This bill amends various sections of the Minnesota Statutes to allow for the administration of a nationally recognized college entrance exam, such as the ACT or SAT, to high school students, specifically in grades 11 or 12. Key provisions include the requirement for the Department of Education to contract with a provider of a nationally recognized college entrance exam to fulfill federal accountability requirements starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The bill also mandates that the commissioner provide information and resources about the college entrance exam to students and parents, ensuring transparency and accessibility.

Additionally, the bill repeals a previous statute related to the comprehensive assessment system and makes several amendments to existing statutes, including the establishment of a testing period for the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments and the nationally recognized college entrance exam. The amendments emphasize the importance of these assessments in monitoring student growth and readiness for college and careers, while also ensuring that students are not required to achieve a passing score on high school science assessments to graduate. Overall, the bill aims to enhance educational accountability and support for students transitioning to postsecondary education.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 120B.30, 120B.302, 120B.303, 120B.305, 136F.302
1st Engrossment: 120B.30, 120B.302, 120B.303, 120B.305, 136F.302