SF4768

Purpose

• Establishes a voluntary state statistics literacy seal to recognize high school graduates who demonstrate proficiency in statistics and data interpretation.

Main Provisions

• Establishment of the seal:
  • The seal is voluntary and available to high school graduates from any school district, charter school, or nonpublic school.
  • A student earns the seal by demonstrating proficiency in statistics and data interpretation, shown by a qualifying score on an assessment chosen by the enrolling district or school, and by meeting required statistics-related standards or credit requirements.
  • Districts and charter schools must keep records to identify eligible students, annotate the student’s transcript, and may affix the seal to the student’s diploma. No fee may be charged for the seal.
• Assessment framework:
  • By August 1, 2027, the commissioner of education must identify assessments aligned with the Guidelines for Assessment and Instruction in Statistics Education II (GAISE II) that districts may use to determine proficiency and to set proficiency levels. Districts are not required to use a district-identified assessment to determine proficiency.
• College credit translation:
  • By August 1, 2028, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system must establish criteria to translate the seal into college credits in statistics. Upon request, and within three academic years after high school graduation, a student who earned the seal and is enrolled in a Minnesota State college or university may receive college credit for the statistics coursework.
  • The University of Minnesota is encouraged to award statistics credits consistent with these provisions.

Implementation and Scope

• Law change:
  • Creates a new provision in Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.093, to authorize the statistics literacy seal and related processes.
• Eligible students:
  • Applies to high school students across traditional districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools.
• Records and transcript practice:
  • Requires transcript notation and possible diploma affixation of the seal; prohibits charging a fee for the seal.
• Alignment with national standards:
  • Uses the Guidelines for Assessment and Instruction in Statistics Education II (GAISE II) as the alignment framework for assessments.

Timeline and Deadlines

• By August 1, 2027:
  • Commissioner must identify suitable assessments aligned with GAISE II.
• By August 1, 2028:
  • Colleges and universities must establish criteria to translate the seal into college credits; institutions may grant credits for eligible students.

Significance and Potential Impact

• Creates a formal recognition pathway for students who develop statistics and data interpretation skills.
• Encourages early preparation in statistics, potentially easing transition to college coursework in quantitative fields.
• Establishes a cross-system link between high school credentials and college credit opportunities, benefiting students who complete the seal.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Adds a new statute (120B.093) introducing the voluntary statistics literacy seal and associated processes, including assessment alignment, transcript notation, college credit translation, and funding considerations (no seal fee).

Relevant Terms - statistics literacy seal - statistics literacy - data interpretation - assessment - qualifying score - Guidelines for Assessment and Instruction in Statistics Education II (GAISE II) - school district - charter school - nonpublic school - transcript notation - diploma affixation - no fee - Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system - University of Minnesota - college credits / credit translation - three academic years after graduation - August 1, 2027 - August 1, 2028 - Minnesota Statutes chapter 120B.1 - voluntary - eligibility standards/credit requirements for statistics