1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education; restructuring Minnesota's teacher licensing system; 
1.3 	establishing the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board; transferring 
1.4 	all teacher licensing and support personnel licensing and credentialing authority 
1.5 	to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board; providing for 
1.6 	rulemaking; requiring a report; amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, sections 
1.7 	120B.363, subdivision 1; 122A.06; 122A.07; 122A.08; 122A.09, subdivisions 1, 
1.8 	2, 3, 4, 4a, 6, 7, 9, 10; 122A.17; 122A.18, subdivisions 1, 2, 2b, 7a, 7c, 8, by adding 
1.9 	a subdivision; 122A.19; 122A.20; 122A.22; 122A.23, subdivision 3; 122A.245, 
1.10 	subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10; 122A.26, subdivision 2; 122A.28; 122A.29; 
1.11 	122A.30; 124D.13, subdivision 11; 124D.454, subdivision 12; 124D.75, 
1.12 	subdivisions 1, 6; 125A.67, subdivision 2; 127A.05, subdivision 6; 136A.1791, 
1.13 	subdivision 1; 214.04, subdivisions 1, 3; 214.045; proposing coding for new law 
1.14 	in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 122A; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2016, sections 
1.15 	122A.09, subdivisions 5, 8, 11; 122A.14, subdivision 5; 122A.162; 122A.163; 
1.16 	122A.18, subdivisions 2a, 3, 3a, 4, 4a, 6, 7, 7b; 122A.21, subdivision 2; 122A.23, 
1.17 	subdivisions 1, 2; 122A.245, subdivisions 7, 8; 122A.25.
1.18 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.19 	ARTICLE 1
1.20 	PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR LICENSING AND STANDARDS BOARD

1.21 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.06, is amended to read:
1.22 	122A.06 DEFINITIONS.
1.23 		Subdivision 1.Scope. For the purpose of sections 122A.05 to 122A.09 122A.093, the 
1.24 	terms defined in this section have the meanings given them, unless another meaning is 
1.25 	clearly indicated.
1.26 		Subd. 2.Teacher. "Teacher" means a classroom teacher or other similar professional 
1.27 	employee required to hold a license from the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards 
1.28 	Board of Teaching.
2.1 		Subd. 3.Board. "Board" means the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards 
2.2 	Board of Teaching.
2.3 		Subd. 4.Comprehensive, scientifically based reading instruction. (a) "Comprehensive, 
2.4 	scientifically based reading instruction" includes a program or collection of instructional 
2.5 	practices that is based on valid, replicable evidence showing that when these programs or 
2.6 	practices are used, students can be expected to achieve, at a minimum, satisfactory reading 
2.7 	progress. The program or collection of practices must include, at a minimum, effective, 
2.8 	balanced instruction in all five areas of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, 
2.9 	vocabulary development, and reading comprehension.
2.10 	Comprehensive, scientifically based reading instruction also includes and integrates 
2.11 	instructional strategies for continuously assessing, evaluating, and communicating the 
2.12 	student's reading progress and needs in order to design and implement ongoing interventions 
2.13 	so that students of all ages and proficiency levels can read and comprehend text, write, and 
2.14 	apply higher level thinking skills. For English learners developing literacy skills, districts 
2.15 	are encouraged to use strategies that teach reading and writing in the students' native language 
2.16 	and English at the same time.
2.17 	(b) "Fluency" is the ability of students to read text with speed, accuracy, and proper 
2.18 	expression.
2.19 	(c) "Phonemic awareness" is the ability of students to notice, think about, and manipulate 
2.20 	individual sounds in spoken syllables and words.
2.21 	(d) "Phonics" is the understanding that there are systematic and predictable relationships 
2.22 	between written letters and spoken words. Phonics instruction is a way of teaching reading 
2.23 	that stresses learning how letters correspond to sounds and how to apply this knowledge in 
2.24 	reading and spelling.
2.25 	(e) "Reading comprehension" is an active process that requires intentional thinking 
2.26 	during which meaning is constructed through interactions between text and reader. 
2.27 	Comprehension skills are taught explicitly by demonstrating, explaining, modeling, and 
2.28 	implementing specific cognitive strategies to help beginning readers derive meaning through 
2.29 	intentional, problem-solving thinking processes.
2.30 	(f) "Vocabulary development" is the process of teaching vocabulary both directly and 
2.31 	indirectly, with repetition and multiple exposures to vocabulary items. Learning in rich 
2.32 	contexts, incidental learning, and use of computer technology enhance the acquiring of 
2.33 	vocabulary.
3.1 	(g) Nothing in this subdivision limits the authority of a school district to select a school's 
3.2 	reading program or curriculum.
3.3 		Subd. 5.Field. A "field" or "subject area" means the content area in which a teacher 
3.4 	may become licensed to teach.
3.5 		Subd. 6.Shortage. "Shortage" means an inadequate supply of licensed personnel in a 
3.6 	given licensure area, as identified in the most recent report submitted by the commissioner 
3.7 	of education to the legislature under section 127A.05, subdivision 6, or the Professional 
3.8 	Educator Licensing and Standards Board under section 122A.091, subdivision 5.
3.9 		Subd. 7.Teacher preparation program. "Teacher preparation program" means a 
3.10 	program approved by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board for the 
3.11 	purpose of preparing individuals for a specific teacher licensure field in Minnesota. Teacher 
3.12 	preparation programs include traditional programs delivered by postsecondary institutions, 
3.13 	alternative teacher preparation programs, and nonconventional teacher preparation programs.
3.14 		Subd. 8.Teacher preparation program provider. "Teacher preparation program 
3.15 	provider" or "unit" means an entity that has primary responsibility for overseeing and 
3.16 	delivering a teacher preparation program.

3.17 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective September 1, 2017.

3.18 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.07, is amended to read:
3.19 	122A.07 BOARD OF TEACHING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR LICENSING 
3.20 	AND STANDARDS BOARD MEMBERSHIP.
3.21 		Subdivision 1.Appointment of members. The Professional Educator Licensing and 
3.22 	Standards Board of Teaching consists of 11 members appointed by the governor, with the 
3.23 	advice and consent of the senate. Membership terms, compensation of members, removal 
3.24 	of members, the filling of membership vacancies, and fiscal year and reporting requirements 
3.25 	are as provided in sections 214.07 to 214.09. No member may be reappointed for more than 
3.26 	one additional term.
3.27 		Subd. 2.Eligibility; board composition. Except for the representatives representative
3.28 	of higher education and the public, to be eligible for appointment to the Professional Educator 
3.29 	Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching, a person must be a teacher currently teaching 
3.30 	in a Minnesota school and fully licensed for the position held and have at least five years
3.31 	of teaching experience in Minnesota, including the two years immediately preceding 
3.32 	nomination and appointment. Each nominee, other than a public nominee, must be selected 
4.1 	on the basis of professional experience and knowledge of teacher education, accreditation, 
4.2 	and licensure. The board must be composed of:
4.3 	(1) six teachers who are currently teaching in a Minnesota school or who were teaching 
4.4 	at the time of the appointment and who do not qualify under clause (2) or (3), at least four 
4.5 	of whom must be teaching in a public school and who were not serving in an administrative 
4.6 	function at a school district or school on the effective date of this section. The six teachers 
4.7 	must include at least the following:;
4.8 	(i) one teacher in a charter school;
4.9 	(ii) one teacher licensed in either a geographic or license shortage area; and
4.10 	(iii) one licensed speech therapist, school nurse, school social worker, or school counselor;
4.11 	(2) one higher education representative, who must be a faculty member preparing teachers
4.12 	one superintendent from the seven-county metropolitan area, as defined in section 473.121, 
4.13 	subdivision 2;
4.14 	(3) one school administrator superintendent from outside the seven-county metropolitan 
4.15 	area, as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2; and
4.16 	(4) three members of the public, two of whom must be present or former members of 
4.17 	school boards one staff member of a board-approved teacher preparation program provider;
4.18 	(5) one principal that alternates each term between an elementary and a secondary school 
4.19 	principal; and
4.20 	(6) one member of the public that may be a current or former school board member.
4.21 		Subd. 2a.First appointments. (a) The governor shall nominate all members to the 
4.22 	Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board. The terms of the initial board members 
4.23 	must be as follows:
4.24 	(1) two members must be appointed for terms that expire January 1, 2019;
4.25 	(2) three members must be appointed for terms that expire January 1, 2020;
4.26 	(3) three members must be appointed for terms that expire January 1, 2021; and
4.27 	(4) three members must be appointed for terms that expire January 1, 2022.
4.28 	(b) Members of the Board of Teaching as of January 1, 2017, are ineligible for first 
4.29 	appointments to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board for four years 
4.30 	from the effective date of this section.
5.1 		Subd. 3.Vacant position. With the exception of a teacher who retires from teaching 
5.2 	during the course of completing a board term, the position of a member who leaves Minnesota 
5.3 	or whose employment status changes to a category different from that from which appointed 
5.4 	is deemed vacant.
5.5 		Subd. 4.Administration, Terms, compensation; removal; vacancies. The provision 
5.6 	of staff, administrative services and office space; the review and processing of complaints; 
5.7 	the setting of fees; the selection and duties of an executive secretary to serve the board; and 
5.8 	other provisions relating to board operations not provided in this chapter are as provided in 
5.9 	chapter 214. Membership terms, compensation of members, removal of members, the filling 
5.10 	of membership vacancies, and fiscal year and reporting requirements are as provided in 
5.11 	sections 214.07 to 214.09.
5.12 		Subd. 4a.Administration. (a) The governor must appoint an executive director of the 
5.13 	Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board. The executive director may be 
5.14 	removed by the governor. The board must review the performance of the executive director 
5.15 	and set the salary of the executive director. The salary of the executive director must not 
5.16 	exceed the limit for a position listed in section 15A.0815, subdivision 2.
5.17 	(b) The executive director of the board shall be the chief administrative officer for the 
5.18 	board but shall not be a member of the board. The executive director shall maintain the 
5.19 	records of the board, account for all fees received by the board, supervise and direct 
5.20 	employees servicing the board, and perform other services as directed by the board.
5.21 	(c) The Department of Administration must provide administrative support in accordance 
5.22 	with section 16B.371. The commissioner of administration must assess the board for services 
5.23 	it provides under this section.
5.24 	(d) The Department of Education must provide suitable offices and other space to the 
5.25 	board at reasonable cost until January 1, 2020. Thereafter, the board may contract with 
5.26 	either the Department of Education or the Department of Administration for the provision 
5.27 	of suitable offices and other space, joint conference and hearing facilities, and examination 
5.28 	rooms.
5.29 		Subd. 5.District reimbursement for costs of substitute teachers. The Professional 
5.30 	Educator Licensing and Standards Board may reimburse local school districts for the costs 
5.31 	of substitute teachers employed when regular teachers are providing professional assistance 
5.32 	to the state by serving on the board or on a committee or task force appointed by the board 
5.33 	and charged to make recommendations concerning standards for teacher licensure in this 
5.34 	state.

6.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective September 1, 2017.

6.2 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.08, is amended to read:
6.3 	122A.08 MEETINGS.
6.4 		Subdivision 1.Meetings. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of 
6.5 	Teaching must meet regularly at the times and places as the board determines. Meetings 
6.6 	must be called by the chair or at the written request of any eight members.
6.7 		Subd. 2.Executive secretary. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board 
6.8 	of Teaching must have an executive secretary who is in the unclassified civil service and 
6.9 	who is not a member of the board. The executive secretary must fulfill the duties provided 
6.10 	in section 122A.09, subdivision 6.

6.11 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective September 1, 2017.

6.12 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.09, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
6.13 		Subdivision 1.Code of ethics. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards 
6.14 	Board of Teaching must develop by rule a code of ethics covering standards of professional 
6.15 	teaching practices, including areas of ethical conduct and professional performance and 
6.16 	methods of enforcement.

6.17 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

6.18 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.09, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
6.19 		Subd. 2.Advise members of profession. The Professional Educator Licensing and 
6.20 	Standards Board must act in an advisory capacity to members of the profession in matters 
6.21 	of interpretation of the code of ethics.

6.22 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective September 1, 2017.

6.23 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.09, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
6.24 		Subd. 3.Election of chair and officers. The Professional Educator Licensing and 
6.25 	Standards Board shall elect a chair and such other officers as it may deem necessary.

