1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education; establishing an alternative licensure program for qualified 
1.3 	paraprofessionals interested in becoming licensed special education teachers;
1.4 	amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 122A.18, by adding a subdivision.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 122A.18, is amended by adding a 
1.7 	subdivision to read:
1.8 		Subd. 10.Special education licenses. The board must review and approve 
1.9 	qualified alternative preparation programs under section 122A.24 and other alternative 
1.10 	competency-based preparation programs leading to licensure as a special education 
1.11 	teacher for those paraprofessionals who have worked directly with students with 
1.12 	disabilities for at least five school years and who are interested in becoming licensed 
1.13 	special education teachers. The programs must substitute field experience for student 
1.14 	teaching and provide licensure candidates with a full-time mentor who is a licensed 
1.15 	special education teacher. Approved alternative preparation programs must offer an 
1.16 	accelerated college program to those paraprofessionals who seek licensure as a special 
1.17 	education teacher under this subdivision but do not have a bachelor's degree from an 
1.18 	accredited four-year postsecondary institution. Alternative preparation programs for 
1.19 	interested paraprofessionals who have received a bachelor's degree from an accredited 
1.20 	four-year postsecondary institution must be one school year in length.

1.21 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective for persons enrolling in an alternative 
1.22 	preparation program after August 31, 2008.