S.F. No. 559 Summary

• Establishes reciprocity for out-of-state teaching licenses by allowing Minnesota to recognize teaching licenses from other states in similar content fields by January 1, 2016.

• Permits applicants to demonstrate qualifications through state-approved teacher preparation programs, teaching experience as teacher of record, content knowledge depth, professional development, or documented student growth and effectiveness evaluations.

• Allows Board of Teaching to issue up to three one-year temporary teaching licenses to applicants with out-of-state teaching experience while they complete additional state requirements.

• Creates flexible criteria for alternative teacher preparation programs to approve candidates, including portfolio assessments, nontraditional experience demonstrations, and reduced instructor credential requirements.

• Exempts nonnative English speakers from skills examination requirements if they meet content and pedagogy standards and teach in their native language or world languages, with ACT Plus Writing or SAT scores valid for up to 10 years.