HF1959

Purpose of the Bill

This Minnesota legislative bill aims to modify the eligibility criteria for teacher preparation programs to receive grant funding. It is designed to make it easier for these programs to access financial resources that support teacher licensure and recruitment.

Main Provisions

• Eligibility for Grant Funding: The bill states that all teacher preparation programs approved by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board will qualify to receive grant funding from state programs. This includes both existing and any future programs aimed at supporting teacher preparation.

• Categories of Support: The bill explicitly includes several programs under which these grants may be available:

  1. Grow Your Own programs
  2. The collaborative urban and greater Minnesota educators of color grant program
  3. Student teaching stipend pilot program
  4. Grants for underrepresented and student teachers in shortage areas
  5. The aspiring teachers of color scholarship program
  6. Teacher mentorship and induction programs
  7. Teacher shortage loan repayment program

• Role of the Commissioner of Education: The bill mandates that the commissioner of education must ensure all approved teacher preparation programs are informed and included in grant opportunities and eligibility assessments.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The main change introduces a new subsection that explicitly states all approved teacher preparation programs are eligible for these grants. This change simplifies and clarifies the process for these programs to access state support, potentially increasing diversity and addressing teacher shortages more effectively.

Relevant Terms

• Teacher preparation program
• Grant funding
• Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board
• Grow Your Own programs
• Educators of color
• Student teaching stipend
• Underrepresented student teachers
• Teacher shortage
• Mentorship and induction programs
• Loan repayment program