Almost 40 percent of new teachers leave the profession not because they’re dissatisfied with their pay, according to Education/Evolving Managing Partner Curt Johnson, but because traditional schools tend to stifle their creativity and innovation.
Rep. John Benson (DFL-Minnetonka) sponsors a bill that would allow motivated teachers to plan and help run site-governed schools.
“We have been told for a long time what to do, how to do it, when to do it, by all the rules that are placed before us by federal, state and local entities,” said Minneapolis Federation of Teachers President Lynn Nordgren. “Teachers are often the last to be asked about what’s best for kids.”
Current charter school law allows teachers to help form schools outside school district authority, while another statute permits school site decision-making agreements allowing for school reform if 60 percent of the licensed employees of a school request such an agreement.
Something of a hybrid, HF751 would allow smaller groups of teachers who envision a different school model to build it more quickly without leaving their district, but with the same exemptions from certain laws and rules as charter schools.
The bill would allow a school board to request proposals from licensed district teachers, parents or community members to create and run site-governed schools that provide alternatives to the traditional district model. Board approval would be needed within 60 days. Teachers would retain their district employment, union status, salary and benefits. Site-governed schools would be accountable for achieving performance standards that would be spelled out in agreements with the school board.
The House K-12 Education Policy and Oversight Committee approved the bill March 24 and sent it to the House Finance Committee. A companion, SF486, sponsored by Sen. Kathy Saltzman (DFL-Woodbury), awaits action by the Senate E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division.
The year without a K-12 law
School funding is flat, no reforms enacted
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Published 6/1/2010
House K-12 omnibus bill fast-tracked
Senate slow to respond with companion legislation
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Published 5/13/2010
K-12 education omnibus bill stalls
Teacher licensure proposals in contention
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Published 5/6/2010
K-12 education bill moves forward
Measures would activate reforms, stabilize school funding
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Published 4/29/2010
Resuscitating Race to the Top bid
New bid could hinge on proposals to boost teacher effectiveness
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Published 4/22/2010
Raiders of the lost fund
Slew of reforms could boost Permanent School Fund income
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Published 3/25/2010
Schools shore up state’s checkbook
Obscure law forces drawdown of school reserves before state can borrow
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Published 2/25/2010
At Issue: No shifts, no cuts
Education funding in a holding pattern
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Published 5/29/2009
At Issue: E-12 education bill that might have been
Funding held steady with no shifts proposed, but no Minnesota Miracle
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Published 5/15/2009
At Issue: Investing in quality care for kids
Lawmakers hope for long-term benefits of early investment
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Published 4/24/2009
At Issue: Building a better formula
Omnibus K-12 education finance bill floor debate highlights obstacles
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Published 4/24/2009
At Issue: Whose values are they anyway?
Lawmaker carries on family legacy with sex education bill
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Published 4/17/2009
First Reading: One school doesn’t fit all
Efforts put forward to tailor charter school law
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Published 4/10/2009
At Issue: Hopeful education goals in a dismal year
Omnibus bill addresses changing needs and future demands
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Published 4/3/2009
At Issue: Getting kids to move
Bill aims to ensure ‘No child left on their behind’
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Published 2/20/2009
First Reading: Accountability funding for all
A ‘New Minnesota Miracle’ requires a leap of faith
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Published 2/13/2009
At Issue: Q Comp found wanting
Performance measure has perks, but is it affordable?
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Published 2/6/2009
At Issue: Reforming education, saving money
Bipartisan support shown for mandate reduction and shared services
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Published 1/23/2009
Feature: Passing the torch of democracy
Youth immerse themselves in lingo and actions of lawmaking
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Published 1/16/2009