District 196 Superintendent Says Alternative Licensing For Teachers 'Solution in Search of a Problem'

Governor Mark Dayton signed a bill on Monday that allows local school districts to create alternative teacher certification programs.

The legislation gives the Minnesota Board of Teaching the ability to approve programs that make it possible for college graduates with non-teaching degrees to become teachers in Minnesota schools.

But Independent School District 196 Superintendent Jane Berenz said that from her perspective, the alternative licensure bill is a "solution in search of a problem."

"There are so many talented teachers who are currently looking for a job," said Berenz. "We are in the process of having to cut 155 positions and while not all of those positions are teachers, there are still many experienced people who would be working if a job was available."

Berenz said that the bill might be helpful in some of the state's more rural school districts, which might have difficulty finding a teacher with  a specific background. "But for us, I don't think this bill will have any impact at all."

"There are so many other problems that are much more pressing and I have to say I'm a bit frustrated that this legislation has gotten so much attention," said Berenz.

Education Minnesota President Tom Dooher agrees the legislation was not needed. "We believe it is reasonable and responsible to require that teachers have a college degree in the field they will teach," he said in a statement. "Minnesota’s students and families deserve only the best-trained teachers in their classrooms, but the alternative licensure proposal before the Legislature this week does not do enough to ensure that high quality."