Dear neighbors,
The Minnesota House of Representatives has passed the Omnibus E-12 Education Finance and Policy Bill. This proposal sets the ambitious goal of closing the achievement gap, reaching a 100 percent high school graduation rate, 100 percent literacy by third grade, and 100 percent career and college readiness by graduation. These goals are intended to be met by the time the class starting in the fall of 2014 graduates and will help to build the world’s best workforce.
Minnesota has historically been a national leader in education investment and achievement. Over the last decade, however, our success has been slipping. We now have the 3rd highest classroom sizes in the country and have fallen from 10th to 22nd in school funding.
The Omnibus E-12 Education Finance and Policy Bill makes new, innovative investments in education by fully funding all-day, every day kindergarten and investing $50 million in early learning childhood scholarships. Many children already attend all-day kindergarten but at the cost of their parents. Providing state-funded early childhood education has been proven to improve test scores and prepare students for future academic success.
In addition to making new investments in early childhood education, the bill also increases the basic funding formula for K-12 schools by four percent over the biennium, or $283 per Edina pupil. Edina schools have always been strong, and these new investments will help to continue that tradition.
New reform measures will also be put in place as part of the education package. Schools will be required to develop strategic plans for student achievement and update the public on their status each year. The Minnesota Department of Education’s Regional Centers of Excellence will, in turn, provide assistance and work with schools to reach their achievement goals.
We are modernizing our curriculums to make sure that students are prepared for today’s global career market. As part of this, a new student assessment system will be implemented to ensure students are on the path to being career and college ready. These reform policies will help to accurately monitor the progress our schools and students are making, provide accountability for the tax dollars we’re spending, and help schools correct any issues that they may have with student performance.
The final piece to the House Education plan repays the $854 million previously borrowed from the schools to balance the state budget. Through new investments, innovations, reforms and the school loan repayment, we will renew our promise to Edina kids and strengthen our Minnesota economy into the future.
Please contact me with your input anytime. I appreciate hearing from Edina residents. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-4363 or by email at rep.ron.erhardt@house.mn.
Sincerely,
Ron Erhardt
State Representative, Edina