SF 1756

1st Engrossment - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/14/2017 09:30am

A bill for an act
relating to education; modifying alternative teacher preparation program
requirements; establishing an alternative teacher preparation grant program;
requiring a report; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 122A; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.245.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [122A.2451] ALTERNATIVE TEACHER PREPARATION PROVIDERS
AND PROGRAMS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) "Provider" or "unit" means an eligible entity that seeks
or has obtained approval for an alternative teacher preparation program consistent with this
section.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Program" means content provided by a provider that leads toward licensure in a
specific content area.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Purpose. new text end

new text begin To provide alternative pathways towards Minnesota teacher licensure
outside of the traditional means, improve ethnic and cultural diversity in the classroom, and
to close the achievement gap, the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board
must approve qualified teacher preparation providers and programs under this section that
are a means to acquire a Tier 2 license under section 122A.181 and prepare for acquiring a
Tier 3 license under section 122A.181.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin A school district, charter school, or nonprofit corporation organized
under chapter 317A for an education-related purpose is eligible to participate under this
section. An eligible entity may apply for provider and program approval simultaneously.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Provider approval. new text end

new text begin An eligible entity must be approved as a provider before
being approved to provide programs towards licensure. The Professional Educator Licensing
and Standards Board must approve eligible entities under subdivision 3 that meet the
following requirements:
new text end

new text begin (1) has evidence and history of fiscal solvency, capacity, and operation;
new text end

new text begin (2) has evidence of necessary infrastructure to provide accurate, timely, and secure data
for the purposes of admission, candidate monitoring, testing, background checks, and license
recommendations;
new text end

new text begin (3) has policies and procedures in place ensuring the security of candidate records under
the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act;
new text end

new text begin (4) has the instructional capacity or ability to obtain the instructional capacity to provide
an adequate instructional phase under subdivision 5; and
new text end

new text begin (5) meets all other board-adopted rules for teacher preparation providers.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Program approval. new text end

new text begin The board must approve programs offered by approved
providers based on nontraditional criteria. An approved program must have the following
characteristics:
new text end

new text begin (1) an instructional phase that provides intensive preparation and observed classroom
experience that is commensurate with the scope of licensure standards defined under rule,
before the teacher candidate assumes classroom responsibilities;
new text end

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

new text begin (3) a strategy to combine pedagogy and best teaching practices to better inform teacher
candidates' classroom instruction;
new text end

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

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

new text begin (6) a process to review a candidate's final proficiency of required licensure content
standards that leads to potential candidate recommendation by the provider to the board for
a Tier 3 teaching license under subdivision 8.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Nontraditional means; program instructors. new text end

new text begin (a) The board must permit
alternative teacher preparation providers and teacher candidates to demonstrate pedagogy
and content standard proficiency in school-based programs and through other nontraditional
means. Nontraditional means may include previous work experiences, teaching experiences,
educator evaluations, industry-recognized certifications, and other essentially equivalent
demonstrations.
new text end

new text begin (b) The board must use nontraditional criteria to determine qualifications of program
instructors, including permitting instructors to hold a baccalaureate degree only.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Program disapproval, suspension. new text end

new text begin If the board determines that a teacher
preparation provider or licensure program fails to meet or is deficient in any of the
requirements of subdivision 5, it may suspend or revoke the approval of the provider or
program after it notifies the provider of the deficiencies and gives the provider an opportunity
to remedy the deficiencies.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Candidate program completion; teacher licensure. new text end

new text begin (a) The board must issue
a Tier 3 license to candidates who successfully complete a licensure program with a
recommendation from an approved alternative teacher preparation provider.
new text end

new text begin (b) The board must issue a Tier 4 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 licensure exams under section 122A.09
and is recommended for licensure under paragraph (a), or successfully demonstrates to the
board qualifications for licensure under this paragraph.
new text end

new text begin (c) A person who successfully completes another state's alternative teacher preparation
licensure program may apply to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board
for a Tier 3 license.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Reports. new text end

new text begin (a) An approved alternative teacher preparation provider must report
to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board on items that are defined in
statute regarding program candidates, completion, and effectiveness or other items that are
required under section 122A.09.
new text end

