MN HF2077

Seeks to double the percentage of teachers of color and American Indian teachers in Minnesota from 4 percent to 8 percent and ensure at least 20 percent of teacher preparation program candidates are of color or American Indian by 2020.

Modifies alternative teacher professional pay system agreements to allow hiring bonuses for effective teachers and incentives for advanced degrees, and includes "Grow Your Own" initiatives for nonlicensed educational professionals including paraprofessionals and cultural liaisons who are of color or American Indian.

Expands teacher shortage loan forgiveness program eligibility to include teachers belonging to underrepresented groups in the teacher workforce, increasing maximum annual forgiveness from $1,000 to $2,000, with a base appropriation of $2,500,000 for fiscal year 2019 and later.

Appropriates $600,000 for fiscal years 2018-2019 for American Indian teacher preparation grants and $1,500,000 for fiscal year 2017 for Grow Your Own programs in districts where more than 25 percent of students are students of color or American Indian.

Increases funding for collaborative urban educator and greater Minnesota educators of color programs to $2,054,000 annually beginning in fiscal year 2018, with grants distributed to teacher preparation programs for recruitment, retention, and induction of teachers of color and American Indian teachers.