|
| Date: | March 7, 2011 | | Contact Name: | Susan Closmore | | Contact Phone: | 651-296-5712 | | Contact Email: | susan.closmore@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
|
| GOVERNOR DAYTON SIGNS SENATE MAJORITY’S ALTERNATIVE TEACHER PATHWAYS BILL INTO LAW |
(ST. PAUL) – Governor Mark Dayton today signed the Senate and House Majorities’ bill that authorizes alternative pathways to obtain a license to teach in the state’s classrooms. Senate File 40 will allow well-qualified individuals to teach, whose education or background is not currently a match with what is typically required of licensed teachers. The bill was chief authored by Senator Gen Olson (R-Minnetrista) and co-authored by Senator Terri Bonoff (DFL-Minnetonka), Senator Carla Nelson (R-Rochester), and Senator John Harrington (DFL-St. Paul). Following Governor Dayton's signing of the bill, Senator Nelson released the following statement.
“I’m thrilled that Governor Dayton has joined with us to pass this important, bipartisan bill. Highly-qualified people should be welcomed into Minnesota's teaching ranks whether they are prepared by traditional or alternative programs. With this bill, alternative preparation becomes a long-term option for prospective teachers rather than having to exist on a temporary, year-to-year basis. These very educators have proven themselves in difficult situations like working in Minnesota schools with challenging achievement gaps,” said Senator Nelson. “The needs of students must be first when making education decisions. Alternative licensure will attract well-educated, diverse and dedicated people to join the teaching ranks and allow our children the opportunity to draw on the strengths of both alternative and traditional teachers.”
Senator Nelson was elected to her first term in November 2010. Senator Nelson can be reached at: 651-296-4848 (office) or sen.carla.nelson@senate.mn.
