SF 3124

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/24/2016 09:11am

A bill for an act
relating to education; directing the Board of Teaching to create and issue
Montessori-specific teaching licenses; amending Minnesota Statutes 2014,
section 122A.09, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 122A.09, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 9a. new text end

new text begin Montessori-specific teaching licenses. new text end

new text begin (a) The Board of Teaching must
adopt rules to create and issue Montessori-specific full professional teaching licenses,
consistent with this subdivision and section 123B.03. For purposes of this subdivision,
a "Montessori school" means a school using as its primary method of instruction a
program endorsed by the American Montessori Society or the Association Montessori
Internationale.
new text end

new text begin (b) To attain these Montessori-specific licenses, interested individuals holding a
bachelor's degree from an accredited higher education institution must successfully
complete a Montessori-specific teacher preparation and training program leading to:
new text end

new text begin (1) a diploma, degree, or full credential from an institution accredited by the
Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education;
new text end

new text begin (2) a full credential from an institution accredited by the American Montessori
Society; or
new text end

new text begin (3) a diploma from an institution accredited by Association Montessori Internationale.
new text end

new text begin (c) The Board of Teaching must issue a full professional teaching license to
a candidate who successfully completes an accredited Montessori-specific teacher
preparation and training program under this subdivision and receives a diploma, degree, or
credential for an early childhood license for teaching children ages 2-1/2 to eight, an early
elementary license for teaching students in grades 1 through 3, a late elementary license
for teaching students in grades 4 through 6, an overall elementary license for teaching
students in grades 1 through 6, or a secondary license in math, English language arts,
science, or social studies for teaching students in grades 6 through 12. Candidates for an
early childhood, early elementary, late elementary, or overall elementary teaching license
must complete the same pedagogy, content, and skills exams as all other Minnesota
elementary teachers holding a full professional teaching license issued by the Board of
Teaching. Candidates for a secondary license in math, English language arts, science, or
social studies must complete the same pedagogy, content, and skills exams as all other
secondary teachers holding a full professional teaching license issued by the Board of
Teaching to teach math, English language arts, science, or social studies, respectively.
new text end

new text begin (d) Individuals holding a Montessori-specific full professional teaching license may
teach only in Montessori schools. These licensees may renew their teaching license every
five years, consistent with the requirements for renewing a full professional license and this
subdivision, which anticipates Montessori-focused professional development activities,
among other teacher professional development activities required for licensure renewal.
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