Purpose

• Establish a task force to study the benefits of teacher microcredentials and explore how microcredentials could be implemented in Minnesota.
• Review the current teacher licensure process and determine how microcredentials could support teachers’ professional growth and help school districts address teacher workforce needs, especially in special education.
• Identify which subject areas or fields microcredentials could best serve for districts’ and teachers’ needs.
• Determine what statutory and administrative changes would be needed to implement microcredentials.
• Require a report with findings and recommendations to the legislature by a specified date, and indicate that money will be appropriated to support this work.

Key Provisions

• A task force is created to study teacher microcredentials and their implementation in Minnesota.
• The bill contemplates an appropriation of funds to support the task force and its activities.

Membership and Structure

• By September 1, 2026, the executive director of the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) must appoint the task force members.
• Required members include:
  • The executive director or a designee
  • Two licensed teachers (one from the seven-county metropolitan area and one from outside the metropolitan area)
  • One representative from the Minnesota Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
  • One representative from the Minnesota School Boards Association
  • One representative from the Minnesota Administrators for Special Education

Duties of the Task Force

• Review the current teacher licensure process.
• Consider how teacher microcredentials could support teachers’ professional growth.
• Help districts address teacher workforce needs, with a focus on special education.
• Identify fields where microcredentials could best serve district and teacher needs.
• Identify what statutory and administrative changes would be necessary to implement microcredentials.
• Report findings and recommendations to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over K-12 education by February 1, 2027 (in line with Minnesota statute requirements).

Consultation and Advice

• The task force may seek expert advice as needed, including input from the Department of Education and organizations or officials from other states that have implemented teacher microcredentials.

Administrative Provisions and Timeline

• The executive director of PELSB must convene the initial meeting by October 15, 2026.
• The task force will set a meeting schedule and can meet as needed; meetings may occur by telephone or other interactive technology.
• Members serve without compensation or paid expenses.
• The task force expires on February 1, 2027, or sooner if the required report is submitted earlier.

Funding

• The bill references a requirement to appropriate money to support the task force, though specific funding amounts are not stated in the provided text.

Potential Impact

• Could change how teachers earn credentials and engage in ongoing professional development.
• May influence licensure policies and administrative rules to incorporate microcredentials.
• Aims to address teacher shortages, especially in special education, by identifying targeted credentialing pathways and support mechanisms.

Timeline at a Glance

• By Sept 1, 2026: Task force members appointed.
• By Oct 15, 2026: Initial meeting to be convened.
• By Feb 1, 2027: Final report due to legislature.

Relevant Terms - teacher microcredentials - licensure process - professional growth - teacher workforce needs - special education - Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) - Minnesota Department of Education - Minnesota Statutes section 3.195 - advisory task force - report to chairs and ranking minority members - K-12 education - statutory changes - administrative changes - funding appropriation - Minnesota Association of Colleges for Teacher Education - Minnesota School Boards Association - Minnesota Administrators for Special Education