AN ACT CONCERNING COLLEGE READINESS AND COMPLETION.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2012) (a) For purposes of sections 1 to 3, inclusive, of this act: (1) "Connecticut's P-20 Council" means the state-wide council of educators, business leaders and civic officials formed by Executive Order Number 2A by Governor M. Jodi Rell in 2009 to build stronger ties among educators and policymakers at all levels of education in this state, from preschool to graduate school; and (2) "public institution of higher education" means those constituent units identified in subdivisions (2) and (3) of section 10a-1 of the general statutes.
(b) Not later than the start of the fall semester of 2014 and for each semester thereafter, if a public institution of higher education determines, by use of multiple commonly accepted measures of skill level, that a student is likely to succeed in college level work with supplemental support, the public institution of higher education shall offer such student remedial support that is embedded with the corresponding entry level course in a college level program. Such embedded support shall be offered during the same semester as and in conjunction with the entry level course for purposes of providing the student with supplemental support in the entry level course.
(c) Not later than the start of the fall semester of 2014 and for each semester thereafter, if a public institution of higher education determines, by use of multiple commonly accepted measures of skill level, that a student is below the skill level required for success in college level work, the public institution of higher education shall offer such student the opportunity to participate in an intensive college readiness program before the start of the next semester. Such student shall complete such intensive college readiness program prior to receiving embedded remedial support, as provided in subsection (b) of this section. The Board of Regents for Higher Education, in consultation with Connecticut's P-20 Council and the faculty advisory committee to the Board of Regents for Higher Education, shall develop options for an intensive college readiness program.
(d) Not later than the start of the fall semester of 2014 and for each semester thereafter, no public institution of higher education shall offer any remedial support, including remedial courses, that is not embedded with the corresponding entry level course, as required pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, or offered as part of an intensive college readiness program, except such institution may offer a student a maximum of one semester of remedial support that is not embedded, provided (1) such support is intended to advance such student toward earning a degree, and (2) the program of remedial support is approved by the Board of Regents for Higher Education.
(e) Not later than the start of the fall semester of 2014, the Board of Regents for Higher Education, in consultation with Connecticut's P-20 Council, shall report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to higher education regarding (1) its recommendations concerning the successful transition of adults returning to or first enrolling in a higher education program at a public institution of higher education after spending time in the workforce, and (2) the application of the provisions of sections 1 to 3, inclusive, of this act to each higher education program for hearing impaired or deaf students offered by a public institution of higher education.
Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2012) Not later than the start of the fall semester of 2016 and for each semester thereafter, each public high school and public institution of higher education shall complete curricular alignment to enable the successful completion of the high school mathematics and language arts curricula, as described in Connecticut's Common Core State Standards adopted by the State Board of Education, to be the indicator of readiness for college level work. A public institution of higher education may use available evaluation instruments to assess adults, who are returning to or first enrolling in a higher education program at a public institution of higher education after spending time in the workforce, for readiness for college level work.
Sec. 3. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2012) Not later than the start of the school year commencing July 1, 2014, and for each school year thereafter, the Board of Regents for Higher Education, in consultation with Connecticut's P-20 Council, as defined in subsection (a) of section 1 of this act, shall ensure that each public institution of higher education works with the Department of Education and the local and regional school districts to (1) use available evaluation methods for early assessment of the potential for college readiness of each student enrolled in the eighth and tenth grades in a public school, and (2) share the results of such assessment with such student, such student's parents or legal guardian and the public school in which such student is enrolled.
Approved May 31, 2012