MN SF663

Establishes a new heritage language and culture teacher licensure pathway program administered by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board to increase the number of teachers with connections to students' language and cultural communities.

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

Program must include a yearlong mentorship program, monthly portfolio guidance meetings with a dedicated liaison, substitute teacher stipends for meeting days, waived portfolio and licensure testing fees, and a portfolio review committee.

Allows heritage language educators to demonstrate language proficiency through a board-adopted assessment, translator/interpreter certification, or completion of an undergraduate or postbaccalaureate degree taught primarily in the non-English language.

Appropriates $208,000 for fiscal year 2024 and $208,000 for fiscal year 2025 to support the program for 50 participants, including costs for the portfolio liaison, substitute teachers, and licensure fees.