HF4608

Purpose

• This bill aims to reform how developmental education is handled in Minnesota higher education. It requires clear student disclosures about the differences between remedial/developmental courses and credit-bearing courses, moves to a one-semester corequisite English model, and sets up annual reporting on program outcomes. It also codifies a process for guiding students toward foundational skills through adult basic education (ABE) if they don’t meet placement criteria.

Main Provisions

• Definitions and scope

  • Defines key terms:
  • adult basic education programs: state-funded programs that build foundational reading, writing, and other skills needed for work or college.
  • corequisite model: students enroll directly in college-level English that provides credits while receiving concurrent academic support.
  • developmental course: a non-credit course meant to prepare a student for college-level work.
  • Applies to public postsecondary institutions that receive state financial aid for students.

• Student disclosures and acknowledgment

  • Institutions must give clear written explanations distinguishing noncredit remedial/developmental courses from credit-bearing courses toward graduation.
  • Students must sign an acknowledgment confirming they understand the difference.

• One-semester corequisite model for English

  • Implement a one-semester corequisite model for English courses instead of traditional standalone developmental education.
  • Students who do not meet the minimum placement criteria for enrollment in the corequisite course must be referred to an adult basic education program before re-enrolling in credit-bearing courses.

• Implementation and support

  • The commissioner (the state education authority) must:
  • establish guidelines for effectively integrating corequisite support with credit-bearing courses.
  • provide technical assistance to institutions transitioning from traditional developmental education to the corequisite model.

• Reporting and accountability

  • Annual reporting on the department’s website that includes:
  • the number of students in noncredit remedial/developmental courses, the number in credit-bearing corequisite courses, or referred to an adult basic education program. the number of students who complete noncredit remedial/developmental courses within one academic year.
  • the number of students who enroll in credit-bearing courses after completing remedial or developmental courses.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Shifts from traditional standalone developmental education to a one-semester corequisite model for English, tying credit toward graduation to concurrent support.
• Mandates clear disclosures and student acknowledgment about the difference between noncredit and credit-bearing courses.
• Creates a formal referral pathway to adult basic education for students not meeting placement criteria before attempting credit-bearing coursework.
• Requires ongoing guidance from the commissioner and annual public reporting on program placement, completion, and progression outcomes.
• Codifies these changes in Minnesota Statutes chapter 135A and ties actions to institutions receiving state financial aid for students.

Implementation Considerations

• Institutions will need to redesign placement processes, provide integrated corequisite supports, and ensure staff can explain and document the differences between course types.
• The annual data reporting will track progress and effectiveness of the corequisite model and the ABE referral pathway.

Potential Impacts

• Students may experience earlier access to college-level courses with built-in support, while receiving explicit information about course credit status.
• Greater alignment between remediation and college readiness through a standardized corequisite approach and consistent state reporting.

Relevant Terms - developmental courses - corequisite model - credit-bearing courses - uncredited remedial or developmental courses - adult basic education (ABE) programs - minimum placement criteria - public postsecondary institutions - Minnesota Statutes chapter 135A - placement disclosures - technical assistance - commissioner - annual report - noncredit vs credit-bearing coursework - reference to section 136A.121 (financial aid context)