6.26 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

7.1 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.09, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
7.2 		Subd. 4.License and rules Licensing. (a) The Professional Educator Licensing and 
7.3 	Standards Board must adopt rules to license public school teachers and interns subject to 
7.4 	chapter 14. license teachers, as defined in section 122A.15, subdivision 1, except for 
7.5 	supervisory personnel, as defined in section 122A.15, subdivision 2. The board must not 
7.6 	delegate its authority to make all licensing decisions with respect to candidates for teacher 
7.7 	licensure. The board must evaluate candidates for compliance with statutory or rule 
7.8 	requirements for licensure and develop licensure verification requirements.
7.9 	(b) The board must require all candidates for teacher licensure to demonstrate a passing 
7.10 	score on a board-adopted skills examination in reading, writing, and mathematics, as a 
7.11 	requirement for an initial professional five-year teaching license, except that the board may 
7.12 	issue up to four initial professional one-year teaching licenses to an otherwise qualified 
7.13 	candidate who has not yet passed the board-adopted skills exam. The board must require 
7.14 	colleges and universities offering a board-approved teacher preparation program to provide 
7.15 	remedial assistance to persons who did not achieve a qualifying score on the board-adopted 
7.16 	skills examination, including those for whom English is a second language. The requirement 
7.17 	to pass a board-adopted reading, writing, and mathematics skills examination does not apply 
7.18 	to nonnative English speakers, as verified by qualified Minnesota school district personnel 
7.19 	or Minnesota higher education faculty, who, after meeting the content and pedagogy 
7.20 	requirements under this subdivision, apply for a teaching license to provide direct instruction 
7.21 	in their native language or world language instruction under section 120B.022, subdivision 
7.22 	1. The Board of Teaching and the entity administering the content, pedagogy, and skills 
7.23 	examinations must allow any individual who produces documentation of a disability in the 
7.24 	form of an evaluation, 504 plan, or individual education program (IEP) to receive the same 
7.25 	testing accommodations on the content, pedagogy, and skills examinations that the applicant 
7.26 	received during their secondary or postsecondary education.
7.27 	(c) The board must adopt rules to approve teacher preparation programs. The board, 
7.28 	upon the request of a postsecondary student preparing for teacher licensure or a licensed 
7.29 	graduate of a teacher preparation program, shall assist in resolving a dispute between the 
7.30 	person and a postsecondary institution providing a teacher preparation program when the 
7.31 	dispute involves an institution's recommendation for licensure affecting the person or the 
7.32 	person's credentials. At the board's discretion, assistance may include the application of 
7.33 	chapter 14.
7.34 	(d) The board must provide the leadership and adopt rules for the redesign of teacher 
7.35 	education programs to implement a research based, results-oriented curriculum that focuses 
8.1 	on the skills teachers need in order to be effective. Among other components, teacher 
8.2 	preparation programs may use the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities program model 
8.3 	to provide a school-year-long student teaching program that combines clinical opportunities 
8.4 	with academic coursework and in-depth student teaching experiences to offer students 
8.5 	ongoing mentorship, coaching, and assessment, help to prepare a professional development 
8.6 	plan, and structured learning experiences. The board shall implement new systems of teacher 
8.7 	preparation program evaluation to assure program effectiveness based on proficiency of 
8.8 	graduates in demonstrating attainment of program outcomes. Teacher preparation programs 
8.9 	including alternative teacher preparation programs under section 122A.245, among other 
8.10 	programs, must include a content-specific, board-approved, performance-based assessment 
8.11 	that measures teacher candidates in three areas: planning for instruction and assessment; 
8.12 	engaging students and supporting learning; and assessing student learning. The board's 
8.13 	redesign rules must include creating flexible, specialized teaching licenses, credentials, and 
8.14 	other endorsement forms to increase students' participation in language immersion programs, 
8.15 	world language instruction, career development opportunities, work-based learning, early 
8.16 	college courses and careers, career and technical programs, Montessori schools, and project 
8.17 	and place-based learning, among other career and college ready learning offerings.
8.18 	(e) The board must adopt rules requiring candidates for professional five-year teaching 
8.19 	licenses to pass an examination of general pedagogical knowledge and examinations of 
8.20 	licensure-specific teaching skills. The rules shall be effective by September 1, 2001. The 
8.21 	rules under this paragraph also must require candidates for initial licenses to teach 
8.22 	prekindergarten or elementary students to pass, as part of the examination of 
8.23 	licensure-specific teaching skills, test items assessing the candidates' knowledge, skill, and 
8.24 	ability in comprehensive, scientifically based reading instruction under section 122A.06, 
8.25 	subdivision 4, and their knowledge and understanding of the foundations of reading 
8.26 	development, the development of reading comprehension, and reading assessment and 
8.27 	instruction, and their ability to integrate that knowledge and understanding.
8.28 	(f) The board must adopt rules requiring teacher educators to work directly with 
8.29 	elementary or secondary school teachers in elementary or secondary schools to obtain 
8.30 	periodic exposure to the elementary or secondary teaching environment.
8.31 	(g) The board must grant licenses to interns and to candidates for professional five-year 
8.32 	teaching licenses based on appropriate professional competencies that are aligned with the 
8.33 	board's licensing system and students' diverse learning needs. All teacher candidates must 
8.34 	have preparation in English language development and content instruction for English 
8.35 	learners in order to be able to effectively instruct the English learners in their classrooms. 
9.1 	The board must include these licenses in a statewide differentiated licensing system that 
9.2 	creates new leadership roles for successful experienced teachers premised on a collaborative 
9.3 	professional culture dedicated to meeting students' diverse learning needs in the 21st century, 
9.4 	recognizes the importance of cultural and linguistic competencies, including the ability to 
9.5 	teach and communicate in culturally competent and aware ways, and formalizes mentoring 
9.6 	and induction for newly licensed teachers provided through a teacher support framework.
9.7 	(h) The board must design and implement an assessment system which requires a 
9.8 	candidate for an initial license and first continuing license to demonstrate the abilities 
9.9 	necessary to perform selected, representative teaching tasks at appropriate levels.
9.10 	(i) The board must receive recommendations from local committees as established by 
9.11 	the board for the renewal of teaching licenses. The board must require a licensed teacher 
9.12 	who is renewing a professional five-year teaching license to include in the renewal 
9.13 	requirements further preparation in English language development and specially designed 
9.14 	content instruction in English for English learners.
9.15 	(j) The board must grant life licenses to those who qualify according to requirements 
9.16 	established by the board, and suspend or revoke licenses pursuant to sections 122A.20 and 
9.17 	214.10. The board must not establish any expiration date for application for life licenses.
9.18 	(k) The board must adopt rules that require all licensed teachers who are renewing their 
9.19 	professional five-year teaching licenses to include in their renewal requirements further 
9.20 	preparation in the areas of using positive behavior interventions and in accommodating, 
9.21 	modifying, and adapting curricula, materials, and strategies to appropriately meet the needs 
9.22 	of individual students and ensure adequate progress toward the state's graduation rule.
9.23 	(l) In adopting rules to license public school teachers who provide health-related services 
9.24 	for disabled children, the board shall adopt rules consistent with license or registration 
9.25 	requirements of the commissioner of health and the health-related boards who license 
9.26 	personnel who perform similar services outside of the school.
9.27 	(m) The board must adopt rules that require all licensed teachers who are renewing their 
9.28 	professional five-year teaching licenses to include in their renewal requirements further 
9.29 	reading preparation, consistent with section 122A.06, subdivision 4. The rules do not take 
9.30 	effect until they are approved by law. Teachers who do not provide direct instruction 
9.31 	including, at least, counselors, school psychologists, school nurses, school social workers, 
9.32 	audiovisual directors and coordinators, and recreation personnel are exempt from this section.
9.33 	(n) The board must adopt rules that require all licensed teachers who are renewing their 
9.34 	professional five-year teaching licenses to include in their renewal requirements at least 
10.1 	one hour of suicide prevention best practices in each licensure renewal period that are based 
10.2 	on nationally recognized evidence-based programs and practices, among the continuing 
10.3 	education credits required to renew a license under this paragraph, and further preparation, 
10.4 	first, in understanding the key warning signs of early-onset mental illness in children and 
10.5 	adolescents and then, during subsequent licensure renewal periods, preparation may include 
10.6 	providing a more in-depth understanding of students' mental illness trauma, accommodations 
10.7 	for students' mental illness, parents' role in addressing students' mental illness, Fetal Alcohol 
10.8 	Spectrum Disorders, autism, the requirements of section 125A.0942 governing restrictive 
10.9 	procedures, and de-escalation methods, among other similar topics.
10.10 	(o) The board must adopt rules by January 1, 2016, to license applicants under sections 
10.11 	122A.23 and 122A.245. The rules must permit applicants to demonstrate their qualifications 
10.12 	through the board's recognition of a teaching license from another state in a similar content 
10.13 	field, completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program, teaching experience as 
10.14 	the teacher of record in a similar licensure field, depth of content knowledge, depth of 
10.15 	content methods or general pedagogy, subject-specific professional development and 
10.16 	contribution to the field, or classroom performance as determined by documented student 
10.17 	growth on normed assessments or documented effectiveness on evaluations. The rules must 
10.18 	adopt criteria for determining a "similar content field" and "similar licensure area."

10.19 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

10.20 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.09, subdivision 4a, is amended to read:
10.21 		Subd. 4a.Teacher and administrator preparation and performance data; report
10.22 	Reports. (a) The Board of Teaching and the Board of School Administrators, in cooperation 
10.23 	with the Minnesota Association of Colleges of Teacher Education and Minnesota colleges 
10.24 	and universities offering board-adopted teacher or administrator preparation programs, 
10.25 	annually must collect and report summary data on teacher and administrator preparation 
10.26 	and performance outcomes, consistent with this subdivision. The Board of Teaching and 
10.27 	the Board of School Administrators annually by June 1 must update and post the reported 
10.28 	summary preparation and performance data on teachers and administrators from the preceding 
10.29 	school years on a Web site hosted jointly by the boards. The Professional Educator Licensing 
10.30 	and Standards Board must provide reports in accordance with section 122A.091.
10.31 	(b) Publicly reported summary data on teacher preparation programs must include: 
10.32 	student entrance requirements for each Board of Teaching-approved program, including 
10.33 	grade point average for enrolling students in the preceding year; the average board-adopted 
10.34 	skills examination or ACT or SAT scores of students entering the program in the preceding 
11.1 	year; summary data on faculty qualifications, including at least the content areas of faculty 
11.2 	undergraduate and graduate degrees and their years of experience either as kindergarten 
11.3 	through grade 12 classroom teachers or school administrators; the average time resident 
11.4 	and nonresident program graduates in the preceding year needed to complete the program; 
11.5 	the current number and percent of students by program who graduated, received a standard 
11.6 	Minnesota teaching license, and were hired to teach full time in their licensure field in a 
11.7 	Minnesota district or school in the preceding year; the number of content area credits and 
11.8 	other credits by undergraduate program that students in the preceding school year needed 
11.9 	to complete to graduate; students' pass rates on skills and subject matter exams required for 
11.10 	graduation in each program and licensure area in the preceding school year; survey results 
11.11 	measuring student and graduate satisfaction with the program in the preceding school year; 
11.12 	a standard measure of the satisfaction of school principals or supervising teachers with the 
11.13 	student teachers assigned to a school or supervising teacher; and information under 
11.14 	paragraphs (d) and (e). Program reporting must be consistent with subdivision 11.
11.15 	(c) Publicly reported summary data on administrator preparation programs approved by 
11.16 	the Board of School Administrators must include: summary data on faculty qualifications, 
11.17 	including at least the content areas of faculty undergraduate and graduate degrees and their 
11.18 	years of experience either as kindergarten through grade 12 classroom teachers or school 
11.19 	administrators; the average time program graduates in the preceding year needed to complete 
11.20 	the program; the current number and percent of students who graduated, received a standard 
11.21 	Minnesota administrator license, and were employed as an administrator in a Minnesota 
11.22 	school district or school in the preceding year; the number of credits by graduate program 
11.23 	that students in the preceding school year needed to complete to graduate; survey results 
11.24 	measuring student, graduate, and employer satisfaction with the program in the preceding 
11.25 	school year; and information under paragraphs (f) and (g). Program reporting must be 
11.26 	consistent with section 122A.14, subdivision 10.
11.27 	(d) School districts annually by October 1 must report to the Board of Teaching the 
11.28 	following information for all teachers who finished the probationary period and accepted 
11.29 	a continuing contract position with the district from September 1 of the previous year through 
11.30 	August 31 of the current year: the effectiveness category or rating of the teacher on the 
11.31 	summative evaluation under section 122A.40, subdivision 8, or 122A.41, subdivision 5; 
11.32 	the licensure area in which the teacher primarily taught during the three-year evaluation 
11.33 	cycle; and the teacher preparation program preparing the teacher in the teacher's primary 
11.34 	areas of instruction and licensure.
12.1 	(e) School districts annually by October 1 must report to the Board of Teaching the 
12.2 	following information for all probationary teachers in the district who were released or 
12.3 	whose contracts were not renewed from September 1 of the previous year through August 
12.4 	31 of the current year: the licensure areas in which the probationary teacher taught; and the 
12.5 	teacher preparation program preparing the teacher in the teacher's primary areas of instruction 
12.6 	and licensure.
12.7 	(f) School districts annually by October 1 must report to the Board of School 
12.8 	Administrators the following information for all school principals and assistant principals 
12.9 	who finished the probationary period and accepted a continuing contract position with the 
12.10 	district from September 1 of the previous year through August 31 of the current year: the 
12.11 	effectiveness category or rating of the principal or assistant principal on the summative 
12.12 	evaluation under section 123B.147, subdivision 3; and the principal preparation program 
12.13 	providing instruction to the principal or assistant principal.
12.14 	(g) School districts annually by October 1 must report to the Board of School 
12.15 	Administrators all probationary school principals and assistant principals in the district who 
12.16 	were released or whose contracts were not renewed from September 1 of the previous year 
12.17 	through August 31 of the current year.

12.18 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

12.19 	Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.09, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
12.20 		Subd. 6.Register of persons licensed. The executive secretary of the Professional 
12.21 	Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching shall must keep a record of the 
12.22 	proceedings of and a register of all persons licensed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. 
12.23 	The register must show the name, address, license number and the renewal of the license. 
12.24 	The board must on July 1, of each year or as soon thereafter as is practicable, compile a list 
12.25 	of such duly licensed teachers and transmit a copy of the list to the board. A copy of the 
12.26 	register must be available during business hours at the office of the board to any interested 
12.27 	person.

12.28 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective September 1, 2017.

12.29 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.09, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
12.30 		Subd. 7.Commissioner's assistance; Professional Educator Licensing and Standards
12.31 	Board money. The commissioner shall provide all necessary materials and assistance for 
12.32 	the transaction of the business of the Board of Teaching and All moneys received by the 
13.1 	Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching shall be paid into the 
13.2 	state treasury as provided by law. The expenses of administering sections 120B.363,122A.01, 
13.3 	122A.05 to 122A.09, 122A.15, 122A.16, 122A.17, 122A.18, 122A.181, 122A.182, 122A.183, 
13.4 	122A.184, 122A.185, 122A.186, 122A.187, 122A.188,122A.20, 122A.21, 122A.22, 
13.5 	122A.23, 122A.245, 122A.26, 122A.30, 122A.40, 122A.41, 122A.42, 122A.45, 122A.49, 
13.6 	122A.54, 122A.55, 122A.56, 122A.57, and 122A.58 which are incurred by the Professional 
13.7 	Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching shall be paid for from appropriations 
13.8 	made to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching.

13.9 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

13.10 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.09, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
13.11 		Subd. 9.Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board may must adopt 
13.12 	rules. (a) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching may must
13.13 	adopt rules subject to the provisions of chapter 14 to implement sections 122A.05 to 122A.09, 
13.14 	122A.092, 122A.16, 122A.17, 122A.18, 122A.181, 122A.182, 122A.183, 122A.184, 
13.15 	122A.185, 122A.186, 122A.187, 122A.188, 122A.20, 122A.21, and122A.23, 122A.245, 
13.16 	122A.26, 122A.28, and 122A.29.
13.17 	(b) The board must adopt rules relating to fields of licensure, including a process for 
13.18 	granting permission to a licensed teacher to teach in a field that is different from the teacher's 
13.19 	field of licensure without change to the teacher's license tier level.
13.20 	(c) The board must adopt rules relating to the grade levels that a licensed teacher may 
13.21 	teach.
13.22 	(d) If a rule adopted by the board is in conflict with a session law or statute, the law or 
13.23 	statute prevails. Terms adopted in rule must be clearly defined and must not be construed 
13.24 	to conflict with terms adopted in statute or session law.
13.25 	(e) The board must include a description of a proposed rule's probable effect on teacher 
13.26 	supply and demand in the board's statement of need and reasonableness under section 14.131.
13.27 	(f) The board must adopt rules only under the specific statutory authority provided in 
13.28 	this subdivision.

13.29 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

14.1 	Sec. 12. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.09, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
14.2 		Subd. 10.Permissions. (a) Notwithstanding subdivision 9 and sections 14.055 and 
14.3 	14.056, the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching may grant 
14.4 	waivers to its rules upon application by a school district or a charter school for purposes of 
14.5 	implementing experimental programs in learning or management, including nonconventional 
14.6 	teacher residency programs.
14.7 	(b) To enable a school district or a charter school to meet the needs of students enrolled 
14.8 	in an alternative education program and to enable licensed teachers instructing those students 
14.9 	to satisfy content area licensure requirements, the Professional Educator Licensing and 
14.10 	Standards Board of Teaching annually may permit a licensed teacher teaching in an 
14.11 	alternative education program to instruct students in a content area for which the teacher is 
14.12 	not licensed, consistent with paragraph (a).
14.13 	(c) A special education license permission issued by the Professional Educator Licensing 
14.14 	and Standards Board of Teaching for a primary employer's low-incidence region is valid 
14.15 	in all low-incidence regions.
14.16 	(d) The Board of Teaching may issue a one-year professional license under paragraph 
14.17 	(a), which the board may renew two times, to allow a person holding a full credential from 
14.18 	the American Montessori Society, a diploma from Association Montessori Internationale, 
14.19 	or a certificate of completion from a program accredited by the Montessori Accreditation 
14.20 	Council for Teacher Education to teach in a Montessori program operated by a school district 
14.21 	or charter school.
14.22 	(e) The Board of Teaching may grant a one-year waiver, renewable two times, to allow 
14.23 	individuals who hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited postsecondary institution, 
14.24 	demonstrate occupational competency based on at least three years of full-time work 
14.25 	experience in business or industry, and enroll and make satisfactory progress in an alternative 
14.26 	preparation program leading to certification as a career and technical education instructor 
14.27 	to teach career and technical education courses offered by a school district or charter school.
14.28 	A candidate that has obtained career and technical education certification may apply for a 
14.29 	Tier 1 license under section 122A.181. Consistent with this paragraph and section 136F.361, 
14.30 	the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching must strongly 
14.31 	encourage require approved college or university-based teacher preparation programs and 
14.32 	institutions throughout Minnesota to develop alternative pathways for certifying and licensing 
14.33 	high school career and technical education instructors and teachers, allowing such candidates 
14.34 	to meet certification and licensure standards that demonstrate their content knowledge, 
15.1 	classroom experience, and pedagogical practices and their qualifications based on a 
15.2 	combination of occupational testing, professional certification or licensure, and long-standing 
15.3 	work experience.

