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.26, 
1.10 	subdivision 2; 122A.28; 122A.29; 122A.30; 124D.13, subdivision 11; 124D.454, 
1.11 	subdivision 12; 124D.75, subdivisions 1, 6; 125A.67, subdivision 2; 127A.05, 
1.12 	subdivision 6; 136A.1791, subdivision 1; 214.04, subdivision 1; 214.045; proposing 
1.13 	coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 122A; repealing Minnesota 
1.14 	Statutes 2016, sections 122A.09, subdivisions 5, 8, 11; 122A.14, subdivision 5; 
1.15 	122A.162; 122A.163; 122A.18, subdivisions 2a, 3, 3a, 4, 4a, 6, 7, 7b; 122A.21, 
1.16 	subdivision 2; 122A.23, subdivisions 1, 2; 122A.245; 122A.25.
1.17 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.18 	ARTICLE 1
1.19 	PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR LICENSING AND STANDARDS BOARD

1.20 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.06, is amended to read:
1.21 	122A.06 DEFINITIONS.
1.22 		Subdivision 1.Scope. For the purpose of sections 122A.05 to 122A.09 122A.093, the 
1.23 	terms defined in this section have the meanings given them, unless another meaning is 
1.24 	clearly indicated.
1.25 		Subd. 2.Teacher. "Teacher" means a classroom teacher or other similar professional 
1.26 	employee required to hold a license from the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards 
1.27 	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 area. "Shortage area" means:
3.6 	(1) licensure fields and economic development regions reported by the commissioner 
3.7 	of education or the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board as experiencing 
3.8 	a teacher shortage; and
3.9 	(2) economic development regions where there is a shortage of licensed teachers who 
3.10 	reflect the racial or ethnic diversity of students in the region.
3.11 		Subd. 7.Teacher preparation program. "Teacher preparation program" means a 
3.12 	program approved by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board for the 
3.13 	purpose of preparing individuals for a specific teacher licensure field in Minnesota. Teacher 
3.14 	preparation programs include traditional programs delivered by postsecondary institutions, 
3.15 	alternative teacher preparation programs, and nonconventional teacher preparation programs.
3.16 		Subd. 8.Teacher preparation program provider. "Teacher preparation program 
3.17 	provider" or "unit" means an entity that has primary responsibility for overseeing and 
3.18 	delivering a teacher preparation program.

3.19 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2018.

3.20 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.07, is amended to read:
3.21 	122A.07 BOARD OF TEACHING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR LICENSING 
3.22 	AND STANDARDS BOARD MEMBERSHIP.
3.23 		Subdivision 1.Appointment of members. The Professional Educator Licensing and 
3.24 	Standards Board of Teaching consists of 11 members appointed by the governor, with the 
3.25 	advice and consent of the senate. Membership terms, compensation of members, removal 
3.26 	of members, the filling of membership vacancies, and fiscal year and reporting requirements 
3.27 	are as provided in sections 214.07 to 214.09. No member may be reappointed for more than 
3.28 	one additional term.
3.29 		Subd. 2.Eligibility; board composition. Except for the representatives of higher 
3.30 	education and the public, to be eligible for appointment to the Board of Teaching a person 
3.31 	must be a teacher currently teaching in a Minnesota school and fully licensed for the position 
3.32 	held and have at least five years teaching experience in Minnesota, including the two years 
4.1 	immediately preceding nomination and appointment. Each nominee, other than a public 
4.2 	nominee, must be selected on the basis of professional experience and knowledge of teacher 
4.3 	education, accreditation, and licensure. The board must be composed of:
4.4 	(1) six teachers who are currently teaching in a Minnesota school or who were teaching 
4.5 	at the time of the appointment and who do not qualify under clause (2) or (3), at least four 
4.6 	of whom must be teaching in a public school;, have at least five years of teaching experience, 
4.7 	and were not serving in an administrative function at a school district or school when 
4.8 	appointed. The six teachers must include the following:
4.9 	(i) one teacher in a charter school;
4.10 	(ii) one teacher from the seven-county metropolitan area, as defined in section 473.121, 
4.11 	subdivision 2;
4.12 	(iii) one teacher from outside the seven-county metropolitan area;
4.13 	(iv) one teacher from a related service category licensed by the board;
4.14 	(v) one special education teacher; and
4.15 	(vi) one teacher from a teacher preparation program;
4.16 	(2) one higher education representative, who must be a faculty member preparing teachers
4.17 	one superintendent that alternates each term between a superintendent from the seven-county 
4.18 	metropolitan area, as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2, and a superintendent from 
4.19 	outside the metropolitan area;
4.20 	(3) one school administrator district human resources director; and
4.21 	(4) three members of the public, two of whom must be present or former members of 
4.22 	school boards one administrator of a cooperative unit under section 123A.24, subdivision 
4.23 	2, who oversees a special education program;
4.24 	(5) one principal that alternates each term between an elementary and a secondary school 
4.25 	principal; and
4.26 	(6) one member of the public that may be a current or former school board member.
4.27 		Subd. 2a.First appointments. (a) The governor shall nominate all members to the 
4.28 	Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board. The terms of the initial board members 
4.29 	must be as follows:
4.30 	(1) two members must be appointed for terms that expire January 1, 2019;
4.31 	(2) three members must be appointed for terms that expire January 1, 2020;
5.1 	(3) three members must be appointed for terms that expire January 1, 2021; and
5.2 	(4) three members must be appointed for terms that expire January 1, 2022.
5.3 	(b) Members of the Board of Teaching as of January 1, 2017, are ineligible for first 
5.4 	appointments to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board for four years 
5.5 	from the effective date of this section, except that two members of the Board of Teaching 
5.6 	as of January 1, 2017, are eligible for appointment under paragraph (a), clause (1).
5.7 		Subd. 3.Vacant position. With the exception of a teacher who retires from teaching 
5.8 	during the course of completing a board term, the position of a member who leaves Minnesota 
5.9 	or whose employment status changes to a category different from that from which appointed 
5.10 	is deemed vacant.
5.11 		Subd. 4.Administration, Terms, compensation; removal; vacancies. The provision 
5.12 	of staff, administrative services and office space; the review and processing of complaints; 
5.13 	the setting of fees; the selection and duties of an executive secretary director to serve the 
5.14 	board; and other provisions relating to board operations not provided in this chapter are as 
5.15 	provided in chapter 214. Membership terms, except as provided in subdivision 2a, 
5.16 	compensation of members, removal of members, the filling of membership vacancies, and 
5.17 	fiscal year and reporting requirements are as provided in sections 214.07 to 214.09.
5.18 		Subd. 4a.Administration. (a) The executive director of the board shall be the chief 
5.19 	administrative officer for the board but shall not be a member of the board. The executive 
5.20 	director shall maintain the records of the board, account for all fees received by the board, 
5.21 	supervise and direct employees servicing the board, and perform other services as directed 
5.22 	by the board.
5.23 	(b) The Department of Administration must provide administrative support in accordance 
5.24 	with section 16B.371. The commissioner of administration must assess the board for services 
5.25 	it provides under this section.
5.26 	(c) The Department of Education must provide suitable offices and other space to the 
5.27 	board at reasonable cost until January 1, 2020. Thereafter, the board may contract with 
5.28 	either the Department of Education or the Department of Administration for the provision 
5.29 	of suitable offices and other space, joint conference and hearing facilities, and examination 
5.30 	rooms.
5.31 		Subd. 5.District reimbursement for costs of substitute teachers. The Professional 
5.32 	Educator Licensing and Standards Board may reimburse local school districts for the costs 
5.33 	of substitute teachers employed when regular teachers are providing professional assistance 
6.1 	to the state by serving on the board or on a committee or task force appointed by the board 
6.2 	and charged to make recommendations concerning standards for teacher licensure in this 
6.3 	state.

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

6.5 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.08, is amended to read:
6.6 	122A.08 MEETINGS.
6.7 		Subdivision 1.Meetings. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of 
6.8 	Teaching must meet regularly at the times and places as the board determines. Meetings 
6.9 	must be called by the chair or at the written request of any eight members.
6.10 		Subd. 2.Executive secretary director. The Professional Educator Licensing and 
6.11 	Standards Board of Teaching must have an executive secretarydirector who is in the 
6.12 	unclassified civil service and who is not a member of the board. The executive director must 
6.13 	fulfill the duties provided in section 122A.09, subdivision 6. The board must review the 
6.14 	performance of the executive director and set the salary of the executive director, not to 
6.15 	exceed the limit for a position listed in section 15A.0815, subdivision 2.

6.16 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2018.

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

6.22 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2018.

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

6.27 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2018.

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

7.4 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2018.

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

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

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

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

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

12.33 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2018.

13.1 	Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.09, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
13.2 		Subd. 7.Commissioner's assistance; Professional Educator Licensing and Standards
13.3 	Board money. The commissioner shall provide all necessary materials and assistance for 
13.4 	the transaction of the business of the Board of Teaching and All moneys received by the 
13.5 	Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching shall be paid into the 
13.6 	state treasury as provided by law. The expenses of administering sections 120B.363,122A.01, 
13.7 	122A.05 to 122A.09, 122A.15, 122A.16, 122A.17, 122A.18, 122A.181, 122A.182, 122A.183, 
13.8 	122A.184, 122A.185, 122A.186, 122A.187, 122A.188,122A.20, 122A.21, 122A.22, 
13.9 	122A.23, 122A.2451, 122A.26, 122A.30, 122A.40, 122A.41, 122A.42, 122A.45, 122A.49, 
13.10 	122A.54, 122A.55, 122A.56, 122A.57, and 122A.58 which are incurred by the Professional 
13.11 	Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching shall be paid for from appropriations 
13.12 	made to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching.

13.13 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2018.

13.14 	Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.09, subdivision 9, is amended to read:
13.15 		Subd. 9.Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board may must adopt 
13.16 	rules. (a) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching may must
13.17 	adopt rules subject to the provisions of chapter 14 to implement sections 120B.363, 122A.05
13.18 	to 122A.09, 122A.092, 122A.16, 122A.17, 122A.18, 122A.181, 122A.182, 122A.183, 
13.19 	122A.184, 122A.185, 122A.186, 122A.187, 122A.188, 122A.20, 122A.21, and122A.23, 
13.20 	122A.26, 122A.28, and 122A.29.
13.21 	(b) The board must adopt rules relating to fields of licensure, including a process for 
13.22 	granting permission to a licensed teacher to teach in a field that is different from the teacher's 
13.23 	field of licensure without change to the teacher's license tier level.
13.24 	(c) The board must adopt rules relating to the grade levels that a licensed teacher may 
13.25 	teach.
13.26 	(d) If a rule adopted by the board is in conflict with a session law or statute, the law or 
13.27 	statute prevails. Terms adopted in rule must be clearly defined and must not be construed 
13.28 	to conflict with terms adopted in statute or session law.
13.29 	(e) The board must include a description of a proposed rule's probable effect on teacher 
13.30 	supply and demand in the board's statement of need and reasonableness under section 14.131.
13.31 	(f) The board must adopt rules only under the specific statutory authority.

