Committee recommends permission to publish KRA and advances major teacher‑licensure regulations with implementation conditions

The Education Policy Committee recommended that the State Board of Education grant permission to publish revisions to the kindergarten readiness assessment (KRA) regulation and also recommended permission to adopt major teacher‑licensure regulations that change renewal requirements and create an in‑district licensure pathway.

MSDE staff told the committee the statute requires the department to administer the state‑approved kindergarten readiness assessment as a census and to complete administration for incoming kindergartners by Oct. 10 of the academic year. Board members asked whether regulatory language that used "may" for assessment components should instead read "shall"; staff replied the regulation mirrors statutory language and suggested legislative change if the board wanted to require all components.

The committee voted to recommend permission to publish the KRA regulation to the full board.

In a separate, lengthy discussion about educator certification, Doctor Mila McCarthy objected to language that references National Board certification pathways, arguing that some national‑board materials describe reading methods inconsistent with the "science of reading." "[National Board certification] involves proficiency in teaching the ... queuing method for reading, which we know does not follow the science of reading," she said. MSDE's Kelly Meadows replied that renewal rules require any renewing educator—including National Board entrants—to demonstrate mastery of evidence‑based reading instructional practices at renewal and that the department has options (approved assessment, attestation by an observer, or department‑approved training) for demonstrating that proficiency.

Staff described a phased approach to regulatory implementation, including a five‑year validity period for existing professional certificates so educators would not be penalized mid‑cycle; teachers may elect to renew under old or new requirements during their current validity period. Staff also outlined an approval process for in‑district pathways that will require districts to submit partner coursework and induction plans for MSDE approval. The committee recommended permission to adopt the cited licensure regulations to the full board, with staff committed to return with implementation details.