15.4 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

15.5 	Sec. 13. [122A.091] REPORTS.
15.6 		Subdivision 1.Teacher and administrator preparation and performance data; 
15.7 	report. (a) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board and the Board of 
15.8 	School Administrators, in cooperation with board-adopted teacher or administrator 
15.9 	preparation programs, annually must collect and report summary data on teacher and 
15.10 	administrator preparation and performance outcomes, consistent with this subdivision. The 
15.11 	Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board and the Board of School Administrators 
15.12 	annually by June 1 must update and post the reported summary preparation and performance 
15.13 	data on teachers and administrators from the preceding school years on a Web site hosted 
15.14 	jointly by the boards.
15.15 	(b) Publicly reported summary data on teacher preparation programs must include:
15.16 	(1) student entrance requirements for each Professional Educator Licensing and Standards 
15.17 	Board-approved program, including grade point average for enrolling students in the 
15.18 	preceding year;
15.19 	(2) the average board-adopted skills examination or ACT or SAT scores of students 
15.20 	entering the program in the preceding year;
15.21 	(3) summary data on faculty qualifications, including at least the content areas of faculty 
15.22 	undergraduate and graduate degrees and their years of experience either as kindergarten 
15.23 	through grade 12 classroom teachers or school administrators;
15.24 	(4) the average time resident and nonresident program graduates in the preceding year 
15.25 	needed to complete the program;
15.26 	(5) the current number and percent of students by program who graduated, received a 
15.27 	standard Minnesota teaching license, and were hired to teach full time in their licensure 
15.28 	field in a Minnesota district or school in the preceding year;
15.29 	(6) the number of content area credits and other credits by undergraduate program that 
15.30 	students in the preceding school year needed to complete to graduate;
15.31 	(7) students' pass rates on skills and subject matter exams required for graduation in 
15.32 	each program and licensure area in the preceding school year;
16.1 	(8) survey results measuring student and graduate satisfaction with the program in the 
16.2 	preceding school year;
16.3 	(9) a standard measure of the satisfaction of school principals or supervising teachers 
16.4 	with the student teachers assigned to a school or supervising teacher; and
16.5 	(10) information under subdivision 3, paragraphs (a) and (b).
16.6 	Program reporting must be consistent with subdivision 2.
16.7 	(c) Publicly reported summary data on administrator preparation programs approved by 
16.8 	the Board of School Administrators must include:
16.9 	(1) summary data on faculty qualifications, including at least the content areas of faculty 
16.10 	undergraduate and graduate degrees and the years of experience either as kindergarten 
16.11 	through grade 12 classroom teachers or school administrators;
16.12 	(2) the average time program graduates in the preceding year needed to complete the 
16.13 	program;
16.14 	(3) the current number and percent of students who graduated, received a standard 
16.15 	Minnesota administrator license, and were employed as an administrator in a Minnesota 
16.16 	school district or school in the preceding year;
16.17 	(4) the number of credits by graduate program that students in the preceding school year 
16.18 	needed to complete to graduate;
16.19 	(5) survey results measuring student, graduate, and employer satisfaction with the 
16.20 	program in the preceding school year; and
16.21 	(6) information under subdivision 3, paragraphs (c) and (d).
16.22 	Program reporting must be consistent with section 122A.14, subdivision 10.
16.23 		Subd. 2.Teacher preparation program reporting. By December 31, 2018, and annually 
16.24 	thereafter, the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board shall report and publish 
16.25 	on its Web site the cumulative summary results of at least three consecutive years of data 
16.26 	reported to the board under subdivision 1, paragraph (b). Where the data are sufficient to 
16.27 	yield statistically reliable information and the results would not reveal personally identifiable 
16.28 	information about an individual teacher, the board shall report the data by teacher preparation 
16.29 	program.
16.30 		Subd. 3.School district reports. (a) School districts annually by October 1 must report 
16.31 	to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board the following information for 
16.32 	all teachers who finished the probationary period and accepted a continuing contract position 
17.1 	with the district from September 1 of the previous year through August 31 of the current 
17.2 	year:
17.3 	(1) the effectiveness category or rating of the teacher on the summative evaluation under 
17.4 	section 122A.40, subdivision 8, or 122A.41, subdivision 5;
17.5 	(2) the licensure area in which the teacher primarily taught during the three-year 
17.6 	evaluation cycle; and
17.7 	(3) the teacher preparation program preparing the teacher in the teacher's primary areas 
17.8 	of instruction and licensure.
17.9 	(b) School districts annually by October 1 must report to the Professional Educator 
17.10 	Licensing and Standards Board the following information for all probationary teachers in 
17.11 	the district who were released or whose contracts were not renewed from September 1 of 
17.12 	the previous year through August 31 of the current year:
17.13 	(1) the licensure areas in which the probationary teacher taught; and
17.14 	(2) the teacher preparation program preparing the teacher in the teacher's primary areas 
17.15 	of instruction and licensure.
17.16 	(c) School districts annually by October 1 must report to the Board of School 
17.17 	Administrators the following information for all school principals and assistant principals 
17.18 	who finished the probationary period and accepted a continuing contract position with the 
17.19 	district from September 1 of the previous year through August 31 of the current year:
17.20 	(1) the effectiveness category or rating of the principal or assistant principal on the 
17.21 	summative evaluation under section 123B.147, subdivision 3; and
17.22 	(2) the principal preparation program providing instruction to the principal or assistant 
17.23 	principal.
17.24 	(d) School districts annually by October 1 must report to the Board of School 
17.25 	Administrators all probationary school principals and assistant principals in the district who 
17.26 	were released or whose contracts were not renewed from September 1 of the previous year 
17.27 	through August 31 of the current year.
17.28 		Subd. 4.State reports. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must 
17.29 	prepare reports in accordance with section 214.07.
17.30 		Subd. 5.Survey of districts. (a) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards 
17.31 	Board must survey the state's school districts and teacher preparation programs and report 
17.32 	to the education committees of the legislature by February 1, 2021, and each odd-numbered 
18.1 	year thereafter on the status of teacher early retirement patterns, the access to effective and 
18.2 	more diverse teachers who reflect the students under section 120B.35, subdivision 3, 
18.3 	paragraph (b), clause (2), enrolled in a district or school, the teacher shortage, and the 
18.4 	substitute teacher shortage, including patterns and shortages in licensure field areas and the 
18.5 	economic development regions of the state.
18.6 	(b) The report must also include:
18.7 	(1) aggregate data on teachers' self-reported race and ethnicity;
18.8 	(2) data on how districts are making progress in hiring teachers and substitutes in the 
18.9 	areas of shortage; and
18.10 	(3) a five-year projection of teacher demand for each district, taking into account the 
18.11 	students under section 120B.35, subdivision 3, paragraph (b), clause (2), expected to enroll 
18.12 	in the district during that five-year period.
18.13 		Subd. 6.Implementation report. By January 1, 2019, the Professional Educator 
18.14 	Licensing and Standards Board must prepare a report to the legislature on the implementation 
18.15 	of the teacher licensure system established under sections 122A.18 to 122A.184. The report 
18.16 	must include the number of applicants for license in each tier, the number of applications 
18.17 	granted and denied, summary data on the reasons applications were denied, and the status 
18.18 	of the board's rulemaking process for all licensure related rules.

18.19 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective September 1, 2017.

18.20 	Sec. 14. [122A.092] TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAMS.
18.21 		Subdivision 1.Rules. The board must adopt rules to approve teacher preparation 
18.22 	programs.
18.23 		Subd. 2.Requirements for board approval. Teacher preparation programs must 
18.24 	demonstrate the following to obtain board approval:
18.25 	(1) the program has implemented a research-based, results-oriented curriculum that 
18.26 	focuses on the skills teachers need in order to be effective;
18.27 	(2) the program provides a student teaching program;
18.28 	(3) the program demonstrates effectiveness based on proficiency of graduates in 
18.29 	demonstrating attainment of program outcomes;
18.30 	(4) the program includes a common core of teaching knowledge and skills. This common 
18.31 	core shall meet the standards developed by the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and 
19.1 	Support Consortium in its 1992 model standards for beginning teacher licensing and 
19.2 	development. Amendments to standards adopted under this clause are covered by chapter 
19.3 	14. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board shall report annually to the 
19.4 	education committees of the legislature on the performance of teacher candidates on common 
19.5 	core assessments of knowledge and skills under this clause during the most recent school 
19.6 	year; and
19.7 	(5) the program includes instruction on the knowledge and skills needed to provide 
19.8 	appropriate instruction to English learners to support and accelerate their academic literacy, 
19.9 	including oral academic language and achievement in content areas in a regular classroom 
19.10 	setting.
19.11 		Subd. 3.Specialized credentials. The board must adopt rules creating flexible, 
19.12 	specialized teaching licenses, credentials, and other endorsement forms to increase students' 
19.13 	participation in language immersion programs, world language instruction, career 
19.14 	development opportunities, work-based learning, early college courses and careers, career 
19.15 	and technical programs, Montessori schools, and project- and place-based learning, among 
19.16 	other career and college ready learning offerings.
19.17 		Subd. 4.Teacher educators. The board must adopt rules requiring teacher educators 
19.18 	to work directly with elementary or secondary school teachers in elementary or secondary 
19.19 	schools to obtain periodic exposure to the elementary and secondary teaching environments.
19.20 		Subd. 5.Reading strategies. (a) All colleges and universities approved by the 
19.21 	Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board to prepare persons for classroom 
19.22 	teacher licensure must include in their teacher preparation programs research-based best 
19.23 	practices in reading, consistent with section 122A.06, subdivision 4, that enables the licensure 
19.24 	candidate to teach reading in the candidate's content areas. Teacher candidates must be 
19.25 	instructed in using students' native languages as a resource in creating effective differentiated 
19.26 	instructional strategies for English learners developing literacy skills. These colleges and 
19.27 	universities also must prepare early childhood and elementary teacher candidates for Tier 
19.28 	3 and Tier 4 teaching licenses under sections 122A.183 and 122A.184, respectively, for the 
19.29 	portion of the examination under section 122A.185, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), covering 
19.30 	assessment of reading instruction.
19.31 	(b) Board-approved teacher preparation programs for teachers of elementary education 
19.32 	must require instruction in applying comprehensive, scientifically based, and balanced 
19.33 	reading instruction programs that:
20.1 	(1) teach students to read using foundational knowledge, practices, and strategies 
20.2 	consistent with section 122A.06, subdivision 4, so that all students achieve continuous 
20.3 	progress in reading; and
20.4 	(2) teach specialized instruction in reading strategies, interventions, and remediations 
20.5 	that enable students of all ages and proficiency levels to become proficient readers.
20.6 	(c) Nothing in this section limits the authority of a school district to select a school's 
20.7 	reading program or curriculum.
20.8 		Subd. 6.Technology strategies. All colleges and universities approved by the 
20.9 	Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board to prepare persons for classroom 
20.10 	teacher licensure must include in their teacher preparation programs the knowledge and 
20.11 	skills teacher candidates need to engage students with technology and deliver digital and 
20.12 	blended learning and curriculum.
20.13 		Subd. 7.Remain in effect. The approval of teacher preparation programs approved by 
20.14 	the Board of Teaching before the effective date of this section must remain in effect unless 
20.15 	and until the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board denies approval or 
20.16 	reapproves the program.
20.17 		Subd. 8.Student teaching program. A teacher preparation program may provide a 
20.18 	year-long student teaching program that combines clinical opportunities with academic 
20.19 	coursework and in-depth student teaching experiences to offer students:
20.20 	(1) ongoing mentorship;
20.21 	(2) coaching;
20.22 	(3) assessment;
20.23 	(4) help to prepare a professional development plan; and
20.24 	(5) structured learning experiences.

20.25 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

20.26 	Sec. 15. [122A.093] FRAUD; GROSS MISDEMEANOR.
20.27 	A person who claims to be a licensed teacher without a valid existing license by the 
20.28 	board or any person who employs fraud or deception in applying for or securing a license 
20.29 	is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

20.30 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

21.1 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.22, is amended to read:
21.2 	122A.22 DISTRICT VERIFICATION OF TEACHER LICENSES.
21.3 	No person shall be accounted a qualified teacher until the school district or charter school 
21.4 	contracting with the person for teaching services verifies through the Minnesota education 
21.5 	licensing system available on the department Professional Educator Licensing and Standards 
21.6 	Board Web site that the person is a qualified teacher, consistent with sections 122A.16 and 
21.7 	122A.44, subdivision 1.

21.8 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 127A.05, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
21.9 		Subd. 6.Survey of districts. The commissioner of education shall survey the state's 
21.10 	school districts and teacher preparation programs and report to the education committees 
21.11 	of the legislature by February 1 of each odd-numbered year until 2020 on the status of 
21.12 	teacher early retirement patterns, the access to effective and more diverse teachers who 
21.13 	reflect the students under section 120B.35, subdivision 3, paragraph (b), clause (2), enrolled 
21.14 	in a district or school, the teacher shortage, and the substitute teacher shortage, including 
21.15 	patterns and shortages in subject areas and the economic development regions of the state. 
21.16 	The report must also include: aggregate data on teachers' self-reported race and ethnicity; 
21.17 	data on how districts are making progress in hiring teachers and substitutes in the areas of 
21.18 	shortage; and a five-year projection of teacher demand for each district, taking into account 
21.19 	the students under section 120B.35, subdivision 3, paragraph (b), clause (2), expected to 
21.20 	enroll in the district during that five-year period.

21.21 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 214.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
21.22 		Subdivision 1.Services provided.  The commissioner of education with respect to the 
21.23 	Board of Teaching; the commissioner of public safety with respect to the Board of Private 
21.24 	Detective and Protective Agent Services; the Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training; 
21.25 	and the commissioner of revenue with respect to the Board of Assessors, shall provide 
21.26 	suitable offices and other space, joint conference and hearing facilities, examination rooms, 
21.27 	and the following administrative support services: purchasing service, accounting service, 
21.28 	advisory personnel services, consulting services relating to evaluation procedures and 
21.29 	techniques, data processing, duplicating, mailing services, automated printing of license 
21.30 	renewals, and such other similar services of a housekeeping nature as are generally available 
21.31 	to other agencies of state government. Investigative services shall be provided the boards 
21.32 	by employees of the Office of Attorney General. The commissioner of health with respect 
21.33 	to the health-related licensing boards shall provide mailing and office supply services and 
22.1 	may provide other facilities and services listed in this subdivision at a central location upon 
22.2 	request of the health-related licensing boards. The commissioner of commerce with respect 
22.3 	to the remaining non-health-related licensing boards shall provide the above facilities and 
22.4 	services at a central location for the remaining non-health-related licensing boards. The 
22.5 	legal and investigative services for the boards shall be provided by employees of the attorney 
22.6 	general assigned to the departments servicing the boards. Notwithstanding the foregoing, 
22.7 	the attorney general shall not be precluded by this section from assigning other attorneys 
22.8 	to service a board if necessary in order to insure competent and consistent legal 
22.9 	representation. Persons providing legal and investigative services shall to the extent 
22.10 	practicable provide the services on a regular basis to the same board or boards.