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

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

15.4 	Sec. 13. [122A.091] REPORTS.
15.5 		Subdivision 1.Teacher and administrator preparation and performance data; 
15.6 	report. (a) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board and the Board of 
15.7 	School Administrators, in cooperation with board-adopted teacher or administrator 
15.8 	preparation programs, annually must collect and report summary data on teacher and 
15.9 	administrator preparation and performance outcomes, consistent with this subdivision. The 
15.10 	Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board and the Board of School Administrators 
15.11 	annually by June 1 must update and post the reported summary preparation and performance 
15.12 	data on teachers and administrators from the preceding school years on a Web site hosted 
15.13 	jointly by the boards.
15.14 	(b) Publicly reported summary data on teacher preparation programs must include:
15.15 	(1) student entrance requirements for each Professional Educator Licensing and Standards 
15.16 	Board-approved program, including grade point average for enrolling students in the 
15.17 	preceding year;
15.18 	(2) the average board-adopted skills examination or ACT or SAT scores of students 
15.19 	entering the program in the preceding year;
15.20 	(3) summary data on faculty qualifications, including at least the content areas of faculty 
15.21 	undergraduate and graduate degrees and their years of experience either as kindergarten 
15.22 	through grade 12 classroom teachers or school administrators;
15.23 	(4) the average time resident and nonresident program graduates in the preceding year 
15.24 	needed to complete the program;
15.25 	(5) the current number and percentage of students by program who graduated, received 
15.26 	a standard Minnesota teaching license, and were hired to teach full time in their licensure 
15.27 	field in a Minnesota district or school in the preceding year disaggregated by race, except 
15.28 	when disaggregation would not yield statistically reliable results or would reveal personally 
15.29 	identifiable information about an individual;
15.30 	(6) the number of content area credits and other credits by undergraduate program that 
15.31 	students in the preceding school year needed to complete to graduate;
16.1 	(7) students' pass rates on skills and subject matter exams required for graduation in 
16.2 	each program and licensure area in the preceding school year;
16.3 	(8) survey results measuring student and graduate satisfaction with the program in the 
16.4 	preceding school year disaggregated by race, except when disaggregation would not yield 
16.5 	statistically reliable results or would reveal personally identifiable information about an 
16.6 	individual;
16.7 	(9) a standard measure of the satisfaction of school principals or supervising teachers 
16.8 	with the student teachers assigned to a school or supervising teacher; and
16.9 	(10) information under subdivision 3, paragraphs (a) and (b).
16.10 	Program reporting must be consistent with subdivision 2.
16.11 	(c) Publicly reported summary data on administrator preparation programs approved by 
16.12 	the Board of School Administrators must include:
16.13 	(1) summary data on faculty qualifications, including at least the content areas of faculty 
16.14 	undergraduate and graduate degrees and the years of experience either as kindergarten 
16.15 	through grade 12 classroom teachers or school administrators;
16.16 	(2) the average time program graduates in the preceding year needed to complete the 
16.17 	program;
16.18 	(3) the current number and percentage of students who graduated, received a standard 
16.19 	Minnesota administrator license, and were employed as an administrator in a Minnesota 
16.20 	school district or school in the preceding year disaggregated by race, except when 
16.21 	disaggregation would not yield statistically reliable results or would reveal personally 
16.22 	identifiable information about an individual;
16.23 	(4) the number of credits by graduate program that students in the preceding school year 
16.24 	needed to complete to graduate;
16.25 	(5) survey results measuring student, graduate, and employer satisfaction with the 
16.26 	program in the preceding school year disaggregated by race, except when disaggregation 
16.27 	would not yield statistically reliable results or would reveal personally identifiable 
16.28 	information about an individual; and
16.29 	(6) information under subdivision 3, paragraphs (c) and (d).
16.30 	Program reporting must be consistent with section 122A.14, subdivision 10.
16.31 		Subd. 2.Teacher preparation program reporting. (a) By December 31, 2018, and 
16.32 	annually thereafter, the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board shall report 
17.1 	and publish on its Web site the cumulative summary results of at least three consecutive 
17.2 	years of data reported to the board under subdivision 1, paragraph (b). Where the data are 
17.3 	sufficient to yield statistically reliable information and the results would not reveal personally 
17.4 	identifiable information about an individual teacher, the board shall report the data by teacher 
17.5 	preparation program.
17.6 	(b) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must report annually to 
17.7 	the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction 
17.8 	over kindergarten through grade 12 education, the following information:
17.9 	(1) the total number of teacher candidates during the most recent school year taking a 
17.10 	board-adopted skills examination;
17.11 	(2) the number who achieve a qualifying score on the examination;
17.12 	(3) the number who do not achieve a qualifying score on the examination; and
17.13 	(4) the candidates who have not passed a content or pedagogy exam.
17.14 	The information reported under this paragraph must be disaggregated by categories of race, 
17.15 	ethnicity, and eligibility for financial aid. The report must be submitted in accordance with 
17.16 	section 3.195.
17.17 		Subd. 3.School district reports. (a) School districts annually by October 1 must report 
17.18 	to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board the following information for 
17.19 	all teachers who finished the probationary period and accepted a continuing contract position 
17.20 	with the district from September 1 of the previous year through August 31 of the current 
17.21 	year:
17.22 	(1) the effectiveness category or rating of the teacher on the summative evaluation under 
17.23 	section 122A.40, subdivision 8, or 122A.41, subdivision 5;
17.24 	(2) the licensure area in which the teacher primarily taught during the three-year 
17.25 	evaluation cycle; and
17.26 	(3) the teacher preparation program preparing the teacher in the teacher's primary areas 
17.27 	of instruction and licensure.
17.28 	(b) School districts annually by October 1 must report to the Professional Educator 
17.29 	Licensing and Standards Board the following information for all probationary teachers in 
17.30 	the district who were released or whose contracts were not renewed from September 1 of 
17.31 	the previous year through August 31 of the current year:
17.32 	(1) the licensure areas in which the probationary teacher taught; and
18.1 	(2) the teacher preparation program preparing the teacher in the teacher's primary areas 
18.2 	of instruction and licensure.
18.3 	(c) School districts annually by October 1 must report to the Board of School 
18.4 	Administrators the following information for all school principals and assistant principals 
18.5 	who finished the probationary period and accepted a continuing contract position with the 
18.6 	district from September 1 of the previous year through August 31 of the current year:
18.7 	(1) the effectiveness category or rating of the principal or assistant principal on the 
18.8 	summative evaluation under section 123B.147, subdivision 3; and
18.9 	(2) the principal preparation program providing instruction to the principal or assistant 
18.10 	principal.
18.11 	(d) School districts annually by October 1 must report to the Board of School 
18.12 	Administrators all probationary school principals and assistant principals in the district who 
18.13 	were released or whose contracts were not renewed from September 1 of the previous year 
18.14 	through August 31 of the current year.
18.15 		Subd. 4.State reports. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must 
18.16 	prepare reports in accordance with section 214.07.
18.17 		Subd. 5.Survey of districts. (a) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards 
18.18 	Board must survey the state's school districts and teacher preparation programs and report 
18.19 	to the education committees of the legislature by February 1, 2019, and each odd-numbered 
18.20 	year thereafter, on the status of teacher early retirement patterns, the access to effective and 
18.21 	more diverse teachers who reflect the students under section 120B.35, subdivision 3, 
18.22 	paragraph (b), clause (2), enrolled in a district or school, the teacher shortage, and the 
18.23 	substitute teacher shortage, including patterns and shortages in licensure field areas and the 
18.24 	economic development regions of the state.
18.25 	(b) The report must also include:
18.26 	(1) aggregate data on teachers' self-reported race and ethnicity;
18.27 	(2) data on how districts are making progress in hiring teachers and substitute teachers 
18.28 	in the areas of shortage; and
18.29 	(3) a five-year projection of teacher demand for each district, taking into account the 
18.30 	students under section 120B.35, subdivision 3, paragraph (b), clause (2), expected to enroll 
18.31 	in the district during that five-year period.
19.1 		Subd. 6.Implementation report. By January 1, 2019, the Professional Educator 
19.2 	Licensing and Standards Board must prepare a report to the legislature on the implementation 
19.3 	of the teacher licensure system established under sections 122A.18 to 122A.184. The report 
19.4 	must include the number of applicants for licensure in each tier, the number of applications 
19.5 	granted and denied, summary data on the reasons applications were denied, and the status 
19.6 	of the board's rulemaking process for all licensure related rules.

19.7 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2018.

19.8 	Sec. 14. [122A.092] TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAMS.
19.9 		Subdivision 1.Rules. The board must adopt rules to approve teacher preparation 
19.10 	programs, including alternative teacher preparation programs under section 122A.2451, 
19.11 	nonconventional programs, and Montessori teacher training programs.
19.12 		Subd. 2.Requirements for board approval. Teacher preparation programs must 
19.13 	demonstrate the following to obtain board approval:
19.14 	(1) the program has implemented a research-based, results-oriented curriculum that 
19.15 	focuses on the skills teachers need in order to be effective;
19.16 	(2) the program provides a student teaching program;
19.17 	(3) the program demonstrates effectiveness based on proficiency of graduates in 
19.18 	demonstrating attainment of program outcomes;
19.19 	(4) the program includes a common core of teaching knowledge and skills. This common 
19.20 	core shall meet the standards developed by the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and 
19.21 	Support Consortium in its 1992 model standards for beginning teacher licensing and 
19.22 	development. Amendments to standards adopted under this clause are subject to chapter 
19.23 	14. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board shall report annually to the 
19.24 	education committees of the legislature on the performance of teacher candidates on common 
19.25 	core assessments of knowledge and skills under this clause during the most recent school 
19.26 	year;
19.27 	(5) the program includes instruction on the knowledge and skills needed to provide 
19.28 	appropriate instruction to English learners to support and accelerate their academic literacy, 
19.29 	including oral academic language and achievement in content areas in a regular classroom 
19.30 	setting; and
19.31 	(6) the program includes culturally competent training in instructional strategies consistent 
19.32 	with section 120B.30, subdivision 1, paragraph (q).
20.1 		Subd. 3.Specialized credentials. The board must adopt rules creating flexible, 
20.2 	specialized teaching licenses, credentials, and other endorsement forms to increase students' 
20.3 	participation in language immersion programs, world language instruction, career 
20.4 	development opportunities, work-based learning, early college courses and careers, career 
20.5 	and technical programs, Montessori schools, and project- and place-based learning, among 
20.6 	other career and college readiness learning offerings.
20.7 		Subd. 4.Teacher educators. The board must adopt rules requiring teacher educators 
20.8 	to work directly with elementary or secondary school teachers in elementary or secondary 
20.9 	schools to obtain periodic exposure to the elementary and secondary teaching environments.
20.10 		Subd. 5.Reading strategies. (a) All colleges and universities approved by the 
20.11 	Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board to prepare persons for classroom 
20.12 	teacher licensure must include in their teacher preparation programs research-based best 
20.13 	practices in reading, consistent with section 122A.06, subdivision 4, that enables the licensure 
20.14 	candidate to teach reading in the candidate's content areas. Teacher candidates must be 
20.15 	instructed in using students' native languages as a resource in creating effective differentiated 
20.16 	instructional strategies for English learners developing literacy skills. These colleges and 
20.17 	universities also must prepare early childhood and elementary teacher candidates for Tier 
20.18 	3 and Tier 4 teaching licenses under sections 122A.183 and 122A.184, respectively, for the 
20.19 	portion of the examination under section 122A.185, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), covering 
20.20 	assessment of reading instruction.
20.21 	(b) Board-approved teacher preparation programs for teachers of elementary education 
20.22 	must require instruction in applying comprehensive, scientifically based, and balanced 
20.23 	reading instruction programs that:
20.24 	(1) teach students to read using foundational knowledge, practices, and strategies 
20.25 	consistent with section 122A.06, subdivision 4, so that all students achieve continuous 
20.26 	progress in reading; and
20.27 	(2) teach specialized instruction in reading strategies, interventions, and remediations 
20.28 	that enable students of all ages and proficiency levels to become proficient readers.
20.29 	(c) Nothing in this section limits the authority of a school district to select a school's 
20.30 	reading program or curriculum.
20.31 		Subd. 6.Technology strategies. All colleges and universities approved by the 
20.32 	Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board to prepare persons for classroom 
20.33 	teacher licensure must include in their teacher preparation programs the knowledge and 
21.1 	skills teacher candidates need to engage students with technology and deliver digital and 
21.2 	blended learning and curriculum.
21.3 		Subd. 7.Student teaching program. A teacher preparation program may provide a 
21.4 	year-long student teaching program that combines clinical opportunities with academic 
21.5 	coursework and in-depth student teaching experiences to offer students:
21.6 	(1) ongoing mentorship;
21.7 	(2) coaching;
21.8 	(3) assessment;
21.9 	(4) help to prepare a professional development plan; and
21.10 	(5) structured learning experiences.
21.11 		Subd. 8.Existing programs. The approval of teacher preparation programs approved 
21.12 	by the Board of Teaching before the effective date of this section must remain in effect 
21.13 	unless and until the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board denies approval 
21.14 	or reapproves the program.

