The bill revises teacher licensure provisions and shifts the administration of grant programs from the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board to the Department of Education. It mandates the Department to report on initiatives aimed at enhancing the racial and ethnic diversity of the teacher workforce, including state policy and funding recommendations. The amendments to Minnesota Statutes cover areas such as teacher preparation programs and professional licensure, with the commissioner of education assuming responsibilities previously held by the board. The bill also requires the commissioner to collaborate with various councils and community partners in developing these reports.

Key changes include the establishment of criteria for awarding grants to institutions that support teacher candidates of color or American Indian descent, emphasizing program outcomes and the provision of direct financial assistance to candidates. The Department of Education will manage the competitive grant process, ensuring effective use of funds to bolster diverse teacher recruitment and retention efforts. Additionally, the bill introduces new funding provisions for mentoring and retention programs for teachers of color, mandates outreach campaigns for recruiting diverse educators, and requires grant recipients to report on their activities and outcomes. It also repeals a previous section on pathway preparation grants to streamline support for teachers through alternative pathways.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 120B.117, 120B.363, 122A.09, 122A.092, 122A.181, 122A.635, 122A.70, 136A.1276