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State Representative Patti Fritz
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-8237
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
NEWS COLUMN
Good news for area schools
As children in our area begin another school year, parents and teachers are hearing good news. Last week, the Minnesota Department of Education released the results of the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment, showing that the number of underperforming schools in Minnesota dropped from 464 last year to 247 this year. The schools are judged on four criteria: participation, proficiency in reading and mathematics, attendance and graduation. All area schools showed significant improvement.
Earlier this month, it was announced that Minnesota students were ranked number one in the nation in ACT scores for the first time in over ten years.
As a first –term legislator, education funding was a top priority for me. Our schools are reeling from a $185 million cut in 2003 and previous years of flat funding. Without an increase, they would be facing more teacher lay-offs, larger classroom sizes and more program cuts. Fortunately, the education bill we passed in the 2005 session will offer some much needed financial relief, providing the most significant funding increase in over two decades. I am very pleased to have played a role in passing this bill that provides an excellent start to restoring the funding our schools need.
Through these years of flat funding and budget cuts, our teachers and support staff have really come through for our students. They are to be commended for their excellent work under less than ideal circumstances.
I want to extend my thanks to all of you who work in our schools, and to our community members for your unwavering support of our children. You continue to provide the excellence in education that this generation needs to lead us into the future.
News Items
- STATE REP. PATTI FRITZ PARTICIPATES IN START OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION - (Posted: Jan 9 2013 3:32PM)
- Rep. Fritz: Homeowners, Farmers Need Property Tax Relief - (Posted: 2012-05-01 00:00:00)
- Rep. Fritz: Let’s Vote on a Bonding Bill that Benefits All - (Posted: 2012-04-19 00:00:00)
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