173.2515.  Guided pathways to success — definitions — pilot program to be developed — grants, when, rules for procedure. — 1.  This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Guided Pathways to Success Act".

  2.  As used in this section, the following terms shall mean:

  (1)  "Degree maps", a list of all course sequences available to fulfill the requirements for a specific degree program;

  (2)  "Meta-majors", a collection of academic programs that have common or related courses;

  (3)  "Proactive advising", an advising model in which advisors reach out to students in anticipation of their needs, connect students with resources and support early in their studies, and motivate students to succeed;

  (4)  "Structured schedule", a specific sequence of required and elective courses each semester that, when taken as prescribed, represent a direct path to complete a chosen program of study.

  3.  The coordinating board for higher education, in cooperation with the state's colleges and universities, shall develop a guided pathways to success pilot program.  Guided pathways to success shall include at least two of the following components:

  (1)  Majors organized into semester-by-semester sets of courses that lead to on-time completion, which shall have the same meaning as described pursuant to section 173.2510;

  (2)  Degree-based transfer pathways between participating institutions to assist students who enroll in multiple institutions to complete their degree;

  (3)  Available meta-majors to minimize the loss of credit due to changes by students in their degree majors;

  (4)  Student commitment to a structured schedule of courses and electives; and

  (5)  Clear degree maps, proactive advising and guarantees that required courses are available when needed by students.

  4.  The department shall develop and publicly maintain materials that describe the elements of Missouri's guided pathways to success project and assist students in understanding the operation of each component.

  5.  By January 1, 2020, the coordinating board shall report to the governor and the general assembly on the outcomes of the pilot program created in this section.

  6.  Based on the outcomes of the pilot program created in this section, the coordinating board may request funding to provide competitive grants to institutions of higher education to assist in defraying the costs incurred to implement guided pathways to success on a statewide basis.

  7.  The coordinating board for higher education shall establish by administrative rule criteria and procedures for the application for, and awarding of, grants authorized by this section.  Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028.  This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2016, shall be invalid and void.