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

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

21.20 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2018.

21.21 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.22, is amended to read:
21.22 	122A.22 DISTRICT VERIFICATION OF TEACHER LICENSES.
21.23 	No person shall be accounted a qualified teacher until the school district or charter school 
21.24 	contracting with the person for teaching services verifies through the Minnesota education 
21.25 	licensing system available on the department Professional Educator Licensing and Standards 
21.26 	Board Web site that the person is a qualified teacher, consistent with sections 122A.16 and 
21.27 	122A.44, subdivision 1.

21.28 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2018.

22.1 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 127A.05, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
22.2 		Subd. 6.Survey of districts. The commissioner of education shall survey the state's 
22.3 	school districts and teacher preparation programs and report to the education committees 
22.4 	of the legislature by February 1 of each odd-numbered year until 2018 on the status of 
22.5 	teacher early retirement patterns, the access to effective and more diverse teachers who 
22.6 	reflect the students under section 120B.35, subdivision 3, paragraph (b), clause (2), enrolled 
22.7 	in a district or school, the teacher shortage, and the substitute teacher shortage, including 
22.8 	patterns and shortages in subject areas and the economic development regions of the state. 
22.9 	The report must also include: aggregate data on teachers' self-reported race and ethnicity; 
22.10 	data on how districts are making progress in hiring teachers and substitutes in the areas of 
22.11 	shortage; and a five-year projection of teacher demand for each district, taking into account 
22.12 	the students under section 120B.35, subdivision 3, paragraph (b), clause (2), expected to 
22.13 	enroll in the district during that five-year period.

22.14 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 214.04, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
22.15 		Subdivision 1.Services provided.  The commissioner of education with respect to the 
22.16 	Board of Teaching; the commissioner of public safety with respect to the Board of Private 
22.17 	Detective and Protective Agent Services; the Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training; 
22.18 	and the commissioner of revenue with respect to the Board of Assessors, shall provide 
22.19 	suitable offices and other space, joint conference and hearing facilities, examination rooms, 
22.20 	and the following administrative support services: purchasing service, accounting service, 
22.21 	advisory personnel services, consulting services relating to evaluation procedures and 
22.22 	techniques, data processing, duplicating, mailing services, automated printing of license 
22.23 	renewals, and such other similar services of a housekeeping nature as are generally available 
22.24 	to other agencies of state government. Investigative services shall be provided the boards 
22.25 	by employees of the Office of Attorney General. The commissioner of health with respect 
22.26 	to the health-related licensing boards shall provide mailing and office supply services and 
22.27 	may provide other facilities and services listed in this subdivision at a central location upon 
22.28 	request of the health-related licensing boards. The commissioner of commerce with respect 
22.29 	to the remaining non-health-related licensing boards shall provide the above facilities and 
22.30 	services at a central location for the remaining non-health-related licensing boards. The 
22.31 	legal and investigative services for the boards shall be provided by employees of the attorney 
22.32 	general assigned to the departments servicing the boards. Notwithstanding the foregoing, 
22.33 	the attorney general shall not be precluded by this section from assigning other attorneys 
22.34 	to service a board if necessary in order to insure competent and consistent legal 
23.1 	representation. Persons providing legal and investigative services shall to the extent 
23.2 	practicable provide the services on a regular basis to the same board or boards.

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

23.4 	Sec. 19. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 214.045, is amended to read:
23.5 	214.045 COORDINATION WITH PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR LICENSING 
23.6 	AND STANDARDS BOARD OF TEACHING.
23.7 	The commissioner of health and the health-related licensing boards must coordinate 
23.8 	with the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching when modifying 
23.9 	licensure requirements for regulated persons in order to have consistent regulatory 
23.10 	requirements for personnel who perform services in schools.

23.11 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2018.

23.12 	Sec. 20. TRANSFER OF POWERS.
 23.13 	(a) The creation of the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board shall be 
23.14 	considered a transfer by law of the responsibilities of the Board of Teaching and the 
23.15 	Minnesota Department of Education with respect to licensure and credentialing of teachers 
23.16 	and school personnel to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board for 
23.17 	purposes of Minnesota Statutes, section 15.039. All classified and unclassified positions 
23.18 	associated with the responsibilities being transferred to the Professional Educator Licensing 
23.19 	and Standards Board are transferred with their incumbents to the new agency pursuant to 
23.20 	Minnesota Statutes, section 15.039, subdivision 7, except as otherwise provided in Minnesota 
23.21 	Statutes, section 122A.07.
23.22 	(b) The responsibilities of the Minnesota Department of Education with respect to 
23.23 	licensure of school administrators are transferred by law to the Board of School 
23.24 	Administrators for purposes of section 15.039.
23.25 	(c) The responsibilities of the Minnesota Department of Education with respect to the 
23.26 	survey of districts under section 127A.05, subdivision 6, and the staff automated reporting 
23.27 	(STAR) system, are transferred by law to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards 
23.28 	Board for purposes of section 15.039.
23.29 	(d) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must review all rules 
23.30 	adopted by the Board of Teaching and amend or repeal rules not consistent with statute. 
23.31 	The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must review all teacher preparation 
24.1 	programs approved by the Board of Teaching to determine whether the approved programs 
24.2 	meet the needs of schools in Minnesota.

24.3 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2018.

24.4 	Sec. 21. FIRST APPOINTMENTS TO THE PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR 
24.5 	LICENSING AND STANDARDS BOARD.
 24.6 	(a) The governor shall make appointments to the Professional Educator Licensing and 
24.7 	Standards Board by September 1, 2017, for terms that begin January 1, 2018. The governor 
24.8 	shall designate one member of the board to convene the first meeting by February 1, 2018, 
24.9 	and to act as chair until the board elects a chair at its first meeting. The first superintendent 
24.10 	appointed under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.07, subdivision 2, clause (2), must be 
24.11 	from outside the metropolitan area. The governor is encouraged to consider eligible 
24.12 	candidates that have previously served on the Board of Teaching for appointment to the 
24.13 	Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board.
24.14 	(b) The terms of the first members appointed to the board do not count towards the term 
24.15 	limit under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.07, subdivision 1, if the term expires before 
24.16 	2022.
24.17 	(c) Beginning October 2, 2017, the board members appointed by the governor under 
24.18 	paragraph (a) may informally organize and prepare for their terms. The appointee representing 
24.19 	the superintendent member must convene the first transition meeting. At the first meeting, 
24.20 	the appointees must select a chairperson to lead the transition meetings. Between October 
24.21 	2, 2017, and January 1, 2018, the board members must begin the selection process for the 
24.22 	executive director under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.08, subdivision 2. The board 
24.23 	members' transition meetings are subject to the Open Meeting Law under Minnesota Statutes, 
24.24 	chapter 13D.

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

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

25.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2018.

25.2 	ARTICLE 2
25.3 	LICENSURE

25.4 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.17, is amended to read:
25.5 	122A.17 VALIDITY OF CERTIFICATES OR LICENSES.
25.6 	(a) A rule adopted by the Board of Teaching or the Professional Educator Licensing and 
25.7 	Standards Board must not affect the validity of certificates or licenses to teach in effect on 
25.8 	July 1, 1974, or the rights and privileges of the holders thereof, except that any such 
25.9 	certificate or license may be suspended or revoked for any of the causes and by the procedures 
25.10 	specified by law.
25.11 	(b) All teacher licenses in effect on January 1, 2018, shall remain valid for one additional 
25.12 	year after the date the license is scheduled to expire.

25.13 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2018.

25.14 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.18, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
25.15 		Subdivision 1.Authority to license. (a) The Professional Educator Licensing and 
25.16 	Standards Board of Teaching must license teachers, as defined in section 122A.15, 
25.17 	subdivision 1, except for supervisory personnel, as defined in section 122A.15, subdivision 
25.18 	2. issue the following teacher licenses to candidates who meet the qualifications prescribed 
25.19 	by this chapter:
25.20 	(1) Tier 1 license under section 122A.181;
25.21 	(2) Tier 2 license under section 122A.182;
25.22 	(3) Tier 3 license under section 122A.183; and
25.23 	(4) Tier 4 license under section 122A.184.
25.24 	(b) The Board of School Administrators must license supervisory personnel as defined 
25.25 	in section 122A.15, subdivision 2, except for athletic coaches.
25.26 	(c) Licenses under the jurisdiction of the Board of Teaching, the Board of School 
25.27 	Administrators, and the commissioner of education must be issued through the licensing 
25.28 	section of the department.
25.29 	(d) (c) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching and the 
25.30 	Department of Education must enter into a data sharing agreement to share:
26.1 	(1) educational data at the E-12 level for the limited purpose of program approval and 
26.2 	improvement for teacher education programs. The program approval process must include 
26.3 	targeted redesign of teacher preparation programs to address identified E-12 student areas 
26.4 	of concern; and
26.5 	(2) data in the staff automated reporting system for the limited purpose of managing and 
26.6 	processing funding to school districts and other entities.
26.7 	(e) (d) The Board of School Administrators and the Department of Education must enter 
26.8 	into a data sharing agreement to share educational data at the E-12 level for the limited 
26.9 	purpose of program approval and improvement for education administration programs. The 
26.10 	program approval process must include targeted redesign of education administration 
26.11 	preparation programs to address identified E-12 student areas of concern.
26.12 	(f) (e) For purposes of the data sharing agreements under paragraphs (d) (c) and (e) (d), 
26.13 	the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching, Board of School 
26.14 	Administrators, and Department of Education may share private data, as defined in section 
26.15 	13.02, subdivision 12, on teachers and school administrators. The data sharing agreements 
26.16 	must not include educational data, as defined in section 13.32, subdivision 1, but may include 
26.17 	summary data, as defined in section 13.02, subdivision 19, derived from educational data.

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

26.19 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.18, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
26.20 		Subd. 2.Teacher and Support personnel qualifications. (a) The Professional Educator 
26.21 	Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching must issue licenses and credentials under its 
26.22 	jurisdiction to persons the board finds to be qualified and competent for their respective 
26.23 	positions, including those meeting the standards adopted under section 122A.09, subdivision 
26.24 	4, paragraph (n) support personnel positions in accordance with section 120B.36.
26.25 	(b) The board must require a candidate for teacher licensure to demonstrate a passing 
26.26 	score on a board-adopted examination of skills in reading, writing, and mathematics, before 
26.27 	being granted a professional five-year teaching license to provide direct instruction to pupils 
26.28 	in prekindergarten, elementary, secondary, or special education programs, except that the 
26.29 	board may issue up to four temporary, one-year teaching licenses to an otherwise qualified 
26.30 	candidate who has not yet passed a board-adopted skills exam. At the request of the 
26.31 	employing school district or charter school, the Board of Teaching may issue an initial 
26.32 	professional one-year teaching license to an otherwise qualified teacher not passing or 
26.33 	demonstrating a passing score on a board-adopted skills examination in reading, writing, 
27.1 	and mathematics. For purposes of this section, the initial professional one-year teaching 
27.2 	license issued by the board is limited to the current subject or content matter the teacher is 
27.3 	employed to teach and limited to the district or charter school requesting the initial 
27.4 	professional one-year teaching license. If the board denies the request, it must provide a 
27.5 	detailed response to the school administrator as to the reasons for the denial. The board 
27.6 	must require colleges and universities offering a board approved teacher preparation program 
27.7 	to make available upon request remedial assistance that includes a formal diagnostic 
27.8 	component to persons enrolled in their institution who did not achieve a qualifying score 
27.9 	on a board-adopted skills examination, including those for whom English is a second 
27.10 	language. The colleges and universities must make available assistance in the specific 
27.11 	academic areas of candidates' deficiency. School districts may make available upon request 
27.12 	similar, appropriate, and timely remedial assistance that includes a formal diagnostic 
27.13 	component to those persons employed by the district who completed their teacher education 
27.14 	program, who did not achieve a qualifying score on a board-adopted skills examination, 
27.15 	and who received an initial professional one-year teaching license to teach in Minnesota. 
27.16 	The Board of Teaching shall report annually to the education committees of the legislature 
27.17 	on the total number of teacher candidates during the most recent school year taking a 
27.18 	board-adopted skills examination, the number who achieve a qualifying score on the 
27.19 	examination, the number who do not achieve a qualifying score on the examination, and 
27.20 	the candidates who have not passed a content or pedagogy exam, disaggregated by categories 
27.21 	of race, ethnicity, and eligibility for financial aid.
27.22 	(c) The Board of Teaching must grant professional five-year teaching licenses only to 
27.23 	those persons who have met board criteria for that license, which includes passing a 
27.24 	board-adopted skills examination in reading, writing, and mathematics, and the exceptions 
27.25 	in section 122A.09, subdivision 4, paragraph (b), that are consistent with this paragraph. 
27.26 	The requirement to pass a board-adopted reading, writing, and mathematics skills 
27.27 	examination, does not apply to nonnative English speakers, as verified by qualified Minnesota 
27.28 	school district personnel or Minnesota higher education faculty, who, after meeting the 
27.29 	content and pedagogy requirements under this subdivision, apply for a professional five-year 
27.30 	teaching license to provide direct instruction in their native language or world language 
27.31 	instruction under section 120B.022, subdivision 1.
27.32 	(d) All colleges and universities approved by the board of teaching to prepare persons 
27.33 	for teacher licensure must include in their teacher preparation programs a common core of 
27.34 	teaching knowledge and skills to be acquired by all persons recommended for teacher 
27.35 	licensure. Among other requirements, teacher candidates must demonstrate the knowledge 
28.1 	and skills needed to provide appropriate instruction to English learners to support and 
28.2 	accelerate their academic literacy, including oral academic language, and achievement in 
28.3 	content areas in a regular classroom setting. This common core shall meet the standards 
28.4 	developed by the interstate new teacher assessment and support consortium in its 1992 
28.5 	"model standards for beginning teacher licensing and development." Amendments to 
28.6 	standards adopted under this paragraph are covered by chapter 14. The board of teaching 
28.7 	shall report annually to the education committees of the legislature on the performance of 
28.8 	teacher candidates on common core assessments of knowledge and skills under this paragraph 
28.9 	during the most recent school year.

