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 amendments 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. Additionally, the bill mandates that the commissioner must provide this exam at no cost to students in the specified grades and ensure that it is used to satisfy federal educational accountability requirements in English language arts, math, and science.

The bill also includes provisions for parental access to information regarding the college entrance exam, including a webpage with details on the exam's content and preparation resources. It repeals a previous statute related to the comprehensive assessment system, which required state-developed tests, and replaces it with the requirement to provide a nationally recognized college entrance exam. The effective date for all these changes is set for the 2026-2027 school year and later.

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