HF 3079 Summary

• Establishes goal to increase percentage of teachers of color and American Indian teachers by at least two percentage points annually by 2040 to better reflect student diversity.

• Requires school districts to adopt comprehensive strategic plans including ethnic studies curriculum, culturally sustaining instruction, antiracist practices, and strategies to recruit and retain racially diverse teachers.

• Creates new grant programs: Closing Educational Opportunity Gaps Grants ($5 million for fiscal 2023) and funding for collaborative urban and greater Minnesota educators of color grants ($1-3 million annually).

• Prohibits public schools from using American Indian Tribes, individuals, customs, or traditions as mascots, nicknames, or logos without exemption approval from Tribal Nations Education Committee and Indian Affairs Council.

• Allows American Indian students to wear Tribal regalia and objects of cultural significance at graduation ceremonies and amends teacher licensing requirements to ease pathways for candidates from Historically Black Colleges, Tribal Colleges, and Hispanic-Serving Institutions.