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

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

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

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

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

29.13 	Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.18, subdivision 7c, is amended to read:
29.14 		Subd. 7c.Temporary military license. The Professional Educator Licensing and 
29.15 	Standards Board of Teaching shall establish a temporary license in accordance with section 
29.16 	197.4552 for teaching. The fee for a temporary license under this subdivision shall be $87.90 
29.17 	for an online application or $86.40 for a paper application. The board must provide candidates 
29.18 	for a license under this subdivision with information regarding the tiered licensure system 
29.19 	provided in sections 122A.18 to 122A.184.

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

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

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

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

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

31.1 	Sec. 9. [122A.181] TIER 1 LICENSE.
31.2 		Subdivision 1.Application requirements. The Professional Educator Licensing and 
31.3 	Standards Board must approve a request from a district or charter school to issue a Tier 1 
31.4 	license in a specified content area to a candidate if:
31.5 	(1) the candidate meets the professional requirement in subdivision 2;
31.6 	(2) the district or charter school affirms that the candidate has the necessary skills and 
31.7 	knowledge to teach in the specified content area; and
31.8 	(3) the district or charter school demonstrates that:
31.9 	(i) a criminal background check has been completed on the candidate; and
31.10 	(ii) the district or charter school has posted the teacher position but was unable to hire 
31.11 	an acceptable teacher with a Tier 2, 3, or 4 license for the position.
31.12 		Subd. 2.Professional requirements. (a) A candidate for a Tier 1 license must have a 
31.13 	bachelor's degree to teach a class or course outside a career and technical education or career 
31.14 	pathways course of study.
31.15 	(b) A candidate for a Tier 1 license must have one of the following credentials in a 
31.16 	relevant content area to teach a class in a career and technical education or career pathways 
31.17 	course of study:
31.18 	(1) an associate's degree;
31.19 	(2) a professional certification; or
31.20 	(3) five years of relevant work experience.
31.21 		Subd. 3.Term of license and renewal. (a) The Professional Educator Licensing and 
31.22 	Standards Board must issue an initial Tier 1 license for a term of one year. A Tier 1 license 
31.23 	may be renewed subject to paragraphs (b) and (c). The board may submit written comments 
31.24 	to the district or charter school that requested the renewal regarding the candidate.
31.25 	(b) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must renew a Tier 1 
31.26 	license if:
31.27 	(1) the district or charter school requesting the renewal demonstrates that it has posted 
31.28 	the teacher position but was unable to hire an acceptable teacher with a Tier 2, 3, or 4 license 
31.29 	for the position; and
31.30 	(2) the teacher holding the Tier 1 license took a content examination in accordance with 
31.31 	section 122A.185 and submitted the examination results to the teacher's employing district 
32.1 	or charter school within one year of the board approving the request for the initial Tier 1 
32.2 	license.
32.3 	The requirement in clause (2) does not apply to a teacher that teaches a class in a career and 
32.4 	technical education or career pathways course of study.
32.5 	(c) A Tier 1 license must not be renewed more than three times, unless the requesting 
32.6 	district or charter school can show good cause for additional renewals. A Tier 1 license 
32.7 	issued to teach (1) a class or course in a career and technical education or career pathway 
32.8 	course of study or (2) in a shortage area, as defined in section 122A.06, subdivision 6, may 
32.9 	be renewed without limitation.
32.10 		Subd. 4.Application. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must 
32.11 	accept applications for a Tier 1 teaching license beginning July 1 of the school year for 
32.12 	which the license is requested and must issue or deny the Tier 1 teaching license within 30 
32.13 	days of receiving the completed application.
32.14 		Subd. 5.Limitations on license. (a) A Tier 1 license is limited to the content matter 
32.15 	indicated on the application for the initial Tier 1 license under subdivision 1, paragraph (a), 
32.16 	clause (2), and limited to the district or charter school that requested the initial Tier 1 license.
32.17 	(b) A Tier 1 license does not bring an individual within the definition of a teacher for 
32.18 	purposes of section 122A.40, subdivision 1, or 122A.41, subdivision 1, clause (a).
32.19 	(c) A Tier 1 license does not bring an individual within the definition of a teacher under 
32.20 	section 179A.03, subdivision 18.
32.21 		Subd. 6.Mentorship and evaluation. (a) A teacher holding a Tier 1 license must 
32.22 	participate in the employing district or charter school's mentorship program.
32.23 	(b) A teacher holding a Tier 1 license must participate in an evaluation aligned, to the 
32.24 	extent practicable, with the evaluation under section 122A.40, subdivision 8, or 122A.41, 
32.25 	subdivision 5.

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

32.27 	Sec. 10. [122A.182] TIER 2 LICENSE.
32.28 		Subdivision 1.Requirements. (a) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards 
32.29 	Board must approve a request from a district or charter school to issue a Tier 2 license in a 
32.30 	specified content area to a candidate if:
32.31 	(1) the candidate meets the educational or professional requirements in paragraph (b) 
32.32 	or (c);
33.1 	(2) the candidate:
33.2 	(i) has completed the coursework required under subdivision 2;
33.3 	(ii) is enrolled in a Minnesota-approved teacher preparation program; or
33.4 	(iii) has a master's degree in the specified content area; and
33.5 	(3) the district or charter school demonstrates that a criminal background check has been 
33.6 	completed on the candidate.
33.7 	(b) A candidate for a Tier 2 license must have a bachelor's degree to teach a class outside 
33.8 	a career and technical education or career pathways course of study.
33.9 	(c) A candidate for a Tier 2 license must have one of the following credentials in a 
33.10 	relevant content area to teach a class or course in a career and technical education or career 
33.11 	pathways course of study:
33.12 	(1) an associate's degree;
33.13 	(2) a professional certification; or
33.14 	(3) five years of relevant work experience.
33.15 		Subd. 2.Coursework. (a) A candidate for a Tier 2 license must meet the coursework 
33.16 	requirement by demonstrating completion of two of the following:
33.17 	(1) at least eight upper division or graduate-level credits in the relevant content area;
33.18 	(2) field-specific methods of training, including coursework;
33.19 	(3) at least two years of teaching experience in a similar content area in any state, as 
33.20 	determined by the board;
33.21 	(4) a passing score on the pedagogy and content exams under section 122A.185; or
33.22 	(5) completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program.
33.23 	(b) For purposes of paragraph (a), "upper division" means classes normally taken at the 
33.24 	junior or senior level of college which require substantial knowledge and skill in the field. 
33.25 	Candidates must identify the upper division credits that fulfill the requirement in paragraph 
33.26 	(a), clause (1).
33.27 		Subd. 3.Term of license. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board 
33.28 	must issue an initial Tier 2 license for a term of two years. A Tier 2 license may be renewed 
33.29 	three times. The board must issue rules setting forth the conditions for additional renewals 
33.30 	after the initial license has been renewed three times.
34.1 		Subd. 4.Application. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must 
34.2 	accept applications for a Tier 2 teaching license beginning July 1 of the school year for 
34.3 	which the license is requested and must issue or deny the Tier 2 teaching license within 30 
34.4 	days of receiving the completed application.
34.5 		Subd. 5.Limitations on license. (a) A Tier 2 license is limited to the content matter 
34.6 	indicated on the application for the initial Tier 2 license under subdivision 1, paragraph (a), 
34.7 	and limited to the district or charter school that requested the initial Tier 2 license.
34.8 	(b) A Tier 2 license shall not be construed to bring an individual within the definition 
34.9 	of a teacher for purposes of section 122A.40, subdivision 1, or 122A.41, subdivision 1, 
34.10 	clause (a).
34.11 		Subd. 6.Application toward probationary period. (a) The time that a teacher works 
34.12 	under a Tier 2 license must be credited towards the teacher's three-year probationary period 
34.13 	under section 122A.40, subdivision 5, or 122A.41, subdivision 2.
34.14 	(b) The time credited towards the probationary period under paragraph (a) must not 
34.15 	exceed two years.
34.16 	(c) The three years of the probationary period, including any time credited under this 
34.17 	subdivision, must run consecutively, consistent with section 122A.40, subdivision 5, or 
34.18 	section 122A.41, subdivision 2.
34.19 		Subd. 7.Mentorship and evaluation. (a) A teacher holding a Tier 2 license must 
34.20 	participate in the employing district or charter school's mentorship and evaluation program, 
34.21 	including an individual growth and development plan.
34.22 	(b) A teacher holding a Tier 2 license must participate in an evaluation aligned, to the 
34.23 	extent practicable, with the evaluation under section 122A.40, subdivision 8, or section 
34.24 	122A.41, subdivision 5.

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

34.26 	Sec. 11. [122A.183] TIER 3 LICENSE.
34.27 		Subdivision 1.Requirements. (a) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards 
34.28 	Board must issue a Tier 3 license to a candidate who provides information sufficient to 
34.29 	demonstrate all of the following:
34.30 	(1) the candidate meets the educational or professional requirements in paragraphs (b) 
34.31 	and (c);
35.1 	(2) the candidate has obtained a passing score on the required licensure exams under 
35.2 	section 122A.185; and
35.3 	(3) the candidate has completed the coursework required under subdivision 2.
35.4 	(b) A candidate for a Tier 3 license must have a bachelor's degree to teach a class or 
35.5 	course outside a career and technical education or career pathways course of study.
35.6 	(c) A candidate for a Tier 3 license must have one of the following credentials in a 
35.7 	relevant content area to teach a class or course in a career and technical education or career 
35.8 	pathways course of study:
35.9 	(1) an associate's degree;
35.10 	(2) a professional certification; or
35.11 	(3) five years of relevant work experience.
35.12 	In consultation with the Governor's Workforce Development Council established under 
35.13 	section 116L.665, the board must establish a list of qualifying certifications, and may add 
35.14 	additional professional certifications in consultation with school administrators, teachers, 
35.15 	and other stakeholders.
35.16 		Subd. 2.Coursework. A candidate for a Tier 3 license must meet the coursework 
35.17 	requirement by demonstrating one of the following:
35.18 	(1) completion of a Minnesota-approved teacher preparation program;
35.19 	(2) completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program that includes field-specific 
35.20 	student teaching equivalent to field-specific student teaching in Minnesota-approved teacher 
35.21 	preparation programs. The field-specific student teaching requirement does not apply to a 
35.22 	candidate that has two years of teaching experience;
35.23 	(3) submission of a content-specific licensure portfolio;
35.24 	(4) a professional teaching license from another state, evidence that the candidate's 
35.25 	license is in good standing, and two years of teaching experience;
35.26 	(5) three years of teaching experience under a Tier 2 license, and evidence of summative 
35.27 	teacher evaluations that did not result in placing or otherwise keeping the teacher on an 
35.28 	improvement process pursuant to section 122A.40, subdivision 8, or section 122A.41, 
35.29 	subdivision 5; or
35.30 	(6) a passing score on all licensure examinations under section 122A.185 and five years 
35.31 	of teaching experience as the teacher of record in any state.
36.1 		Subd. 3.Term of license. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board 
36.2 	must issue an initial Tier 3 license for a term of three years. A Tier 3 license may be renewed 
36.3 	every three years without limitation.
36.4 		Subd. 4.Mentorship and evaluation. A teacher holding a Tier 3 license must participate 
36.5 	in the employing district or charter school's mentorship and evaluation program, including 
36.6 	an individual growth and development plan.

