MN SF3426

Board of Trustees of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities shall designate up to ten colleges as applied learning institutes beginning in fiscal year 2012, with at least one institute established in each unserved region of the state.

Each selected institute must receive a minimum of $1,000,000 to enhance technical education opportunities for high school students, with up to half of first-year funding available for purchasing equipment to establish curricula in area high schools.

Eleventh and twelfth grade students from partner high schools may participate in institute programs, access college facilities and faculty, and enroll through concurrent enrollment or postsecondary enrollment options.

Students completing applied learning college courses must receive college credit that transfers to affiliated colleges for continuation of postsecondary technical education.

Institutes and partner high schools must develop relationships with regional business and industry to identify job prospects and generate support, with the Northeast Higher Education District assisting in development of new institutes.