A plan supported by Gov. Tim Pawlenty to tighten teacher licensure standards received mixed reviews from House K-12 Education Policy and Oversight Committee members on Feb. 10. No action was taken.
Under the governor’s proposals, aspiring teachers would be required to pass their pre-professional skills test (known as PPST or Praxis I) before entering a teacher training program. Currently teachers can enter a program even if they fail the test — though they must eventually pass it in order to be licensed.
Additionally the governor’s plan — part of his proposed “Teaching Transformation Act” — would raise the minimum passing score on the Praxis II certification exam that teachers take to gain licensure, and it would put an increased emphasis on technology skills.
Department of Education Assistant Commissioner Karen Klinzing said the proposals would ensure that those lacking the basic skills to be effective teachers are eliminated from teacher training programs up front.
John Melick, the department’s director of educator licensing, said some teacher candidates accepted into training programs despite failing the PPST go through three years of teacher training only to be rejected for licensure because they still can’t pass the test.
That observation caused Rep. Kory Kath (DFL-Owatonna) to question whether the PPST is really useful in determining who will make a good teacher.
“If you’re getting these phone calls from superintendents saying, ‘This is an excellent teacher. How can we get them to pass this test?’ The question then is how is it a measurement of effectiveness of a teacher?”
Rep. Mindy Greiling (DFL-Roseville) asked whether it would be better to focus on getting as many new teachers into the field as possible at first and then cut some from the programs later if they’re not effective.
Klinzing responded that it’s easier to provide support to teacher candidates while they’re in college than after they’ve already been in the classroom for three years but still don’t qualify for a license.
The year without a K-12 law
School funding is flat, no reforms enacted
(view full story)
Published 6/1/2010
House K-12 omnibus bill fast-tracked
Senate slow to respond with companion legislation
(view full story)
Published 5/13/2010
K-12 education omnibus bill stalls
Teacher licensure proposals in contention
(view full story)
Published 5/6/2010
K-12 education bill moves forward
Measures would activate reforms, stabilize school funding
(view full story)
Published 4/29/2010
Resuscitating Race to the Top bid
New bid could hinge on proposals to boost teacher effectiveness
(view full story)
Published 4/22/2010
Raiders of the lost fund
Slew of reforms could boost Permanent School Fund income
(view full story)
Published 3/25/2010
Schools shore up state’s checkbook
Obscure law forces drawdown of school reserves before state can borrow
(view full story)
Published 2/25/2010
At Issue: No shifts, no cuts
Education funding in a holding pattern
(view full story)
Published 5/29/2009
At Issue: E-12 education bill that might have been
Funding held steady with no shifts proposed, but no Minnesota Miracle
(view full story)
Published 5/15/2009
At Issue: Investing in quality care for kids
Lawmakers hope for long-term benefits of early investment
(view full story)
Published 4/24/2009
At Issue: Building a better formula
Omnibus K-12 education finance bill floor debate highlights obstacles
(view full story)
Published 4/24/2009
At Issue: Whose values are they anyway?
Lawmaker carries on family legacy with sex education bill
(view full story)
Published 4/17/2009
First Reading: One school doesn’t fit all
Efforts put forward to tailor charter school law
(view full story)
Published 4/10/2009
At Issue: Hopeful education goals in a dismal year
Omnibus bill addresses changing needs and future demands
(view full story)
Published 4/3/2009
At Issue: Getting kids to move
Bill aims to ensure ‘No child left on their behind’
(view full story)
Published 2/20/2009
First Reading: Accountability funding for all
A ‘New Minnesota Miracle’ requires a leap of faith
(view full story)
Published 2/13/2009
At Issue: Q Comp found wanting
Performance measure has perks, but is it affordable?
(view full story)
Published 2/6/2009
At Issue: Reforming education, saving money
Bipartisan support shown for mandate reduction and shared services
(view full story)
Published 1/23/2009
Feature: Passing the torch of democracy
Youth immerse themselves in lingo and actions of lawmaking
(view full story)
Published 1/16/2009