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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Kelly Fenton (R)

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House Education Committees Hold Joint Hearing on Board of Teaching, New Teacher Licensure Law

Thursday, November 5, 2015

ST. PAUL, MN—On Thursday, November 5, 2015, Rep. Kelly Fenton (R-Woodbury) took part in a joint hearing with the House Education Finance and Education Innovation Policy Committees to receive an update from the Board of Teaching regarding their compliance with changes to teacher licensure laws passed earlier this year. 

An initiative spearheaded by Rep. Fenton and signed into law as part of the Education Omnibus Bill, the Board of Teaching is required to adopt new rules to facilitate the licensure of out-of-state educators, or those trained in alternative preparation programs, by January 1, 2016. The Board of Teaching, which just filed its 60-day public comment period on November 2, is not expected to meet that mandated deadline.

"If Minnesota wants to remain a national leader in education, we must ensure that our schools can hire the best teachers, and that includes welcoming world-class educators from across the U.S.," said Rep. Fenton. "It's disappointing that the Board of Teaching continues to drag its feet on a common sense effort to fix the teacher licensure process because this is about hiring quality, qualified teachers and providing the best education possible for our students."