MN SF2553

Establishes annual grant program in St. Paul school district (ISD #625) to provide teacher training opportunities for underrepresented populations including current high school seniors and nontlicensed district employees interested in becoming licensed teachers.

Requires St. Paul school district to partner with local or regional teacher preparation programs approved by the Board of Teaching, with partners agreeing to support and monitor grant recipients and provide student teaching opportunities and mentoring.

Eligible applicants include high school seniors in good standing enrolled in St. Paul schools and nontlicensed district employees holding a bachelor's degree from accredited institutions who are members of populations underrepresented among licensed teachers.

Grants fund teacher preparation costs including tuition, textbooks, instructional materials, and stipends for student teaching, capped at actual program costs minus any federal Pell grants or state grants received; applicants must commit to working in the district for four consecutive school years after licensure.

Appropriates unspecified amount in fiscal year 2017 from general fund to commissioner of education for grants to St. Paul school district.