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

36.8 	Sec. 12. [122A.184] TIER 4 LICENSE.
36.9 		Subdivision 1.Requirements. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards 
36.10 	Board must issue a Tier 4 license to a candidate who provides information sufficient to 
36.11 	demonstrate all of the following:
36.12 	(1) the candidate meets all requirements for a Tier 3 license under section 122A.183, 
36.13 	and has met the coursework requirements under section 122A.183, subdivision 2, clause 
36.14 	(1) or (2);
36.15 	(2) the candidate has at least three years of teaching experience in Minnesota;
36.16 	(3) the candidate has obtained a passing score on all required licensure exams under 
36.17 	section 122A.185; and
36.18 	(4) the candidate's most recent summative teacher evaluation did not result in placing 
36.19 	or otherwise keeping the teacher in an improvement process pursuant to section 122A.40, 
36.20 	subdivision 8, or 122A.41, subdivision 5.
36.21 		Subd. 2.Term of license. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board 
36.22 	must issue an initial Tier 4 license for a term of five years. A Tier 4 license may be renewed 
36.23 	every five years without limitation.
36.24 		Subd. 3.Mentorship and evaluation. A teacher holding a Tier 4 license must participate 
36.25 	in the employing district or charter school's mentorship and evaluation program, including 
36.26 	an individual growth and development plan.
36.27 		Subd. 4.Five-year license. A five-year license issued by the commissioner of education 
36.28 	before the effective date of this section must be treated as a Tier 4 license established under 
36.29 	this section and section 122A.18. An expired five-year license issued by the commissioner 
36.30 	of education before the effective date of this section fulfills the requirements of subdivision 
36.31 	1 for purposes of future licensure by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards 
36.32 	Board.

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

37.2 	Sec. 13. [122A.185] TEACHER LICENSURE ASSESSMENT.
37.3 		Subdivision 1.Tests. (a) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board 
37.4 	must adopt rules requiring a candidate to demonstrate a passing score on a board-adopted 
37.5 	examination of skills in reading, writing, and mathematics before being granted a Tier 4 
37.6 	teaching license under section 122A.184 to provide direct instruction to pupils in elementary, 
37.7 	secondary, or special education programs. Candidates may obtain a Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 
37.8 	3 license to provide direct instruction to pupils in elementary, secondary, or special education 
37.9 	programs if candidates meet the other requirements in section 122A.181, 122A.182, or 
37.10 	122A.183, respectively.
37.11 	(b) The board must adopt rules requiring candidates for Tier 3 and Tier 4 licenses to 
37.12 	pass an examination of general pedagogical knowledge and examinations of licensure field 
37.13 	specific content. The content examination requirement does not apply if no relevant content 
37.14 	exam exists.
37.15 	(c) Candidates for initial Tier 3 and Tier 4 licenses to teach elementary students must 
37.16 	pass test items assessing the candidates' knowledge, skill, and ability in comprehensive, 
37.17 	scientifically based reading instruction under section 122A.06, subdivision 4, knowledge 
37.18 	and understanding of the foundations of reading development, development of reading 
37.19 	comprehension and reading assessment and instruction, and the ability to integrate that 
37.20 	knowledge and understanding into instruction strategies under section 122A.06, subdivision 
37.21 	4.
37.22 	(d) The requirement to pass a board-adopted reading, writing, and mathematics skills 
37.23 	examination does not apply to nonnative English speakers, as verified by qualified Minnesota 
37.24 	school district personnel or Minnesota higher education faculty, who, after meeting the 
37.25 	content and pedagogy requirements under this subdivision, apply for a teaching license to 
37.26 	provide direct instruction in their native language or world language instruction under section 
37.27 	120B.022, subdivision 1.
37.28 		Subd. 2.Passing scores. The board must establish passing scores in all examinations 
37.29 	required for licensure.
37.30 		Subd. 3.Testing accommodations. The board and the entity administering the content, 
37.31 	pedagogy, and skills examinations must allow any individual who produces documentation 
37.32 	of a disability in the form of an evaluation, 504 plan, or individual education program (IEP) 
38.1 	to receive the same testing accommodations on the content, pedagogy, and skills examinations 
38.2 	that the applicant received during the applicant's secondary or postsecondary education.
38.3 		Subd. 4.Remedial assistance. (a) A board-approved teacher preparation program must 
38.4 	make available upon request remedial assistance that includes a formal diagnostic component 
38.5 	to persons enrolled in their institution who did not achieve a qualifying score on a 
38.6 	board-adopted skills examination, including those for whom English is a second language. 
38.7 	The teacher preparation programs must make available assistance in the specific academic 
38.8 	areas of candidates' deficiency.
38.9 	(b) School districts may make available upon request similar, appropriate, and timely 
38.10 	remedial assistance that includes a formal diagnostic component to those persons employed 
38.11 	by the district who completed their teacher education program, who did not achieve a 
38.12 	qualifying score on a board-adopted skills examination, and who received a Tier 1, Tier 2, 
38.13 	or Tier 3 license under sections 122A.181, 122A.182, or 122A.183, respectively, to teach 
38.14 	in Minnesota.

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

38.16 	Sec. 14. [122A.187] EXPIRATION AND RENEWAL.
38.17 		Subdivision 1.License form requirements. Each license issued under this chapter must 
38.18 	bear the date of issue and the name of the state-approved teacher training provider or 
38.19 	alternative teaching program, as applicable. Licenses must expire and be renewed according 
38.20 	to rules adopted by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board or the Board 
38.21 	of School Administrators. The rules adopted by the Professional Educator Licensing and 
38.22 	Standards Board for renewing a Tier 3 or Tier 4 license under sections 122A.183 and 
38.23 	122A.184, respectively, must include showing satisfactory evidence of successful teaching 
38.24 	or administrative experience for at least one school year during the period covered by the 
38.25 	license in grades or subjects for which the license is valid or completing such additional 
38.26 	preparation as required under this section, or as the Professional Educator Licensing and 
38.27 	Standards Board prescribes. The Board of School Administrators shall establish requirements 
38.28 	for renewing the licenses of supervisory personnel except athletic coaches. The Professional 
38.29 	Educator Licensing and Standards Board shall establish requirements for renewing the 
38.30 	licenses of athletic coaches.
38.31 		Subd. 2.Local committees. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board 
38.32 	must receive recommendations from local committees as established by the board for the 
38.33 	renewal of teaching licenses.
39.1 		Subd. 3.Professional growth. (a) Applicants for license renewal for a Tier 3 or Tier 4 
39.2 	license under sections 122A.183 and 122A.184, respectively, who have been employed as 
39.3 	a teacher during the renewal period of the expiring license, as a condition of license renewal, 
39.4 	must present to their local continuing education and relicensure committee or other local 
39.5 	relicensure committee evidence of work that demonstrates professional reflection and growth 
39.6 	in best teaching practices, including among other things, cultural competence in accordance 
39.7 	with section 120B.30, subdivision 1, paragraph (q), and practices in meeting the varied 
39.8 	needs of English learners, from young children to adults under section 124D.59, subdivisions 
39.9 	2 and 2a. A teacher may satisfy the requirements of this paragraph by submitting the teacher's 
39.10 	most recent summative evaluation or improvement plan under section 122A.40, subdivision 
39.11 	8, or 122A.41, subdivision 5.
39.12 	(b) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must ensure that its teacher 
39.13 	relicensing requirements include paragraph (a).
39.14 		Subd. 4.Behavior interventions. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards 
39.15 	Board must adopt rules that require all licensed teachers who are renewing a Tier 3 or Tier 
39.16 	4 teaching license under sections 122A.183 and 122A.184, respectively, to include in the 
39.17 	renewal requirements further preparation in the areas of using positive behavior interventions 
39.18 	and in accommodating, modifying, and adapting curricula, materials, and strategies to 
39.19 	appropriately meet the needs of individual students and ensure adequate progress toward 
39.20 	the state's graduation rule.
39.21 		Subd. 5.Reading preparation. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards 
39.22 	Board must adopt rules that require all licensed teachers who are renewing a Tier 3 or Tier 
39.23 	4 teaching license under sections 122A.183 and 122A.184, respectively, to include in the 
39.24 	renewal requirements further reading preparation, consistent with section 122A.06, 
39.25 	subdivision 4. The rules do not take effect until they are approved by law. Teachers who 
39.26 	do not provide direct instruction including, at least, counselors, school psychologists, school 
39.27 	nurses, school social workers, audiovisual directors and coordinators, and recreation 
39.28 	personnel are exempt from this section.
39.29 		Subd. 6.Mental illness. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must 
39.30 	adopt rules that require all licensed teachers renewing a Tier 3 or Tier 4 teaching license 
39.31 	under sections 122A.183 and 122A.184, respectively, to include in the renewal requirements 
39.32 	at least one hour of suicide prevention best practices in each licensure renewal period based 
39.33 	on nationally recognized evidence-based programs and practices, among the continuing 
39.34 	education credits required to renew a license under this subdivision, and further preparation, 
39.35 	first, in understanding the key warning signs of early-onset mental illness in children and 
40.1 	adolescents and then, during subsequent licensure renewal periods, preparation may include 
40.2 	providing a more in-depth understanding of students' mental illness trauma, accommodations 
40.3 	for students' mental illness, parents' roles in addressing students' mental illness, Fetal Alcohol 
40.4 	Spectrum Disorders, autism, the requirements of section 125A.0942 governing restrictive 
40.5 	procedures, and de-escalation methods, among other similar topics.

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

40.7 	Sec. 15. [122A.188] LICENSURE DENIAL; APPEAL.
40.8 		Subdivision 1.Denial letter. (a) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards 
40.9 	Board must inform a candidate within 30 days of receiving a completed application whether 
40.10 	the candidate's application for an initial teaching license or renewal of license has been 
40.11 	approved or denied. A completed application must include all supporting information and 
40.12 	the results of the background check or conduct determination by the board. When an 
40.13 	application is denied, the notification letter must inform the candidate of the process for 
40.14 	seeking review of the denial and of the appeals process provided in this section, including 
40.15 	all deadlines for seeking review of the denial decision and filing an appeal. The notification 
40.16 	letter must identify each licensure requirement the candidate failed to meet.
40.17 	(b) For purposes of this section, "denial" means denial of an initial license or a denial 
40.18 	of a renewal license. Denial of an initial license includes a grant of a license that is a lower 
40.19 	tier than the candidate applied for and denial of application for an additional field of licensure.
40.20 		Subd. 2.Review of denial. A candidate whose license application is denied may seek 
40.21 	review of the denial by submitting a letter to the Professional Educator Licensing and 
40.22 	Standards Board within 30 calendar days of receipt of the denial letter. The candidate may 
40.23 	include any documentation necessary to demonstrate that the candidate meets the licensure 
40.24 	requirements. The board must review the denial within 60 calendar days of receipt of the 
40.25 	letter seeking review. If the board affirms the denial, the board must send the candidate a 
40.26 	letter identifying each licensure requirement the candidate failed to meet and informing the 
40.27 	candidate of the appeal process provided under this section.
40.28 		Subd. 3.Appeal. A candidate whose application for license or license renewal has been 
40.29 	denied under subdivisions 1 and 2 may appeal the decision by filing a written request with 
40.30 	the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board within 30 days of notice that the 
40.31 	board has affirmed the denial of license. The board must then initiate a contested case under 
40.32 	the Administrative Procedure Act, sections 14.001 to 14.69.

