Dear neighbor,
Please click the link below to see an update on education issues we are working on at the Capitol. This is my first video update of the session.
http://youtu.be/5hneTq5UpqY
This week, members from House education-related committees gathered to take on the subject of “The World’s Best and Smartest Workforce.” At the meeting we listened to testimony from business leaders and educators who talked about Minnesota’s future. Education was the focus of the hearing because it is the key to how our state can remain economically strong and retain its quality of life.
Minnesota faces some challenges as we work to improve education. Minnesota is getting older fast. As we deal with having an aging population, we must look at ways to make a smaller workforce smarter and more innovative. In addition, seventy percent of Minnesota jobs will require education beyond high school by 2018. With college tuition soaring throughout the state, we need to take action to make higher education affordable for all Minnesotans.
One of the high-priority recommendations during the hearing was to implement an effective early childhood education program. Governor Dayton has proposed early childhood scholarships for some school districts and we are working on ways to make this education accessible for all Minnesota families.
Another message of importance during the hearing was that there are more good-paying jobs in Minnesota than qualified job candidates. We need to train our children for 21st century jobs—some of which are in new technologies or industries that either did not exist or had low demand just a decade ago. As the job market changes, we need to update our education standards.
There was some good news in Tuesday’s education hearing. Minnesota’s best high-school students are outperforming most states and countries in the world in math and science. And companies are continue to be motivated to start and grow in Minnesota because of the quality of our workforce.
“The World’s Best and Smartest Workforce” hearing was very informative and will help us at the legislature as we work to prepare students for 21st century jobs. I hope that we can work towards education funding and reforms that will strengthen our schools, support our educators and put our students' success at the center of our efforts.
Please contact me with your suggestions and input on education or any other issue. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-3248 or by email at rep.kathy.brynaert@house.mn. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Kathy Brynaert
State Representative
Mankato