This bill amends Minnesota Statutes to modify the reporting requirements related to teacher shortages. It defines "shortage area" to include licensure fields and economic development regions where school districts are unable to fill teaching assignments with licensed teachers. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of teacher diversity by stating that only individuals who help close the gap between the percentage of Indigenous and teachers of color and the percentage of Indigenous students and students of color in a region will qualify as filling a shortage. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025.

Furthermore, the bill mandates the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board to submit a comprehensive supply and demand report to the education committees of the legislature by November 1, 2025, and every even-numbered year thereafter. This report will include various data points such as retirement patterns, teacher diversity, and specific shortages in licensure fields. Notably, it requires the board to report on the number of teacher openings by school district in critical fields such as special education and STEM, as well as the number of assignments that could not be filled with licensed teachers. This section is effective immediately following final enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 122A.06, 122A.091