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| Date: | February 23, 2012 | | Contact Name: | Sandra Whalen | | Contact Phone: | 651-296-5238 | | Contact Email: | sandra.whalen@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| SENATOR DALEY’S TEACHER LICENSING BILL SIGNED INTO LAW First new law of 2012 Session |
(ST. PAUL) – Sen. Ted Daley’s bill to require teachers to successfully complete a basic skills examination in math, reading, and writing prior to receiving a teaching license was signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Mark Dayton. It was the first new law of the 2012 Session.
The Senate approved the bill Monday on a 60-1 vote, and the House unanimously endorsed it last week.
Daley, (R-Eagan), called the signing a step forward for student achievement, adding: “Teacher quality is such a vital factor, and we have such high expectations for both teachers and students. It makes sense to ensure only well-qualified ones enter Minnesota classrooms by requiring this test prior to receiving their license and teaching our kids.”
Current law allows teacher candidates to take the basic skills test when ready to apply for a license, and permits a teacher who failed the basic skills test to receive and even renew a temporary one-year teaching license up to two more times, while continuing to teach. Out-of-state applicants for Minnesota teacher licenses will also have to pass the test.
The National Council on Teacher Quality released a report in 2010 called “Blueprint for Change in Minnesota.” It gave Minnesota the grade of “D” for “delivering well-prepared teachers” and advised the state to close licensure loopholes such as permitting persons who have not yet passed state licensing tests to teach in classrooms.
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