implementation school year. The
6.30implementation school year must be the next school year after the contract under this
6.31subdivision has been established and all necessary waivers of federal accountability
6.32requirements have been received. In the implementation year, students in grade 8 shall
6.33be given the grade 8 assessment under this section. For students enrolled in grade 8 in
6.34the implementation school year or later only a minimum score or higher on the reading,
6.35mathematics, and English sections of the college entrance exam under paragraph (d),
6.36clause (1), or a minimum score or higher on the reading, mathematics, and English
7.1sections of the college placement diagnostic exam under paragraph (d), clause (2), shall
7.2fulfill students' state graduation test requirements. The commissioner shall certify the
7.3implementation school year to the revisor of statutes.
7.4 Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 120B.35, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
7.5 Subd. 3. State growth target; other state measures. (a) The state's educational
7.6assessment system measuring individual students' educational growth is based on
7.7indicators of achievement growth that show an individual student's prior achievement.
7.8Indicators of achievement and prior achievement must be based on highly reliable
7.9statewide or districtwide assessments.
7.10(b) The commissioner, in consultation with a stakeholder group that includes
7.11assessment and evaluation directors and staff and researchers must implement a model
7.12that uses a value-added growth indicator and includes criteria for identifying schools
7.13and school districts that demonstrate medium and high growth under section
7.14subdivisions 8 and 9, and may recommend other value-added measures under section
7.16development and replicate programs that succeed in meeting students' diverse learning
7.17needs. Data on individual teachers generated under the model are personnel data under
7.18section
7.19(1) report student growth consistent with this paragraph; and
7.20(2) for all student categories, report and compare aggregated and disaggregated state
7.21growth data using the nine student categories identified under the federal 2001 No Child
7.22Left Behind Act and two student gender categories of male and female, respectively,
7.23following appropriate reporting practices to protect nonpublic student data.
7.24The commissioner must report separate measures of student growth and proficiency,
7.25consistent with this paragraph.
7.26(c) When reporting student performance under section
7.27commissioner annually, beginning July 1, 2011, must report
7.28indicating the extent to which current high school graduates are being prepared for
7.29postsecondary academic and career opportunities:
7.30(1) the percentage of students on track to take the college entrance exam under
7.31section 120B.30, subdivision 1b, paragraph (e);
7.32(2) a preparation measure indicating the number and percentage of high school
7.33graduates in the most recent school year who completed course work important to
7.34preparing them for postsecondary academic and career opportunities, consistent with
8.1the core academic subjects required for admission to Minnesota's public colleges and
8.2universities as determined by the Office of Higher Education under chapter 136A; and
8.3
8.4school graduates in the most recent school year who successfully completed one or more
8.5college-level advanced placement, international baccalaureate, postsecondary enrollment
8.6options including concurrent enrollment, other rigorous courses of study under section
8.8When reporting the core measures under clauses (1)
8.9must also analyze and report separate categories of information using the nine student
8.10categories identified under the federal 2001 No Child Left Behind Act and two student
8.11gender categories of male and female, respectively, following appropriate reporting
8.12practices to protect nonpublic student data.
8.13(d) When reporting student performance under section
8.14commissioner annually, beginning July 1, 2014, must report summary data on school
8.15safety and students' engagement and connection at school. The summary data under this
8.16paragraph are separate from and must not be used for any purpose related to measuring
8.17or evaluating the performance of classroom teachers. The commissioner, in consultation
8.18with qualified experts on student engagement and connection and classroom teachers,
8.19must identify highly reliable variables that generate summary data under this paragraph.
8.20The summary data may be used at school, district, and state levels only. Any data on
8.21individuals received, collected, or created that are used to generate the summary data
8.22under this paragraph are nonpublic data under section
8.23EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for the implementation school year
8.24established in section 120B.30, subdivision 1b, paragraph (f), and later.
8.25 Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 124D.09, subdivision 13, is amended to read:
8.26 Subd. 13. Financial arrangements. For a pupil enrolled in a course under this
8.27section, the department must make payments according to this subdivision for courses that
8.28were taken for secondary credit.
8.29The department must not make payments to a school district or postsecondary
8.30institution for a course taken for postsecondary credit only. The department must not
8.31make payments to a postsecondary institution for a course from which a student officially
8.32withdraws during the first 14 days of the quarter or semester or who has been absent from
8.33the postsecondary institution for the first 15 consecutive school days of the quarter or
8.34semester and is not receiving instruction in the home or hospital.
