MN HF1589

Commissioner of Education administers a grant program to develop trained, licensed special education teachers through partnerships with board-approved teacher preparation programs.

School districts, charter schools, and cooperative units are eligible applicants; half of grant funding must be awarded to applicants in the seven-county metropolitan area and half to applicants outside that area.

Grant funds support paraprofessionals, unlicensed staff, or Tier 1 or Tier 2 licensed teachers willing to become special education teachers, including tuition assistance, stipends, mentoring, licensure test preparation, technology support, and participant recruitment.

Grant recipients must report annually to the commissioner on the number of participants and use of funds; the commissioner must publish an annual report summarizing grant recipients and fund usage.

Appropriates unspecified amounts from the general fund to the Department of Education for fiscal years 2024 and 2025, with provisions allowing the department to retain a percentage for administration and carry over balances to the following fiscal year.