new text begin (b) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must submit a biennial
report on the alternative teacher preparation program and providers to legislative committees
having jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education policy and finance by
January 15 of each odd-numbered year.
new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [122A.2455] ALTERNATIVE TEACHER PREPARATION GRANT
PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given them.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Alternative teacher preparation program" means an alternative teacher preparation
program under section 122A.245 or an experimental teacher preparation program under
section 122A.09, subdivision 10.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of education.
new text end

new text begin (d) "Diverse teachers" means teachers that reflect the racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and
linguistic diversity of Minnesota students.
new text end

new text begin (e) "Shortage area" means licensure fields and economic development regions reported
by the commissioner as experiencing a teacher shortage.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Establishment; eligibility. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner, in consultation with the
Board of Teaching, must award grants annually to eligible alternative teacher preparation
programs consistent with this section.
new text end

new text begin (b) To be eligible to receive a competitive grant, an alternative teacher preparation
program must:
new text end

new text begin (1) be approved by the Board of Teaching, or make demonstrable progress towards
obtaining approval from the Board of Teaching;
new text end

new text begin (2) demonstrate a commitment to increasing the number of licensed diverse teachers in
Minnesota public schools; and
new text end

new text begin (3) place successful program participants in shortage areas or public schools where more
than one-half of the pupils are eligible to receive free or reduced-price lunch.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Use of grants. new text end

new text begin (a) An alternative teacher preparation program may use grant
funds received under this section for the following purposes:
new text end

new text begin (1) obtaining unit approval for an alternative teacher preparation program;
new text end

new text begin (2) expanding the scope of an alternative teacher preparation program to licensure areas
identified as shortage areas;
new text end

new text begin (3) recruiting, selecting, and training diverse teachers; and
new text end

new text begin (4) offering participants and graduates opportunities for professional development that
are aligned with the alternative teacher preparation program.
new text end

new text begin (b) An alternative teacher preparation program may use up to three percent of grant
funds received under this section for administrative expenses, including regional management
and operations, development, central support services, and technical support.
new text end

new text begin (c) Funds under this section may be used as a match for nonstate funds.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin An alternative teacher program that receives a grant under this section
must submit, within one year of receiving the grant, a report to the commissioner and the
Board of Teaching on the recipient's ability to increase the number of diverse teachers in
Minnesota public schools and fill shortage areas. The report must include disaggregated
data regarding:
new text end

new text begin (1) the race, ethnicity, and gender of teachers that participate in the program and become
licensed after completing the program; and
new text end

new text begin (2) program participant placement.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Application process. new text end

new text begin (a) For grant approval for fiscal year 2018, an alternative
teacher preparation program or unit seeking approval must submit an application to the
commissioner by August 1, 2017. For grant approval for fiscal year 2019 and later, an
alternative teacher preparation program or a unit seeking approval must submit an application
to the commissioner by January 30 of the fiscal year prior to the fiscal year in which the
program will be implemented. The application must include:
new text end

new text begin (1) a description of the proposed scope of work; and
new text end

new text begin (2) a statement of assurances signed by the alternative teacher preparation program
director or equivalent officer that the proposed program or unit meets the requirements of
subdivision 2, paragraph (b), and will meet the requirements of subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must review all applications submitted for fiscal year 2018 by
September 1, 2017, and must review all applications submitted for fiscal year 2019 and
later by March 1 of the fiscal year in which the applications are received. The commissioner
must determine whether each application meets the requirements of paragraph (a).
new text end

new text begin (c) The commissioner must give preference to nonprofit organizations that obtained
nonprofit status in Minnesota by January 1, 2017, over other nonprofit organizations.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin APPROPRIATION; ALTERNATIVE TEACHER PREPARATION
PROGRAM GRANTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Commissioner of education. new text end

new text begin The sums indicated in this section are
appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of education for the fiscal years
designated.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Grants. new text end

new text begin (a) For alternative teacher preparation grants under Minnesota Statutes,
section 122A.2455:
new text end

	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin 1,000,000 new text end	new text begin ..... new text end	new text begin 2018 new text end
	new text begin $ new text end	new text begin 1,000,000 new text end	new text begin ..... new text end	new text begin 2019 new text end

new text begin (b) The base funding for grants is $2,000,000.
new text end

new text begin (c) This appropriation is available until expended.
new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner may use up to three percent of the appropriation amount for
administrative expenses of the department.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 122A.245, new text end new text begin is repealed.
new text end

APPENDIX

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: S1756-1

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.