S.F. 1386 Summary

• Requires school readiness program teachers to hold valid Minnesota teaching licenses, effective 2015-2016 school year.

• Requires early childhood family education (ECFE) program teachers employed by school districts to hold valid teaching licenses.

• Creates new statute (124D.161) mandating valid Minnesota teaching licenses for all teachers in school district prekindergarten programs.

• Classifies early childhood family education, prekindergarten, and school readiness teachers as public employees regardless of hours worked or employment type.

• Clarifies that "teacher" in staff development committee requirements includes all individuals classified as teachers under state statute, and specifies that school readiness programs must employ licensed teachers knowledgeable in early childhood curriculum, assessment, and language development.