22.11 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

22.12 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 214.04, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
22.13 		Subd. 3.Officers; staff. The executive director of each health-related board and the 
22.14 	executive secretary of each non-health-related board shall be the chief administrative officer 
22.15 	for the board but shall not be a member of the board. The executive director or executive 
22.16 	secretary shall maintain the records of the board, account for all fees received by it, supervise 
22.17 	and direct employees servicing the board, and perform other services as directed by the 
22.18 	board. The executive directors, executive secretaries, and other employees of the following 
22.19 	boards shall be hired by the board, and the executive directors or executive secretaries shall 
22.20 	be in the unclassified civil service, except as provided in this subdivision:
22.21 	(1) Dentistry;
22.22 	(2) Medical Practice;
22.23 	(3) Nursing;
22.24 	(4) Pharmacy;
22.25 	(5) Accountancy;
22.26 	(6) Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience, 
22.27 	and Interior Design;
22.28 	(7) Barber Examiners;
22.29 	(8) Cosmetologist Examiners;
22.30 	(9) Teaching;
22.31 	(10) (9) Peace Officer Standards and Training;
23.1 	(11) (10) Social Work;
23.2 	(12) (11) Marriage and Family Therapy;
23.3 	(13) (12) Dietetics and Nutrition Practice;
23.4 	(14) (13) Licensed Professional Counseling; and
23.5 	(15) (14) Combative Sports Commission.
23.6 	The executive directors or executive secretaries serving the boards are hired by those 
23.7 	boards and are in the unclassified civil service, except for part-time executive directors or 
23.8 	executive secretaries, who are not required to be in the unclassified service. Boards not 
23.9 	requiring full-time executive directors or executive secretaries may employ them on a 
23.10 	part-time basis. To the extent practicable, the sharing of part-time executive directors or 
23.11 	executive secretaries by boards being serviced by the same department is encouraged. 
23.12 	Persons providing services to those boards not listed in this subdivision, except executive 
23.13 	directors or executive secretaries of the boards and employees of the attorney general, are 
23.14 	classified civil service employees of the department servicing the board. To the extent 
23.15 	practicable, the commissioner shall ensure that staff services are shared by the boards being 
23.16 	serviced by the department. If necessary, a board may hire part-time, temporary employees 
23.17 	to administer and grade examinations.

23.18 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective September 1, 2017.

23.19 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 214.045, is amended to read:
23.20 	214.045 COORDINATION WITH PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR LICENSING 
23.21 	AND STANDARDS BOARD OF TEACHING.
23.22 	The commissioner of health and the health-related licensing boards must coordinate 
23.23 	with the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching when modifying 
23.24 	licensure requirements for regulated persons in order to have consistent regulatory 
23.25 	requirements for personnel who perform services in schools.

23.26 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective September 1, 2017.

23.27 	Sec. 21. TRANSFER OF POWERS.
 23.28 	(a) The creation of the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board shall be 
23.29 	considered a transfer by law of the responsibilities of the Board of Teaching and the 
23.30 	Minnesota Department of Education with respect to licensure and credentialing of teachers 
23.31 	and school personnel to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board for 
24.1 	purposes of Minnesota Statutes, section 15.039. All classified and unclassified positions 
24.2 	associated with the responsibilities being transferred to the Professional Educator Licensing 
24.3 	and Standards Board are transferred with their incumbents to the new agency pursuant to 
24.4 	Minnesota Statutes, section 15.039, subdivision 7, except as otherwise provided in Minnesota 
24.5 	Statutes, section 122A.07.
24.6 	(b) The responsibilities of the Minnesota Department of Education with respect to 
24.7 	licensure of school administrators are transferred by law to the Board of School 
24.8 	Administrators for purposes of section 15.039.
24.9 	(c) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must review all rules 
24.10 	adopted by the Board of Teaching and amend or repeal rules not consistent with statute. 
24.11 	The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must review all teacher preparation 
24.12 	programs approved by the Board of Teaching to determine whether the approved programs 
24.13 	meet the needs of schools in Minnesota.

24.14 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective September 1, 2017.

24.15 	Sec. 22. REVISOR INSTRUCTION.
 24.16 	In Minnesota Statutes and Minnesota Rules, the revisor of statutes shall substitute the 
24.17 	term "Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board" for "Board of Teaching" 
24.18 	wherever the term refers to the powers, duties, and responsibilities of the Board of Teaching. 
24.19 	The revisor shall also make grammatical changes related to the change in terms.

24.20 	Sec. 23. REPEALER.
 24.21 	Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.09, subdivisions 5, 8, and 11, are repealed.

24.22 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective September 1, 2017.

24.23 	ARTICLE 2
24.24 	LICENSURE

24.25 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.17, is amended to read:
24.26 	122A.17 VALIDITY OF CERTIFICATES OR LICENSES.
24.27 	(a) A rule adopted by the Board of Teaching or the Professional Educator Licensing and 
24.28 	Standards Board must not affect the validity of certificates or licenses to teach in effect on 
24.29 	July 1, 1974, or the rights and privileges of the holders thereof, except that any such 
25.1 	certificate or license may be suspended or revoked for any of the causes and by the procedures 
25.2 	specified by law.
25.3 	(b) All teacher licenses in effect on September 1, 2017, shall remain valid for one 
25.4 	additional year after the date the license is scheduled to expire.

25.5 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective September 1, 2017.

25.6 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.18, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
25.7 		Subdivision 1.Authority to license. (a) The Professional Educator Licensing and 
25.8 	Standards Board of Teaching must license teachers, as defined in section 122A.15, 
25.9 	subdivision 1, except for supervisory personnel, as defined in section 122A.15, subdivision 
25.10 	2. issue the following teacher licenses to candidates who meet the qualifications prescribed 
25.11 	by this chapter:
25.12 	(1) Tier 1 license under section 122A.181;
25.13 	(2) Tier 2 license under section 122A.182;
25.14 	(3) Tier 3 license under section 122A.183; and
25.15 	(4) Tier 4 license under section 122A.184.
25.16 	(b) The Board of School Administrators must license supervisory personnel as defined 
25.17 	in section 122A.15, subdivision 2, except for athletic coaches.
25.18 	(c) Licenses under the jurisdiction of the Board of Teaching, the Board of School 
25.19 	Administrators, and the commissioner of education must be issued through the licensing 
25.20 	section of the department.
25.21 	(d) (c) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching and the 
25.22 	Department of Education must enter into a data sharing agreement to share educational data 
25.23 	at the E-12 level for the limited purpose of program approval and improvement for teacher 
25.24 	education programs. The program approval process must include targeted redesign of teacher 
25.25 	preparation programs to address identified E-12 student areas of concern.
25.26 	(e) (d) The Board of School Administrators and the Department of Education must enter 
25.27 	into a data sharing agreement to share educational data at the E-12 level for the limited 
25.28 	purpose of program approval and improvement for education administration programs. The 
25.29 	program approval process must include targeted redesign of education administration 
25.30 	preparation programs to address identified E-12 student areas of concern.
26.1 	(f) (e) For purposes of the data sharing agreements under paragraphs (d) (c) and (e) (d), 
26.2 	the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching, Board of School 
26.3 	Administrators, and Department of Education may share private data, as defined in section 
26.4 	13.02, subdivision 12, on teachers and school administrators. The data sharing agreements 
26.5 	must not include educational data, as defined in section 13.32, subdivision 1, but may include 
26.6 	summary data, as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 19, derived from educational data.

26.7 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

26.8 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.18, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
26.9 		Subd. 2.Teacher and Support personnel qualifications. (a) The Professional Educator 
26.10 	Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching must issue licenses and credentials under its 
26.11 	jurisdiction to persons the board finds to be qualified and competent for their respective 
26.12 	positions, including those meeting the standards adopted under section 122A.09, subdivision 
26.13 	4, paragraph (n) support personnel positions.
26.14 	(b) The board must require a candidate for teacher licensure to demonstrate a passing 
26.15 	score on a board-adopted examination of skills in reading, writing, and mathematics, before 
26.16 	being granted a professional five-year teaching license to provide direct instruction to pupils 
26.17 	in prekindergarten, elementary, secondary, or special education programs, except that the 
26.18 	board may issue up to four temporary, one-year teaching licenses to an otherwise qualified 
26.19 	candidate who has not yet passed a board-adopted skills exam. At the request of the 
26.20 	employing school district or charter school, the Board of Teaching may issue an initial 
26.21 	professional one-year teaching license to an otherwise qualified teacher not passing or 
26.22 	demonstrating a passing score on a board-adopted skills examination in reading, writing, 
26.23 	and mathematics. For purposes of this section, the initial professional one-year teaching 
26.24 	license issued by the board is limited to the current subject or content matter the teacher is 
26.25 	employed to teach and limited to the district or charter school requesting the initial 
26.26 	professional one-year teaching license. If the board denies the request, it must provide a 
26.27 	detailed response to the school administrator as to the reasons for the denial. The board 
26.28 	must require colleges and universities offering a board approved teacher preparation program 
26.29 	to make available upon request remedial assistance that includes a formal diagnostic 
26.30 	component to persons enrolled in their institution who did not achieve a qualifying score 
26.31 	on a board-adopted skills examination, including those for whom English is a second 
26.32 	language. The colleges and universities must make available assistance in the specific 
26.33 	academic areas of candidates' deficiency. School districts may make available upon request 
26.34 	similar, appropriate, and timely remedial assistance that includes a formal diagnostic 
27.1 	component to those persons employed by the district who completed their teacher education 
27.2 	program, who did not achieve a qualifying score on a board-adopted skills examination, 
27.3 	and who received an initial professional one-year teaching license to teach in Minnesota. 
27.4 	The Board of Teaching shall report annually to the education committees of the legislature 
27.5 	on the total number of teacher candidates during the most recent school year taking a 
27.6 	board-adopted skills examination, the number who achieve a qualifying score on the 
27.7 	examination, the number who do not achieve a qualifying score on the examination, and 
27.8 	the candidates who have not passed a content or pedagogy exam, disaggregated by categories 
27.9 	of race, ethnicity, and eligibility for financial aid.
27.10 	(c) The Board of Teaching must grant professional five-year teaching licenses only to 
27.11 	those persons who have met board criteria for that license, which includes passing a 
27.12 	board-adopted skills examination in reading, writing, and mathematics, and the exceptions 
27.13 	in section 122A.09, subdivision 4, paragraph (b), that are consistent with this paragraph. 
27.14 	The requirement to pass a board-adopted reading, writing, and mathematics skills 
27.15 	examination, does not apply to nonnative English speakers, as verified by qualified Minnesota 
27.16 	school district personnel or Minnesota higher education faculty, who, after meeting the 
27.17 	content and pedagogy requirements under this subdivision, apply for a professional five-year 
27.18 	teaching license to provide direct instruction in their native language or world language 
27.19 	instruction under section 120B.022, subdivision 1.
27.20 	(d) All colleges and universities approved by the board of teaching to prepare persons 
27.21 	for teacher licensure must include in their teacher preparation programs a common core of 
27.22 	teaching knowledge and skills to be acquired by all persons recommended for teacher 
27.23 	licensure. Among other requirements, teacher candidates must demonstrate the knowledge 
27.24 	and skills needed to provide appropriate instruction to English learners to support and 
27.25 	accelerate their academic literacy, including oral academic language, and achievement in 
27.26 	content areas in a regular classroom setting. This common core shall meet the standards 
27.27 	developed by the interstate new teacher assessment and support consortium in its 1992 
27.28 	"model standards for beginning teacher licensing and development." Amendments to 
27.29 	standards adopted under this paragraph are covered by chapter 14. The board of teaching 
27.30 	shall report annually to the education committees of the legislature on the performance of 
27.31 	teacher candidates on common core assessments of knowledge and skills under this paragraph 
27.32 	during the most recent school year.

27.33 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

28.1 	Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.18, subdivision 2b, is amended to read:
28.2 		Subd. 2b.Reading specialist. Not later than July 1, 2002, The Professional Educator 
28.3 	Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching must adopt rules providing for reading teacher 
28.4 	licensure.

28.5 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

28.6 	Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.18, subdivision 7a, is amended to read:
28.7 		Subd. 7a.Permission to substitute teach. (a) The Professional Educator Licensing and 
28.8 	Standards Board of Teaching may allow a person who is enrolled in and making satisfactory 
28.9 	progress in a board-approved teacher program and who has successfully completed student 
28.10 	teaching to be employed as a short-call substitute teacher.
28.11 	(b) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching may issue a 
28.12 	lifetime qualified short-call substitute teaching license to a person who:
28.13 	(1) was a qualified teacher under section 122A.16 while holding a professional five-year
28.14 	Tier 3 or Tier 4 teaching license issued by the board, under sections 122A.183 and 122A.184, 
28.15 	respectively, and receives a retirement annuity from the Teachers Retirement Association 
28.16 	or the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association;
28.17 	(2) holds an out-of-state teaching license and receives a retirement annuity as a result 
28.18 	of the person's teaching experience; or
28.19 	(3) held a professional five-year Tier 3 or Tier 4 teaching license issued by the board,
28.20 	under sections 122A.183 and 122A.184, respectively, taught at least three school years in 
28.21 	an accredited nonpublic school in Minnesota, and receives a retirement annuity as a result 
28.22 	of the person's teaching experience.
28.23 	A person holding a lifetime qualified short-call substitute teaching license is not required 
28.24 	to complete continuing education clock hours. A person holding this license may reapply 
28.25 	to the board for either:
28.26 	(i) a professional five-year Tier 3 or Tier 4 teaching license under sections 122A.183 
28.27 	and 122A.184, respectively, and must again complete continuing education clock hours one 
28.28 	school year after receiving the professional five-year Tier 3 or Tier 4 teaching license; or
28.29 	(ii) a Tier 1 license under section 122A.181, provided that the candidate has a bachelor's 
28.30 	degree or an appropriate professional credential in the content area the candidate will teach.

28.31 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

29.1 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.18, subdivision 7c, is amended to read:
29.2 		Subd. 7c.Temporary military license. The Professional Educator Licensing and 
29.3 	Standards Board of Teaching shall establish a temporary license in accordance with section 
29.4 	197.4552 for teaching. The fee for a temporary license under this subdivision shall be $87.90 
29.5 	for an online application or $86.40 for a paper application. The board must provide candidates 
29.6 	for a license under this subdivision with information regarding the tiered licensure system 
29.7 	provided in sections 122A.18 to 122A.184.

29.8 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

29.9 	Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.18, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
29.10 		Subd. 8.Background checks. (a) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards 
29.11 	Board of Teaching and the commissioner of education the Board of School Administrators
29.12 	must request a criminal history background check from the superintendent of the Bureau 
29.13 	of Criminal Apprehension on all first-time teaching applicants for licenses under their 
29.14 	jurisdiction. Applicants must include with their licensure applications:
29.15 	(1) an executed criminal history consent form, including fingerprints; and
29.16 	(2) a money order or cashier's check payable to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension 
29.17 	for the fee for conducting the criminal history background check.
29.18 	(b) The superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension shall perform the 
29.19 	background check required under paragraph (a) by retrieving criminal history data as defined 
29.20 	in section 13.87 and shall also conduct a search of the national criminal records repository. 
29.21 	The superintendent is authorized to exchange fingerprints with the Federal Bureau of 
29.22 	Investigation for purposes of the criminal history check. The superintendent shall recover 
29.23 	the cost to the bureau of a background check through the fee charged to the applicant under 
29.24 	paragraph (a).
29.25 	(c) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching or the 
29.26 	commissioner of education Board of School Administrators may issue a license pending 
29.27 	completion of a background check under this subdivision, but must notify the individual 
29.28 	and the school district or charter school employing the individual that the individual's license 
29.29 	may be revoked based on the result of the background check.

