H.F. 3132 Summary

• Establishes the "Teacher Shortage Act" to address teacher shortages through alternative compensation and development programs effective fiscal year 2017 and later.

• Reduces alternative teacher compensation revenue from $260 to $91 per pupil and creates separate teacher development and evaluation aid at $169 per pupil for school districts, intermediate school districts, cooperatives, and charter schools.

• Creates a grant program through the Office of Higher Education for student teachers enrolled in Minnesota teacher preparation programs who commit to teaching in designated shortage areas for at least five years, with prorated repayment requirements if commitment is not fulfilled.

• Establishes an electronic statewide job board for school teacher and administrator positions and authorizes a paraprofessional pathway grant program allowing current school district paraprofessionals with bachelor's degrees to pursue teaching licensure while employed.

• Appropriates $79,000 in fiscal year 2017 for the statewide job board and authorizes additional appropriations for student teacher grants and paraprofessional pathway programs (amounts to be determined).