Minnesota teacher program allegedly restricts eligibility to BIPOC applicants only, sparking federal law violation concerns from education watchdog group.
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FIRSTONFOX:Aleadingeducationwatchdoggroupreleasedareportthisweekallegingthatastate-fundedteacherpreparationpartnershipinMinnesotaexplicitlylimitseligibilitybasedonrace,possiblyinviolationoffederallaw.
AccordingtoareportreleasedbyDefendingEducation,theMinnesotaEducatorsPartnership(MEP),acollaborationbetweenMSUMankatoandseveralsouthernMinnesotaschooldistricts,operatesmultipleteacherpipelineprogramsthatarerestrictedtoBlack,IndigenousandPeopleofColor(BIPOC)applicantsdespitebeingfundedwithtaxpayerdollarsthroughtheMinnesotaDepartmentofEducation.
Thepartnershipinquestion,accordingtothereport,received$1.5millioninstategrantsin2023aspartofMinnesota’s“GrowYourOwn”(GYO)program,whichwasdesignedtorecruitandtrainteacherstoworkthroughoutschoolsinthestatewiththegoalofdiversifyingtheteachingworkforce.
ThereportfocusesontwoMEPinitiativesknownas̶
