HF5146

Purpose

To allow certain International Baccalaureate (IB) students to meet Minnesota graduation credit requirements through a waiver, so they can participate in IB programs (IB Diploma Program or IB Career-Related Program) without needing to earn a specific credit that would otherwise be required.

Main Provisions

• Establishes a new waiver option under Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 120B.024 (subdivision 3) for IB program students.
• Starting with the 2026-2027 school year, when a student submits an application signed by the student and a parent or guardian, a school district or charter school must declare that the student meets the graduation credit requirements if:
  • the district/charter determines the student is on track by the beginning of grade 11 to meet the requirements of an IB Diploma Program (DP) or an IB Career-Related Program (CRP), and
  • the student would be precluded from participating in the IB DP or IB CRP if the student were required to complete the credit that would be waived.
• The district or charter school may revoke the waiver for a student who is not on track by the beginning of grade 12 to meet IB DP or IB CRP requirements.
• If a waiver is revoked, the student must complete the credit requirements under subdivision 1 (i.e., the standard graduation credit requirements).

How It Works (Process)

• Student applies for the waiver with a parent/guardian’s signature.
• District or charter school assesses whether the student is on track by grade 11 to complete IB DP or IB CRP requirements and whether requiring the waived credit would preclude IB participation.
• If both conditions are met, the district/charter declares the student meets graduation credit requirements under subdivision 1 via the waiver.
• If the student is not on track by grade 12, the waiver can be revoked, and the student must complete the credited graduation requirement.

Changes to Law

• Adds a new subdivision (Subdivision 3) to Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 120B.024, creating a formal waiver pathway tied to IB program participation.
• Memorializes the conditions under which waivers are granted and later revoked, linking IB eligibility to graduation credit requirements.

Implementation Timeline

• Effective starting with the 2026-2027 school year.

Key Definitions and Terms (as used in the bill)

• Graduation credit requirements
• Subdivision 1 (existing provision in 120B.024)
• Subdivision 3 (new subdivision added by this bill)
• International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IB DP)
• International Baccalaureate Career-Related Program (IB CRP)
• On track
• Beginning of grade 11
• Beginning of grade 12
• Waiver
• School district or charter school
• Application signed by student and parent/guardian

Relevant Terms international baccalaureate, IB Diploma Program, IB Career-Related Program, graduation credit requirements, waiver, on track, grade 11, grade 12, subdivision 1, subdivision 3, Minnesota Statutes 2024, 120B.024, district, charter school, parent or guardian, student, application.