MN HF2223

Establishes a two-year pilot program through the Department of Education to increase high school graduation rates and higher education enrollment among Latino students in participating school districts and charter schools.

Requires the Department of Education to develop evaluation criteria emphasizing STEM proficiency, intercultural communication, bilingual/culturally competent staff, and parental engagement based on principles from the Chicano Latino Affairs Council and Minnesota Humanities Center.

Directs the Department of Education to award grants to pilot sites with geographic representation throughout the state, distributing appropriated funds equally between fiscal years 2016 and 2017.

Requires the Department of Education to report findings to the education committees of the House and Senate by January 15, 2018, including effects on graduation and higher education enrollment rates and recommendations for statewide replication.

Amends Minnesota Statutes section 124D.19 to add career exploration and preparation to youth after-school enrichment program goals, and adds mentoring and college orientation to supervised program activities.