December Meetings

The long awaited ruling by Administrative Law Judge, Jim Mortenson, over amendments proposed to MN Teacher Licensure and the required pedagogical standards, has finally been released. Judge Mortenson, who originally had 30 days to finalize his decision, postponed his ruling past October 20th, past the midterm election Nov 8th, and finally released his report on November 22nd … however it would appear that when the Judge disapproved portions of the proposed rules, that then required the authority of a SECOND Judge – CHIEF Administrative Law Judge, Jenny Starr – to review his findings. She agreed with two of his disapprovals, and she disagreed with one approval and one disapproval. She ordered the final ruling December 2nd.

All but three of the rule changes proposed in the 86-page report were approved. It is sad. All of these approved changes will hurt, not help, licensed teachers and the children they teach. Many of us fought for more positive language in the rules. We have attended hearings, we have spoken up, we have written letters, and we have spread the word. Link to my article Molding the Claymation Teacher HERE. Yet most of the negativity, polarization, sexualization, and racially charged language remains firmly planted in the new licensure standards.

But that’s not the end. The Board STILL has the option to “correct the defects associated with the proposed rules.” It’s as if the word “NO” doesn’t apply to PELSB rulemaking. Attend PELSB’s Meeting in-Person or virtually to hear how they will get everything they want on December 9th at 9:30AM. Details are below.