Most MN Public Schools break state’s PSEO Law

The following column appeared in May 2026, in a number of APG of East Central Mn newspapers, including the Dakota County Tribune, Aitkin Independent Age, Mille Lacs Messenger,   Elk River Star News,  Faribault Daily News, Press & News, Sun Current, Sun Post, Sun Sailor, Sun This Week, Union Times,  County News Review,  Anoka, Blaine & Coon Rapids (ABC) papers

 

Most MN Public Schools break state’s PSEO Law

 

A stunning new report has good and bad news for Minnesota ninth- through 11th-grade students who want to challenge themselves and potentially save thousands of dollars in college/university costs.

The good news is that students have until May 30 to apply for free fall 2026 college career/technical and/or academic courses, and Oct. 30 to apply for second semester classes via Minnesota’s post-secondary enrollment options law and notify their high school.

The bad news is that more than two-thirds of the state’s public schools don’t provide some of the information about the program on their websites that the PSEO law and the Minnesota Department of Education require.

Current/former PSEO students release new report at State Capitol Press Conference

 

The 2026 PSEO Information Gap Report shows that 68% of Minnesota’s 386 public school district websites are not doing what the law and MDE require. Each website is rated, so people can see how districts and charters are doing. The full report is here and here .

The study documents that many websites don’t tell students:

– They may use school computers and internet to take online PSEO courses.

– Funds are available to help students from low-income families with transportation costs.

– Students may participate in high school extracurricular activities as they take PSEO courses.

– 10th graders can take one career/technical course. If they earn at least a “C,” they can take additional career technical and/or academic courses.

– To help schools plan, students must notify schools by May 30 for the first semester or Oct. 30 for the second semester.

Report co-author Beatrice Handlin, board president of People for PSEO, told me she “hopes that this report starts conversations and changes across the state. All students should have up-to-date and accurate information so they can make informed decisions that can influence their future plans, achievements, and finances. PSEO was an amazing opportunity for me as a high school student – it changed my life for the better. Every Minnesota student should be informed enough to make the choice that is right for them when it comes to dual enrollment.”

People for PSEO, a youth-led group of current and former PSEO students and their allies, and Catalyst for Systems Change, a statewide group “focused on breaking down barriers across education, workforce, housing, and civic engagement,” co-authored the report.

While all Minnesota public schools must post this material, the report found a significant difference between Minnesota traditional district and charter public schools. Fifty-one percent of charters post all the required information, compared to 28% for traditional districts.

For 40 years, PSEO has offered Minnesota high school students the opportunity to earn free college credits on a college campus. Eleventh and 12th-grade students who meet higher education admissions standards can do this part-time or full-time. Tenth graders meeting standards can take one career technical/vocational course. If they earn a “C” in that course, they can enroll part- or full-time. Students can also take online courses.

MDE explains what the law requires, providing sample language for websites. Then it tells educators: “Please consider the following language as the minimum to support this statute requirement.”

Some educators oppose PSEO provisions that involve dollars following students from districts to colleges/universities, paying tuition, books and lab fees. The report wisely acknowledges concerns. It urges that the non-partisan, highly respected Office of Legislative Auditor identify PSEO strengths and possible improvements. A bipartisan group of legislators recommended this as one of eight potential research topics to other legislators, who’ll make the final recommendations.

Former PSEO student Khalique Rogers, executive director of Catalyst for Systems Change, concluded: “This is about opportunity, transparency, and ensuring students can fully access a program that has changed countless lives across Minnesota. A student’s future should never depend on whether their school decided to fully inform them about their opportunities.”

Joe Nathan, PhD, has been a Minnesota public school educator, researcher and local PTA president. Reactions welcome, joe@centerforschoolchange.org