Early Childhood and Family Education Teacher Shortage Grant awarded to Minnesota postsecondary institutions

8/5/2024

 

[ST. PAUL, Minn.] – Addressing the licensed teacher shortage to benefit Minnesota’s youngest learners and their families, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education awarded $950,000 in Early Childhood and Family Education (ECFE) Teacher Shortage Grants to three postsecondary institutions: Minnesota State University-Moorhead, University of Minnesota and University of St. Thomas.

Administered individually by awarded universities, the grant program will support a pathway for many individuals, particularly future educators from rural communities and students of color, in completing Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) approved programs that lead to ECFE-related teacher licenses in Minnesota. Funds will provide tuition relief in student scholarships, targeted recruitment for students, as well as other support services.

Both an early childhood education license and parent and family education license are required for an educator to provide services in any of the state’s ECFE programs. Minnesota is the only state in the country that requires a parent and family education teacher license to serve in an ECFE program. Although this requirement has become foundational in the quality of delivered services, this has disproportionately affected educators of color and those from low-income backgrounds.

The ECFE Teacher Shortage Grant program is a one-time grant opportunity that was established by the 2023 Minnesota Legislature to ensure more children can benefit from licensed teachers as they begin their educational journeys. Additionally, the grant aims to diversify the number of teachers in the ECFE field, as well as improve the ability for educators to provide high-quality programs that assist parents.  

Learn more and view a list of awarded grantees on the Minnesota Office of Higher Education website.