HF 3908

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to education; authorizing schools to use an interdisciplinary teaching and
learning program model; providing for an interdisciplinary teaching license;
providing for rulemaking; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 122A.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [122A.245] INTERDISCIPLINARY TEACHING AND LEARNING
PROGRAM MODEL; TEACHER LICENSURE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Interdisciplinary teaching and learning program model. new text end

new text begin A board
of a school district or charter school may use an interdisciplinary teaching and learning
program model at a middle or secondary school to provide students the opportunity
to meet the rigorous academic standards under section 120B.02. An interdisciplinary
program is a school or program within a school which is designed to meet rigorous
academic standards in a non-course-based environment or with content taught with a
multidisciplinary approach. An interdisciplinary program provides:
new text end

new text begin (1) students the opportunity to design multidisciplinary projects around personal
interests or persistent societal issues, or both, and gain real world knowledge and skills
through individualized demonstrated performance; and
new text end

new text begin (2) teachers as guides and facilitators of learning to create a learning environment
that promotes the world as the classroom rather than teachers as purveyors of knowledge.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Teacher licensure. new text end

new text begin (a) A person holding a position as an interdisciplinary
teacher in a middle or secondary school must be licensed under this section. An applicant
for an interdisciplinary license must:
new text end

new text begin (1) have at least two years of successful classroom teaching experience at a middle
or secondary grade level while holding a current teaching license for the position or
positions in which the experience was gained; or
new text end

new text begin (2) have at least two years of successful classroom teaching experience in a middle
or secondary level approved interdisciplinary program as an intern supervised by one or
more teachers teaching in that interdisciplinary program while holding a current license to
teach one or more content areas.
new text end

new text begin (b) An applicant for licensure as an interdisciplinary teacher must complete a
postsecondary teacher preparation program approved by the Board of Teaching. Through
the approved teacher preparation program, an applicant must acquire the knowledge
and skills provided for in Minnesota Rules, part 8710.2000, and demonstrate successful
application of the knowledge and skills in simulated interdisciplinary settings or in current
district or charter school interdisciplinary programs.
new text end

new text begin (c) For purposes of this subdivision, "classroom teaching license" means a license
to teach middle or secondary school content areas. It does not include limited licenses,
provisional licenses, intern licenses, or other temporary licenses.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Institutional requirement. new text end

new text begin (a) An institution applying to the Board of
Teaching for approval of a postsecondary teacher preparation program leading to licensure
as an interdisciplinary teacher must comply with Minnesota Rules, part 8700.7600. An
institution applying for program approval must include a description of how an applicant
for licensure as an interdisciplinary teacher may have experience and preparation in
the content areas included in the license evaluated by the institution. The evaluation
team must include representation from the teacher preparation program and practicing
interdisciplinary program directors, teachers, or both. The evaluation must result in a
plan for the applicant to complete the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed in Minnesota
Rules, part 8710.2000. The evaluation may include a reduction of the required teacher
preparation program credits necessary for an applicant to be recommended for licensure.
new text end

new text begin (b) An approved postsecondary teacher preparation program must include an exit
evaluation that requires an applicant for licensure to demonstrate aptitude with the
knowledge, understanding, and abilities described under this section. The exit evaluation
must focus on skill components not previously demonstrated during completion of the
field-based experience. The exit evaluation must allow the applicant to demonstrate
aptitude with the knowledge areas within a reasonable period of time.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Rulemaking authority. new text end

new text begin The Board of Teaching must adopt rules providing
for licensure as an interdisciplinary teacher.
new text end