MN SF4398

Establishes a grant program for student teaching stipends up to $7,500 for low-income students in teacher preparation programs who intend to teach in shortage areas or belong to underrepresented racial or ethnic groups in the teacher workforce.

Requires the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board to identify teacher shortage areas using data from the teacher supply and demand report under section 122A.091, subdivision 5, with methodology consistent with federal reporting to the United States Department of Education.

Mandates that at least a proportional percentage of total award funds equal to the percentage of underrepresented racial or ethnic students in Minnesota K-12 be reserved for teacher candidates from those groups, with unused amounts available for shortage area teachers.

Requires prioritization of awards when funding is insufficient based on financial need, employment location in shortage areas (by economic development region specificity), and statewide distribution considerations.

Requires annual reporting by February 1 to legislative committees on grant recipients, their race/ethnicity, licensure areas, economic development regions, and other outcome indicators, and extends similar eligibility provisions to the teacher shortage loan forgiveness program.