HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016 03-04 Legislative auditor: Minnesota teacher licensing ‘broken’ PIONEER PRESS 3/7/2016 Legislative auditor:Minnesota teacher licensing'broken' I Grand Forks Herald
Legislative auditor: Minnesota teacher
licensing `broken'
By St.. IPaull IPiiorneeir IPress on Mar 4,2016 at 9:00 p.m.
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ST. PAUL -- Minnesota's teacher-licensing system is confusing, contradictory and ripe for an
overhaul, the state legislative auditor said in a report Friday.
"Quite frankly, the system is broken," Legislative Auditor James Nobles told state
lawmakers.
The findings of his six-month review underscored many of the criticisms and frustrations
educators and lawmakers have expressed for years about the state's teacher-credentialing
process.
Nobles said the state Department of Education, the Board of Teaching and the Legislature all
shared the blame for the confusing licensing system.
As Minnesota faces a growing shortage of teachers in key specialties, education advocates
insist that improving the system is a priority if the state hopes to find enough qualified
educators.
Lawmakers tried in 2011 and 2015 to streamline the system, but Nobles' report found many
of the problems are deeply rooted in state law and have only been exacerbated by legislative
tweaks.
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3/7/2016 Legislative auditor:Minnesota teacher licensing'broken' I Grand Forks Herald
Specifically, it said that although the Education Department and teaching board play roles in
issuing licenses, their authority is unclear and sometimes overlapping and confusing.
The report recommends:
1-Giving one agency the power to oversee teacher-licensing standards, applications and
appeals. This agency should be independently funded, the report says; the teaching board
now is funded by the Education Department.
- Clarifying the qualifications for a teacher's license and creating a tiered licensing system for
candidates with different levels of training and experience. Minnesota now offers a five-year
full license to qualified candidates and temporary credentials to those who need to meet state
licensing requirements.
- Providing specific information about what candidates who are denied a license must do to
meet state requirements. The Education Department often refers candidates to local colleges
and universities to determine necessary coursework to meet state standards.
Education Department and teaching board officials told the lawmakers Friday that they
agreed with the Legislative Auditor's report and its recommendations.
Erin Doan, executive director of the teaching board, and John Bellingham, its chairman, said
in a letter included in the report that they appreciated that Nobles' inquiry pointed out how
the inconsistencies of state law overly complicate the licensing process.
"These factors have largely contributed to the ambiguities faced by license applicants," the
letter said, noting that adopting the report's recommendations would address most problems.
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3/7/2016 Legislative auditor:Minnesota teacher licensing'broken' I Grand Forks Herald
In a separate letter, Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius said she also supports
overhauling the licensing system.
Cassellius noted that Nobles' report found legislation passed in 2015 created lower standards
for applicants who are trained out-of-state.
"In order for Minnesota students to receive an excellent education, we must ensure that all
Minnesota teachers, regardless of where they are trained, are highly qualified and ready to
teach in a Minnesota classroom," Cassellius wrote.
The 2015 changes followed growing pressure from education advocates and school lobbyists
to streamline the licensing system for teachers trained out-of-state or in alternative ways. The
Board of Teaching is finishing updates to licensing rules designed to make it easier for
qualified candidates to earn credentials.
Although the report illustrated the need to overhaul the licensing system, it is unclear if state
lawmakers can work on needed reforms during the 10-week legislative session, which begins
Tuesday.
Sen. Chuck Wiger, DFL-Maplewood, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, said
legislation to implement the report's recommendations will be discussed at a committee
hearing Thursday.
Reps. Sondra Erickson, R-Princeton, and Jenifer Loon, R-Eden Prairie, who lead the House
Education Policy and Finance committees, also plan hearings and said lawmakers should take
a measured and thoughtful approach to overhauling the licensing system.
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3/7/2016 Legislative auditor:Minnesota teacher licensing'broken' I Grand Forks Herald
"We want to be sure this is done the right way," said Erickson, who once served on the Board
of Teaching.
The Pioneer Press is a media partner with Forum News Service
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