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

41.1 	Sec. 16. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.19, is amended to read:
41.2 	122A.19 BILINGUAL AND ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE TEACHERS; 
41.3 	LICENSES.
41.4 		Subdivision 1.Bilingual and English as a second language licenses. The Professional 
41.5 	Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching, hereinafter the board, must grant 
41.6 	teaching licenses in bilingual education and English as a second language to persons who 
41.7 	present satisfactory evidence that they:
41.8 	(a) (1) possess competence and communicative skills in English and in another language;
41.9 	(b) (2) possess a bachelor's degree or other academic degree approved by the board, and 
41.10 	meet such requirements as to course of study and training as the board may prescribe, 
41.11 	consistent with subdivision 4; and
41.12 	(3) meet all other requirements for a teaching license provided in sections 122A.18 to 
41.13 	122A.184.
41.14 		Subd. 2.Persons holding general teaching licenses. The board may license a person 
41.15 	who holds a general teaching license in any tier under sections 122A.181 to 122A.184, 
41.16 	respectively, and who presents the board with satisfactory evidence of competence and 
41.17 	communicative skills in a language other than English under this section.
41.18 		Subd. 4.Teacher preparation programs. (a) For the purpose of licensing bilingual 
41.19 	and English as a second language teachers, the board may approve programs at colleges or 
41.20 	universities designed for their training. These
41.21 	(b) Programs that prepare English as a second language teachers must provide instruction 
41.22 	in implementing research-based practices designed specifically for English learners. The 
41.23 	programs must focus on developing English learners' academic language proficiency in 
41.24 	English, including oral academic language, giving English learners meaningful access to 
41.25 	the full school curriculum, developing culturally relevant teaching practices appropriate for 
41.26 	immigrant students, and providing more intensive instruction and resources to English 
41.27 	learners with lower levels of academic English proficiency and varied needs, consistent 
41.28 	with section 124D.59, subdivisions 2 and 2a.
41.29 		Subd. 5.Persons eligible for employment. Any person licensed under this section is 
41.30 	eligible for employment by a school board as a teacher in a bilingual education or English 
41.31 	as a second language program in which the language for which the person is licensed is 
41.32 	taught or used as a medium of instruction. A board may prescribe only those additional 
42.1 	qualifications for teachers licensed under this section that are approved by the board of 
42.2 	teaching.
42.3 		Subd. 6.Affirmative efforts in hiring. In hiring for all bilingual education program 
42.4 	positions, districts must give preference to and make affirmative efforts to seek, recruit, and 
42.5 	employ persons who (1) are native speakers of the language which is the medium of 
42.6 	instruction in the bilingual education program or share a native language with the majority 
42.7 	of their students, and (2) share the culture of the English learners enrolled in the program. 
42.8 	The district shall provide procedures for involving the parent advisory committees in 
42.9 	designing the procedures for recruiting, screening, and selecting applicants. This section 
42.10 	must not be construed to limit the school board's authority to hire and discharge personnel.

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

42.12 	Sec. 17. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.20, is amended to read:
42.13 	122A.20 SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF LICENSES.
42.14 		Subdivision 1.Grounds for revocation, suspension, or denial. (a) The Professional 
42.15 	Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching or Board of School Administrators, 
42.16 	whichever has jurisdiction over a teacher's licensure, may, on the written complaint of the 
42.17 	school board employing a teacher, a teacher organization, or any other interested person, 
42.18 	refuse to issue, refuse to renew, suspend, or revoke a teacher's license to teach for any of 
42.19 	the following causes:
42.20 	(1) immoral character or conduct;
42.21 	(2) failure, without justifiable cause, to teach for the term of the teacher's contract;
42.22 	(3) gross inefficiency or willful neglect of duty;
42.23 	(4) failure to meet licensure requirements; or
42.24 	(5) fraud or misrepresentation in obtaining a license.
42.25 	The written complaint must specify the nature and character of the charges.
42.26 	(b) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching or Board of 
42.27 	School Administrators, whichever has jurisdiction over a teacher's licensure, shall refuse 
42.28 	to issue, refuse to renew, or automatically revoke a teacher's license to teach without the 
42.29 	right to a hearing upon receiving a certified copy of a conviction showing that the teacher 
42.30 	has been convicted of child abuse, as defined in section 609.185, sex trafficking in the first 
42.31 	degree under section 609.322, subdivision 1, sex trafficking in the second degree under 
42.32 	section 609.322, subdivision 1a, engaging in hiring, or agreeing to hire a minor to engage 
43.1 	in prostitution under section 609.324, subdivision 1, sexual abuse under section 609.342, 
43.2 	609.343, 609.344, 609.345, 609.3451, subdivision 3, or 617.23, subdivision 3, solicitation 
43.3 	of children to engage in sexual conduct or communication of sexually explicit materials to 
43.4 	children under section 609.352, interference with privacy under section 609.746 or stalking 
43.5 	under section 609.749 and the victim was a minor, using minors in a sexual performance 
43.6 	under section 617.246, possessing pornographic works involving a minor under section 
43.7 	617.247, or any other offense not listed in this paragraph that requires the person to register 
43.8 	as a predatory offender under section 243.166, or a crime under a similar law of another 
43.9 	state or the United States. The board shall send notice of this licensing action to the district 
43.10 	in which the teacher is currently employed.
43.11 	(c) A person whose license to teach has been revoked, not issued, or not renewed under 
43.12 	paragraph (b), may petition the board to reconsider the licensing action if the person's 
43.13 	conviction for child abuse or sexual abuse is reversed by a final decision of the Court of 
43.14 	Appeals or the Supreme Court or if the person has received a pardon for the offense. The 
43.15 	petitioner shall attach a certified copy of the appellate court's final decision or the pardon 
43.16 	to the petition. Upon receiving the petition and its attachment, the board shall schedule and 
43.17 	hold a disciplinary hearing on the matter under section 214.10, subdivision 2, unless the 
43.18 	petitioner waives the right to a hearing. If the board finds that, notwithstanding the reversal 
43.19 	of the petitioner's criminal conviction or the issuance of a pardon, the petitioner is disqualified 
43.20 	from teaching under paragraph (a), clause (1), the board shall affirm its previous licensing 
43.21 	action. If the board finds that the petitioner is not disqualified from teaching under paragraph 
43.22 	(a), clause (1), it shall reverse its previous licensing action.
43.23 	(d) For purposes of this subdivision, the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards 
43.24 	Board of Teaching is delegated the authority to suspend or revoke coaching licenses.
43.25 		Subd. 2.Mandatory reporting. (a) A school board must report to the Professional 
43.26 	Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching, the Board of School Administrators, 
43.27 	or the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, whichever has 
43.28 	jurisdiction over the teacher's or administrator's license, when its teacher or administrator 
43.29 	is discharged or resigns from employment after a charge is filed with the school board under 
43.30 	section 122A.41, subdivisions 6, clauses (1), (2), and (3), and 7, or after charges are filed 
43.31 	that are grounds for discharge under section 122A.40, subdivision 13, paragraph (a), clauses 
43.32 	(1) to (5), or when a teacher or administrator is suspended or resigns while an investigation 
43.33 	is pending under section 122A.40, subdivision 13, paragraph (a) clauses (1) to (5); 122A.41, 
43.34 	subdivisions 6, clauses (1), (2), and (3), and 7; or 626.556, or when a teacher or administrator 
43.35 	is suspended without an investigation under section 122A.41, subdivisions 6, paragraph (a), 
44.1 	clauses (1), (2), and (3), and 7; or 626.556. The report must be made to the appropriate 
44.2 	licensing board within ten days after the discharge, suspension, or resignation has occurred. 
44.3 	The licensing board to which the report is made must investigate the report for violation of 
44.4 	subdivision 1 and the reporting board must cooperate in the investigation. Notwithstanding 
44.5 	any provision in chapter 13 or any law to the contrary, upon written request from the licensing 
44.6 	board having jurisdiction over the license, a board or school superintendent shall provide 
44.7 	the licensing board with information about the teacher or administrator from the district's 
44.8 	files, any termination or disciplinary proceeding, any settlement or compromise, or any 
44.9 	investigative file. Upon written request from the appropriate licensing board, a board or 
44.10 	school superintendent may, at the discretion of the board or school superintendent, solicit 
44.11 	the written consent of a student and the student's parent to provide the licensing board with 
44.12 	information that may aid the licensing board in its investigation and license proceedings. 
44.13 	The licensing board's request need not identify a student or parent by name. The consent 
44.14 	of the student and the student's parent must meet the requirements of chapter 13 and Code 
44.15 	of Federal Regulations, title 34, section 99.30. The licensing board may provide a consent 
44.16 	form to the district. Any data transmitted to any board under this section is private data 
44.17 	under section 13.02, subdivision 12, notwithstanding any other classification of the data 
44.18 	when it was in the possession of any other agency.
44.19 	(b) The licensing board to which a report is made must transmit to the Attorney General's 
44.20 	Office any record or data it receives under this subdivision for the sole purpose of having 
44.21 	the Attorney General's Office assist that board in its investigation. When the Attorney 
44.22 	General's Office has informed an employee of the appropriate licensing board in writing 
44.23 	that grounds exist to suspend or revoke a teacher's license to teach, that licensing board 
44.24 	must consider suspending or revoking or decline to suspend or revoke the teacher's or 
44.25 	administrator's license within 45 days of receiving a stipulation executed by the teacher or 
44.26 	administrator under investigation or a recommendation from an administrative law judge 
44.27 	that disciplinary action be taken.
44.28 	(c) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board and Board of School 
44.29 	Administrators must report to the appropriate law enforcement authorities a revocation, 
44.30 	suspension, or agreement involving a loss of license, relating to a teacher or administrator's 
44.31 	inappropriate sexual conduct with a minor. For purposes of this section, "law enforcement 
44.32 	authority" means a police department, county sheriff, or tribal police department. A report 
44.33 	by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board to appropriate law enforcement 
44.34 	authorities does not diminish, modify, or otherwise affect the responsibilities of a school 
44.35 	board or any person mandated to report abuse under section 626.556.
45.1 		Subd. 3.Immunity from liability. A school board, its members in their official capacity, 
45.2 	and employees of the district run by the board are immune from civil or criminal liability 
45.3 	for reporting or cooperating as required under subdivision 2, if their actions required under 
45.4 	subdivision 2 are done in good faith and with due care.

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

45.6 	Sec. 18. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.23, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
45.7 		Subd. 3.Teacher licensure agreements with adjoining states. (a) Notwithstanding 
45.8 	any other law to the contrary, the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of 
45.9 	Teaching must enter into a National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education 
45.10 	and Certification (NASDTEC) interstate agreement and other interstate agreements for 
45.11 	teacher licensure to allow fully certified teachers from adjoining states to transfer their 
45.12 	certification to Minnesota. The board must enter into these interstate agreements only after 
45.13 	determining that the rigor of the teacher licensure or certification requirements in the 
45.14 	adjoining state is commensurate with the rigor of Minnesota's teacher licensure requirements. 
45.15 	The board may limit an interstate agreement to particular content fields or grade levels based 
45.16 	on established priorities or identified shortages. This subdivision does not apply to 
45.17 	out-of-state applicants holding only a provisional teaching license.
45.18 	(b) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching must work 
45.19 	with designated authorities in adjoining states to establish interstate teacher licensure 
45.20 	agreements under this section.

