This legislative bill seeks to make several adjustments to the education sector in Minnesota, particularly regarding the licensing and probationary period for teachers, including those licensed in other states:

1. Licensing Examinations:

   • Teachers applying for Tier 3 and Tier 4 licenses must pass exams testing their general teaching knowledge and specific licensure field content, unless exempt. Exemptions are provided for teachers who have completed approved teacher programs or who have national board certification, among other qualifications.
   • Teachers who completed their licensure exams successfully in another state are not required to take similar exams again in Minnesota.
   • Provisions are made to make testing more accessible and equitable, including offering untimed exams, waiving fees for those who qualify for federal grants, providing free study materials, and offering exams in multiple languages.

2. Probationary Period for Teachers:

   • The probationary period of employment for new teachers in a single district in Minnesota is three years. Subsequent districts require only one year of probation.
   • Various details govern how evaluations are handled during the probationary period. Teachers must be evaluated at least three times each school year, with the first evaluation occurring within the first 90 days.
   • Special provisions modify the probationary period for those interrupted by military service or maternity/paternity leave, considering the overall continuity of teaching service before and after the interruption.

3. Support and Evaluation:

   • Teachers not passing their required exams after two attempts can retake them without additional fees. Schools must provide detailed results analyses to help teachers improve and prepare for subsequent attempts.

In summary, the bill aims to streamline the process for out-of-state teachers to get licensed in Minnesota while ensuring high standards through testing and evaluations. It also adjusts the probationary period protocol and enhances support for exam preparation and retakes, aiming to bolster teacher proficiency and retention in Minnesota schools.