The Free Press, Mankato, MN

State, national news

February 20, 2012

Senate passes teacher testing bill

Associated Press

— The Senate has sent Gov. Mark Dayton a bill requiring teachers to pass a skills test.

The bill requires Minnesota teachers to pass a basic skills test in reading, writing and math before they receive a teaching license.

Current law allows licensed teachers to take and retake the test for up to three years. The bill would also require all out-of-state teaching license applicants to pass the test.

Supporters have said the measure will keep unqualified teachers out of the classroom. The Senate passed the bill in a 60-1 vote. Last week the House passed the bill unanimously.

Dayton vetoed a similar bill last year, but sponsor Sen. Ted Daley says the new version was written to address Dayton's concerns. Dayton has not said if he will sign the bill.

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