29.30 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

30.1 	Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.18, is amended by adding a subdivision to 
30.2 	read:
30.3 		Subd. 10.Licensure via portfolio. (a) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards 
30.4 	Board must adopt rules establishing a process for an eligible candidate to obtain any teacher 
30.5 	license under subdivision 1, or to add a licensure field, via portfolio. The portfolio licensure 
30.6 	application process must be consistent with the requirements in this subdivision.
30.7 	(b) A candidate for a license must submit to the board one portfolio demonstrating 
30.8 	pedagogical competence and one portfolio demonstrating content competence.
30.9 	(c) A candidate seeking to add a licensure field must submit to the board one portfolio 
30.10 	demonstrating content competence for each licensure field the candidate seeks to add.
30.11 	(d) The board must notify a candidate who submits a portfolio under paragraph (b) or 
30.12 	(c) within 90 calendar days after the portfolio is received whether or not the portfolio is 
30.13 	approved. If the portfolio is not approved, the board must immediately inform the candidate 
30.14 	how to revise the portfolio to successfully demonstrate the requisite competence. The 
30.15 	candidate may resubmit a revised portfolio at any time and the board must approve or 
30.16 	disapprove the revised portfolio within 60 calendar days of receiving it.
30.17 	(e) A candidate must pay to the executive secretary of the board a $300 fee for the first 
30.18 	portfolio submitted for review and a $200 fee for any portfolio submitted subsequently. The 
30.19 	revenue generated from the fee must be deposited in an education licensure portfolio account 
30.20 	in the special revenue fund. The fees set by the board are nonrefundable for applicants not 
30.21 	qualifying for a license. The board may waive or reduce fees for candidates based on financial 
30.22 	need.

30.23 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

30.24 	Sec. 9. [122A.181] TIER 1 LICENSE.
30.25 		Subdivision 1.Requirements. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards 
30.26 	Board must issue a Tier 1 license to a candidate who provides information sufficient to 
30.27 	demonstrate each of the following:
30.28 	(1) a school district or charter school has requested that the candidate be issued a license 
30.29 	to teach in a specified content area. The school district or charter school must provide the 
30.30 	board with confirmation that a criminal background check has been completed for any 
30.31 	candidate for whom a teaching license has been requested;
31.1 	(2) the candidate has completed a bachelor's or associate's degree, or obtained a 
31.2 	professional credential that the school district finds sufficient to teach in a specified content 
31.3 	area; and
31.4 	(3) the candidate has completed the coursework required under subdivision 2.
31.5 		Subd. 2.Coursework. (a) A candidate for a Tier 1 license must meet the coursework 
31.6 	requirement by demonstrating completion of one of the following:
31.7 	(1) three years of relevant work experience;
31.8 	(2) 2,000 hours of relevant work experience within the preceding five years;
31.9 	(3) at least eight upper division credits in the relevant content area;
31.10 	(4) a passing score on all required licensure exams under section 122A.185;
31.11 	(5) completion of human relations coursework under section 122A.186; or
31.12 	(6) experience teaching in a field for which there is no license.
31.13 	(b) For purposes of paragraph (a), "upper division" means classes normally taken at the 
31.14 	junior or senior level of college which require substantial knowledge and skill in the field. 
31.15 	Candidates must identify the upper division credits that fulfill the requirement in paragraph 
31.16 	(a), clause (3).
31.17 		Subd. 3.Term of license. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board 
31.18 	must issue an initial Tier 1 license for a term of one year. A Tier 1 license may be renewed 
31.19 	three times. The board must issue rules setting forth the conditions for additional renewals 
31.20 	after the initial license has been renewed three times. If the board fails to issue rules providing 
31.21 	conditions for additional renewals, the board must renew a Tier 1 license to a candidate that 
31.22 	meets the renewal requirements provided in statute.
31.23 		Subd. 4.Application. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must 
31.24 	accept applications for a Tier 1 teaching license beginning July 1 of the school year for 
31.25 	which the license is requested and must issue or deny the Tier 1 teaching license within 30 
31.26 	days of receiving the completed application.
31.27 		Subd. 5.Limitations on license. (a) A Tier 1 license is limited to the content matter 
31.28 	indicated on the application for the initial Tier 1 license under subdivision 1, clause (1), and 
31.29 	limited to the district or charter school that requested the initial Tier 1 license.
31.30 	(b) A Tier 1 license does not bring an individual within the definition of a teacher for 
31.31 	purposes of section 122A.40, subdivision 1, or 122A.41, subdivision 1, clause (a).
32.1 	(c) A Tier 1 license does not bring an individual within the definition of a "teacher" 
32.2 	under section 179A.03, subdivision 18.

32.3 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

32.4 	Sec. 10. [122A.182] TIER 2 LICENSE.
32.5 		Subdivision 1.Requirements. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards 
32.6 	Board must issue a Tier 2 license to a candidate who provides information sufficient to 
32.7 	demonstrate each of the following:
32.8 	(1) the candidate has completed a bachelor's degree, or obtained a professional credential 
32.9 	that the school district finds sufficient to teach in a specified content area; and
32.10 	(2) the candidate has completed the coursework required under subdivision 2, or is 
32.11 	enrolled in an approved teacher preparation program.
32.12 		Subd. 2.Coursework. (a) A candidate for a Tier 2 license must meet the coursework 
32.13 	requirement by demonstrating completion of two of the following:
32.14 	(1) at least eight upper division credits in the relevant content area;
32.15 	(2) field-specific methods of training, including coursework;
32.16 	(3) at least two years of teaching experience in a similar content area in any state, as 
32.17 	determined by the board;
32.18 	(4) a passing score on all required licensure exams under section 122A.185;
32.19 	(5) completion of human relations coursework under section 122A.186; or
32.20 	(6) completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program.
32.21 	(b) For purposes of paragraph (a), "upper division" means classes normally taken at the 
32.22 	junior or senior level of college which require substantial knowledge and skill in the field. 
32.23 	Candidates must identify the upper division credits that fulfill the requirement in paragraph 
32.24 	(a), clause (1).
32.25 		Subd. 3.Term of license. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board 
32.26 	must issue an initial Tier 2 license for a term of one year. A Tier 2 license may be renewed 
32.27 	three times. The board must issue rules setting forth the conditions for additional renewals 
32.28 	after the initial license has been renewed three times. If the board fails to issue rules providing 
32.29 	conditions for additional renewals, the board must renew a Tier 2 license to a candidate that 
32.30 	meets the renewal requirements provided in statute.
33.1 		Subd. 4.Limitations on license.  A Tier 2 license shall not be construed to bring an 
33.2 	individual within the definition of a teacher for purposes of section 122A.40, subdivision 
33.3 	1, or 122A.41, subdivision 1, clause (a).
33.4 		Subd. 5.Application toward probationary period. A school district must count the 
33.5 	time that a teacher with a Tier 2 license works as a teacher while enrolled in a teacher 
33.6 	preparation program toward the three-year probationary period under section 122A.40, 
33.7 	subdivision 5, or 122A.41, subdivision 2.

33.8 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

33.9 	Sec. 11. [122A.183] TIER 3 LICENSE.
33.10 		Subdivision 1.Requirements. (a) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards 
33.11 	Board must issue a Tier 3 license to a candidate who provides information sufficient to 
33.12 	demonstrate all of the following:
33.13 	(1) the candidate has completed a bachelor's degree or obtained a professional credential 
33.14 	in accordance with paragraph (b);
33.15 	(2) the candidate has obtained a passing score on all required licensure exams under 
33.16 	section 122A.185;
33.17 	(3) the candidate has completed human relations coursework under section 122A.186; 
33.18 	and
33.19 	(4) the candidate has completed the coursework required under subdivision 2.
33.20 	(b) In consultation with the Governor's Workforce Development Council established 
33.21 	under section 116L.665, the board must establish a list of qualifying certifications, and may 
33.22 	add additional professional certifications in consultation with school administrators, teachers, 
33.23 	and other stakeholders.
33.24 		Subd. 2.Coursework. A candidate for a Tier 3 license must meet the coursework 
33.25 	requirement by demonstrating completion of one of the following:
33.26 	(1) a Minnesota-approved teacher preparation program;
33.27 	(2) a state-approved teacher preparation program that includes field-specific student 
33.28 	teaching equivalent to field-specific student teaching in Minnesota-approved teacher 
33.29 	preparation programs. The field-specific student teaching requirement does not apply to a 
33.30 	candidate that has two years of teaching experience; or
33.31 	(3) a content-specific licensure portfolio.
34.1 		Subd. 3.Term of license. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board 
34.2 	must issue an initial Tier 3 license for a term of three years. A Tier 3 license may be renewed 
34.3 	every three years without limitation.

34.4 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

34.5 	Sec. 12. [122A.184] TIER 4 LICENSE.
34.6 		Subdivision 1.Requirements. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards 
34.7 	Board must issue a Tier 4 license to a candidate who provides information sufficient to 
34.8 	demonstrate all of the following:
34.9 	(1) the candidate meets all requirements for a Tier 3 license under section 122A.183;
34.10 	(2) the candidate has at least three years of teaching experience in Minnesota;
34.11 	(3) the candidate has obtained a passing score on all required licensure exams under 
34.12 	section 122A.185; and
34.13 	(4) the candidate's most recent summative teacher evaluation did not result in placing 
34.14 	or otherwise keeping the teacher in an improvement process pursuant to section 122A.40, 
34.15 	subdivision 8, or 122A.41, subdivision 5.
34.16 		Subd. 2.Term of license. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board 
34.17 	must issue an initial Tier 4 license for a term of five years. A Tier 4 license may be renewed 
34.18 	every five years without limitation.

34.19 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

34.20 	Sec. 13. [122A.185] TEACHER LICENSURE ASSESSMENT.
34.21 		Subdivision 1.Tests. (a) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board 
34.22 	must adopt rules requiring a candidate to demonstrate a passing score on a board-adopted 
34.23 	examination of skills in reading, writing, and mathematics before being granted a Tier 4 
34.24 	teaching license under section 122A.184 to provide direct instruction to pupils in elementary, 
34.25 	secondary, or special education programs. Candidates may obtain a Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 
34.26 	3 license to provide direct instruction to pupils in elementary, secondary, or special education 
34.27 	programs if candidates meet the other requirements in section 122A.181, 122A.182, or 
34.28 	122A.183, respectively.
34.29 	(b) The board must adopt rules requiring candidates for Tier 3 and Tier 4 licenses to 
34.30 	pass an examination of general pedagogical knowledge and examinations of licensure-specific 
34.31 	teaching skills.
35.1 	(c) Candidates for initial Tier 3 and Tier 4 licenses to teach elementary students must 
35.2 	pass test items assessing the candidates' knowledge, skill, and ability in comprehensive, 
35.3 	scientifically based reading instruction under section 122A.06, subdivision 4, knowledge 
35.4 	and understanding of the foundations of reading development, development of reading 
35.5 	comprehension and reading assessment and instruction, and the ability to integrate that 
35.6 	knowledge and understanding into instruction strategies under section 122A.06, subdivision 
35.7 	4.
35.8 		Subd. 2.Passing scores. The board must establish passing scores in all examinations 
35.9 	required for licensure.
35.10 		Subd. 3.Testing accommodations. The board and the entity administering the content, 
35.11 	pedagogy, and skills examinations must allow any individual who produces documentation 
35.12 	of a disability in the form of an evaluation, 504 plan, or individual education program (IEP) 
35.13 	to receive the same testing accommodations on the content, pedagogy, and skills examinations 
35.14 	that the applicant received during the applicant's secondary or postsecondary education.
35.15 		Subd. 4.Remedial assistance. (a) A board-approved teacher preparation program must 
35.16 	make available upon request remedial assistance that includes a formal diagnostic component 
35.17 	to persons enrolled in their institution who did not achieve a qualifying score on a 
35.18 	board-adopted skills examination, including those for whom English is a second language. 
35.19 	The teacher preparation programs  must make available assistance in the specific academic 
35.20 	areas of candidates' deficiency.
35.21 	(b) School districts may make available upon request similar, appropriate, and timely 
35.22 	remedial assistance that includes a formal diagnostic component to those persons employed 
35.23 	by the district who completed their teacher education program, who did not achieve a 
35.24 	qualifying score on a board-adopted skills examination, and who received a Tier 1, Tier 2, 
35.25 	or Tier 3 license under sections 122A.181, 122A.182, or 122A.183, respectively, to teach 
35.26 	in Minnesota.

35.27 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

35.28 	Sec. 14. [122A.186] HUMAN RELATIONS.
35.29 	The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must adopt rules that provide 
35.30 	how a candidate may meet the human relations coursework requirement. The board shall 
35.31 	accept training programs completed through Peace Corps, VISTA, or Teacher Corps in lieu 
35.32 	of completing the human relations component of a teacher preparation program for purposes 
35.33 	of issuing or renewing a teaching license.

36.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

36.2 	Sec. 15. [122A.187] EXPIRATION AND RENEWAL.
36.3 		Subdivision 1.License form requirements. Each license issued under this chapter must 
36.4 	bear the date of issue and the name of the state-approved teacher training provider or 
36.5 	alternative teaching program, as applicable. Licenses must expire and be renewed according 
36.6 	to rules adopted by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board or the Board 
36.7 	of School Administrators. Requirements for renewing a Tier 3 or Tier 4 license under 
36.8 	sections 122A.183 and 122A.184, respectively, must include showing satisfactory evidence 
36.9 	of successful teaching or administrative experience for at least one school year during the 
36.10 	period covered by the license in grades or subjects for which the license is valid or completing 
36.11 	such additional preparation as required under this section, or as the Professional Educator 
36.12 	Licensing and Standards Board prescribes. The Board of School Administrators shall 
36.13 	establish requirements for renewing the licenses of supervisory personnel except athletic 
36.14 	coaches. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board shall establish 
36.15 	requirements for renewing the licenses of athletic coaches.
36.16 		Subd. 2.Professional growth. (a) Applicants for license renewal for a Tier 3 or Tier 4 
36.17 	license under sections 122A.183 and 122A.184, respectively, who have been employed as 
36.18 	a teacher during the renewal period of the expiring license, as a condition of license renewal, 
36.19 	must present to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board evidence of work 
36.20 	that demonstrates professional reflection and growth in best teaching practices, including 
36.21 	among other things, practices in meeting the varied needs of English learners, from young 
36.22 	children to adults under section 124D.59, subdivisions 2 and 2a. A teacher may satisfy the 
36.23 	requirements of this paragraph by submitting the teacher's most recent summative evaluation 
36.24 	or improvement plan under section 122A.40, subdivision 8, or 122A.41, subdivision 5.
36.25 	(b) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must ensure that its teacher 
36.26 	relicensing requirements include paragraph (a).
36.27 		Subd. 3.Behavior interventions. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards 
36.28 	Board must adopt rules that require all licensed teachers who are renewing a Tier 3 or Tier 
36.29 	4 teaching license under sections 122A.183 and 122A.184, respectively, to include in the 
36.30 	renewal requirements further preparation in the areas of using positive behavior interventions 
36.31 	and in accommodating, modifying, and adapting curricula, materials, and strategies to 
36.32 	appropriately meet the needs of individual students and ensure adequate progress toward 
36.33 	the state's graduation rule.
37.1 		Subd. 4.Reading preparation. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards 
37.2 	Board must adopt rules that require all licensed teachers who are renewing a Tier 3 or Tier 
37.3 	4 teaching license under sections 122A.183 and 122A.184, respectively, to include in the 
37.4 	renewal requirements further reading preparation, consistent with section 122A.06, 
37.5 	subdivision 4. The rules do not take effect until they are approved by law. Teachers who 
37.6 	do not provide direct instruction including, at least, counselors, school psychologists, school 
37.7 	nurses, school social workers, audiovisual directors and coordinators, and recreation 
37.8 	personnel are exempt from this section.
37.9 		Subd. 5.Mental illness. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must 
37.10 	adopt rules that require all licensed teachers renewing a Tier 3 or Tier 4 teaching license 
37.11 	under sections 122A.183 and 122A.184, respectively, to include in the renewal requirements 
37.12 	at least one hour of suicide prevention best practices in each licensure renewal period based 
37.13 	on nationally recognized evidence-based programs and practices, among the continuing 
37.14 	education credits required to renew a license under this subdivision, and further preparation, 
37.15 	first, in understanding the key warning signs of early-onset mental illness in children and 
37.16 	adolescents and then, during subsequent licensure renewal periods, preparation may include 
37.17 	providing a more in-depth understanding of students' mental illness trauma, accommodations 
37.18 	for students' mental illness, parents' roles in addressing students' mental illness, Fetal Alcohol 
37.19 	Spectrum Disorders, autism, the requirements of section 125A.0942 governing restrictive 
37.20 	procedures, and de-escalation methods, among other similar topics.

