Reduced-cost teaching credit program proposed for teachers

While the state struggles with a teacher shortage, lawmakers are looking to make sure the teachers they do have are capable of teaching all the classes they would like.

HF1067, sponsored by Rep. Connie Bernardy (DFL-New Brighton), would create a training program to provide high school teachers with the postgraduate credits necessary to teach concurrent enrollment courses. Concurrent enrollment courses, often referred to at Postsecondary Enrollment Options, are classes that high school students can take to receive college credit.

“This is one of these bills where we can work together,” she said. “We want to make sure our concurrent enrollment will be sustainable for years to come.”

The House Higher Education and Career Readiness Policy and Finance Committee laid the bill over Tuesday for possible omnibus bill inclusion. It has no Senate companion.

Scholarships and grants would provide eligible teachers up to 18 credits in applicable postsecondary subject areas at a reduced price. Course offerings would be practicable for teachers carrying a full work load during the school year. Eligibility would be reserved for high school teachers who need additional graduate credits to qualify to teach courses for postsecondary credit.

Developed by the Minnesota State Board of Trustees, one-time appropriations in Fiscal Years 2018 and 2019 would fund the program. No fiscal note was provided; however, Bernardy projected a request of $3 million to $4 million annually.

“We’re all on record with the value of concurrent enrollment programming; it provides the skills necessary to be successful in college,” said Chris Lennox, Mounds View Public Schools superintendent. “If you believe in equity and access for all students, then we need to help close this achievement gap by making all teachers available for all students in Minnesota.”

The program would be similar to the Northwest Regional Partnership Concurrent Enrollment program, but with a broader reaching scope. It would include a voluntary association with the Lakes Country Service Cooperative, the Northwest Service Cooperative and Minnesota State University Moorhead.