MN HF3430

Establishes a competitive annual grant program administered by the commissioner of education to fund eligible alternative teacher preparation programs in Minnesota.

Eligible programs must have a highly selective admissions process (accepting fewer than 60 percent of applicants), increase diversity of public school teachers, be based on peer-reviewed research models, and place participants in hard-to-staff schools in isolated areas or serving low-income students.

Grants may be used for recruiting and training diverse teachers, professional development, regional management and operations, matching nonstate funds, or establishing new alternative teacher preparation programs.

Appropriates $1,500,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2017, with a base appropriation of $1,500,000 for fiscal year 2018 and beyond; appropriations do not cancel and remain available until expended.

Commissioner may require grant recipients to report on their ability to meet program eligibility requirements.