Important Announcement Regarding Testing for Teacher Licensure
The Minnesota State Legislature passed a bill that included a major change to teacher licensure requirements. As of August 1, 2023, the Minnesota Teacher Licensing Exams (MTLE) Content, Pedagogy, and Basic Skills Exams will no longer be required for earning a Minnesota professional teaching license for those who successfully completed a PELSB-approved licensure program, including student teaching or practicum; St. Olaf College falls into this category. More information about testing requirements can be found on the PELSB website.
Tiered Licensure
Minnesota employs a Tiered Licensure (effective July 1, 2018). This new system provides for four tiers of licenses, please see this infographic provided by Education Minnesota. Completers of St. Olaf’s Teacher Education program will be eligible for a Tier 3 license if they complete St. Olaf’s Teacher Education program, including successful student teaching and all other requirements (see below)
This Tier 3 license is valid for three years and can be renewed indefinitely. Once a candidate has taught in Minnesota for three years, they are eligible to move to Tier 4, the highest possible tier.
Recommendations for Initial Licensure (1 license) — State Requirements
Complete a minimum of 100 field experience hours prior to student teaching that includes 60 hours aligned to the scope and content of the license; have experiences with students who differ in race, ethnicity, home language, and socioeconomic status; have experiences with students with a range of exceptionalities; complete at least 12 full-time weeks of face-to-face student teaching that is aligned to the scope and content of the license; complete Board-Adopted Performance Assessment (CPAST)
Recommendations for Initial Licensure (2 licenses) — State Requirements
Complete a minimum of 100 field experience hours prior to student teaching that include at least 30 hours aligned to the scope and content of EACH license; have experiences with students who differ in race, ethnicity, home language, and socioeconomic status; have experiences with students with a range of exceptionalities; complete at least 14 full-time weeks of face-to-face student teaching that is aligned to the scope and content of the license; complete Board-Adopted Performance Assessment (CPAST)
Recommendations for Initial Licensure — St. Olaf Requirements
Beyond the state requirements, St. Olaf requires teacher candidates to:
- Complete Candidate Portfolio and Presentation prior to student teaching
- Complete all required content area courses (see advising sheets)
- Complete all required Education courses and field experiences and meet specified Minnesota Standards of Effective Practice (SEP)
- Successfully complete ED 389: Student Teaching – 13-14 weeks, face-to-face, full-time as measured by supervisor evaluations and verified time logs, and earn at least a “B” (Note that students seeking two licences will student teach twice: 14 weeks at their first placement and 10 weeks at their second)
- Complete ED 381: Student Teaching Seminar, meet all SEP standards associated with the course, and earn at least a “B”
- Meet all SEP standards associated with the CPAST or remediate criteria with standards only met at the “Emerging” level
- Successfully complete Subject Matter Portfolio (assigned during student teaching)
- Satisfy disposition criteria
- Submit the final Student Teaching Evaluation (self-assessments, TPP evaluation and placement report), including the Transition to Teaching Common Metrics’ survey.
- Participate in an exit interview with the Director of Field Experiences and Licensure
- Complete all licensure forms, including fingerprints, and submit fee