New teacher licensure rules presenting challenges, lawmakers hear

Education officials and advocates testified before a joint House panel Thursday on updated teacher licensing rules and standards — and the effect on educators and teacher shortages — an issue Rep. Jenifer Loon (R-Eden Prairie) said is “of paramount importance.”

State education administrators and lobbyists briefed members of the House Education Finance and Education Innovation Policy committees on state efforts to implement new alternative licensure standards, teacher testing requirements. Testifiers also spoke to a lack of diversity among Minnesota teachers.

Loon, who chairs the finance committee, believes there is a “lack of urgency” to address challenges that have been presented by new licensing rules, calling that a cause for “disappointment and concern.”

Advocates told the panel some educators have found the state’s standards confusing and that they have shut out qualified teachers.

MORE: Watch full video of Thursday’s hearing on our YouTube channel