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
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
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
Universal All Day Preschool Stalls at Capitol
A bill that would give school districts the opportunity to offer all-day preschool to 4-year-olds stalled last Tuesday in the House Education Innovation Policy Committee. This year, the proposal came forth in the form of HF46 sponsored by Rep. Erin Murphy (DFL – St. Paul). The bill would allow eligibility for children who are 4 years old and not enrolled … Read More
7 Keys to Improving American Indian Student Education
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) presented to legislators today 7 recommendations for improving educational opportunities for American Indian students in Minnesota. The recommendations come from the state’s Indian Education Working Group. Minnesota is last in the nation in the graduation rate of American Indian students. Within the state, AMI students have the lowest graduation rate and the slowest growth … Read More
Legislators Debate Governor's Proposed Education Spending
By Joe Gould, Legislative Affairs Specialist Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton’s education budget was presented in bill form on Wednesday to the House Education Finance Committee. Sponsored by Committee Chair Rep. Jenifer Loon (R-Eden Prairie), HF844 reflects the governor’s goals to close the achievement gap by ramping up support for early learning, particularly for children who come from low-income families, said Education … Read More
Bill Introduced to Continue Home Visit Program
House Education Finance Chair Jenifer Loon (R-Eden Prairie) last week introduced a bill to continue to award grants to evidence-based early literacy parent-child home visiting program. The House Education Finance is reviewing the legislation for possible inclusion in the Omnibus Bill. Parent-child home programs are designed to have instructors (called home visitors) visit families with young children (target age range of … Read More
School Readiness Bill Brought to House Committee
The Minnesota House Education Finance Committee reviewed legislation last week that would increase school readiness aid from $12 million a year to $25 million beginning in fiscal year 2016. Rep. Laurie Halverson (DFL-Eagan) introduced the bill, HF226, for possible inclusion in the Education Omnibus Bill. The bill provides funding to districts for eligible pre-kindergarten students to improve early education and ensure students … Read More
MREA Budget Webinar Recording Now Available
MREA hosted a virtual meeting today to review Governor Dayton’s budget proposal released last week. MREA Director of Legislative Action Sam Walseth discussed the budget’s impact on education in Greater Minnesota as well as legislative reaction to the proposal. In case you missed today’s meeting, here are two opportunities to catch up: Hear the discussion with Sam’s commentary and the slides. View the slide presentation only. … Read More