37.21 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

37.22 	Sec. 16. [122A.188] LICENSURE DENIAL; APPEAL.
37.23 		Subdivision 1.Denial letter. (a) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards 
37.24 	Board must promptly inform all candidates whether the candidate's application for an initial 
37.25 	teaching license or renewal of license has been approved or denied. When an application 
37.26 	is denied, the notification letter must inform the candidate of the process for seeking review 
37.27 	of the denial and of the appeals process provided in this section, including all deadlines for 
37.28 	seeking review of the denial decision and filing an appeal. The notification letter must 
37.29 	identify each licensure requirement the candidate failed to meet.
37.30 	(b) For purposes of this section, the term "denial" means denial of an initial license or 
37.31 	a denial of a renewal license. Denial of an initial license includes a grant of a license that 
37.32 	is a lower tier than the candidate applied for and denial of application for an additional field 
37.33 	of licensure.
38.1 		Subd. 2.Review of denial. A candidate whose license application is denied may seek 
38.2 	review of the denial by submitting a letter to the Professional Educator Licensing and 
38.3 	Standards Board within 30 calendar days of receipt of the denial letter. The candidate may 
38.4 	include any documentation necessary to demonstrate that the candidate meets the licensure 
38.5 	requirements. The board must review the denial within 60 calendar days of receipt of the 
38.6 	letter seeking review. If the board affirms the denial, the board must send the candidate a 
38.7 	letter identifying each licensure requirement the candidate failed to meet and informing the 
38.8 	candidate of the appeal process provided under this section.
38.9 		Subd. 3.Appeal. A candidate whose application for license or license renewal has been 
38.10 	denied under subdivisions 1 and 2 may appeal the decision by filing a written request with 
38.11 	the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board within 30 days of notice that the 
38.12 	board has affirmed the denial of license. The board must then initiate a contested case under 
38.13 	the Administrative Procedure Act, sections 14.001 to 14.69.

38.14 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.19, is amended to read:
38.15 	122A.19 BILINGUAL AND ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE TEACHERS; 
38.16 	LICENSES.
38.17 		Subdivision 1.Bilingual and English as a second language licenses. The Professional 
38.18 	Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching, hereinafter the board, must grant 
38.19 	teaching licenses in bilingual education and English as a second language to persons who 
38.20 	present satisfactory evidence that they:
38.21 	(a) (1) possess competence and communicative skills in English and in another language; 
38.22 	and
38.23 	(b) (2) possess a bachelor's degree or other academic degree approved by the board, and 
38.24 	meet such requirements as to course of study and training as the board may prescribe, 
38.25 	consistent with subdivision 4.
38.26 		Subd. 2.Persons holding general teaching licenses. The board may license a person 
38.27 	who holds a general teaching license in any tier under sections 122A.181 to 122A.184, 
38.28 	respectively, and who presents the board with satisfactory evidence of competence and 
38.29 	communicative skills in a language other than English under this section.
38.30 		Subd. 4.Teacher preparation programs. (a) For the purpose of licensing bilingual 
38.31 	and English as a second language teachers, the board may approve programs at colleges or 
38.32 	universities designed for their training. These
39.1 	(b) Programs that prepare English as a second language teachers must provide instruction 
39.2 	in implementing research-based practices designed specifically for English learners. The 
39.3 	programs must focus on developing English learners' academic language proficiency in 
39.4 	English, including oral academic language, giving English learners meaningful access to 
39.5 	the full school curriculum, developing culturally relevant teaching practices appropriate for 
39.6 	immigrant students, and providing more intensive instruction and resources to English 
39.7 	learners with lower levels of academic English proficiency and varied needs, consistent 
39.8 	with section 124D.59, subdivisions 2 and 2a.
39.9 		Subd. 5.Persons eligible for employment. Any person licensed under this section is 
39.10 	eligible for employment by a school board as a teacher in a bilingual education or English 
39.11 	as a second language program in which the language for which the person is licensed is 
39.12 	taught or used as a medium of instruction. A board may prescribe only those additional 
39.13 	qualifications for teachers licensed under this section that are approved by the board of 
39.14 	teaching.
39.15 		Subd. 6.Affirmative efforts in hiring. In hiring for all bilingual education program 
39.16 	positions, districts must give preference to and make affirmative efforts to seek, recruit, and 
39.17 	employ persons who (1) are native speakers of the language which is the medium of 
39.18 	instruction in the bilingual education program or share a native language with the majority 
39.19 	of their students, and (2) share the culture of the English learners enrolled in the program. 
39.20 	The district shall provide procedures for involving the parent advisory committees in 
39.21 	designing the procedures for recruiting, screening, and selecting applicants. This section 
39.22 	must not be construed to limit the school board's authority to hire and discharge personnel.

39.23 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

39.24 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.20, is amended to read:
39.25 	122A.20 SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF LICENSES.
39.26 		Subdivision 1.Grounds for revocation, suspension, or denial. (a) The Professional 
39.27 	Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching or Board of School Administrators, 
39.28 	whichever has jurisdiction over a teacher's licensure, may, on the written complaint of the 
39.29 	school board employing a teacher, a teacher organization, or any other interested person, 
39.30 	refuse to issue, refuse to renew, suspend, or revoke a teacher's license to teach for any of 
39.31 	the following causes:
39.32 	(1) immoral character or conduct;
39.33 	(2) failure, without justifiable cause, to teach for the term of the teacher's contract;
40.1 	(3) gross inefficiency or willful neglect of duty;
40.2 	(4) failure to meet licensure requirements; or
40.3 	(5) fraud or misrepresentation in obtaining a license.
40.4 	The written complaint must specify the nature and character of the charges.
40.5 	(b) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching or Board of 
40.6 	School Administrators, whichever has jurisdiction over a teacher's licensure, shall refuse 
40.7 	to issue, refuse to renew, or automatically revoke a teacher's license to teach without the 
40.8 	right to a hearing upon receiving a certified copy of a conviction showing that the teacher 
40.9 	has been convicted of child abuse, as defined in section 609.185, sex trafficking in the first 
40.10 	degree under section 609.322, subdivision 1, sex trafficking in the second degree under 
40.11 	section 609.322, subdivision 1a, engaging in hiring, or agreeing to hire a minor to engage 
40.12 	in prostitution under section 609.324, subdivision 1, sexual abuse under section 609.342, 
40.13 	609.343, 609.344, 609.345, 609.3451, subdivision 3, or 617.23, subdivision 3, solicitation 
40.14 	of children to engage in sexual conduct or communication of sexually explicit materials to 
40.15 	children under section 609.352, interference with privacy under section 609.746 or stalking 
40.16 	under section 609.749 and the victim was a minor, using minors in a sexual performance 
40.17 	under section 617.246, possessing pornographic works involving a minor under section 
40.18 	617.247, or any other offense not listed in this paragraph that requires the person to register 
40.19 	as a predatory offender under section 243.166, or a crime under a similar law of another 
40.20 	state or the United States. The board shall send notice of this licensing action to the district 
40.21 	in which the teacher is currently employed.
40.22 	(c) A person whose license to teach has been revoked, not issued, or not renewed under 
40.23 	paragraph (b), may petition the board to reconsider the licensing action if the person's 
40.24 	conviction for child abuse or sexual abuse is reversed by a final decision of the Court of 
40.25 	Appeals or the Supreme Court or if the person has received a pardon for the offense. The 
40.26 	petitioner shall attach a certified copy of the appellate court's final decision or the pardon 
40.27 	to the petition. Upon receiving the petition and its attachment, the board shall schedule and 
40.28 	hold a disciplinary hearing on the matter under section 214.10, subdivision 2, unless the 
40.29 	petitioner waives the right to a hearing. If the board finds that, notwithstanding the reversal 
40.30 	of the petitioner's criminal conviction or the issuance of a pardon, the petitioner is disqualified 
40.31 	from teaching under paragraph (a), clause (1), the board shall affirm its previous licensing 
40.32 	action. If the board finds that the petitioner is not disqualified from teaching under paragraph 
40.33 	(a), clause (1), it shall reverse its previous licensing action.
41.1 	(d) For purposes of this subdivision, the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards 
41.2 	Board of Teaching is delegated the authority to suspend or revoke coaching licenses.
41.3 		Subd. 2.Mandatory reporting. (a) A school board must report to the Professional 
41.4 	Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching, the Board of School Administrators, 
41.5 	or the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, whichever has 
41.6 	jurisdiction over the teacher's or administrator's license, when its teacher or administrator 
41.7 	is discharged or resigns from employment after a charge is filed with the school board under 
41.8 	section 122A.41, subdivisions 6, clauses (1), (2), and (3), and 7, or after charges are filed 
41.9 	that are grounds for discharge under section 122A.40, subdivision 13, paragraph (a), clauses 
41.10 	(1) to (5), or when a teacher or administrator is suspended or resigns while an investigation 
41.11 	is pending under section 122A.40, subdivision 13, paragraph (a) clauses (1) to (5); 122A.41, 
41.12 	subdivisions 6, clauses (1), (2), and (3), and 7; or 626.556, or when a teacher or administrator 
41.13 	is suspended without an investigation under section 122A.41, subdivisions 6, paragraph (a), 
41.14 	clauses (1), (2), and (3), and 7; or 626.556. The report must be made to the appropriate 
41.15 	licensing board within ten days after the discharge, suspension, or resignation has occurred. 
41.16 	The licensing board to which the report is made must investigate the report for violation of 
41.17 	subdivision 1 and the reporting board must cooperate in the investigation. Notwithstanding 
41.18 	any provision in chapter 13 or any law to the contrary, upon written request from the licensing 
41.19 	board having jurisdiction over the license, a board or school superintendent shall provide 
41.20 	the licensing board with information about the teacher or administrator from the district's 
41.21 	files, any termination or disciplinary proceeding, any settlement or compromise, or any 
41.22 	investigative file. Upon written request from the appropriate licensing board, a board or 
41.23 	school superintendent may, at the discretion of the board or school superintendent, solicit 
41.24 	the written consent of a student and the student's parent to provide the licensing board with 
41.25 	information that may aid the licensing board in its investigation and license proceedings. 
41.26 	The licensing board's request need not identify a student or parent by name. The consent 
41.27 	of the student and the student's parent must meet the requirements of chapter 13 and Code 
41.28 	of Federal Regulations, title 34, section 99.30. The licensing board may provide a consent 
41.29 	form to the district. Any data transmitted to any board under this section is private data 
41.30 	under section 13.02, subdivision 12, notwithstanding any other classification of the data 
41.31 	when it was in the possession of any other agency.
41.32 	(b) The licensing board to which a report is made must transmit to the Attorney General's 
41.33 	Office any record or data it receives under this subdivision for the sole purpose of having 
41.34 	the Attorney General's Office assist that board in its investigation. When the Attorney 
41.35 	General's Office has informed an employee of the appropriate licensing board in writing 
42.1 	that grounds exist to suspend or revoke a teacher's license to teach, that licensing board 
42.2 	must consider suspending or revoking or decline to suspend or revoke the teacher's or 
42.3 	administrator's license within 45 days of receiving a stipulation executed by the teacher or 
42.4 	administrator under investigation or a recommendation from an administrative law judge 
42.5 	that disciplinary action be taken.
42.6 	(c) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board and Board of School 
42.7 	Administrators must report to the appropriate law enforcement authorities a revocation, 
42.8 	suspension, or agreement involving a loss of license, relating to a teacher or administrator's 
42.9 	inappropriate sexual conduct with a minor. For purposes of this section, "law enforcement 
42.10 	authority" means a police department, county sheriff, or tribal police department. A report 
42.11 	by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board to appropriate law enforcement 
42.12 	authorities does not diminish, modify, or otherwise affect the responsibilities of a school 
42.13 	board or any person mandated to report abuse under section 626.556.
42.14 		Subd. 3.Immunity from liability. A school board, its members in their official capacity, 
42.15 	and employees of the district run by the board are immune from civil or criminal liability 
42.16 	for reporting or cooperating as required under subdivision 2, if their actions required under 
42.17 	subdivision 2 are done in good faith and with due care.

42.18 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

42.19 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.23, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
42.20 		Subd. 3.Teacher licensure agreements with adjoining states. (a) Notwithstanding 
42.21 	any other law to the contrary, the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of 
42.22 	Teaching must enter into a National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education 
42.23 	and Certification (NASDTEC) interstate agreement and other interstate agreements for 
42.24 	teacher licensure to allow fully certified teachers from adjoining states to transfer their 
42.25 	certification to Minnesota. The board must enter into these interstate agreements only after 
42.26 	determining that the rigor of the teacher licensure or certification requirements in the 
42.27 	adjoining state is commensurate with the rigor of Minnesota's teacher licensure requirements. 
42.28 	The board may limit an interstate agreement to particular content fields or grade levels based 
42.29 	on established priorities or identified shortages. This subdivision does not apply to 
42.30 	out-of-state applicants holding only a provisional teaching license.
42.31 	(b) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching must work 
42.32 	with designated authorities in adjoining states to establish interstate teacher licensure 
42.33 	agreements under this section.

43.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

43.2 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.245, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
43.3 		Subdivision 1.Requirements. (a) To improve academic excellence, improve ethnic and 
43.4 	cultural diversity in the classroom, and close the academic achievement gap, the Board of 
43.5 	Teaching Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must approve qualified 
43.6 	teacher preparation programs under this section that are a means to acquire a two-year 
43.7 	preliminary teacher license, which the board may renew one time for an additional one-year 
43.8 	term, and to prepare for acquiring a professional five-year license. The following entities 
43.9 	are eligible to participate and seek approval under this section:
43.10 	(1) a school district,;
43.11 	(2) charter school,; or
43.12 	(3) nonprofit corporation organized under chapter 317A for an education-related purpose 
43.13 	that forms a partnership with a college or university that has a board-approved alternative 
43.14 	teacher preparation program; or.
43.15 	(2) a school district or charter school, after consulting with a college or university with 
43.16 	a board-approved teacher preparation program, that forms a partnership with a nonprofit 
43.17 	corporation organized under chapter 317A for an education-related purpose that has a 
43.18 	board-approved teacher preparation program.
43.19 	(b) Before becoming a teacher of record, a candidate must:
43.20 	(1) have a bachelor's degree with a 3.0 or higher grade point average unless the board 
43.21 	waives the grade point average requirement based on board-adopted criteria adopted by 
43.22 	January 1, 2016;
43.23 	(2) demonstrate a passing score on a board-adopted reading, writing, and mathematics 
43.24 	skills examination under section 122A.09, subdivision 4, paragraph (b); and
43.25 	(3) obtain qualifying scores on applicable board-approved rigorous content area and 
43.26 	pedagogy examinations under section 122A.09, subdivision 4, paragraph (e).
43.27 	(c) (b) The Board of Teaching Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board
43.28 	must issue a two-year preliminaryTier 2 teacher license to a person who enrolls in an 
43.29 	alternative teacher preparation program.

