MN HF238

Tier 1 teacher licenses (for candidates without traditional credentials) require districts to demonstrate they posted the position and could not hire someone with a Tier 2, 3, or 4 license; initial licenses are one-year terms renewable up to three times unless in shortage areas or career/technical education.

School districts are prohibited from giving preference in hiring or dismissal based on teacher seniority and must report all new hires and terminations annually by race and ethnicity to the Department of Education.

Districts must prioritize teacher mentoring programs for teaching residents, teachers of color, American Indian teachers, teachers in shortage areas, and experienced teachers needing peer coaching.

Competitive grants for teacher preparation programs must prioritize recruiting and supporting teacher candidates of color and American Indian candidates, with grant awards based on recruitment numbers, program outcomes, and diversity compared to institution enrollment and regional teacher demographics.

"Grow Your Own" teacher programs receive $1,500,000 for fiscal years 2020 and 2021 to provide tuition scholarships or stipends through nonconventional or alternative teacher preparation programs in districts with more than 30 percent minority students.