Minneapolis schools settle with Broadway teen moms over unlicensed teachers

Minneapolis Public Schools announced today that it's set up a compensation fund for students who lost credits toward graduation after the district discovered unqualified teachers leading classes at Broadway High School three years ago.

In a 2011 report, the district found that the administration at the school, which serves pregnant teens or teen parents, had employed some teachers who weren't licensed to teach their subjects.

Some students at Broadway High School were knocked off course from graduation after the district converted the credits from some core classes necessary for graduation to electives.

The $404,934 fund was set up as part of the settlement of a class action lawsuit filed in 2012. It's available to 657 students who took courses for three years starting in the 2008-2009 school year, according to an email response from the district.

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Each student will be eligible for $244 for each credit they earned in classes with unlicensed teachers. Each student will also get $254 for each credit the district changed from core to elective.

Students can spend the money on education, such as GED courses and vocational training. Students also may pay for childcare, books, technology and other costs associated with education.

No one was immediately available from Minneapolis Public Schools to comment on the settlement, but Superintendent Bernadeia Johnson said in a statement that the fund is meant to provide "an opportunity for the affected students to continue their educational journey successfully."

The district said that it has taken steps to ensure quality education at Broadway High School, which is now located at Longfellow school in South Minneapolis.