MN SF298

Allows teachers on temporary one-year licenses to receive an initial teaching license after two consecutive years without passing required skills exams or attaining composite ACT Plus Writing or SAT scores if they have college credits in mathematics and writing and receive a signed letter from their supervising school administrator confirming competency in reading, writing, and mathematics.

Exempts nonnative English speakers from skills examination requirements when applying for teaching licenses to provide direct instruction in their native language or world language instruction, as verified by qualified Minnesota school district personnel or higher education faculty.

Requires ACT Plus Writing or SAT composite score reports submitted to the board to be no more than ten years old at the time of licensure.

Requires colleges and universities offering teacher preparation programs to provide remedial assistance with a formal diagnostic component to persons who did not achieve qualifying scores on skills examinations or requisite composite scores on standardized tests, including those for whom English is a second language.

Makes substantially identical amendments to both Minnesota Statutes sections 122A.09, subdivision 4 and 122A.18, subdivision 2 regarding teacher licensure requirements.