Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends the requirements for teacher layoffs.

Highlights:

• Requires a school board placing a teacher on unrequested leave of absence to consider the following criteria, beginning in the 2017-2018 school year (Sec. 13):
• The teacher’s subject matter licensure field;
• The teacher’s most recent evaluation outcomes and effectiveness rating; and
• The teacher’s seniority and other locally-determined criteria.

• Specifies that a school board is not required to reassign a teacher with more seniority to accommodate the seniority claims of a teacher who is similarly licensed but with less seniority (Sec. 13).

• Authorizes a teacher who is placed on unrequested leave of absence to submit a written request for a hearing to establish whether the district satisfactorily met teacher evaluation requirements within 14 days of receiving notice of layoff (Sec. 13).

• Requires the Board of Teaching to issue a teaching license to an individual who holds or previously held an out-of-state teaching license to teach a similar content field and grade levels, so long as the individual meets at least one of the following requirements (Sec. 5):
• Completion of field-specific teaching methods, student teaching, or equivalent experience; or
• Completion of at least 2 years of teaching experience in a similar licensure field.

• Requires the Board of Teaching to allow fully certified teachers from adjoining states to transfer their certification to Minnesota and receive a full, 5 year continuing teaching license without having to complete an additional exam or fulfill any other preparation requirements (Sec. 5).

• Authorizes school districts and charter schools to hire non-licensed community experts to teach in public or charter schools under the following conditions (Sec. 9):
• The school district or charter school has made previous efforts to obtain licensed teachers for the particular course or subject area; and
• The school district or charter school must notify a student’s parent or guardian before placing the student in the classroom of a non-licensed instructor.

• Authorizes the Board of Teaching to automatically revoke or refuse to issue or renew a teaching license without a hearing if the teacher has been convicted of certain offenses, including, but not limited to, the following offenses (Sec. 3):
• Sex trafficking in the first or second degree;
• Hiring a minor to engage in prostitution;
• Solicitation of children to engage in sexual conduct; or
• Interfering with the privacy of a minor.

Full Bill Text