A significant education measure has been approved in the Minnesota House, as lawmakers passed legislation that allows teacher performance evaluations to be included as one of many factors when a school district faces the problem of being forced to cut teachers.
Currently, state law dictates that layoff decisions must be based solely on seniority unless local unions allow other factors to be considered. That would change under the approved bill as it requires a locally negotiated layoff process based on licensure, teacher performance, and other locally determined criteria, including seniority.
Everyone wants their child to receive a world class education, and if our priority is to ensure that our schools keep the most effective teachers in the classroom, this is a reform that needs to be made.
If lawmakers want to protect the physical safety and privacy rights of every Minnesota student, I am hopeful they will support the Student Safety and Physical Privacy Act legislation I'm co-authoring.
Most people take it for granted that if a biological male wants to participate in high school athletics, he will have to play on a boys team and dress in a boys locker room. But due to the Minnesota State High School League's (MSHSL) approval of a "transgender student athlete policy" that would allow biological males to play on girls' sports teams, this clarification in state law is necessary.
Very simply, the legislation requires that bathrooms, showers, and locker rooms in a school be separated based on that athlete's biological sex, while ensuring that schools can continue to meet individual student needs for those who are uncomfortable using the facility that corresponds with their birth sex by providing access to a private or faculty facility. It also ensures that girls' teams will remain only for biological girls, which would address any issues of competitive fairness.
Every student athlete, regardless of gender, should feel safe participating in a high school activity and should not have to worry about protecting their personal privacy. This bill would provide that security.
The Prenatal Trisomy Diagnosis Awareness Act I'm sponsoring received its first hearing in our Health and Human Services Reform Committee this week. The bill would provide expectant parents, upon receiving a diagnosis of Trisomy 13, 18, or 21, with supportive and educational information provided by the Minnesota Department of Health and national and local advocacy organizations.
The legislation is important as it would support parents by teaching them about their child's condition and potential treatment options, improving patient-doctor communication, and creating awareness for Trisomy research and advocacy. It would not ban any medically available procedures or limit the ability of doctors to offer candid medical advice.
If approved, Minnesota would be the eighth state to pass prenatal Trisomy awareness legislation.
Finally, my legislative survey is available online this year and I'm hopeful you'll take a few minutes to participate! Please visit my House website at www.house.mn/39B and click on "2015 Legislative Survey."
As always, I am interested in your feedback. Please feel free to contact me by e-mail at Rep.Kathy.Lohmer@House.MN or contact my office at 651-296-4244. You can also send mail to my office address: 501 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.