44.1 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.245, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
44.2 		Subd. 2.Characteristics Approval criteria. AnThe Professional Educator Licensing 
44.3 	and Standards Board must approve alternative teacher preparation program under this section 
44.4 	must include programs that meet the following criteria:
44.5 	(1) a minimum 200-hour instructional phase that provides intensive preparation and 
44.6 	student teaching observed classroom experience before the teacher candidate assumes 
44.7 	classroom responsibilities;
44.8 	(2) a research-based and results-oriented approach focused on best teaching practices 
44.9 	to increase student proficiency and growth measured against state academic standards;
44.10 	(3) strategies to combine pedagogy and best teaching practices to better inform teacher 
44.11 	candidates' classroom instruction;
44.12 	(4) assessment, supervision, and evaluation of teacher candidates to determine their 
44.13 	specific needs throughout the program and to support their efforts to successfully complete 
44.14 	the program;
44.15 	(5) intensive, ongoing, and multiyear professional learning opportunities that accelerate 
44.16 	teacher candidates' professional growth, support student learning, and provide a workplace 
44.17 	orientation, professional staff development, and mentoring and peer review focused on 
44.18 	standards of professional practice and continuous professional growth; and
44.19 	(6) a requirement that teacher candidates demonstrate to the local site team under 
44.20 	subdivision 5 satisfactory progress toward acquiring professional five-year Tier 3 teaching 
44.21 	licenses from the Board of Teaching Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board.

44.22 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.245, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
44.23 		Subd. 3.Program approval; disapproval. (a) The Board of Teaching must approve 
44.24 	alternative teacher preparation programs under this section based on board-adopted criteria 
44.25 	that reflect best practices for alternative teacher preparation programs, consistent with this 
44.26 	section.
44.27 	(b) The board must permit teacher candidates to demonstrate mastery of pedagogy and 
44.28 	content standards in school-based settings and through other nontraditional means. 
44.29 	"Nontraditional means" must include a portfolio of previous experiences, teaching experience, 
44.30 	educator evaluations, certifications marking the completion of education training programs, 
44.31 	and essentially equivalent demonstrations.
45.1 	(c) (b) The board must use nontraditional criteria to determine the qualifications of 
45.2 	program instructors.
45.3 	(d) (c) The board may permit instructors to hold a baccalaureate degree only.
45.4 	(e) (d) If the Board of Teaching Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board
45.5 	determines that a teacher preparation program under this section does not meet the 
45.6 	requirements of this section, it may revoke its approval of the program after it notifies the 
45.7 	program provider of any deficiencies and gives the program provider an opportunity to 
45.8 	remedy the deficiencies.

45.9 	Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.245, subdivision 5, is amended to read:
45.10 		Subd. 5.Approval Application for professional five-year Tier 3 license. A school 
45.11 	board or its designee must appoint members to a local site team that includes teachers, 
45.12 	school administrators, and postsecondary faculty under subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause 
45.13 	(1), or staff of a participating nonprofit corporation under subdivision 1, paragraph (a), 
45.14 	clause (2), to evaluate the performance of the teacher candidate. The evaluation must be 
45.15 	consistent with board-adopted performance measures, use the Minnesota state standards of 
45.16 	effective practice and subject matter content standards for teachers established in Minnesota 
45.17 	Rules, and include a report to the board recommending whether or not to issue the teacher 
45.18 	candidate a professional five-year teaching license. A teacher candidate that has completed 
45.19 	an alternative teacher preparation program may apply for a Tier 3 teaching license under 
45.20 	section 122A.183.

45.21 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.245, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
45.22 		Subd. 6.Applicants trained in other states. A person who successfully completes 
45.23 	another state's alternative teacher preparation program, consistent with section 122A.23,
45.24 	may apply to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching for an 
45.25 	initial professional one-year teaching license or a professional five-year a Tier 2 or Tier 3
45.26 	teaching license under section 122A.182 or 122A.183, respectively.

45.27 	Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.245, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
45.28 		Subd. 9.Exchange of best practices. By July 31 in an even-numbered year, approved 
45.29 	alternative preparation program providers, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, 
45.30 	the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota Private College Council,the Professional 
45.31 	Educator Licensing and Standards Board, and the Department of Education must exchange 
45.32 	information about best practices and educational innovations.

46.1 	Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.245, subdivision 10, is amended to read:
46.2 		Subd. 10.Reports. The Board of Teaching Professional Educator Licensing and 
46.3 	Standards Board must submit an interim a biennial report on the efficacy of this program 
46.4 	to the policy and finance committees of the legislature with jurisdiction over kindergarten 
46.5 	through grade 12 education by February January 15, 2013, and a final report by February 
46.6 	15, 2015 of each odd-numbered year.

46.7 	Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.26, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
46.8 		Subd. 2.Exceptions. A person who teaches in a community education program which 
46.9 	qualifies for aid pursuant to section 124D.52 shall continue to meet licensure requirements 
46.10 	as a teacher. A person who teaches in an early childhood and family education program 
46.11 	which is offered through a community education program and which qualifies for community 
46.12 	education aid pursuant to section 124D.20 or early childhood and family education aid 
46.13 	pursuant to section 124D.135 shall continue to meet licensure requirements as a teacher. A 
46.14 	person who teaches in a community education course which is offered for credit for 
46.15 	graduation to persons under 18 years of age shall continue to meet licensure requirements 
46.16 	as a teacher. A person who teaches a driver training course which is offered through a 
46.17 	community education program to persons under 18 years of age shall be licensed by the 
46.18 	Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching or be subject to section 
46.19 	171.35. A license which is required for an instructor in a community education program 
46.20 	pursuant to this subdivision shall not be construed to bring an individual within the definition 
46.21 	of a teacher for purposes of section 122A.40, subdivision 1, or 122A.41, subdivision 1, 
46.22 	clause (a).

46.23 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

46.24 	Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.28, is amended to read:
46.25 	122A.28 TEACHERS OF DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING STUDENTS; 
46.26 	LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS.
46.27 		Subdivision 1.K-12 license to teach deaf and hard-of-hearing students; relicensure.
 46.28 	(a) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching must review and 
46.29 	determine appropriate licensure requirements for a candidate for a license or an applicant 
46.30 	for a continuing license to teach deaf and hard-of-hearing students in prekindergarten through 
46.31 	grade 12. In addition to other requirements, a candidate must demonstrate the minimum 
46.32 	level of proficiency in American sign language as determined by the board.
47.1 	(b) Among other relicensure requirements, each teacher under this section must complete 
47.2 	30 continuing education clock hours on hearing loss topics, including American Sign 
47.3 	Language, American Sign Language linguistics, or deaf culture, in each licensure renewal 
47.4 	period.
47.5 		Subd. 2.Licensure for teaching oral/aural deaf education programs. (a) The 
47.6 	Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching shall adopt a separate 
47.7 	licensure rule for a candidate for a license or an applicant for a continuing license to teach 
47.8 	in oral/aural deaf education programs or to provide services, including itinerant oral/aural 
47.9 	deaf education services, to deaf and hard-of-hearing students in prekindergarten through 
47.10 	grade 12.
47.11 	(b) The board shall design rule requirements for teaching oral/aural deaf education in 
47.12 	collaboration with representatives of parents and educators of deaf and hard-of-hearing 
47.13 	students, postsecondary programs preparing teachers of deaf and hard-of-hearing students, 
47.14 	and the Department of Education.
47.15 	(c) Rule requirements for teaching oral/aural deaf education shall reflect best practice 
47.16 	research in oral/aural deaf education. Advanced competencies in teaching deaf and 
47.17 	hard-of-hearing students through oral/aural modes shall be included.
47.18 	(d) Licensure requirements for teachers of oral/aural deaf education must include 
47.19 	minimum competency in American sign language, but are not subject to the guidelines 
47.20 	established in Laws 1993, chapter 224, article 3, section 32, as amended by Laws 1998, 
47.21 	chapter 398, article 2, section 47. The signed communication proficiency interview shall 
47.22 	not be required for teachers licensed to teach deaf and hard-of-hearing students through 
47.23 	oral/aural deaf education methods.
47.24 	(e) Requirements for teachers or oral/aural deaf education shall include appropriate 
47.25 	continuing education requirements for renewing this licensure.

47.26 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

47.27 	Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.29, is amended to read:
47.28 	122A.29 TEACHERS OF BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED STUDENTS; 
47.29 	LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS.
47.30 	Teachers licensed in the education of blind and visually impaired students must 
47.31 	demonstrate competence in reading and writing Braille. The Professional Educator Licensing 
47.32 	and Standards Board of Teaching, at such time as a valid and reliable test is available, shall 
48.1 	adopt a rule to assess these competencies that is consistent with the standards of the National 
48.2 	Library Services for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

48.3 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

48.4 	Sec. 30. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.30, is amended to read:
48.5 	122A.30 EXEMPTION FOR TECHNICAL EDUCATION INSTRUCTORS.
48.6 	(a) Notwithstanding section 122A.15, subdivision 1, and upon approval of the local 
48.7 	employer school board, a person who teaches in a part-time vocational or career and technical 
48.8 	education program is exempt from a license requirement. Nothing in this section shall 
48.9 	exclude licensed career and technical educators from the definition of "teacher" in section 
48.10 	122A.40, 122A.41, or 179A.03.
48.11 	(b) This section expires June 30, 2020. After this section expires, persons who teach in 
48.12 	a part-time vocational or career and technical education program may apply for a teaching 
48.13 	license provided in sections 122A.18 to 122A.184.

48.14 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

48.15 	Sec. 31. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.13, subdivision 11, is amended to read:
48.16 		Subd. 11.Teachers. A school board must employ necessary licensed teachers for its 
48.17 	early childhood family education programs. The Board of Teaching, at its discretion, may 
48.18 	grant an applicant a variance under this subdivision, consistent with sections 122A.09, 
48.19 	subdivision 10, and 122A.25, and Board of Teaching rules.

48.20 	Sec. 32. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.454, subdivision 12, is amended to read:
48.21 		Subd. 12.Compliance with rules. Aid must be paid under this section only for services 
48.22 	rendered or for costs incurred in career and technical education programs approved by the 
48.23 	commissioner and operated in accordance with rules promulgated by the commissioner. 
48.24 	This aid shall be paid only for services rendered and for costs incurred by essential, licensed 
48.25 	personnel who meet the requirements for licensure pursuant to the rules of the Minnesota
48.26 	Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching. Licensed personnel 
48.27 	means persons holding a valid career and technical license issued by the commissioner
48.28 	Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board under section 122A.30. If an average 
48.29 	of five or fewer secondary full-time equivalent students are enrolled per teacher in an 
48.30 	approved postsecondary program at Intermediate District No. 287, 916, or 917, licensed 
48.31 	personnel means persons holding a valid vocational license issued by the commissioner or 
49.1 	the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. Notwithstanding 
49.2 	section 127A.42, the commissioner may modify or withdraw the program or aid approval 
49.3 	and withhold aid under this section without proceeding under section 127A.42 at any time. 
49.4 	To do so, the commissioner must determine that the program does not comply with rules 
49.5 	of the Department of Education or that any facts concerning the program or its budget differ 
49.6 	from the facts in the district's approved application.

49.7 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

49.8 	Sec. 33. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.75, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
49.9 		Subdivision 1.American Indian language and culture education licenses. The 
49.10 	Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching, in consultation with the 
49.11 	Tribal Nations Education Committee, must grant initial and continuing teaching licenses 
49.12 	in American Indian language and culture education that bear the same duration as other 
49.13 	initial and continuing licenses. The board must grant licenses to persons who present 
49.14 	satisfactory evidence that they:
49.15 	(1) possess competence in an American Indian language or possess unique qualifications 
49.16 	relative to or knowledge and understanding of American Indian history and culture; or
49.17 	(2) possess a bachelor's degree or other academic degree approved by the board or meet 
49.18 	such requirements as to course of study and training as the board may prescribe, or possess 
49.19 	such relevant experience as the board may prescribe.
49.20 	This evidence may be presented by affidavits, tribal resolutions, or by such other methods 
49.21 	as the board may prescribe. Individuals may present applications for licensure on their own 
49.22 	behalf or these applications may be submitted by the superintendent or other authorized 
49.23 	official of a school district, participating school, or an American Indian school.

49.24 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective September 1, 2017.

49.25 	Sec. 34. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.75, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
49.26 		Subd. 6.Persons eligible for employment; exemptions. Any person licensed under 
49.27 	this section shall be eligible for employment by a school board or a participating school as 
49.28 	a teacher in an American Indian education program in which the American Indian language 
49.29 	or culture in which the person is licensed is taught. A school district or participating school 
49.30 	may prescribe only those additional qualifications for teachers licensed under this section 
49.31 	as are approved by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching. 
49.32 	Any school board or participating school upon request may be exempted from the licensure 
50.1 	requirements of this section in the hiring of one or more American Indian language and 
50.2 	culture education teachers for any school year in which compliance would, in the opinion 
50.3 	of the commissioner Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, create a hardship 
50.4 	in the securing of the teachers.

50.5 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective September 1, 2017.

50.6 	Sec. 35. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 125A.67, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
50.7 		Subd. 2.Teacher standards. A teacher or administrator at the academies is subject to 
50.8 	the licensure standards of the Professional Educator Licensure and Standards Board of 
50.9 	Teaching or the commissioner of education. An administrator at the academies is subject 
50.10 	to the licensure standards of the Board of School Administrators.

50.11 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

50.12 	Sec. 36. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 136A.1791, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
50.13 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) The terms used in this section have the meanings given 
50.14 	them in this subdivision.
50.15 	(b) "Qualified educational loan" means a government, commercial, or foundation loan 
50.16 	for actual costs paid for tuition and reasonable educational and living expenses related to a 
50.17 	teacher's preparation or further education.
50.18 	(c) "School district" means an independent school district, special school district, 
50.19 	intermediate district, education district, special education cooperative, service cooperative, 
50.20 	a cooperative center for vocational education, or a charter school located in Minnesota.
50.21 	(d) "Teacher" means an individual holding a teaching license issued by the licensing 
50.22 	division in the Department of Education on behalf of the Board of Teaching Professional 
50.23 	Educator Licensure and Standards Board who is employed by a school district to provide 
50.24 	classroom instruction in a teacher shortage area.
50.25 	(e) "Teacher shortage area" means the licensure fields and economic development regions 
50.26 	reported by the commissioner of education as experiencing a teacher shortage.
50.27 	(f) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education unless 
50.28 	indicated otherwise.

50.29 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

51.1 	Sec. 37. LICENSES UNDER JURISDICTION OF THE BOARD OF TEACHING.
 51.2 		Subdivision 1.One-year license. A one-year license issued by the commissioner of 
51.3 	education before the effective date of this section must be treated as a Tier 1 license 
51.4 	established under Minnesota Statutes, sections 122A.18 and 122A.181.
51.5 		Subd. 2.Two-year license. A two-year license issued by the commissioner of education 
51.6 	before the effective date of this section must be treated as a Tier 2 license established under 
51.7 	Minnesota Statutes, sections 122A.18 and 122A.182.
51.8 		Subd. 3.Five-year license. A five-year license issued by the commissioner of education 
51.9 	before the effective date of this section must be treated as a Tier 4 license established under 
51.10 	Minnesota Statutes, sections 122A.18 and 122A.184.

51.11 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2018.

51.12 	Sec. 38. PERMISSIONS, WAIVERS, EXCEPTIONS, AND VARIANCES.
 51.13 	The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board may grant an extension of 
51.14 	up to one year for a permission, waiver, variance, or temporary limited license in effect on 
51.15 	September 1, 2017.

51.16 	Sec. 39. REPEALER.
 51.17 	Minnesota Statutes 2016, sections 122A.14, subdivision 5; 122A.162; 122A.163; 
51.18 	122A.18, subdivisions 2a, 3, 3a, 4, 4a, 6, 7, and 7b; 122A.21, subdivision 2; 122A.23, 
51.19 	subdivisions 1 and 2; 122A.245, subdivisions 7 and 8; and 122A.25, are repealed.