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

45.22 	Sec. 19. [122A.2451] ALTERNATIVE TEACHER PREPARATION PROVIDERS 
45.23 	AND PROGRAMS.
45.24 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) "Provider" or "unit" means an eligible entity that seeks 
45.25 	or has obtained approval for an alternative teacher preparation program consistent with this 
45.26 	section.
45.27 	(b) "Program" means content provided by a provider that leads toward licensure in a 
45.28 	specific content area.
45.29 		Subd. 2.Purpose. To provide alternative pathways towards Minnesota teacher licensure 
45.30 	outside of the traditional means, improve ethnic and cultural diversity in the classroom, and 
45.31 	to close the achievement gap, the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board 
45.32 	must approve qualified teacher preparation providers and programs under this section that 
46.1 	are a means to acquire a Tier 2 license under section 122A.181 and prepare for acquiring a 
46.2 	Tier 3 license under section 122A.181.
46.3 		Subd. 3.Eligibility. A school district, charter school, or nonprofit corporation organized 
46.4 	under chapter 317A for an education-related purpose is eligible to participate under this 
46.5 	section. An eligible entity may apply for provider and program approval simultaneously.
46.6 		Subd. 4.Provider approval. An eligible entity must be approved as a provider before 
46.7 	being approved to provide programs towards licensure. The Professional Educator Licensing 
46.8 	and Standards Board must approve eligible entities under subdivision 3 that meet the 
46.9 	following requirements:
46.10 	(1) has evidence and history of fiscal solvency, capacity, and operation;
46.11 	(2) has evidence of necessary infrastructure to provide accurate, timely, and secure data 
46.12 	for the purposes of admission, candidate monitoring, testing, background checks, and license 
46.13 	recommendations;
46.14 	(3) has policies and procedures in place ensuring the security of candidate records under 
46.15 	the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; and
46.16 	(4) has the instructional capacity or ability to obtain the instructional capacity to provide 
46.17 	an adequate instructional phase under subdivision 5.
46.18 		Subd. 5.Program approval. The board must approve programs offered by approved 
46.19 	providers based on nontraditional criteria. An approved program must have the following 
46.20 	characteristics:
46.21 	(1) an instructional phase that provides intensive preparation and classroom experience 
46.22 	that is commensurate with the scope of licensure standards defined under rule, before the 
46.23 	teacher candidate assumes classroom responsibilities;
46.24 	(2) a research-based and results-oriented approach focused on best teaching practices 
46.25 	to increase student proficiency and growth measured against state academic standards;
46.26 	(3) a strategy to combine pedagogy and best teaching practices to better inform teacher 
46.27 	candidates' classroom instruction;
46.28 	(4) provide assessment, supervision, and evaluation of teacher candidates to determine 
46.29 	their specific needs throughout the program, and to support efforts to successfully complete 
46.30 	the program;
46.31 	(5) provide intensive and ongoing professional learning opportunities that accelerate 
46.32 	teacher candidates' professional growth, support student learning, and provide a workplace 
47.1 	orientation, professional staff development, mentoring and peer review, focused on standards 
47.2 	of professional practice and continuous professional growth; and
47.3 	(6) a process to review a candidate's final proficiency of required licensure content 
47.4 	standards that leads to potential candidate recommendation by the provider to the board for 
47.5 	a Tier 3 teaching license under subdivision 8.
47.6 		Subd. 6.Nontraditional means; program instructors. (a) The board must permit 
47.7 	alternative teacher preparation providers and teacher candidates to demonstrate pedagogy 
47.8 	and content standard proficiency in school-based programs and through other nontraditional 
47.9 	means. Nontraditional means may include previous work experiences, teaching experiences, 
47.10 	educator evaluations, industry-recognized certifications, and other essentially equivalent 
47.11 	demonstrations.
47.12 	(b) The board must use nontraditional criteria to determine qualifications of program 
47.13 	instructors, including permitting instructors to hold a baccalaureate degree only.
47.14 		Subd. 7.Program disapproval, suspension. If the board determines that a teacher 
47.15 	preparation provider or licensure program fails to meet or is deficient in any of the 
47.16 	requirements of subdivision 5, it may suspend or revoke the approval of the provider or 
47.17 	program after it notifies the provider of the deficiencies and gives the provider an opportunity 
47.18 	to remedy the deficiencies.
47.19 		Subd. 8.Candidate program completion; teacher licensure. (a) A candidate that 
47.20 	completes an approved program must apply for a license under the tiered licensure system 
47.21 	according to section 122A.181.
47.22 	(b) A person who successfully completes another state's alternative teacher preparation 
47.23 	licensure program may apply to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board 
47.24 	for a Tier 3 license.
47.25 		Subd. 9.Reports. (a) An approved alternative teacher preparation provider must report 
47.26 	to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board on items that are defined in 
47.27 	statute regarding program candidates, completion, and effectiveness or other items that are 
47.28 	required under section 122A.09.
47.29 	(b) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must submit a biennial 
47.30 	report on the alternative teacher preparation program and providers to legislative committees 
47.31 	having jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education policy and finance by 
47.32 	January 15 of each odd-numbered year.

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

48.1 	Sec. 20. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.26, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
48.2 		Subd. 2.Exceptions. A person who teaches in a community education program which 
48.3 	qualifies for aid pursuant to section 124D.52 shall continue to meet licensure requirements 
48.4 	as a teacher. A person who teaches in an early childhood and family education program 
48.5 	which is offered through a community education program and which qualifies for community 
48.6 	education aid pursuant to section 124D.20 or early childhood and family education aid 
48.7 	pursuant to section 124D.135 shall continue to meet licensure requirements as a teacher. A 
48.8 	person who teaches in a community education course which is offered for credit for 
48.9 	graduation to persons under 18 years of age shall continue to meet licensure requirements 
48.10 	as a teacher. A person who teaches a driver training course which is offered through a 
48.11 	community education program to persons under 18 years of age shall be licensed by the 
48.12 	Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching or be subject to section 
48.13 	171.35. A license which is required for an instructor in a community education program 
48.14 	pursuant to this subdivision shall not be construed to bring an individual within the definition 
48.15 	of a teacher for purposes of section 122A.40, subdivision 1, or 122A.41, subdivision 1, 
48.16 	clause (a).

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

48.18 	Sec. 21. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.28, is amended to read:
48.19 	122A.28 TEACHERS OF DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING STUDENTS; 
48.20 	LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS.
48.21 		Subdivision 1.K-12 license to teach deaf and hard-of-hearing students; relicensure.
 48.22 	(a) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching must review and 
48.23 	determine appropriate licensure requirements for a candidate for a license or an applicant 
48.24 	for a continuing license to teach deaf and hard-of-hearing students in prekindergarten through 
48.25 	grade 12. In addition to other requirements, a candidate must demonstrate the minimum 
48.26 	level of proficiency in American sign language as determined by the board.
48.27 	(b) Among other relicensure requirements, each teacher under this section must complete 
48.28 	30 continuing education clock hours on hearing loss topics, including American Sign 
48.29 	Language, American Sign Language linguistics, or deaf culture, in each licensure renewal 
48.30 	period.
48.31 		Subd. 2.Licensure for teaching oral/aural deaf education programs. (a) The 
48.32 	Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching shall adopt a separate 
48.33 	licensure rule for a candidate for a license or an applicant for a continuing license to teach 
49.1 	in oral/aural deaf education programs or to provide services, including itinerant oral/aural 
49.2 	deaf education services, to deaf and hard-of-hearing students in prekindergarten through 
49.3 	grade 12.
49.4 	(b) The board shall design rule requirements for teaching oral/aural deaf education in 
49.5 	collaboration with representatives of parents and educators of deaf and hard-of-hearing 
49.6 	students, postsecondary programs preparing teachers of deaf and hard-of-hearing students, 
49.7 	and the Department of Education.
49.8 	(c) Rule requirements for teaching oral/aural deaf education shall reflect best practice 
49.9 	research in oral/aural deaf education. Advanced competencies in teaching deaf and 
49.10 	hard-of-hearing students through oral/aural modes shall be included.
49.11 	(d) Licensure requirements for teachers of oral/aural deaf education must include 
49.12 	minimum competency in American sign language, but are not subject to the guidelines 
49.13 	established in Laws 1993, chapter 224, article 3, section 32, as amended by Laws 1998, 
49.14 	chapter 398, article 2, section 47. The signed communication proficiency interview shall 
49.15 	not be required for teachers licensed to teach deaf and hard-of-hearing students through 
49.16 	oral/aural deaf education methods.
49.17 	(e) Requirements for teachers or oral/aural deaf education shall include appropriate 
49.18 	continuing education requirements for renewing this licensure.

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

49.20 	Sec. 22. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.29, is amended to read:
49.21 	122A.29 TEACHERS OF BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED STUDENTS; 
49.22 	LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS.
49.23 	Teachers licensed in the education of blind and visually impaired students must 
49.24 	demonstrate competence in reading and writing Braille. The Professional Educator Licensing 
49.25 	and Standards Board of Teaching, at such time as a valid and reliable test is available, shall 
49.26 	adopt a rule to assess these competencies that is consistent with the standards of the National 
49.27 	Library Services for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

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

49.29 	Sec. 23. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.30, is amended to read:
49.30 	122A.30 EXEMPTION FOR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION 
49.31 	INSTRUCTORS.
50.1 	(a) Notwithstanding section 122A.15, subdivision 1, and upon approval of the local 
50.2 	employer school board, a person who teaches in a part-time vocational or career and technical 
50.3 	education program is exempt from a license requirement. Nothing in this section shall 
50.4 	exclude licensed career and technical educators from the definition of "teacher" in section 
50.5 	122A.40, 122A.41, or 179A.03.
50.6 	(b) This section expires June 30, 2020. After this section expires, persons who teach in 
50.7 	a part-time vocational or career and technical education program may apply for a teaching 
50.8 	license provided in sections 122A.18 to 122A.184.

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

50.10 	Sec. 24. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.13, subdivision 11, is amended to read:
50.11 		Subd. 11.Teachers. A school board must employ necessary licensed teachers for its 
50.12 	early childhood family education programs. The Board of Teaching, at its discretion, may 
50.13 	grant an applicant a variance under this subdivision, consistent with sections 122A.09, 
50.14 	subdivision 10, and 122A.25, and Board of Teaching rules.

50.15 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2018.

50.16 	Sec. 25. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.454, subdivision 12, is amended to read:
50.17 		Subd. 12.Compliance with rules. Aid must be paid under this section only for services 
50.18 	rendered or for costs incurred in career and technical education programs approved by the 
50.19 	commissioner and operated in accordance with rules promulgated by the commissioner. 
50.20 	This aid shall be paid only for services rendered and for costs incurred by essential, licensed 
50.21 	personnel who meet the requirements for licensure pursuant to the rules of the Minnesota
50.22 	Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching. Licensed personnel 
50.23 	means persons holding a valid career and technical license issued by the commissioner
50.24 	Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board under section 122A.30. If an average 
50.25 	of five or fewer secondary full-time equivalent students are enrolled per teacher in an 
50.26 	approved postsecondary program at Intermediate District No. 287, 916, or 917, licensed 
50.27 	personnel means persons holding a valid vocational license issued by the commissioner or 
50.28 	the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. Notwithstanding 
50.29 	section 127A.42, the commissioner may modify or withdraw the program or aid approval 
50.30 	and withhold aid under this section without proceeding under section 127A.42 at any time. 
50.31 	To do so, the commissioner must determine that the program does not comply with rules 
50.32 	of the Department of Education or that any facts concerning the program or its budget differ 
50.33 	from the facts in the district's approved application.

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

51.2 	Sec. 26. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.75, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
51.3 		Subdivision 1.American Indian language and culture education licenses. The 
51.4 	Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching, in consultation with the 
51.5 	Tribal Nations Education Committee, must grant initial and continuing teaching licenses 
51.6 	in American Indian language and culture education that bear the same duration as other 
51.7 	initial and continuing licenses. The board must grant licenses to persons who present 
51.8 	satisfactory evidence that they:
51.9 	(1) possess competence in an American Indian language or possess unique qualifications 
51.10 	relative to or knowledge and understanding of American Indian history and culture; or
51.11 	(2) possess a bachelor's degree or other academic degree approved by the board or meet 
51.12 	such requirements as to course of study and training as the board may prescribe, or possess 
51.13 	such relevant experience as the board may prescribe.
51.14 	This evidence may be presented by affidavits, tribal resolutions, or by such other methods 
51.15 	as the board may prescribe. Individuals may present applications for licensure on their own 
51.16 	behalf or these applications may be submitted by the superintendent or other authorized 
51.17 	official of a school district, participating school, or an American Indian school.

