MREA has been especially busy this year advocating on behalf of Greater Minnesota schools. There are a series of bills in the air. Here’s a rundown of what they are by key issue and where they stand at the Capitol as of now. Each includes the bill authors and where possible, links to their text and status at the legislature. … Read More
MREA to Testify on Concurrent Enrollment Bills
Bills have been presented in the House and Senate to improve concurrent enrollment opportunities in Minnesota. The House bill, sponsored by Rep. Jim Davnie (D-Minneapolis), will be heard Tuesday in the House Education Policy Committee. Princeton Superintendent Julia Espe and several Princeton students will testify in support of the bill. A companion bill also has been presented in the Senate by Sen. … Read More
Bill to Improve IEP Process for Special Education
Key legislation has been presented to repeal a law that requires the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) to contract for a single vendor for the IEP (Individualized Education Plan). HF 804 and SF 740 would instead require schools districts to contract with vendors for seamless transference of records. View issue brief. Currently 85 percent of school districts in Minnesota use the same system … Read More
Federal Student Success Bill Prepares for Vote
National debate on the Student Success Act is drawing to a close and Congress is hearing a large amount from grassroots groups, with a loud opposition to HR5. AASA told MREA on Friday that the overall vote is close, and now is the time to contact your Representative and urge them to support HR5. Track this bill. This bill supports … Read More
March Madness Ignites with $1.9 Billion Surplus
Minnesotans received positive news about their state budget on Friday from the February budget forecast. Last December the state projected a surplus for the next two years (fiscal years 16-17) of $1.04 billion. The updated forecast now estimates a surplus of $1.87 million. The $832 million in projected growth is largely due to a expected increases in income and sales tax … Read More
Senate Debates Basic Funding Formula Increase
Two bills related to the general education funding formula and one related to compensatory revenue were all laid over for possible inclusion in the Senate E12 omnibus bill. SF163, sponsored by Sen. John Hoffman (DFL – Champlin), would increase school district basic revenue formula allowance to $6,131 starting in fiscal year 2016. SF541, sponsored by Sen. Greg Clausen (DFL – … Read More
3 Hot Rural Issues in Senate
The Senate E-12 Committee heard legislation and testimony on three key rural education issues this past week. A brief rundown on each is provided below. Debt Service Enhanced Debt Service plans (SF 489) for consolidating districts and districts with very high debt service was heard Tuesday. Superintendent Bob Indihar of Moose Lake whose community used enhanced debt service due to natural … Read More
MDE Requests Comments on Desegregation/Integration Rules
The Minnesota Department of Education is requesting comments on its Proposed Permanent Rules Relating to School Desegregation and Integration. A new rule has been posted, and MDE will accept comments on the proposed rule until April 10. In the proposed rules, the 20% threshold for protected student percentages is the same as in the previous rule, but students who are American Indian … Read More
Teacher Shortages and State Exam Under Spotlight
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) recently released its 2015 Teacher Supply and Demand Report. Two of its conclusions are not at all surprising to rural Minnesota school officials: Mounting Shortages: The percentage of districts indicating that it is difficult or impossible to hire qualified teachers in shortage areas is about double that seen in the 2012 survey. Testing Barrier: … Read More
Reading Corp Bills Introduced
Legislators have brought forward legislation that would infuse additional funding into the Minnesota Reading Corps program. The bills were among the legislation reviewed last Tuesday by the House Education Finance Committee for possible inclusion in Chair Jenifer Loon’s future education omnibus bill. The other bills are related to school readiness and home visiting for parent education. Rep. Anna Wills (R-Apple … Read More