Appendix

Minnesota Authorizing Language:

Passed in 2019, the following is House File 1, the current law authorizing Minnesota’s GYO grant program, outlining its eligibility requirements:¹

Subd. 6. Paraprofessional pathway to teacher licensure.

(a) For grants to school districts for Grow Your Own new teacher programs:
$1,500,000 ….. 2018
$1,500,000 ….. 2019

(b) The grants are for school districts with more than 30 percent minority students for a Board of Teaching-approved nonconventional teacher residency pilot program. The program must provide tuition scholarships or stipends to enable school district employees or community members affiliated with a school district who seek an education license to participate in a nonconventional teacher preparation program. School districts that receive funds under this subdivision are strongly encouraged to recruit candidates of color and American Indian candidates to participate in the Grow Your Own new teacher programs. Districts or schools providing financial support may require a commitment as determined by the district to teach in the district or school for a reasonable amount of time that does not exceed five years.

(c) School districts and charter schools may also apply for grants to develop innovative expanded Grow Your Own programs that encourage secondary school students to pursue teaching, including developing and offering dual-credit postsecondary course options in schools for "Introduction to Teaching" or "Introduction to Education" courses consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.09, subdivision 10.

(d) Programs must annually report to the commissioner by the date determined by the commissioner on their activities under this section, including the number of participants, the percentage of participants who are of color or who are American Indian, and an assessment of program effectiveness, including participant feedback, areas for improvement, the percentage of participants continuing to pursue teacher licensure, and the number of participants hired in the school or district as teachers after completing preparation programs.

(e) The department may retain up to three percent of the appropriation amount to monitor and administer the grant program.

(f) Any balance in the first year does not cancel but is available in the second year.