HF1903 - Increase Teachers of Color Act Summary

• Seeks to double the percentage of teachers of color and American Indian teachers in Minnesota from 4 percent to 8 percent, with a goal of 20 percent of teacher preparation candidates being of color or American Indian by 2020.

• Expands "Grow Your Own" teacher programs by allowing school districts and charter schools to develop pathways for paraprofessionals, cultural liaisons, secondary students, and parents of color or American Indian to pursue teaching licensure with financial support and mentoring.

• Increases teacher shortage loan forgiveness from $1,000 to $2,000 annually and expands eligibility to include teachers from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, not just those in shortage licensure fields or regions.

• Modifies alternative teacher professional pay systems to allow hiring bonuses for effective teachers in high-need schools and incentives for obtaining advanced certifications or master's degrees in shortage areas.

• Appropriates $2.5 million for loan forgiveness program, $600,000 annually for American Indian teacher preparation grants, and funding for mentoring programs, inclusive schools initiatives, and teacher recruitment marketing focused on candidates of color.