MN SF20

Amends the collaborative urban and greater Minnesota educators of color grant program to expand eligibility from public or private higher education institutions to include teacher preparation program providers approved by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board.

Authorizes school boards to provide hiring bonuses to new employees, including teachers licensed or working in shortage areas, with required repayment criteria if the employee does not complete two years of teaching in the district.

Increases appropriations for collaborative urban and greater Minnesota educators of color grants to $1,099,000 for fiscal year 2020 and $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2021, with a base of $2,000,000 for fiscal years 2023 and later.

Doubles funding for expanded concurrent enrollment grants to $375,000 for fiscal year 2020 and $750,000 for fiscal year 2021, with a base of $750,000 for fiscal year 2022 and later.

Appropriates $500,000 to the African American Registry in fiscal year 2021 to develop a readability level system integrated into the Teachers' Forum to improve reading literacy comprehension, with a required report due by January 15, 2022.