51.20 	ARTICLE 3
51.21 	NONTEACHER CREDENTIALING

51.22 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 120B.363, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
51.23 		Subdivision 1.Rulemaking. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board 
51.24 	of Teaching must adopt rules to implement a statewide credential for education 
51.25 	paraprofessionals who assist a licensed teacher in providing student instruction. Any 
51.26 	paraprofessional holding this credential or working in a local school district after meeting 
51.27 	a state-approved local assessment is considered to be highly qualified under federal law. 
51.28 	Under this subdivision, the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of 
51.29 	Teaching, in consultation with the commissioner, must adopt qualitative criteria for approving 
51.30 	local assessments that include an evaluation of a paraprofessional's knowledge of reading, 
51.31 	writing, and math and the paraprofessional's ability to assist in the instruction of reading, 
52.1 	writing, and math. The commissioner must approve or disapprove local assessments using 
52.2 	these criteria. The commissioner must make the criteria available to the public.

52.3 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

APPENDIX 

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: H0140-6 

122A.09 DUTIES.Subd. 5.Commissioner's representative to comment on proposed rule. 
Before the Board of Teaching adopts any rule that must be submitted to public hearing, a representative of the commissioner shall appear before the Board of Teaching and at the hearing required under section 14.14, subdivision 1, to comment on the cost and educational implications of that proposed rule. 

Subd. 8.Fraud; gross misdemeanor. 
A person who claims to be a licensed teacher without a valid existing license issued by the board or any person who employs fraud or deception in applying for or securing a license is guilty of a gross misdemeanor. 

Subd. 11.Teacher preparation program reporting. 
By December 31, 2018, and annually thereafter, the Board of Teaching shall report and publish on its Web site the cumulative summary results of at least three consecutive years of data reported to the board under subdivision 4a, paragraph (b). Where the data are sufficient to yield statistically reliable information and the results would not reveal personally identifiable information about an individual teacher, the board shall report the data by teacher preparation program. 

122A.14 DUTIES OF BOARD OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS.Subd. 5.Commissioner's representative to comment on proposed rule. 
Before adopting any rule that must be submitted to public hearing, a representative of the commissioner of education shall appear before the board and at any hearing required under section 14.14, subdivision 1, to comment on the cost and educational implications of the proposed rule. 

122A.162 LICENSURE RULES.
The commissioner may make rules relating to licensure of school personnel not licensed by the Board of Teaching or Board of School Administrators. 

122A.163 TEACHER RULE VARIANCES; COMMISSIONER.
Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, and only upon receiving the agreement of the State Board of Teaching or Board of School Administrators, whichever has jurisdiction over the licensure, the commissioner of education may grant a variance to rules governing licensure of persons licensed by the Board of Teaching or Board of School Administrators, whichever has jurisdiction. 

122A.18 BOARD TO ISSUE LICENSES.Subd. 2a.Reading strategies. 
(a) All colleges and universities approved by the Board of Teaching to prepare persons for classroom teacher licensure must include in their teacher preparation programs research-based best practices in reading, consistent with section 122A.06, subdivision 4, that enable the licensure candidate to know how to teach reading in the candidate's content areas. Teacher candidates must be instructed in using students' native languages as a resource in creating effective differentiated instructional strategies for English learners developing literacy skills. These colleges and universities also must prepare early childhood and elementary teacher candidates for professional five-year teaching licenses for the portion of the examination under section 122A.09, subdivision 4, paragraph (e), covering assessment of reading instruction. 

(b) Board-approved teacher preparation programs for teachers of elementary education must require instruction in applying comprehensive, scientifically based, and balanced reading instruction programs that: 

(1) teach students to read using foundational knowledge, practices, and strategies consistent with section 122A.06, subdivision 4, so that all students achieve continuous progress in reading; and 

(2) teach specialized instruction in reading strategies, interventions, and remediations that enable students of all ages and proficiency levels to become proficient readers. 

(c) Nothing in this section limits the authority of a school district to select a school's reading program or curriculum. 

Subd. 3.Supervisory and coach qualifications; code of ethics. 
The commissioner of education must issue licenses under its jurisdiction to persons the commissioner finds to be qualified and competent for their respective positions under the rules it adopts. The commissioner of education may develop, by rule, a code of ethics for supervisory personnel covering standards of professional practices, including areas of ethical conduct and professional performance and methods of enforcement. 

Subd. 3a.Technology strategies. 
All colleges and universities approved by the Board of Teaching to prepare persons for classroom teacher licensure must include in their teacher preparation programs the knowledge and skills teacher candidates need to deliver digital and blended learning and curriculum and engage students with technology. 

Subd. 4.Expiration and renewal. 
(a) Each license the Department of Education issues through its licensing section must bear the date of issue and the name of the state-approved teacher training provider. Licenses must expire and be renewed according to the respective rules the Board of Teaching, the Board of School Administrators, or the commissioner of education adopts. Requirements for renewing a license must include showing satisfactory evidence of successful teaching or administrative experience for at least one school year during the period covered by the license in grades or subjects for which the license is valid or completing such additional preparation as the Board of Teaching prescribes. The Board of School Administrators shall establish requirements for renewing the licenses of supervisory personnel except athletic coaches. The State Board of Teaching shall establish requirements for renewing the licenses of athletic coaches. 

(b) Applicants for license renewal who have been employed as a teacher during the renewal period of their expiring license, as a condition of license renewal, must present to their local continuing education and relicensure committee or other local relicensure committee evidence of work that demonstrates professional reflection and growth in best teaching practices, including among other things, practices in meeting the varied needs of English learners, from young children to adults under section 124D.59, subdivisions 2 and 2a. The applicant must include a reflective statement of professional accomplishment and the applicant's own assessment of professional growth showing evidence of: 

(1) support for student learning; 

(2) use of best practices techniques and their applications to student learning; 

(3) collaborative work with colleagues that includes examples of collegiality such as attested-to committee work, collaborative staff development programs, and professional learning community work; or 

(4) continual professional development that may include (i) job-embedded or other ongoing formal professional learning or (ii) for teachers employed for only part of the renewal period of their expiring license, other similar professional development efforts made during the relicensure period. 

The Board of Teaching must ensure that its teacher relicensing requirements also include this paragraph. 

(c) The Board of Teaching shall offer alternative options for license renewal for teachers who are accepted into and complete the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification process, and offer additional continuing relicensure options for teachers who earn National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification. Continuing relicensure requirements for teachers who do not maintain National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification are those the board prescribes, consistent with this section. 

Subd. 4a.Limited provisional licenses. 
The board may grant two-year provisional licenses to licensure candidates in a field in which they were not previously licensed or in a field in which a shortage of licensed teachers exists. A shortage is defined as an inadequate supply of licensed personnel in a given licensure area as determined by the commissioner. 

Subd. 6.Human relations. 
The Board of Teaching shall accept training programs completed through Peace Corps, VISTA, or Teacher Corps in lieu of completing the human relations component of the training program for purposes of issuing or renewing a teaching license. 

Subd. 7.Limited provisional licenses. 
The Board of Teaching may grant provisional licenses, which shall be valid for two years, in fields in which licenses were not issued previously or in fields in which a shortage of licensed teachers exists. A shortage is defined as a lack of or an inadequate supply of licensed personnel within a given licensure area in a school district that has notified the Board of Teaching of the shortage and has applied to the Board of Teaching for provisional licenses for that district's licensed staff. 

Subd. 7b.Temporary limited licenses; personnel variances. 
(a) The Board of Teaching must accept applications for a temporary limited teaching license beginning July 1 of the school year for which the license is requested and must issue or deny the temporary limited teaching license within 30 days of receiving the complete application. 

(b) The Board of Teaching must accept applications for a personnel variance beginning July 1 of the school year for which the variance is requested and must issue or deny the personnel variance within 30 days of receiving the complete application. 

122A.21 TEACHERS' AND ADMINISTRATORS' LICENSES; FEES.Subd. 2.Licensure via portfolio. 
(a) An eligible candidate may use licensure via portfolio to obtain a professional five-year teaching license or to add a licensure field, consistent with applicable Board of Teaching licensure rules. 

(b) A candidate for a professional five-year teaching license must submit to the Educator Licensing Division at the department one portfolio demonstrating pedagogical competence and one portfolio demonstrating content competence. 

(c) A candidate seeking to add a licensure field must submit to the Educator Licensing Division at the department one portfolio demonstrating content competence. 

(d) The Board of Teaching must notify a candidate who submits a portfolio under paragraph (b) or (c) within 90 calendar days after the portfolio is received whether or not the portfolio was approved. If the portfolio was not approved, the board must immediately inform the candidate how to revise the portfolio to successfully demonstrate the requisite competence. The candidate may resubmit a revised portfolio at any time and the Educator Licensing Division at the department must approve or disapprove the portfolio within 60 calendar days of receiving it. 

(e) A candidate must pay to the executive secretary of the Board of Teaching a $300 fee for the first portfolio submitted for review and a $200 fee for any portfolio submitted subsequently. The revenue generated from the fee must be deposited in an education licensure portfolio account in the special revenue fund. The fees set by the Board of Teaching are nonrefundable for applicants not qualifying for a license. The Board of Teaching may waive or reduce fees for candidates based on financial need. 

122A.23 APPLICANTS TRAINED IN OTHER STATES.Subdivision 1.Preparation equivalency. 
When a license to teach is authorized to be issued to any holder of a diploma or a degree of a Minnesota state university, or of the University of Minnesota, or of a liberal arts university, or a technical training institution, such license may also, in the discretion of the Board of Teaching, be issued to any holder of a diploma or a degree of a teacher training institution of equivalent rank and standing of any other state. The diploma or degree must be granted by virtue of completing coursework in teacher preparation as preliminary to the granting of a diploma or a degree of the same rank and class. For purposes of granting a Minnesota teaching license to a person who receives a diploma or degree from a state-accredited, out-of-state teacher training program leading to licensure, the Board of Teaching must establish criteria and streamlined policies and procedures by January 1, 2016, to recognize the experience and professional credentials of the person holding the out-of-state diploma or degree and allow that person to demonstrate to the board the person's qualifications for receiving a Minnesota teaching license based on performance measures the board adopts by January 1, 2016, under this section. 

Subd. 2.Applicants licensed in other states. 
(a) Subject to the requirements of sections 122A.18, subdivision 8, and 123B.03, the Board of Teaching must issue a professional five-year teaching license or an initial professional one-year teaching license under paragraphs (c) to (f) to an applicant who holds at least a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university and holds or held an out-of-state teaching license that requires the applicant to successfully complete a teacher preparation program approved by the issuing state, which includes either (1) field-specific teaching methods, student teaching, or equivalent experience, or (2) at least two years of teaching experience as the teacher of record in a similar licensure area. 

(b) The Board of Teaching may issue a professional five-year teaching license on the basis of teaching experience and examination requirements only. 

(c) The Board of Teaching must issue a professional five-year teaching license to an applicant who: 

(1) successfully completed all exams and human relations preparation components required by the Board of Teaching; and 

(2) holds or held an out-of-state teaching license to teach a similar content field and grade levels if the scope of the out-of-state license is no more than two grade levels less than a similar Minnesota license, and either (i) has completed field-specific teaching methods, student teaching, or equivalent experience, or (ii) has at least two years of teaching experience as the teacher of record in a similar licensure area. 

(d) The Board of Teaching, consistent with board rules and paragraph (i), must issue up to four initial professional one-year teaching licenses to an applicant who holds or held an out-of-state teaching license to teach a similar licensure area and grade levels, where the scope of the out-of-state license is no more than two grade levels less than a similar Minnesota license, but has not successfully completed all exams and human relations preparation components required by the Board of Teaching. The board must issue a professional five-year teaching license to an applicant who successfully completes the requirements under this paragraph. 

(e) The Board of Teaching, consistent with board rules, must issue up to four initial professional one-year teaching licenses to an applicant who: 

(1) successfully completed all exams and human relations preparation components required by the Board of Teaching; and 

(2) holds or held an out-of-state teaching license to teach a similar licensure area and grade levels, where the scope of the out-of-state license is no more than two grade levels less than a similar Minnesota license, but has not completed field-specific teaching methods or student teaching or equivalent experience. 

The applicant may complete field-specific teaching methods by successfully participating in a one-year school district mentorship program consistent with board-adopted standards of effective practice and Minnesota graduation requirements. If no school district mentorship program is available, the applicant must complete field-specific teaching methods coursework while serving as a teacher of record and providing classroom instruction in the applicant's field of licensure. The board must issue a professional five-year teaching license to an applicant who successfully completes the requirements under this paragraph. 

(f) The Board of Teaching must issue to an applicant with an out-of-state teaching license up to four initial professional one-year teaching licenses that are restricted in content or grade levels specified in the out-of-state license if the applicant's out-of-state teaching license is more limited than a similar Minnesota license in content field or grade levels. The Board of Teaching must issue a professional five-year teaching license to an applicant who successfully completes all exams and human relations preparation components required by the Board of Teaching. Any content or grade level restriction placed on a license under this paragraph remains in effect. 

(g) The Board of Teaching may issue a two-year provisional permission to an applicant under this subdivision to teach in a shortage area, consistent with section 122A.18, subdivision 4a. 

(h) The Board of Teaching may issue a license under this subdivision if the applicant has attained the additional degrees, credentials, or licenses required in a particular licensure field and the applicant can demonstrate competency by obtaining qualifying scores on the board-adopted skills examination in reading, writing, and mathematics, and on applicable board-adopted rigorous content area and pedagogy examinations under section 122A.09, subdivision 4, paragraphs (a) and (e). 

(i) The Board of Teaching must require an applicant for a professional five-year teaching license or an initial professional one-year teaching license under this subdivision to pass a board-adopted skills examination in reading, writing, and mathematics before the board issues the license unless, notwithstanding other provisions of this subdivision, an applicable board-approved National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification interstate agreement exists to allow fully certified teachers from other states to transfer their certification to Minnesota. 

122A.245 ALTERNATIVE TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAM AND PRELIMINARY TEACHER LICENSE.Subd. 7.Professional five-year license. 
The Board of Teaching must issue a professional five-year teaching license to an otherwise qualified teacher candidate under this section who successfully performs throughout a program under this section, obtains qualifying scores on applicable board-adopted rigorous skills, pedagogy, and content area examinations under section 122A.09, subdivision 4, paragraphs (a) and (e), and is recommended for licensure under subdivision 5 or successfully demonstrates to the board qualifications for licensure under subdivision 6. 

Subd. 8. Qualified teacher. 
A person holding a valid limited-term license under this section is a qualified teacher and the teacher of record under section 122A.16. 

122A.25 NONLICENSED COMMUNITY EXPERTS; VARIANCE.Subdivision 1.Authorization. 
Notwithstanding any law or commissioner of education rule to the contrary, the Board of Teaching may allow school districts or charter schools to hire nonlicensed community experts to teach in the public schools or charter schools on a limited basis according to this section. 

Subd. 2.Applications; criteria. 
The school district or charter school shall apply to the Board of Teaching for approval to hire nonlicensed teaching personnel from the community. In approving or disapproving the application for each community expert, the board shall consider: 

(1) the qualifications of the community person whom the district or charter school proposes to employ; 

(2) the reasons for the need for a variance from the teacher licensure requirements; 

(3) the district's efforts to obtain licensed teachers, who are acceptable to the school board, for the particular course or subject area or the charter school's efforts to obtain licensed teachers for the particular course or subject area; 

(4) the amount of teaching time for which the community expert would be hired; 

(5) the extent to which the district or charter school is utilizing other nonlicensed community experts under this section; 

(6) the nature of the community expert's proposed teaching responsibility; and 

(7) the proposed level of compensation to the community expert. 

Subd. 3.Approval of plan. 
The Board of Teaching shall approve or disapprove an application within 60 days of receiving it from a school district or charter school. 

Subd. 4.Background check. 
A school district or charter school shall provide the Board of Teaching with confirmation that criminal background checks have been completed for all nonlicensed community experts employed by the district or charter school and approved by the Board of Teaching under this section.