H.F. 217 Summary

• Establishes a state goal to increase teachers of color and American Indian teachers by at least two percentage points per year through 2040 to reflect Minnesota's increasingly diverse student population

• Requires schools to adopt comprehensive strategic plans including ethnic studies curriculum, anti-racist and culturally sustaining education, equitable teacher distribution, and diverse staff recruitment and retention

• Creates multiple grant programs totaling $22.465 million (fiscal years 2022-2023) for teacher preparation, mentorship, induction, and retention programs targeting educators of color and American Indian teachers

• Mandates biennial reporting by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board on effectiveness of state-funded programs to increase recruitment, preparation, licensing, hiring, and retention of racially and ethnically diverse teachers

• Allows American Indian students to wear tribal regalia and objects of cultural significance at graduation ceremonies and requires school boards to adopt curriculum policies prohibiting discrimination against teachers incorporating diverse perspectives