Don Samuels Reacts to MN Board of Teaching Vote

Friday, June 14, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:  Patrick Layden, 603-809-7252

Don Samuels Reacts to MN Board of Teaching Vote

 

Minneapolis, MN: The Minnesota Board of Teaching voted this morning to deny Teach for America's application for group variance for licensing.  TFA has been placing teachers in Minnesota for 5 years, and until today, group variance has never been denied.  

"This is just the latest in a series of power-plays in the education debate that has no regard for its effect on students, schools, or the learning environment for our kids.  By changing the rules at the last minute, schools in our cities are now left with paralyzing uncertainty as to when and if the teachers they were promised will be licensed," said Samuels.

"I believe in an outcomes-based approach to education.  It is unconscionable that anyone would put the future success of any child in jeopardy by doing something with such blatant political motivation."

31 of the 43 TFA Corps members in question have already been hired by schools in the Twin Cities, and must now pursue individual licenses starting July 1st.  The process is expected to take 4-6 weeks, leaving these schools in an 11th-hour scramble to put these teachers back in the classroom where they belong.
 
Don Samuels is the 5th Ward councilmember in Minneapolis, and a candidate for Mayor.