The recent controversy surrounding Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy in Minnesota has sparked a lot of discussion. Commissioner of Education, Alice Seagren maintained a pragmatic attitude stating, “One of the most important factors in a child’s success in school is the quality of the teacher in the classroom and it is our job to make sure every school follows the law regarding teacher licensure.”
According to the Minnesota Department of Education website, Seagren “upheld the decision of the Minnesota Department of Education to fine charter school Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy (TiZA) $139,000 for Teacher Licensure Violations for employing teachers who do not hold valid teaching licenses or permits. TiZA schools are located in Inver Grove Heights and Blaine. In her 26 page decision, the commissioner reduced the number of teachers initially found to be out of compliance at TiZA and based her penalty upon state statute 127A.42, resulting in a fine of $139,801.66. The Department will withhold the money from TiZA’s state funding beginning December 15, 2009.”
For more information on this, please visit theMinnesota Department of Education website.