9.1A postsecondary institution shall receive the following:
9.2(1) for an institution granting quarter credit, the reimbursement per credit hour shall
9.3be an amount equal to the sum of (i) 88 percent of the product of the formula allowance
9.4minus $415, multiplied by 1.3, and divided by 45 and (ii) $33 for books and fees; or
9.5(2) for an institution granting semester credit, the reimbursement per credit hour
9.6shall be an amount equal to the sum of (i) 88 percent of the product of the general revenue
9.7formula allowance minus $415, multiplied by 1.3, and divided by 30 and (ii) $33 for
9.8books and fees.
9.9The department must pay to each postsecondary institution 100 percent of the
9.10amount in clause (1) or (2) within 30 days of receiving initial enrollment information
9.11each quarter or semester. If changes in enrollment occur during a quarter or semester,
9.12the change shall be reported by the postsecondary institution at the time the enrollment
9.13information for the succeeding quarter or semester is submitted. At any time the
9.14department notifies a postsecondary institution that an overpayment has been made, the
9.15institution shall promptly remit the amount due.
9.16EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective for the 2013-2014 school year and
9.17later.
9.18 Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 124D.091, is amended by adding a
9.19subdivision to read:
9.20 Subd. 4. Support programs. The commissioner, in conjunction with the Minnesota
9.21concurrent enrollment partnership, shall provide support programs during the school year
9.22for teachers who attended the training programs and teachers experienced in teaching
9.23concurrent enrollment courses. The support programs shall provide teachers with
9.24opportunities to share instructional ideas with other teachers. The state may pay the costs
9.25of participating in the support programs, including substitute teachers, if necessary, and
9.26program affiliation costs.
9.27 Sec. 7. COLLEGE READINESS AND REMEDIATION WORK GROUP.
9.28The commissioner of education must convene a group of recognized and qualified
9.29experts on college readiness and remediation by August 1, 2013. The work group
9.30must include representatives from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities two- and
9.31four-year institutions, the Department of Education, and current high school teachers and
9.32principals. The work group shall:
9.33(1) identify ways to determine skill deficits in high school students using assessments
9.34under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.30, and other methods;
10.1(2) recommend targeted interventions and indicators for each interventions use;
10.2(3) recommend additional methods for demonstrating successful remediation other
10.3than retest that would be accepted at two- and four-year Minnesota State College and
10.4Universities; and
10.5(4) recommend benchmarks consistent with the testing requirements of this act for
10.6admission into a four-year Minnesota State College or University without completion of
10.7a college entrance exam.
10.8(b) The commissioner must submit a written report from the work group to the
10.9legislative committees with jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education by
10.10February 15, 2014.
10.11 Sec. 8. STUDENT CAREER PLANNING WORK GROUP.
10.12The commissioner of education must convene a group of recognized and qualified
10.13experts on student career planning by August 1, 2013. The work group must include
10.14representatives from the Department of Education, the Department of Employment and
10.15Economic Development, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, the University of
10.16Minnesota, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, the Minnesota Business Partnership,
10.17the Minnesota Private Colleges Council, high school teachers, and high school counselors.
10.18The work group shall identify ways to improve and standardize student career planning
10.19across the state. The commissioner must submit a written report from the work group to
10.20the legislative committees with jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education
10.21by February 15, 2014.
10.22 Sec. 9. APPROPRIATION.
10.23 Subdivision 1. Department of Education. The sums indicated in this section are
10.24appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal years
10.25designated.
10.26 Subd. 2. Concurrent enrollment support programs. For concurrent enrollment
10.27support programs under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.091, subdivision 4:
| 10.28 |
$ |
500,000 |
..... |
2014 |
|
| 10.29 |
$ |
500,000 |
..... |
2015 |
10.30 Sec. 10. REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION.
10.31Upon certification by the commissioner of education to the revisor of statutes of the
10.32implementation school year under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.30, subdivision 1b,
11.1paragraph (f), the revisor of statutes shall change the term "implementation school year
11.2under subdivision 1b, paragraph (f)" to the certified school year in Minnesota Statutes,
11.3section 120B.30, subdivision 1, paragraph (c).
