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State Representative Andrea Kieffer
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-1147
For more information contact: Jim Greve 651-296-4338
NEWS RELEASE
House Unanimously Passes Rep. Kieffer’s Bill to Close Achievement Gap
House Unanimously Passes Rep. Kieffer’s Bill to Close Achievement Gap
Legislation requires teacher candidates to pass the basic skills exam before leading classroom
ST. PAUL – Legislation to help close Minnesota’s education achievement gap by Representative Andrea Kieffer (R-Woodbury) passed the Minnesota House unanimously today. House File 1770 requires teacher candidates to pass the basic skills exam before being granted an initial teaching license. Current law requires the basic skills test, but still allows teachers in the classroom even if they fail.
“We all agree that we need to raise the bar for teacher candidates in order to solve the achievement gap,” Representative Kieffer said. “This bill assures that we are hiring effective teachers who will provide a high-quality education for our children.”
The National Council on Teacher Quality gave Minnesota a ‘C’ in delivering well-prepared teachers for 2011. Representative Kieffer believes this legislation and further reforms are necessary to boost the state’s education rating and to provide a highly educated workforce.
“Providing a high-quality education translates to a high-quality workforce,” Kieffer said. “The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Minnesota Business Partnership, Minnesota School Board Association, and several superintendents and school associations agree.”
House File 1770 also requires teachers who completed their teacher preparation program outside Minnesota to pass the basic skills exam before being granted a Minnesota teaching license.
Senator Ted Daley (R-Eagan) sponsors the companion (SF 1493).
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Representative Kieffer serves the residents of Woodbury. She encourages constituents to contact her with concerns on any issue of state or local concern. Rep. Kieffer may be reached at rep.andrea.kieffer@house.mn or 651.296.1147. Mail should be sent to Rep. Andrea Kieffer, 531 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.
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