This bill amends several provisions related to teacher licensure and probationary periods in Minnesota. It introduces a new exemption for candidates who have completed a teacher preparation program and passed licensure examinations in another state, stating that they are not required to pass additional similar examinations in Minnesota. Additionally, the bill mandates that all testing centers in the state provide monthly opportunities for untimed content and pedagogy examinations, along with various support measures for test takers, such as waiving fees for those who qualify for federal grants and providing free practice tests and study guides.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the probationary period for teachers, establishing that those with three consecutive years of teaching experience in another state, who have already served a probationary period there, must serve a probationary period of no longer than one year in a Minnesota school district. This change aims to streamline the transition for out-of-state teachers into Minnesota's education system. The bill also maintains existing requirements for evaluations during the probationary period and outlines the conditions under which a teacher may be discharged or demoted.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 122A.185, 122A.40, 122A.41