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Full Minn. Senate To Debate New Teacher Licensing

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- An alternative system for licensing teachers that would make it easier for Teach for America to expand in Minnesota is headed for a vote in the state Senate.

Republican Sen. Gen Olson says the Senate Finance Committee approved her bill on a 15-2 vote Tuesday. It now goes to the Senate as a whole.

She says the inspiration for the bill was Teach for America, the education organization that places recent college graduates in low-income public schools after a five-week training course.

The group currently has about 90 teachers in Twin Cities schools, they are licensed through what some consider a cumbersome process.

The state teachers union has suggested a different alternate licensing process, which is more restrictive and includes more supervision of new teachers.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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