Require Minnesota high schools to offer a career readiness mandatory elective course.

 

According to the Minnesota Department of Education, students are expected to graduate ready for college, career and life

. However, many Minnesota students report feeling unprepared for basic job skills such as interviewing, resume writing,

and financial literacy. This bill seeks to ensure that every student has access to practical career preparation before

graduation.

 

Many high school graduates in Minnesota enter the workforce or post-secondary education without key skills needed for

employment success. A 2024 survey by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce found that employers value communication, time

management, and professionalism, yet many young workers lack these competencies.

By creating a Career Readiness Elective, this bill helps students gain essential workplace experience, prepare for

internships, and make informed decisions about their futures. The course would teach résumé writing, interview skills,

financial basics, and professional communication.

 

 

Career Readiness Elective: A one-semester course designed to teach students practical skills related to employment,

including but not limited to job searching, résumé and cover letter writing, financial literacy, and workplace

communication.

- In many ways this course is over one semester and can be offered in various settings. However, schools are welcome to

make an adjustment to the course as they see fit to meet the schools needs. The course can be added to another course to

limit the number of separate courses students may take. It is up to the school/school districts discretion to offer this

class with all the benefits it has to offer.

Public High School: Any Minnesota public or charter school serving grades 9–12.

 

 

Funding for the development and implementation of the Career Readiness Elective shall come from the existing Minnesota

Department of Education curriculum development budget. No new taxes shall be imposed, as schools already list this

course as one of the offerings. It will just need to be added to students' graduation requirements. Schools may consider

partnering with local businesses, workforce centers, or community colleges to provide resources or guest speakers at no

additional cost to the state.

 

The Minnesota Department of Education shall ensure that all public high schools offer the Career Readiness Elective by

the start of the 2027–2028 school year. School administrators will be responsible for scheduling and staffing the

course.

 

This act shall take effect at the start of the 2027-2028 school year, allowing schools one academic year to prepare for

implementation.