New Report on Minnesota K-12 Online Schooling (December 21, 2022)
New Report on Minnesota K-12 Online Schooling (December 21, 2022) Minnesota was one of the first states to have fully web-based online schools and as a result has a robust history of policies, professional learning communities, and new technologies. Despite the steady growth of online schooling since the 1990s, the field lacks rigorous research to inform policies and pedagogy. After the collective emergency distance learning experience in 2020, there has been a proliferation of new programs and enrolled students across the country and here in Minnesota.
Our new report, The Landscape of K-12 Online Schooling in Minnesota, provides information about the current and evolving context of K-12 online learning in Minnesota. Based on survey data from Minnesota online program coordinators, adult family members of online students, and teachers within district and charter online programs, the findings in this report provide insight on:
Descriptions of online schooling practices in Minnesota
Who is engaged in online schooling and why they chose the modality for learning
The successes and challenges of K-12 online schools
Future insights and data needed
This report is designed for anyone who would like to learn more about online schooling in Minnesota. Please share this report's short link, z.umn.edu/K12online, with anyone who may be interested in its contents and connect with us to discuss the study's implications and opportunities for future work. Lana Peterson and Cassie Scharber Learning and Technologies Collaborative
Toolkit for Educators on Medicaid PHE Unwinding (March 1, 2023)
AASA is excited to announce that they have released a toolkit designed for school/district leaders use to spread the word about the Medicaid PHE unwinding. AASA knows everyone in the Medicaid world is well aware of how children will lose coverage as a result of the unwinding, but AASA feels this is such an important issue for educators and education advocates to become familiar with and to work towards increasing awareness about in their districts/communities. If you’re not familiar with this issue, you can learn more in this EducationWeek article.
This toolkit is totally customizable and has the following templates:
An email any educator can send to parents
A sample robo call script
Sample social media posts about the unwinding for schools, districts, & organizations to use/customize
A one pager in English and in Spanish explaining what the unwinding is and what parents needs to do to keep kids covered
A sample website banner, blogpost and newsletter insert for schools/districts/orgs to use
Flexibilities for science teachers and schools continued next school year (March 2023)
On March 12, 2021, the PELSB Board adopted a resolution to help support teachers and schools navigating changes to the K-12 science standards and benchmarks. This resolution will remain in effect for the next school year (2023-24).
BackgroundIn September 2021, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) adopted changes to the K-12 academic standards and benchmarks in science (referred to as the 2019 science standards). The updated standards move “Earth and Space Science” from 8th grade to 6th grade, and “Physical Science” from high school to 8th grade. The new standards also place greater emphasis on the teaching of “Earth and Space Science” at the high school level. PELSB is aware that these changes may impact current science teachers and districts as they implement the new standards.
More information about the 2019 science standards is available on MDE's website.
What does the resolution do? The 2021 resolution provides additional flexibilities for science teachers who will need an out-of-field permission (OFP) to teach in a science content area or grade level outside of the scope of their existing license(s) due to the impact of the proposed science standards. Specifically, the resolution allows school districts to seek an out-of-field permission (OFP) for impacted Tier 3 and Tier 4 science teachers without needing to meet the OFP posting requirements. Additionally, these OFPs will not be counted toward the lifetime total for those Tier 3 or Tier 4 science teachers affected by the science changes.
This resolution will be in effect until the Board adopts new rules to determine long-term options for teachers impacted by the changes to the K-12 science standards.
ExamplesThis resolution applies to the following circumstances:
A Tier 4 teacher who holds a 7 -12 Earth and Space Science license: The district and teacher would like the teacher to teach Earth & Space Science at the 6th grade level during the 2023-24 school year.
A Tier 4 teacher who holds a 7 -12 Earth and Space Science license: The district and teacher would like the teacher to teach Physical Science at the 8th grade level during the 2023-24 school year.
A Tier 3 or Tier 4 teacher who holds either a 9 - 12 Physics or 9 - 12 Chemistry license: The district and teacher would like the teacher to teach Physical Science at the 8th grade level during the 2023-24 school year.
Note: The resolution is not limited to these examples. Other scenarios likely apply.
