MN SF144

Establishes an alternative teacher preparation program allowing school districts and charter schools to train qualified nontraditional teacher candidates through a two-year provisional license pathway, with programs sponsored by districts/charter schools partnering with colleges, universities, or nonprofit corporations.

Requires alternative teacher preparation programs to include a minimum 200-hour instructional phase, research-based teaching practices, peer coaching, mentorship, and evaluation to support teacher candidates before they transition to standard licenses.

Permits programs only when districts demonstrate a need for teachers, need to increase ethnic and cultural diversity of staff, or need to reduce achievement gaps based on student growth and achievement data.

Modifies teacher candidate assessment requirements to include performance-based assessments measuring ability to plan instruction, develop student understanding, and evaluate student performance aligned with academic standards.

Requires teacher preparation programs to include specific content on reading instruction, comprehension, and assessment for candidates preparing to teach prekindergarten or elementary students; effective August 1, 2012, for individuals first enrolling in teacher preparation programs in the 2012-2013 school year or later.