SF 663

1st Engrossment - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 06/26/2023 11:57am

A bill for an act
relating to education; increasing the number of heritage language and culture
teachers; appropriating money; 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.631] SUPPORTING HERITAGE LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
TEACHERS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Purpose. new text end

new text begin The purpose of this section is to increase the number of heritage
language and culture teachers in Minnesota.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin "Heritage language and culture teachers" means teachers with a
connection to a community's language and culture who use this connection to support
students as they learn academic content or the language and culture of that particular
community.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin Applicants for the heritage language and culture licensure pathway
program must:
new text end

new text begin (1) hold a current license issued by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards
Board or meet the criteria for licensure in 122A.181; and
new text end

new text begin (2) seek initial, dual, or additional licensure in a heritage language.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Heritage language and culture teacher licensure pathway program. new text end

new text begin (a) The
Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board shall develop a program to support
initial and additional licensure for heritage language and culture teachers. The program
must include:
new text end

new text begin (1) a yearlong mentorship program;
new text end

new text begin (2) monthly meetings where applicants receive guidance on completing the portfolio
process from a portfolio liaison, dedicated specifically to facilitating this program;
new text end

new text begin (3) a stipend to cover substitute teachers when meetings take place during the school
day;
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new text begin (4) a waiver for all portfolio and licensure testing fees; and
new text end

new text begin (5) a portfolio review committee created by the board.
new text end

new text begin (b) For applicants seeking an initial license in a world language and culture, the applicant
must demonstrate meeting the standards of effective practice in Minnesota Rules, part
8710.2000 and content-specific pedagogical standards in Minnesota Rules, part 8710.4950,
through the portfolio process.
new text end

new text begin (c) For applicants seeking a dual license, the applicant must demonstrate meeting the
standards of effective practice in Minnesota Rules, part 8710.2000, content-specific
pedagogical standards in Minnesota Rules, part 8710.4950, and all standards for the chosen
dual license through the portfolio process.
new text end

new text begin (d) For applicants seeking an additional license in a world language and culture, the
applicant must demonstrate meeting the content-specific pedagogical standards in Minnesota
Rules, part 8710.4950.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Heritage language and culture educators seeking a world language
license. new text end

new text begin Heritage language and culture teachers seeking a world language and culture license
pursuant to Minnesota Rules, part 8710.4950, who demonstrate proficiency through one of
the following may use this proficiency to evidence meeting the required content-specific
world language and culture standards, which do not include content-specific pedagogical
standards, for licensure in their heritage language:
new text end

new text begin (1) passing a board-adopted assessment;
new text end

new text begin (2) holding a certificate to serve as a translator or interpreter; or
new text end

new text begin (3) completing an undergraduate or postbaccalaureate degree from an accredited
university where the majority of coursework was taught via the non-English instructional
language.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board. new text end

new text begin The sums
indicated in this section are appropriated from the general fund to the Professional Educator
Licensing and Standards Board for the fiscal years designated. Any balance in the first year
does not cancel but is available in the second year.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Heritage language and culture teachers. new text end

new text begin To support an additional licensure
pathway program for heritage language and culture teachers under Minnesota Statutes,
section 122A.631, including funding for a portfolio liaison and funding for substitute teachers
on meeting days, portfolio fees, licensure fees, and licensure exam fees for 50 program
participants:
new text end

	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin 208,000 new text end	new text begin ..... new text end	new text begin 2024 new text end
	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin 208,000 new text end	new text begin ..... new text end	new text begin 2025 new text end