Politics & Government

Alternative Teacher Licensing Unlikely to Impact District 196, Superintendent Says

District 196 Superintendent Jane Berenz called the bill that Gov. Mark Dayton signed on Monday "a solution in search of a problem," saying there are many teachers still looking for jobs.

On Monday, Governor Mark Dayton signed a bill that will allow the state's school districts to create alternative teacher licensing programs. The legislation gives the Minnesota Board of Teaching the ability to approve programs that make it possible for college graduates with non-teaching degrees to become teachers in Minnesota schools.

Rep. Kurt Bills, (R-District 37B), who teaches at Rosemount High School and represents part of Apple Valley, said he recognizes this could mean more competition for classroom teachers like himself. 

"...I have never been afraid of competition," he said in a recent interview. "We need the best teachers in the classroom preparing our children for the most competitive labor market the world has ever known. This bill encourages school districts to hire the best people for the job."

But Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school district Superintendent Jane Berenz said she thinks the alternative licensure bill is a "solution in search of a problem."

"There are so many talented teachers who are currently looking for a job," said Berenz. "We are in the process of having to cut 155 positions and while not all of those positions are teachers, there are still many experienced people who would be working if a job was available."

Berenz said that the bill might be helpful in some of the state's more rural school districts, which might have difficulty finding a teacher with  a specific background.

Find out what's happening in Apple Valley-Rosemountwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"But for us, I don't think this bill will have any impact at all," she said.

"There are so many other problems that are much more pressing, and I have to say I'm a bit frustrated that this legislation has gotten so much attention," Berenz said.

Education Minnesota President Tom Dooher also said in a statement that he thought the legislation was not needed.

"We believe it is reasonable and responsible to require that teachers have a college degree in the field they will teach," he said in the statement. "Minnesota’s students and families deserve only the best-trained teachers in their classrooms, but the alternative licensure proposal before the Legislature this week does not do enough to ensure that high quality."

Find out what's happening in Apple Valley-Rosemountwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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