SW Minnesota Today

Minnesota has given teachers a special grace period for renewing licenses, which will be shown with a six-month extension for any licenses expiring after June, Minn Post reported. 

While the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board has been accepting applications for renewals and processing them throughout the pandemic, there is estimated to be about 10,000 teachers who haven't submitted a renewal application for this year, Minn Post reported. Those who have yet to submit a renewal that will see their license expiring after June 30 are given a six-month extension on their license. 

In addition to extending licenses, the state is modifying student teaching programs. To ensure college students are still able to graduate with teaching experience student-teaching programs will have to take place in a virtual classroom, Minn Post reported. 

Many programs are also settling on less time student teaching since the pandemic changed the way of doing things. 

Several student teaching programs require a set about of weeks for a student to be teaching. Many of which are expediting the process by requiring fewer weeks, which will make sure all students are able to graduate college on time, according to Minn Post.