Minnesota: College and Career Policies

Graduation Requirements: Mathematics

Minnesota requires 3 credits of math for graduation.

Graduation Requirements: Additional Graduation Requirements

This includes 1 credit in the arts and 7 elective credits.

Student Assessments: Mathematics

The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) and alternate assessment, Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS), are the statewide tests that help districts measure student progress toward Minnesota's academic standards and meet the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Students take one test in each subject. Most students take the MCA, but students who receive special education services and meet eligibility criteria may take the MTAS.

Educator Professional Growth and Development: Administrator Licensure Renewal

As listed in the License Renewal Instructions and Registration Guide,125 hours of administrative and supervisory professional development credits are required for renewal.

Content Standards: Other

Minnesota has standards in 7 different content areas including arts, English language arts, health and physical education, math, reading, science, and social studies.

Content Standards: Arts (Fine Arts)

Minnesota updated the arts standards in 2008.

Educator Professional Growth and Development: Professional Development

Minnesota has not adopted any professional development standards.

Student Assessments: Assessment Authority

The Minnesota Commissioner of Education has full authority to adopt assessments.

Content Standards: Science

Minnesota updated the science standards in 2009.

Educator Performance Evaluation: Educator Evaluation Authority

Minnesota requires districts to develop and evaluate principals and teachers to improve leadership and instruction, as well as to increase student learning and success. Minnesota charter schools must also evaluate teachers with evaluation and development processes that meet guidelines in statute (Minn. Stat,, §§ 123B.147 and 122A.40, Subd. 8, and § 122A.41, Subd. 5).

Graduation Requirements: Science

Minnesota requires 3 credits of science for graduation.

Educator Performance Evaluation: Educator Evaluation Policy

Student Assessments: Science

Educator Preparation and Licensure: Educator Licensure Authority

The Minnesota Board of Teaching licenses teachers.

Content Standards: Social Studies

Minnesota updated the social studies standards in 2013.

Educator Preparation and Licensure: Educator Licensure Policy

In order to become a certified teacher in Minnesota, an applicant must earn a passing score on a board-adopted skills examination in reading, writing, and mathematics.

Graduation Requirements: Social Studies

Minnesota requires 3.5 credits of social studies to graduate.

Educator Preparation and Licensure: Educator Preparation Authority

The Minnesota State Board of Teaching creates the standards by which preparation programs are assessed.

Content Standards: Standards Authority

(a)The commissioner must consider advice from at least the following stakeholders in developing statewide rigorous core academic standards in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, including history, geography, economics, government and citizenship, and the arts:
(1) parents of school-age children and members of the public throughout the state;
(2) teachers throughout the state currently licensed and providing instruction in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, or the arts and licensed elementary and secondary school principals throughout the state currently administering a school site;
(3) currently serving members of local school boards and charter school boards throughout the state;

Professional Program Standards and Requirements: Educator Preparation Policy

The board shall implement new systems of teacher preparation program evaluation to assure program effectiveness based on proficiency of graduates in demonstrating attainment of program outcomes. Teacher preparation programs including alternative teacher preparation programs under section 122A.245, among other programs, must include a content-specific, board-approved, performance-based assessments. The Minnesota Department of Education Educator Licensing Division expects all applicants for teaching licensure in the state to graduate from a state-approved teacher preparation program and hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, you must complete a Human Relations course, which is included in all Minnesota approved teacher preparation programs.

State Policy Database

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