A 13 member board appointed by the governor changed teacher licensing requirements, adding a stipulation that requires teachers to affirm “student identities” including gender identity and sexual orientation, effectively barring practicing Christians, Jews and Muslims from the profession. It could be interpreted as a First Amendment violation, as well as religious discrimination, but so far no lawsuits have been filed to challenge it.
The updated language reads as follows:
The teacher fosters an environment that ensures student identities such as race/ethnicity, national origin, language, sex and gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical/developmental/emotional ability, socioeconomic class, and religious beliefs are historically and socially contextualized, affirmed, and incorporated into a learning environment where students are empowered to learn and contribute as their whole selves (emphasis added).
The Federalist reports:
Starting next July, Minnesota agencies controlled by Walz appointees will require teacher license applicants to affirm transgenderism and race Marxism. Without a teaching license, individuals cannot work in Minnesota public schools, nor in the private schools that require such licenses.
Last spring, administrative law judges finally approved these pending changes The Federalist reported one month before they were finalized. Universities are also affected: starting in 2025, they must either train their teaching students to fulfill these anti-Christian requirements or be banned from offering state licensing — and thus the ticket to the vast majority of teaching jobs — to their students.
The changes would require observers of Abrahamic religions to either lie about their beliefs or sacrifice their jobs, and poses a significant obstacle for Christian, Jewish and Muslim learning institutions in the state. Some religious schools say they will comply with the updated rules while others have stated they will defy them and plan to take legal action if and when they're targeted.
Since 2020 in Minnesota, teachers renewing their licenses, which is usually required every five to seven years, must demonstrate “cultural competency” similar to the requirements imposed in 2025 on new teaching licensees. Teachers renewing their licensing must “Show[] evidence of self-reflection and discussion of” topics that include “Gender Identity, Including Transgender Students” and “Sexual Orientation.” They must also show they understand “bias” in themselves and their students related to race, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other cultural Marxist categories.
American Liberty News has previously reported on how Minnesota students have suffered under Walz's leadership. It appears there is more focus on left wing ideology, inclusivity and sensitivity than preparing students to become literate, competent thinkers that will go on to function or succeed in the adult world.
The Federalist continues:
During Walz's governorship, student achievement in Minnesota has gone from among the best in the nation to declining more sharply than anywhere else in the nation, according to the Minneapolis-based Center for the American Experiment. The most recent scores show Minnesota fourth graders dipping below the national average in reading for the first time ever recorded on the well-respected Nation's Report Card.
Crazy policy, littered with typical lefty buzzwords and phrases. Essentially, a Kammie-worthy word salad as educationpolicy.
It doesn’t surprise me,Minn. has patted themselves on the back far too long when it comes to education ,among other things. That has been such an uber Liberal State way long —–Their politicians go to bed dreaming of a tax they can lay on their citizens”””NEVER MET A TAX THEY DIDN’T LIKE”. Their teachers should be up-in-arms over this new law—–who in their right mind would want to teach under those conditions—–MARXISTS !!!!!!!!
So the pool of qualified teachers just shrunk dramatically and the quality of education in Minnesota just took a dump. I suggest parents get their kids out of Minnesota schools until sanity returns.