St. Paul, Minnesota — The Minnesota House of Representatives passed the conference committee report on the Omnibus E-12 Education Finance and Policy Bill today on a bipartisan vote of 78 to 56. The budget fully funds all-day kindergarten, invests $40 million in early learning scholarships, and adds $234 million on the per-pupil formula. The bill’s goal is to start closing the achievement gap, reach a 100 percent high school graduation rate, 100 percent literacy by third grade, and 100 percent career and college readiness by graduation — all by 2027.
“This session has truly been the ‘education session’ and we see that both with early education and college readiness initiatives in this bill and with the higher education tuition freeze that we passed,” said Representative Zachary Dorholt (DFL – St. Cloud). “We are following through with students from an early age through higher education to make sure that they are prepared for 21st century careers. We are choosing to invest in Minnesota's number one asset, human capital.”
The Omnibus E-12 Education Finance and Policy Bill fully funds all-day, every day kindergarten and invests $40 million in early learning childhood scholarships. All-day K and early childhood education are proven tools to improve test scores, close the achievement gap, and prepare students for future academic success. In addition to increased funding for kindergarten and early childhood, the bill also increases the basic funding formula for K-12 schools by three percent over the biennium, an increase of over $234 million, or $156 per pupil.
“St. Cloud currently foots the bill for all-day kindergarten,” said Rep. Dorholt. “Funding all-day kindergarten will make sure that all of our kids get an equal start and will free up more money for our district to help address our unique needs.”
The new investments in this education bill mark a sharp difference from the education bills of the past decade. Minnesota has been trapped in a cycle of deficits. And each time, schools, our kids, and our students paid the price. As a result, many Minnesota school districts have moved to 4-day school weeks. The state has slipped from the top 10 in funding to 22nd. Perhaps most alarming, Minnesota is now ranked 47th in the country in terms of classroom sizes.
“Minnesota has always been a leader in education, and our brainpower is what put us on the map,” said Rep. Dorholt. “After a decade of disinvestment in education, we find our lead slipping. The education bill renews our commitment to education and its ability to keep our state competitive.”
The Education Budget also implements several reforms. Schools will be required to develop strategic plans for student achievement and update the public on their status each year. The state will utilize the Minnesota Department of Education’s Regional Centers of Excellence to provide assistance and work with schools to reach their goals. A new student assessment system will be implemented that ensures students stay on track and that every student graduates career or college ready, and innovation grants that promote new ways to increase student achievement will be available to schools.
Rep. Dorholt can be reached by phone at (651) 296-6612 or by email at rep.zachary.dorholt@house.mn.
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