The legislature finds that encouraging collaboration among the various educational sectors to meet statewide needs will strengthen the entire educational system, kindergarten through twelfth grade and higher education. The legislature also recognizes that the most effective way to develop innovative and collaborative programs is to encourage institutions to develop them voluntarily, in line with established state goals. Through a system of competitive grants, the legislature shall encourage the development of innovative and collaborative solutions to issues of critical statewide need, including:

     (1) Recognizing needs of special populations of students;

     (2) Furthering the development of learner-centered, technology-assisted course delivery;

     (3) Furthering the development of competency-based measurements of student achievement to be used as the basis for awarding degrees and certificates; and

     (4) Increasing the collaboration among both public and private sector institutions of higher education.

[1999 c 169 § 2; 1991 c 98 § 1.]