Minnesota Lawmakers Near Approving Teacher Licensing Changes

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Minnesota legislators are close to approving major
changes in the way the state licenses teachers.

Proposed changes would consolidate standards and teacher licensing under a new Professional Educator Licensing Board. It would create a four-tier system and streamline the process to license teachers who are trained out of state or have unconventional backgrounds.

The bills received bipartisan support in both chambers and include input from
teachers, school leaders and state officials who have been pushing for years to
fix a system many say is confusing and unfair.

Supporters say they hope the new system will help address Minnesota's growing
shortage of educators in key specialties, such as math, science and special
education. The shortages are the most acute in the rural part of the state.