While Minnesota values the quality of its educators, it seems that our licensure process for out-of-state teachers has gone a bit too far. Educators hoping to teach in Minnesota have to go through an extensive licensure process before obtaining a job.

 

After submitting an application for a license to the Department of Education, at least one would-be teacher was told she had to complete an unpaid student teaching program.

 

These processes may be good for screening untrained, college-level applicants, but we shouldn’t use them for experienced teachers looking to transfer to a new state.

 

Candace Burckhardt is an example of this flawed process. She received her teaching license after 15 days in Wisconsin and eight days in Indiana. After three months, she still has not obtained one in Minnesota, according to the Star Tribune.

 

Fortunately, the 2015 legislative session resulted in some changes to our state’s licensing procedure. One of these changes clarifies that applicants with more than two years of teaching experience can bypass the student teaching part of the licensure process. 

 

Legislators also required the Board of Teaching to make licensure requirements clearer and more accessible by Jan. 1.

 

The issue of out-of-state licensure requires our full attention. An extensive time period for licensure procedures is detrimental to prospective teachers who are raising and supporting families.

 

If we do not fix this problem soon, Minnesota may become a notorious destination that out-of-state educators will avoid.