MN Lawmakers Revisit Teacher Test Requirement
ST. PAUL - Some Minnesota lawmakers want to repeal a state law passed last year that requires all Minnesota teachers pass a reading, writing and math test to get a teaching license. Gov. Mark Dayton signed the bill last February after it won nearly unanimous support from lawmakers.
But the Senate Education Committee reviewed a bill Tuesday to repeal the requirement as some teachers and school officials testified that it's blocking qualified people from classrooms.
An art teacher from a district near Brainerd says he can't pass the writing test because of a learning disability.
Opponents of the requirement also say parts of the test are difficult for non-native English speakers that teach students who also have limited language skills.
Supporters of the bill say it should be improved, not scrapped entirely.
