Purpose of the Bill

The bill focuses on changes to educational requirements and processes in Minnesota, particularly concerning teacher preparation and placement.

Main Provisions

• Discontinuation of edTPA Assessment: The bill requires the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board to stop mandating the edTPA performance assessment for teacher candidates. This includes eliminating requirements for any parts, portions, tasks, or the entire assessment during the teacher education and certification process.

• Student Teacher Placement Requirements: The bill introduces a new mandate that student teachers must be placed within 30 miles of their preferred location or school site. Exceptions to this rule can be made if there is a mutual agreement between the teacher preparatory program and the teacher candidate for a placement that is further away.

Significant Changes

• Removal of Assessment Requirements: By removing the edTPA performance assessment requirement, the bill significantly alters the teacher certification process, potentially easing the pathway for prospective teachers to become certified without this standardized assessment.

• Rule Amendments: The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board is instructed to amend certain Minnesota Rules that currently enforce these requirements, ensuring that state regulations reflect the new changes made by this bill.

Relevant Terms

edTPA, performance assessment, teacher candidates, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, student teacher placement, teacher preparatory program, Minnesota Rules.