SF 3070

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 02/13/2020 03:24pm

A bill for an act
relating to education; establishing a grant program to promote professional teaching
standards; 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.77] GRANT PROGRAM TO PROMOTE PROFESSIONAL
TEACHING STANDARDS THROUGH THE NATIONAL BOARD FOR
PROFESSIONAL TEACHING STANDARDS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin A grant program to promote professional teaching
standards through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is established to
provide eligible teachers with the opportunity to receive National Board for Professional
Teaching Standards certification and to recognize teachers who have already received such
certification.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin An applicant for a grant must be a licensed kindergarten through
grade 12 teacher employed by a school district or charter school. To be eligible for a grant,
the teacher must have been employed as a teacher for a minimum of three school years and
demonstrate either that the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards has accepted
the teacher as a candidate for board certification or that the teacher has already received
board certification.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Application process. new text end

new text begin To obtain a grant to participate in the National Board for
Professional Teaching Standards certification process or to receive a reward for already
completing the board certification process, a teacher must submit an application to the
commissioner of education in the form and manner established by the commissioner. The
applicant must demonstrate either that the National Board for Professional Teaching
Standards has accepted the teacher as a candidate for board certification or that the teacher
has already received board certification.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Grant awards; proceeds. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner may award grants of up to
$1,000 each to eligible teachers accepted as candidates for the National Board for Professional
Teaching Standards certification. Grant recipients must use the grant to pursue and complete
the certification process. Within 24 months of receiving certification, a grant recipient must
satisfactorily complete one year of teaching service in a school district or charter school or
repay the state the amount of the grant, except if the commissioner determines that death
or disability prevents the grant recipient from providing one year of teaching service.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner may award grants to recognize eligible teachers who have already
completed the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification process.
The amount of each grant must not exceed $1,500 and the commissioner must establish
criteria to determine the actual amount of each grant. Grant recipients must use the grant
for educational purposes, including to purchase instructional materials, equipment, or
supplies, or to pursue professional development opportunities.
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. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATIONS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Department of Education. new text end

new text begin The sums indicated in this section are
appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Education for the fiscal year
designated.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Grants to promote professional teaching standards through the National
Board for Professional Teaching Standards. new text end

new text begin (a) For grants to promote professional
teaching standards through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards under
Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.77:
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 2021 new text end

new text begin (b) $500,000 is for grant awards under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.77, subdivision
4, paragraph (a), to eligible teachers accepted as candidates for the National Board for
Professional Teaching Standards certification. The grant must be used to pay for up to
two-thirds of the cost to pursue and complete the certification program.
new text end

new text begin (c) $450,000 is for grant awards under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.77, subdivision
4, paragraph (b), to eligible teachers who have already completed the National Board for
Professional Teaching Standards certification process. The grant must be used for educational
purposes, including to purchase instructional materials, equipment, or supplies, or to pursue
professional development opportunities.
new text end

new text begin (d) $50,000 is for the commissioner to recruit and assist teacher candidates.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2020.
new text end