SF 2610 Summary

• Amends Minnesota education statutes to ensure all students, including low-income and minority students, have equitable access to effective and more diverse teachers reflecting student demographics.

• Requires school districts to include teacher diversity metrics in strategic plans, performance measures, and annual public reports; includes diversity goals in curriculum and instruction improvement processes.

• Modifies teacher evaluation systems for both continuing contract and probationary teachers to include mentoring programs for underrepresented teachers and measures of equitable access to diverse teachers.

• Updates principal evaluation requirements to include hiring, supporting, and retaining diverse teaching staff that reflects student diversity as a key performance metric.

• Directs Commissioner of Office of Higher Education to report recommendations by February 1, 2017 on expanding pathways to licensure, financial assistance, and retention programs for diverse teacher candidates.