MN HF561

Changes school districts from "encouraged" to "must" develop teacher mentoring programs for new teachers, teaching residents, teachers of color, American Indian teachers, teachers in shortage areas, and experienced teachers needing peer coaching.

Adds teacher mentorship under section 122A.70, subdivision 1 as a required use of the at least two percent of basic revenue that districts must reserve for staff development.

Authorizes districts to use staff development revenue, special grants, or other funding sources to pay stipends to mentors who must be current or former teachers with at least three years of experience and not on an improvement plan.

Establishes four optional mentorship initiatives including additional stipends for mentors of color or American Indian mentors, professional learning community affinity groups for underrepresented teachers, three-year induction programs, and grants for professional development related to closing achievement gaps for students of color and American Indian students.

Requires grant recipients to negotiate retention strategies for teachers of color and American Indian teachers, which may include financial incentives to work in the district for at least five years and placing educators of color together to reduce isolation.

Effective date: July 1, 2021.