Tiered Licensure 101: Out-of-Field Permissions What is an out-of-field permission?An out-of-field permission (OFP) authorizes a teacher to teach in a field or grade level outside the content area or scope of their current license. An OFP is valid for up to one school year. A teacher can obtain five OFPs in a lifetime (and additional OFPs after five may be granted for good cause). Teachers who hold a Tier 2, Tier 3, or Tier 4 license may qualify for an OFP. How do I obtain an out-of-field permission?A school district must initiate the OFP process. When there is an open position, the school district must post the position for a minimum of 15 days on an approved state-wide job board (currently EdPost). If after the posting period the district has found no qualified applicants, the district can offer the position to a teacher licensed in another scope and/or content area, resulting in the need of an out-of-field permission.
The school district is responsible for applying for the OFP on behalf of the teacher. OFPs for the 2023-24 school year may be submitted to PELSB beginning on July 1. The out -of- field permission application can be found here. As a reminder, school districts looking to renew an OFP must post the position for 60 days on EdPost.
What are other options for science teachers impacted by the changes to the K-12 science standards?In addition to obtaining an out-of-field (OFP) permission, Tier 3 and Tier 4 science teachers can obtain additional licenses in the following ways:
Additional licensure via testing: A teacher licensed in Chemistry, Physics, Life Science, or Earth and Space Science (grades 7-12 or grades 9-12) who has taught science (in grades 7-12 or 9-12) for at least three years may add a license by passing the content test in another area of science licensure (grades 9-12 only).
PELSB Licensure Updates for 2023-2024 School Year - May 2, 2023
Tier 1, Tier 2, and Permission Applications Accepted Starting July 1, 2023 PELSB will start accepting applications for Tier 1, Tier 2, Out-of-Field Permissions (OFPs) and Cross-Curricular Delivery Permissions (formerly known as Innovative Program Permissions) for the 2023-2024 school year beginning July 1, 2023. This includes all initial Tier 1, Tier 2, and permission requests and renewals.
PELSB asks that you do not submit Tier 1, Tier 2, or permissions requests for the 23-24 school year prior to July 1. Requests received prior to July 1 may be sent back to the applicant and/or district to be resubmitted July 1.
Applicants renewing their current Tier 1 or Tier 2 licenses will have the option to renew their license online using PELSB’s online renewal system beginning July 1. New permission forms (OFP/CCDP) will be available soon on PELSB’s website. Requests for the 2023-2024 school year will need to be completed using the updated forms.
Board Extends District Supports for Teacher Shortages for 2023-2024 School Year At the April 14 board meeting, the PELSB Board voted to extend supports in place to help districts navigate the teacher shortage. These supports will continue for the 2023-2024 school year. The board extended the following items:
School districts do not need to post for 15 days for an initial out-of-field permission (OFP). The district must still complete the OFP application and submit to PELSB for approval.
Please note: The 60 day posting requirement for OFP renewals remains in effect and must be documented on the OFP application. The 15 or 60 day posting requirement remains in effect for all Tier 1 licenses.
Out-of-field permissions requested for the 23-24 school year will not be included in the five total OFPs a teacher is permitted in their lifetime.
A teacher who holds a lifetime substitute license may serve in a long-term substitute capacity or fill a vacancy if their previous professional teaching license (Tier 3, Tier 4, or Minnesota five-year standards license) was aligned to the assignment.
These OFP flexibilities are in addition to flexibilities already in place for science teachers (more information here) and those adopted as part of the 4615 Rulemaking Project (more information below).
Licensure and Permission Changes from 4615 Rulemaking Project PELSB’s April 24 Information Session gave an overview of licensure changes from the 4615 rulemaking project. A recording of this information session and a copy of the PowerPoint is available on PELSB’s website. Changes to note regarding out-of-field permissions:
Starting July 1, 2023, a Tier 2 teacher may only hold an OFP for up to 50% of their total assignment. Tier 2 teachers must teach at least 50% of their assignment in their Tier 2 licensure field.
Districts are not required to advertise for an out-of-field permission if:
The assignment is for a .25 FTE or less, or
The teacher is enrolled, and making meaningful progress, in a teacher preparation program aligned to the OFP assignment requested.
Additional changes to licensure and permissions can be found on PELSB’s website. QuestionsFor questions about the changes to licensure and permissions, please contact pelsb@state.mn.us.