Beginning March 25, the posting period for all new EdPost job listings will be seven (7) days. Unfortunately, this timeline does not align with posting requirements for positions that may ultimately need to be filled by a teacher holding a Tier 1 license or an out-of-field permission.
For positions needing to be posted for a minimum of 15 days, districts will need to have three EdPost ID numbers. For positions needing to be posted for a minimum of 60 days, districts will need to have nine EdPost ID numbers.
Introducing Minnesota School Jobs
PELSB is excited to announce the designation of MNSchoolJobs.org as the new statewide job board, launching this summer. More information about the transition will be made available in the coming weeks. Districts interested in learning about the new statewide job board can find details here.
Hiring Flexibilities Through 2024
The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board has extended a variety of hiring flexibilities available to school districts through December 31, 2024. Flexibilities include:
Waiving the posting requirement for initial out-of-field permissions (OFPs).
Out-of-field permissions (OFPs) granted by December 31 do not count towards a teacher's five allowed OFPs.
Allowing a teacher who holds a lifetime substitute license to serve in a long-term substitute capacity or open teaching position if their previous professional teaching license (Tier 3, Tier 4, or Minnesota five-year standard license) was aligned to the assignment.
Additionally, PELSB will continue to allow science teachers affected by the 2019 K-12 science standards changes to seek out-of-field permissions (OFPs) without a posting requirement or count towards the five OFPs allowed in a teacher's lifetime until PELSB's science rulemaking project is complete.
More information on each of these flexibilities can be found below.
Out-of-Field Permission (OFP) flexibilities
At the March 15 board meeting, the Board extended current flexibilities for out-of-field permission requests until December 31, 2024. As a reminder, OFP applications for the 24-25 school year will be accepted starting July 1.
Posting Requirements
For the remainder of the calendar year (Dec. 31), districts are not required to post initial out-of-field permission (OFP) positions for 15 days on the statewide job board. However, if the teacher already held an OFP in the same assignment in the same district, the district must advertise the position for a minimum of 60 days on the statewide job board.
Out-of-Field Permissions Allowed
A teacher is allowed up to five out-of-field permissions during their teaching career. The Board authorized OFPs submitted to the PELSB office by December 31 to not count towards a teacher's five allowed. As a reminder, OFPs granted during the 2020-2021, 2022-2023, and 2023-2024 school years also do not count towards a teacher's total.
Lifetime Substitute Teacher Flexibilities
Teachers who have retired from teaching and are collecting a retirement annuity are eligible to apply for a lifetime substitute teaching license. In additional to short-calling subbing, this license allows retired teachers to serve in a long-term substitute capacity for an approved leave of absence of another teacher. The retired teacher must have had a previous professional teaching license (Tier 3, Tier 4, or Minnesota five-year standard license) aligned to the assignment.
Based on approved action at the March 15 board meeting, the Board extended through December 31 the provision that would allow a retired teacher to take an open position or assignment (not limited to a leave of absence) for which they have previously held licensure.
Districts who are looking to hire a retired teacher to teach outside of their licensure field should contact PELSB (pelsb@state.mn.us) for additional options.
Flexibilities for science teachers will remain in place for the 24-25 school year
On March 12, 2021, the Board adopted a resolution to help support teachers and schools navigating changes to the K-12 science standards and benchmarks. This resolution will remain in effect for the next school year (2024-25).
Background
In September 2021, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) adopted changes to the K-12 academic standards and benchmarks in science (referred to as the 2019 science standards). More information about the 2019 science standards is available on MDE's website.
What does the resolution do?
The 2021 resolution provides additional flexibilities for science teachers who will need an out-of-field permission (OFP) to teach in a science content area or grade level outside of the scope of their existing license(s) due to the impact of the proposed science standards.
Specifically, the resolution allows school districts to seek an out-of-field permission (OFP) for impacted Tier 3 and Tier 4 science teachers without needing to meet the OFP posting requirements. Additionally, these OFPs will not be counted toward the lifetime total for those Tier 3 or Tier 4 science teachers affected by the science changes.
This resolution will be in effect until the Board adopts new rules to determine long-term options for teachers impacted by the changes to the K-12 science standards.
Additional information about changes to the science standards and options for teachers and districts can be found in Science Standards Handout.
Science Licensure Options
In addition to obtaining an out-of-field (OFP) permission, Tier 3 and Tier 4 science teachers can obtain additional licenses in the following ways:
Additional licensure via testing: A teacher licensed in Chemistry, Physics, Life Science, or Earth and Space Science (grades 7-12 or grades 9-12) who has taught science (in grades 7-12 or 9-12) for at least three years may add a license by passing the content test in another area of science licensure (grades 9-12 only).
