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Committee hears plan to expand intermediate-district apprenticeship that trains special-education teachers
Summary
Lawmakers heard testimony on House File 846, which supporters say would expand an apprenticeship pathway that helps paraprofessionals earn categorical special-education licensure while working. Testifiers described early results and asked questions about grant administration and sustainability.
House File 846 was presented to the Minnesota House Education Finance Committee on March 13, 2025, by Representative Clardy to request expanded funding for the Intermediate Teacher Apprenticeship Collaborative (I-Track).
Representative Clardy said the program, developed by the state's four intermediate school districts, creates a two-year, on-the-job apprenticeship that allows nonlicensed support staff to earn a bachelor's degree and categorical licensure in areas such as emotional and behavioral disorders and autism spectrum disorder. “This program was designed to recruit diverse and highly qualified special ed workforce because we know that there's been a shortage in that area,” Clardy told the committee.
The bill as presented proposes additional annual funding for the program. Representative Clardy described the proposal as seeking "$3,000,000 annually to expand apprenticeship within the intermediate school districts," and asked the committee to lay the measure over for…
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