MN HF1137

Establishes a new licensure pathway program for heritage language and culture teachers administered by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board to increase the number of such teachers in Minnesota.

Requires applicants to hold a current teaching license or meet licensure criteria and seek initial, dual, or additional licensure in a heritage language.

Program must include a yearlong mentorship, monthly portfolio guidance meetings, substitute teacher stipends during meetings, waived portfolio and licensure testing fees, and a portfolio review committee.

Heritage language teachers can demonstrate world language proficiency through passing a board-adopted assessment, holding a translator or interpreter certificate, or completing an undergraduate or postbaccalaureate degree where the majority of coursework was taught in the non-English instructional language.

Appropriates $207,583 from the general fund for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 to support the program for 50 participants, including funding for a portfolio liaison and substitute teacher costs.