1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education; requiring early literacy field experience for teacher candidates 
1.3 	providing early literacy instruction; requiring rulemaking; amending Minnesota 
1.4 	Statutes 2024, section 122A.092, by adding a subdivision.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 122A.092, is amended by adding a subdivision 
1.7 	to read:
1.8 		Subd. 10.Early literacy field experience. (a) A teacher preparation provider approved 
1.9 	by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board to prepare teacher candidates 
1.10 	to provide instruction in early literacy must require a supervised early literacy field experience 
1.11 	aligned to evidence-based best practices in reading consistent with sections 120B.118 to 
1.12 	120B.124. The early literacy field experience requirement applies to teacher candidates 
1.13 	who enroll in teacher preparation programs in the 2027-2028 school year or later.
1.14 	(b) The early literacy field experience must be integrated with learning experiences in 
1.15 	reading instruction, including instruction on reading methods or equivalent, and must provide 
1.16 	teacher candidates with opportunities to apply evidence-based literacy practices with students.
1.17 	(c) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must adopt rules regarding 
1.18 	the early literacy field experience requirement, including but not limited to:
1.19 	(1) defining licensure areas in which teacher candidates must complete the early literacy 
1.20 	field experience;
1.21 	(2) establishing expectations for the scope and outcomes of the early literacy field 
1.22 	experience;
2.1 	(3) ensuring the field experience occurs primarily within a school building during the 
2.2 	instructional day, while allowing for waivers when appropriate to accommodate unique 
2.3 	program delivery models or documented hardship; and
2.4 	(4) requiring the field experience includes observation with actionable feedback to ensure 
2.5 	growth and attainment of related reading standards.
2.6 	(d) In adopting rules under this subdivision, the board must allow flexibility for teacher 
2.7 	preparation programs to demonstrate that candidates have met required standards through 
2.8 	field experiences.

2.9 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2026.