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Bill

HF 4646

State statistics literacy graduation seal established.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Shelley Buck and 1 co-sponsor

Minnesota would award a State Statistics Literacy Graduation Seal to high school graduates who demonstrate defined proficiency in statistics and data literacy.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Education Policy
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Bill Summary · HF 4646

Summary of HF 4646 (Minnesota, 2025-2026)

Purpose and Intent

HF 4646 proposes the establishment of a State Statistics Literacy Graduation Seal. The bill aims to recognize high school graduates who demonstrate proficiency in understanding and applying statistics and data literacy. The seal would be an add-on credential alongside a student's diploma, signaling mastery of essential statistical concepts and data-informed decision-making.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Statistical Literacy Graduation Seal: Creates an official state seal that can be awarded to students who meet specified criteria in statistics and data literacy as part of their high school education.
  • Eligibility and Criteria (to be established by rule or statute):
    • Likely requires completion of a designated statistics course or courses with demonstrated competency in core topics (e.g., descriptive statistics, probability, data interpretation, data ethics, and data-driven reasoning).
    • May include performance benchmarks, assessments, or projects to verify understanding and application.
  • Scope and Application: Applies to students graduating from Minnesota high schools who complete the required coursework and assessments to qualify for the seal.
  • Program Administration: The bill implies state-level establishment of standards for what constitutes sufficient statistics literacy, with possible coordination between the Minnesota Department of Education and local school districts.
  • Duration and Renewal: The seal would be issued once at graduation; ongoing renewal is not indicated in the provided summary and would typically be governed by program rules.

Who/What Is Affected

  • Students: Minnesota high school students who undertake the mandated statistics literacy requirements would be eligible to receive the seal on their diploma.
  • Schools and Districts: High schools would implement the eligibility criteria, administer assessments or projects, and recognize the seal on diplomas.
  • Educators and Programs: Teachers and curriculum developers may need to align coursework with the seal criteria, and districts may adjust scheduling or course offerings to ensure access to relevant statistics instruction.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Introduction and First Reading: The bill was introduced and referred to the Education Policy committee on March 25, 2026.
  • Next Steps: The bill would move through committee discussions, potential amendments, and floor votes in the Minnesota Legislature. Final enactment would depend on passage by both chambers and signature by the governor.
  • Effective Date: The summary does not specify an effective date; typically, if enacted, there would be a phased implementation timeline (e.g., a start year for students entering a certain grade or graduating class).

Potential Impact

  • Educational Equity and Signals: The seal could provide an additional incentive for students to engage with statistics and data literacy, reinforcing the importance of data-informed thinking across disciplines.
  • Curriculum Influence: Schools may expand or emphasize statistics coursework to ensure more students meet the seal criteria.
  • Credential Value: The seal could serve as a measurable indicator of statistical literacy for employers, higher education, or scholarship considerations.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to include hypothetical, typical criteria for “statistics literacy” seals (e.g., course requirements, assessment formats, or sample timelines) or track the bill’s progress through subsequent committee actions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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