Minn. approves 15 Teach for America waivers
The Minnesota Board of Teaching on Friday approved 15 license waivers for Teach for America members.
The members can now lead classrooms in the Twin Cities this fall and will earn full teaching licenses while on the job.
Some board members voted against the requests saying Teach for America doesn't offer its members enough training.
Instead of going through the waiver process, the group should create a teacher preparation program under the state's alternative teacher licensure law that went into place in 2010, said board chair John Bellingham.
Teach for America Twin Cities officials say they're currently working on a proposal for such a program.
The group has approached the University of Minnesota about a partnering on the program, a move that's upset some students who say they're opposed to Teach for America's training methods.
The Board of Teaching has approved a total of 19 license waivers for Teach for America members. The Minnesota Department of Education has approved another 13 in a separate process.
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