HF 1494

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/27/2019 01:22pm

A bill for an act
relating to education; requiring teacher preparation programs to include instruction
on dyslexia for all tiers of teaching licenses; requiring a report; amending Minnesota
Statutes 2018, section 122A.092, subdivision 5.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 122A.092, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Reading strategies.

(a) All colleges and universities approved by the
Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board 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 enables the licensure
candidate 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 Tier
3 and Tier 4 teaching licenses under sections 122A.183 and 122A.184, respectively, for the
portion of the examination under section 122A.185, subdivision 1, paragraph (c), covering
assessment of reading instruction.

(b) Board-approved teacher preparation programs for teachers of elementary education
must require instruction in applying comprehensive, scientifically based evidence-based,
and balanced structured 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) Board-approved teacher preparation programs for teachers of elementary education,
early childhood education, special education, and reading intervention must include
instruction on dyslexia, as defined in section 125A.01, subdivision 2. This requirement
applies to all tiers of teaching licenses under sections 122A.181 to 122A.184. Teacher
preparation programs may consult with the Department of Education, including the dyslexia
specialist under section 120B.122, to develop instruction under this paragraph. Instruction
on dyslexia must be in conjunction with the knowledge and practice standards of the
International Dyslexia Association, and must address:

(1) the nature and symptoms of dyslexia;

(2) resources available for students who show characteristics of dyslexia;

(3) evidence-based instructional strategies for students who show characteristics of
dyslexia, including the structured literacy approach;

(4) best practices for assisting students and parents of students who show characteristics
of dyslexia; and

(5) outcomes of intervention and lack of intervention for students who show
characteristics of dyslexia.

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

Sec. 2. REPORT.

The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must provide a preliminary
report to the members of the senate and house of representatives committees with jurisdiction
over educational issues on teacher preparation development under Minnesota Statutes,
section 122A.092, subdivision 5, paragraph (c), by .......