Part II: What the new teacher licensing standards mean for teacher preparation providers

View as a PDF here

Gov. Tim Walz’s Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) proposed amendments to the rules governing teacher licensure in Minnesota. These changes are expected to be formally adopted later this winter or early spring and then go into effect on July 1, 2024. Unfortunately, the approved changes politicize teacher training requirements.

Now, teacher preparation providers, tasked with confirming teacher candidates demonstrate the controversial changes in their coursework, are wondering how these changes will impact their programs. Here’s what you need to know.

(Are you an educator wondering how these changes will impact you? Visit here.)

“I am a teacher preparation provider. How do these changes affect me?”

The rule changes directly affect teacher preparation providers, as they will have to incorporate the modified Standards of Effective Practice into their coursework for teacher candidates to demonstrate as a pre-licensure requirement.

According to PELSB, there are 35 different teacher preparation providers in the state who will be affected, even if their teacher candidates plan on teaching at a nonpublic school.

Each provider will have to evaluate their current licensure programs to determine whether their programs meet new standards. For some providers, this may mean revising, adding, or deleting courses for teacher candidates. For other providers, the new standards are already embedded into their programs.


Let’s stand together to support and empower teacher preparation providers as they strive to prepare educators for a classroom free of an illiberal worldview that treats students and teachers as mere representatives of their race and gender groups instead of as unique, complex individuals.

Because this is new policy, these interpretations are based on the best information we have at this time. We will continue to monitor any changes or interpretations from PESLB as they formally adopt these licensure rule changes.

Are you a teacher preparation provider concerned these rule changes violate your institution’s values, religious beliefs and convictions? Please reach out to our coalition for support using the contact information below.

Download a PDF with similar information and clickable links here.