SF2194

This Minnesota Senate bill (S.F. No. 2194) seeks to expand the eligibility of teacher preparation programs for various state-funded grants aimed at improving teacher licensure and recruitment. Specifically, the bill amends state statutes to ensure that all teacher preparation programs approved by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) are eligible to receive funding under multiple existing and future state grant programs.

Key provisions of the bill include: - Grant Eligibility Expansion: Approved teacher preparation programs will be eligible for funding under programs such as: - Grow Your Own programs (Section 122A.73) - Collaborative Urban and Greater Minnesota Educators of Color Grant Program (Section 122A.635) - Student Teaching Stipend Pilot Program (2024 Laws, Chapter 115, Article 5, Section 20) - Grants for underrepresented student teachers (Section 136A.1274) - Grants for student teachers in shortage areas (Section 136A.1275) - Aspiring Teachers of Color Scholarship Program (2021 Laws, First Special Session, Chapter 2, Article 2, Section 45) - Teacher mentorship and induction programs (Section 122A.70) - Teacher shortage loan repayment program (Section 136A.1791)

• Statewide Inclusion Requirement: The Minnesota Department of Education must ensure that all teacher preparation programs approved by PELSB are included in requests for proposals, grant opportunities, and funding determinations.

The bill aims to create broader access to financial resources for a diverse range of teacher preparation programs, thereby enhancing efforts to recruit, train, and retain teachers across Minnesota.