SF 3340

1st Engrossment - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/29/2018 02:35pm

A bill for an act
relating to education; increasing funding for the Grow Your Own pathways to
teacher licensure program; appropriating money; amending Laws 2017, First
Special Session chapter 5, article 2, section 57, subdivision 23.

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

Section 1.

Laws 2017, First Special Session chapter 5, article 2, section 57, subdivision
23, is amended to read:

Subd. 23.

Paraprofessional pathway Grow Your Own pathways to teacher licensure.

(a) For grants to school districts for Grow Your Own new teacher programs:

	$	1,500,000	.....	2018
	$	1,500,000 5,000,000	.....	2019

(b) Of this amount in 2019, at least $3,500,000 of the grants are for school districts with
more than 30 percent minority students of color for a Board of Teaching-approved established
and effective Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board-approved
nonconventional teacher residency pilot program programs. The program programs must
provide tuition scholarships or stipends to enable school district employees or community
members affiliated with a school district who seek an education license to participate in a
nonconventional teacher preparation program. School districts that receive funds under this
subdivision are strongly encouraged to recruit candidates of color and American Indian
candidates to participate in the Grow Your Own new teacher programs. Districts or schools
providing financial support may require a commitment as determined by the district to teach
in the district or school for a reasonable amount of time that does not exceed five years.

(c) Of this amount, at least $1,500,000 is for grants for schools or districts where more
than 30 percent of students are students of color or are American Indian to provide financial
assistance, mentoring, and experiences to enable persons who are of color or who are
American Indian and working or living in the local community to become teachers. Districts
or schools providing financial support may require a commitment as determined by the
district to teach in the district or school for a reasonable amount of time that does not exceed
five years. Grants may be used for:

(1) tuition scholarships or stipends to eligible teaching assistants, cultural liaisons, or
other nonlicensed employees who are of color or who are American Indian enrolled in any
teacher preparation program approved by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards
Board; and

(2) supporting the development of innovative residency programs and any school or
district in the state where at least 30 percent of students are of color or are American Indian
for persons of color and American Indians seeking an education license through a
school-based, board-approved program.

(c) (d) School districts and charter schools may also apply for grants to develop innovative
expanded Grow Your Own programs that encourage secondary school students to pursue
teaching, including developing and offering dual-credit postsecondary course options in
schools for "Introduction to Teaching" or "Introduction to Education" courses consistent
with Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.09, subdivision 10., and supporting future teacher
clubs involving middle and high school students who are of color or who are American
Indian to have experiential learning, support the success of younger students, and pursue a
teaching career.

(e) A school district must apply for a grant in the form and manner specified by the
commissioner. Each year, the commissioner must review all grant applications by September
15 and notify grant recipients of the amount of their grant by September 30.

(d) (f) Programs must annually report to the commissioner by the date determined by
the commissioner on their activities under this section, including the number of participants,
the percentage of participants who are of color or who are American Indian, and an
assessment of program effectiveness, including participant feedback, areas for improvement,
the percentage of participants continuing to pursue teacher licensure, and the number of
participants hired in the school or district as teachers after completing preparation programs.

(e) (g) The department may retain up to three percent of the appropriation amount to
monitor and administer the grant program.

(h) A grant recipient must spend any amounts received under this section within 18
months of the grant award.

(f) (i) Any balance in the first fiscal year 2018 does not cancel but is available in the
second fiscal year 2019. Any balance in fiscal year 2019 is available until June 30, 2020.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective July 1, 2018.