MN SF1804

Clarifies that secondary teachers and other interested educators assigned to teach advanced placement or international baccalaureate courses may participate in training programs offered by The College Board or International Baccalaureate Organization, with the state paying a portion of tuition, room, board, and out-of-state travel costs.

Requires the commissioner to determine application procedures, select participants, and establish payment processes while ensuring advanced placement and international baccalaureate courses become available statewide with varied offerings.

Amends reporting requirements to include data on pupils enrolled in rigorous courses, teachers attending training programs, participation in support programs, trends, expenditures, and recommendations submitted annually to legislature by February 1.

Appropriates $8,500,000 for fiscal years 2016 and 2017 from the general fund for student examination fees and teacher training costs, with 60 percent allocated to advanced placement programs and 40 percent to international baccalaureate programs.

Requires payment of all examination fees for low-income students and partial or full payment of examination fees for other students to the extent of available appropriations, with a minimum of $2,000,000 annually for teacher training and follow-up support workshops.