SF1641 Summary

• Teachers must hold a license or permission aligned to their content area and scope of assignment to teach in Minnesota public schools or charter schools.

• Increases Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board membership from 11 to 13 members, including two teachers from board-approved teacher preparation programs and adjusting regional representation requirements.

• Redefines "shortage area" to include regions where Indigenous teachers and teachers of color are underrepresented compared to Indigenous and students of color enrollment, with only individuals who close this gap qualifying as filling a shortage.

• Changes terminology throughout licensure sections from "candidates" to "applicants" and modifies Tier 1 license application requirements to require joint submission by applicant and district with payment by either party.

• Authorizes Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board to collect employment and assignment data from all public school districts and charter schools through a Staff Automated Reporting system.