S.F. No. 2182 - Increase Teachers of Color Act

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

• Requires school boards to examine equitable teacher distribution, school climate inclusivity, and access to effective and diverse teachers in their strategic plans and district advisory committees.

• Modifies teacher licensing requirements to allow candidates to demonstrate reading, writing, and math skills through college coursework (grade C or higher) in addition to board-adopted exams, and provides flexible licensing pathways for nonnative English speakers.

• Establishes grant programs for "Grow Your Own" teacher pathways involving paraprofessionals and community members of color, teacher mentorship for underrepresented groups, and inclusive school climate initiatives; increases teacher shortage loan forgiveness from $1,000 to $2,000 annually.

• Creates a Teacher Shortage Task Force to report on recruitment and retention strategies across licensure fields, geographic regions, and underrepresented racial and ethnic groups; appropriates $2.5 million for loan forgiveness and funding for various recruitment and retention programs through fiscal year 2019.