Extending Temporary Teaching Licenses

Emotions ran high in the Senate Education Policy Committee meeting Thursday, February 5, as members considered legislation that would allow teachers who cannot pass a basic-skills test to receive extensions on their temporary licenses. According to the bill's sponsor, Sen. LeRoy Stumpf, DFL-Plummer, the objective is to keep effective teachers in the classroom if they cannot pass the state-mandated test.

Kindergarten teacher Kami Van Hal tearfully told of her experience. "This has been a long journey, and I'm embarrassed to admit I've failed these tests 18 times. Eighteen times I've walked away as a failure. I'm not a failure. I choose to hold my head high. I'm a good teacher. My colleagues think I'm a good teacher, my principal thinks I'm a good teacher, I am a good teacher."

Others testified that problem is the test. Cyndy Crist from the Minnesota Association of College for Teacher Education said, "The one problem that's happening is this single test: the mental basics skills test. We believe the problems are that it was set at too high a level to be realistic. Does a high school art teacher need a mid-level college set of math skills?" She asked.

Stumpf said he believes there is room for further reform, but thinks his bill is a good start to addressing the teacher shortage issue. His bill, S. F 298, was laid over for further discussion by the committee.