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Teacher test requirement revisited

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Feb 19, 2013 at 4:55 pm

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) Some Minnesota lawmakers want to repeal a state law passed last year that requires all Minnesota teachers pass a reading, writing and math test to get a teaching license.

Gov. Mark Dayton signed the bill last February after it won nearly unanimous support from lawmakers. But the Senate Education Committee reviewed a bill Tuesday to repeal the requirement as some teachers and school officials testified that it's blocking qualified people from classrooms.

An art teacher from a district near Brainerd says he can't pass the writing test because of a learning disability. Opponents of the requirement also say parts of the test are difficult for non-native English speakers that teach students who also have limited language skills.

Supporters of the bill say it should be improved, not scrapped entirely.