| For Immediate Release | For more information contact: |
| March 9, 2000 | Lindsay Sander (651-297-5600) |
People have all kinds of different motivations for running for public office. Mine were simple cut taxes, reduce the size of our bloated government and improve the quality of education for our students now and into the future. Over the past year, the Legislature has taken up these issues- passing permanent tax reductions, eliminating much governmental waste and duplicity and creating more equitable K-12 education funding for school districts throughout the state. While our work has been extremely positive and beneficial for the people of Minnesota, one sore spot still remains the highly controversial Profile of Learning.
As a public school educator and legislator, I have had a first hand opportunity to evaluate the mandated Profile of Learning standards and the Graduation Requirements. I understand the concerns raised by our students, their parents, teachers and especially school administrators. I strongly believe the Profile of Learning requirements place an enormous and unnecessary burden on our teachers, students and the education system as whole.
This past week the House Education Committee, of which I am a member, approved legislation that will significantly impact the implementation of the Profile and the future scope of the state mandate. The proposal places a moratorium on the Profile until the problems which have arisen are fixed, the number of standards required is halved, and the paperwork required of students, teachers and administrators is greatly reduced.
A permanent moratorium on the mandated implementation and overall enforcement of the Profile requirements is a huge victory for students and teachers affected by the requirements. In essence, it tells the Department of Children, Families and Learning (DCFL) that they can continue to try to make this sow's ear into a silk purse, but we will no longer allow them to harm our students and teachers as they proceed. Under the proposal, the moratorium will not be lifted until we, the elected representatives, in consultation with our constituents, feel that they've finally gotten it right.
The number of required Profile standards will also be reduced with this legislation. This is again a victory for our students. Giving students more opportunities to explore subjects they couldn't normally take, or have time for, under the previous Profile standards is one of the best ways we can encourage unique opportunities in our schools while also allowing them to accelerate to higher levels of academic achievement.
The legislation approved by the House Education Committee also requires the Department of Children, Families and Learning (DCFL) to address the major complaints of the program, including the massive amount of paperwork required of our students and teachers. In my opinion, the current Profile packets are burdensome, complicated, wasteful, and confusing. A more comprehensive and concise method of tracking will lessen the burden for everyone. The language in the bill requires that the state and DCFL must present the new Profile to students and their parents in a way that is comprehensive and easy to understand.
While the bill still has to be considered by the full House of Representatives, I think it is the best proposal we have seen to address the Profile of Learning. I will continue to work on the issue with my fellow Legislators as the session progresses. As always, if you have ideas or concerns on this or any other issue, please feel free to contact me. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-1072 or by e-mail at rep.mark.buesgens@house.leg.state.mn.us.
###