The Minnesota Legislature finished much of its work for 2019 after holding a short special legislative session ending on May 26.

The E-12 education omnibus bill included two key changes for license processing and teacher education preparation provider instruction requirements.

New Background Check Processing Requirements

Beginning July 1, 2019, PELSB will need to complete the background check on first-time applicants before issuing a Minnesota tiered educator license. Previously, the Board could issue a first-time license while a background check was pending.

The statutorily-required 30-day processing window for a license does not begin until PELSB has received all application materials and a completed background check. The change to background check requirements could result in slightly longer license processing times.

Applicants for first-time Minnesota tiered educator licenses should submit a complete application as soon as they have met all applicable requirements to ensure PELSB can issue licenses promptly.

Dyslexia Instruction Requirements for Preparation Providers

The Minnesota Legislature adopted new requirements for dyslexia training and instruction for all PELSB-approved teacher preparation providers for teachers of elementary education, early childhood education, special education, and reading intervention.

Teacher preparation providers will need to include instruction on symptoms of dyslexia, resources available for students who show characteristics of dyslexia, and specific instructional strategies for those students, among other requirements.

PELSB staff will work with teacher preparation providers to ensure they meet the necessary requirements for dyslexia training.

Additional Changes from the 2019 Session

Beyond background checks and dyslexia training, the Legislature made several other statutory changes that affect PELSB’s operations. These changes include:

• Technical changes to statutory language to ensure that all teacher preparation providers, whether they are a traditional or alternative provider, include training and instruction on reading strategies and technology strategies.
• Deletion of now-defunct statutory language extending teacher licenses in effect on January 1, 2018 for an additional year.
• Moving statutory language governing licensure via portfolio to a more applicable section of Minnesota Statutes.
• Designating PELSB as the administrator of the Collaborative Urban and Greater Minnesota Educators of Color (CUE) Grant Program.
• Designating PELSB as the administrator of a grant to support efforts for teacher mentorship and retention of effective teachers.
• Reducing the application for a temporary military license to $57.
• Prohibiting public employers from reducing a PELSB member’s compensation or benefits when absent from work for Board activities.
• Directing PELSB to contract with the Minnesota Department of Human Services to perform background checks on license applicants.
• Adding requirements for charter schools to report possible ethics violations to PELSB in several different circumstances.
• Adding requirements for police departments and county sheriffs to report determinations of physical abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect of a child by a licensee.
• Adding requirements for the Minnesota Department of Education to provide PELSB with maltreatment determination reports.

PELSB will continue to provide updates to stakeholders about new opportunities, processes, and programs as these legislative changes are implemented.