51.18 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2018.

51.19 	Sec. 27. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 124D.75, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
51.20 		Subd. 6.Persons eligible for employment; exemptions. Any person licensed under 
51.21 	this section shall be eligible for employment by a school board or a participating school as 
51.22 	a teacher in an American Indian education program in which the American Indian language 
51.23 	or culture in which the person is licensed is taught. A school district or participating school 
51.24 	may prescribe only those additional qualifications for teachers licensed under this section 
51.25 	as are approved by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of Teaching. 
51.26 	Any school board or participating school upon request may be exempted from the licensure 
51.27 	requirements of this section in the hiring of one or more American Indian language and 
51.28 	culture education teachers for any school year in which compliance would, in the opinion 
51.29 	of the commissioner Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, create a hardship 
51.30 	in the securing of the teachers.

51.31 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2018.

52.1 	Sec. 28. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 125A.67, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
52.2 		Subd. 2.Teacher standards. A teacher or administrator at the academies is subject to 
52.3 	the licensure standards of the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of 
52.4 	Teaching or the commissioner of education. An administrator at the academies is subject 
52.5 	to the licensure standards of the Board of School Administrators.

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

52.7 	Sec. 29. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 136A.1791, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
52.8 		Subdivision 1.Definitions. (a) The terms used in this section have the meanings given 
52.9 	them in this subdivision.
52.10 	(b) "Qualified educational loan" means a government, commercial, or foundation loan 
52.11 	for actual costs paid for tuition and reasonable educational and living expenses related to a 
52.12 	teacher's preparation or further education.
52.13 	(c) "School district" means an independent school district, special school district, 
52.14 	intermediate district, education district, special education cooperative, service cooperative, 
52.15 	a cooperative center for vocational education, or a charter school located in Minnesota.
52.16 	(d) "Teacher" means an individual holding a teaching license issued by the licensing 
52.17 	division in the Department of Education on behalf of the Board of Teaching Professional 
52.18 	Educator Licensing and Standards Board who is employed by a school district to provide 
52.19 	classroom instruction in a teacher shortage area.
52.20 	(e) "Teacher shortage area" means the licensure fields and economic development regions 
52.21 	reported by the commissioner of education as experiencing a teacher shortage.
52.22 	(f) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Office of Higher Education unless 
52.23 	indicated otherwise.

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

52.25 	Sec. 30. TEACHER OF SPECIAL EDUCATION LICENSE REVIEW.
 52.26 	The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must conduct a review of all 
52.27 	the available teacher of special education licenses and determine the options for 
52.28 	cross-categorical licenses for teachers of special education. The board must report its findings 
52.29 	and draft legislation, if needed, to the legislative committees having jurisdiction over 
52.30 	kindergarten through grade 12 education by December 14, 2018.

53.1 	Sec. 31. RULE CHANGE; ACADEMIC AND BEHAVIORAL STRATEGIST 
53.2 	LICENSURE.
 53.3 	No later than September 1, 2017, the Board of Teaching must amend Minnesota Rules, 
53.4 	part 8710.5050, subpart 4, so that academic and behavioral strategist continuing licenses 
53.5 	under that part may be issued and renewed according to rules of the Board of Teaching 
53.6 	governing continuing licenses and without requiring the candidate to hold or be recommended 
53.7 	for licensure in any other licensure field. The board shall use the good cause exemption 
53.8 	under Minnesota Statutes, section 14.388, subdivision 1, clause (3), to adopt rules under 
53.9 	this section, and Minnesota Statutes, section 14.386, does not apply except as provided in 
53.10 	Minnesota Statutes, section 14.388.

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

53.12 	Sec. 32. LICENSES UNDER JURISDICTION OF THE BOARD OF TEACHING.
 53.13 		Subdivision 1.One-year license. A one-year license issued by the commissioner of 
53.14 	education before the effective date of this section must be treated as a Tier 1 license 
53.15 	established under Minnesota Statutes, sections 122A.18 and 122A.181.
53.16 		Subd. 2.Two-year license. A two-year license issued by the commissioner of education 
53.17 	before the effective date of this section must be treated as a Tier 2 license established under 
53.18 	Minnesota Statutes, sections 122A.18 and 122A.182.
53.19 		Subd. 3.Five-year license. A five-year license must be treated in accordance with 
53.20 	Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.184, subdivision 4.

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

53.22 	Sec. 33. PERMISSIONS, WAIVERS, EXCEPTIONS, AND VARIANCES.
 53.23 	The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board may grant an extension of 
53.24 	up to one year for a permission, waiver, variance, or temporary limited license in effect on 
53.25 	January 1, 2018.

53.26 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2018.

53.27 	Sec. 34. TEACHERS OF ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE.
 53.28 	(a) Notwithstanding the teacher's field of licensure, a teacher may provide content 
53.29 	instruction in a district or charter school until the end of the 2018-2019 school year if the 
53.30 	teacher:
54.1 	(1) held a kindergarten through grade 12 English as a second language (ESL) license 
54.2 	during the 2016-2017 school year;
54.3 	(2) provided content instruction as a highly qualified teacher under the No Child Left 
54.4 	Behind Act to English language learners, as defined under Minnesota Statutes, section 
54.5 	124D.59; and
54.6 	(3) taught in a classroom where both state content standards and English language 
54.7 	development standards were satisfied.
54.8 	(b) For the 2019-2020 school year and later, a teacher with an ESL license must meet 
54.9 	all applicable licensing requirements in chapter 122A and rules adopted by the Professional 
54.10 	Educator Licensing and Standards Board.

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

54.12 	Sec. 35. REPEALER.
 54.13 	Minnesota Statutes 2016, sections 122A.14, subdivision 5; 122A.162; 122A.163; 
54.14 	122A.18, subdivisions 2a, 3, 3a, 4, 4a, 6, 7, and 7b; 122A.21, subdivision 2; 122A.23, 
54.15 	subdivisions 1 and 2; 122A.245; and 122A.25, are repealed.

54.16 	ARTICLE 3
54.17 	NONTEACHER CREDENTIALING

54.18 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 120B.363, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
54.19 		Subdivision 1.Rulemaking. The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board 
54.20 	of Teaching must adopt rules to implement a statewide credential for education 
54.21 	paraprofessionals who assist a licensed teacher in providing student instruction. Any 
54.22 	paraprofessional holding this credential or working in a local school district after meeting 
54.23 	a state-approved local assessment is considered to be highly qualified under federal law. 
54.24 	Under this subdivision, the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board of 
54.25 	Teaching, in consultation with the commissioner, must adopt qualitative criteria for approving 
54.26 	local assessments that include an evaluation of a paraprofessional's knowledge of reading, 
54.27 	writing, and math and the paraprofessional's ability to assist in the instruction of reading, 
54.28 	writing, and math. The commissioner must approve or disapprove local assessments using 
54.29 	these criteria. The commissioner must make the criteria available to the public.

54.30 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2018.

APPENDIX 

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: H0140-7 

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.Subdivision 1.Requirements. 
(a) To improve academic excellence, improve ethnic and cultural diversity in the classroom, and close the academic achievement gap, the Board of Teaching must approve qualified teacher preparation programs under this section that are a means to acquire a two-year preliminary teacher license, which the board may renew one time for an additional one-year term, and to prepare for acquiring a professional five-year license. The following entities are eligible to participate under this section: 

(1) a school district, charter school, or nonprofit corporation organized under chapter 317A for an education-related purpose that forms a partnership with a college or university that has a board-approved alternative teacher preparation program; or 

(2) a school district or charter school, after consulting with a college or university with a board-approved teacher preparation program, that forms a partnership with a nonprofit corporation organized under chapter 317A for an education-related purpose that has a board-approved teacher preparation program. 

(b) Before becoming a teacher of record, a candidate must: 

(1) have a bachelor's degree with a 3.0 or higher grade point average unless the board waives the grade point average requirement based on board-adopted criteria adopted by January 1, 2016; 

(2) demonstrate a passing score on a board-adopted reading, writing, and mathematics skills examination under section 122A.09, subdivision 4, paragraph (b); and 

(3) obtain qualifying scores on applicable board-approved rigorous content area and pedagogy examinations under section 122A.09, subdivision 4, paragraph (e). 

(c) The Board of Teaching must issue a two-year preliminary teacher license to a person who enrolls in an alternative teacher preparation program. 

Subd. 2.Characteristics. 
An alternative teacher preparation program under this section must include: 

(1) a minimum 200-hour instructional phase that provides intensive preparation and student teaching before the teacher candidate assumes classroom responsibilities; 

(2) a research-based and results-oriented approach focused on best teaching practices to increase student proficiency and growth measured against state academic standards; 

(3) strategies to combine pedagogy and best teaching practices to better inform teacher candidates' classroom instruction; 

(4) assessment, supervision, and evaluation of teacher candidates to determine their specific needs throughout the program and to support their efforts to successfully complete the program; 

(5) intensive, ongoing, and multiyear professional learning opportunities that accelerate teacher candidates' professional growth, support student learning, and provide a workplace orientation, professional staff development, and mentoring and peer review focused on standards of professional practice and continuous professional growth; and 

(6) a requirement that teacher candidates demonstrate to the local site team under subdivision 5 satisfactory progress toward acquiring professional five-year teaching licenses from the Board of Teaching. 

Subd. 3.Program approval; disapproval. 
(a) The Board of Teaching must approve alternative teacher preparation programs under this section based on board-adopted criteria that reflect best practices for alternative teacher preparation programs, consistent with this section. 

(b) The board must permit teacher candidates to demonstrate mastery of pedagogy and content standards in school-based settings and through other nontraditional means. "Nontraditional means" must include a portfolio of previous experiences, teaching experience, educator evaluations, certifications marking the completion of education training programs, and essentially equivalent demonstrations. 

(c) The board must use nontraditional criteria to determine the qualifications of program instructors. 

(d) The board may permit instructors to hold a baccalaureate degree only. 

(e) If the Board of Teaching determines that a teacher preparation program under this section does not meet the requirements of this section, it may revoke its approval of the program after it notifies the program provider of any deficiencies and gives the program provider an opportunity to remedy the deficiencies. 

Subd. 4.Employment conditions. 
Where applicable, teacher candidates with a preliminary teacher license under this section are members of the local employee organization representing teachers and subject to the terms of the local collective bargaining agreement between the exclusive representative of the teachers and the school board. A collective bargaining agreement between a school board and the exclusive representative of the teachers must not prevent or restrict or otherwise interfere with a school district's ability to employ a teacher prepared under this section. 

Subd. 5.Approval for professional five-year license. 
A school board or its designee must appoint members to a local site team that includes teachers, school administrators, and postsecondary faculty under subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (1), or staff of a participating nonprofit corporation under subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (2), to evaluate the performance of the teacher candidate. The evaluation must be consistent with board-adopted performance measures, use the Minnesota state standards of effective practice and subject matter content standards for teachers established in Minnesota Rules, and include a report to the board recommending whether or not to issue the teacher candidate a professional five-year teaching license. 

Subd. 6.Applicants trained in other states. 
A person who successfully completes another state's alternative teacher preparation program, consistent with section 122A.23, may apply to the Board of Teaching for an initial professional one-year teaching license or a professional five-year teaching 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. 

Subd. 9.Exchange of best practices. 
By July 31 in an even-numbered year, approved alternative preparation program providers, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota Private College Council, and the Department of Education must exchange information about best practices and educational innovations. 

Subd. 10.Reports. 
The Board of Teaching must submit an interim report on the efficacy of this program to the policy and finance committees of the legislature with jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education by February 15, 2013, and a final report by February 15, 2015. 

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.