In cooperation with the State’s public and private nonprofit institutions of postsecondary education, the Maryland State Department of Education, and the local school systems, the Commission shall establish and administer a College Preparation Intervention Program.

The purpose of the College Preparation Intervention Program is to raise the level of academic preparedness of economically and environmentally disadvantaged students to enable them to attend and succeed in college.

The College Preparation Intervention Program may include activities to: Improve diagnosis of basic skill deficiencies of middle and high school students to enhance the preparedness of the students for college; Establish a testing program, using presently administered tests to the extent possible, to evaluate achievement levels and assess the preparation of high school students who are potentially college bound; Compile a list of courses of study recommended for college preparation and distribute copies of the list to the high school students and their parents; Provide information regarding college preparation to high school students in a timely manner so the student can make course changes to be better prepared for college; Improve information to high schools and local school systems concerning the performance of their graduates at the college level in at least the following areas: The adequacy of preparation of the students in basic skills on the students’ entry into college; The campus enrollment and transfer patterns of students; The program choices of the students; The performance of the students on achievement tests; and The rate of retention and graduation of students; and Assist high schools and local school systems in the use of this information to improve student outcomes.

Each year, the Commission shall submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly of Maryland addressing the status of the College Preparation Intervention Program.

The Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of at least $750,000 from the General Fund of the State for the College Preparation Intervention Program.