Senate Counsel, Research
and Fiscal Analysis
Minnesota Senate Bldg.
95 University Avenue W. Suite 3300
St. Paul, MN 55155
(651) 296-4791
Alexis C. Stangl
Director
   Senate   
State of Minnesota
 
 
 
 
 
S.F. No. 2646 - Clarifying Testing Requirements for Teacher Licensure
 
Author: Senator Kevin Dahle
 
Prepared By: Ann Marie Lewis, Senate Counsel (651/296-5301)
 
Date: March 17, 2014



 

Section 1.  License and Rules.  (b) Directs the Board of Teaching to require a teacher licensure candidate to demonstrate proficiency on state career and college readiness tests or attain the requisite composite score on the ACT Plus writing or SAT, instead of passing a skills examination.  Allows a person teaching under a temporary teaching license who does not attain the requisite composite score to receive their initial license if:  their transcript shows they received college credit for courses in math and writing; and the school administrator who supervised them states in writing that the person is able to perform basic job responsibilities requiring reading, writing, and math skills.  A non-native English speaker who has met the content and pedagogy requirements and applies for a teaching license to provide direct instruction in their native language or world language is exempted from demonstrating proficiency on state career and college readiness tests or attaining the requisite score on the ACT Plus Writing or SAT.  A teacher candidate’s score must not be more than ten years old at the time of licensure.

(d) Requires the Board of Teaching’s rules for redesign of teacher education programs to include creating flexible, specialized teaching licenses, credentials, and other endorsement forms to increase students’ participation in language immersion programs, world language instruction, career development opportunities, work-based learning, early college courses and careers, career and technical programs, Montessori schools, and project and place-based learning, among other career and college ready learning offerings.

Effective Date:  Makes the section applicable to teacher license applicants on August 1, 2015, and later.

Section 2.  Teacher and Support Personnel Qualifications. (b)  Directs the Board of Teaching to require a teacher licensure candidate to demonstrate proficiency on state career and college readiness tests or attain the requisite composite score on the ACT Plus writing or SAT, instead of passing a skills examination.  Allows a person teaching under a temporary teaching license who does not attain the requisite composite score to receive their initial license if:  their transcript shows they received college credit for courses in math and writing; and the school administrator who supervised them states in writing that the person is able to perform basic job responsibilities requiring reading, writing, and math skills.  Directs the Board of Teaching to annually report to the legislature the total number of teacher candidates who have not attained the requisite composite ACT Plus Writing or SAT score or have not passed a content or pedagogy exam, disaggregated by categories of race, ethnicity, and eligibility for financial aid.

(c)  Directs the Board of Teaching to grant continuing licenses to those persons who demonstrate the requisite levels of proficiency on state career and college readiness tests or attaining the requisite composite ACT Plus Writing or SAT score.  Allows a person teaching under a temporary license who does not attain the requisite composite score to receive their initial license if: their transcript shows they received college credit for courses in math and writing; and the school administrator who supervised them states in writing that the person is able to perform basic job responsibilities requiring reading, writing, and math skills.  A non-native English speaker who has met the content and pedagogy requirements and applies for a teaching license to provide direct instruction in their native language or world language is exempted from demonstrating proficiency on state career and college readiness tests or attaining the requisite score on the ACT Plus Writing or SAT.  A teacher candidate’s score must not be more than ten years old at the time of licensure.

Effective Date:  Makes the section applicable to teacher license applicants on August 1, 2015, and later.

Section 3.  Applicants Licensed in Other States. (h)  Directs the Board of Teaching to require a teacher licensure candidate who has been licensed in another state to demonstrate the applicant’s attainment of either the requisite composite score on the ACT Plus writing or SAT, instead of passing a skills examination, unless a board-approved National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education interstate reciprocity agreement exists to allow fully certified teachers to transfer their certification to Minnesota without need for additional exams or other preparation requirements . 

Effective Date:  Makes the section effective August 1, 2015.

Section 4.  Transition Requirements: Temporary Teaching Licenses.  Provides a transition for teacher licensure candidates who received a temporary  teaching license under Laws 2013, Chapter 116, Article 3, sections 10, 11, or 12 to satisfy the requirements under the applicable sections to obtain an initial teaching license.

Effective Date:   Makes the section effective immediately.

AMB/syl

 
Check on the status of this bill
 
Back to Senate Counsel and Research Bill Summaries page
 

 
This page is maintained by the Office of Senate Counsel, Research, and Fiscal Analysis for the Minnesota Senate.
 
Last review or update: 03/17/2014
 
If you see any errors on this page, please e-mail us at webmaster@senate.mn