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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Jenifer Loon (R)

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Legislation Improving Student Learning By Empowering Schools and Teachers Passes House

Thursday, March 5, 2015

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota House of Representatives passed House File 2 on Thursday, March 5th, an education reform bill authored by Representative Jenifer Loon (R-Eden Prairie), the Chair of the House Education Finance Committee.

"House File 2 is student-focused legislation. It implements meaningful reforms aimed at providing every child the opportunity for academic success," said Rep. Loon. "Research shows that next to parental involvement, quality teachers in the classroom have the greatest impact on student learning. Effectiveness matters when it comes to educating our children. Performance evaluations are a sensible substitute for a ‘coin flip’ in determining which teachers are best equipped to lead Minnesota’s classrooms."

"Every child deserves a world class education. That's why the new House Republican majority made this issue a top priority," said Speaker Kurt Daudt (R-Crown). "Chairwoman Loon’s legislation gives schools flexibility to address teaching shortages, a need we’ve heard about across the state and it ensures the most effective educators remain in the classroom to improve student learning."

House File 2 makes several important changes to education policy in Minnesota including:

  • Reforming the seniority-only policy currently in state law, requiring a locally negotiated plan for potential teacher layoffs that incorporates teacher evaluations, among other locally determined criteria. This empowers school districts and local unions to negotiate solutions for teacher retention and ensures effective teachers can remain in the classroom. Seniority will still factor into staff retention decisions, but will no longer be the only factor.
  • Limiting exposure of students to ineffective teaching for consecutive years, as determined through statutory teacher evaluations.
  • Requiring the Board of Teaching to adopt rules by January 1, 2016 to increase access to quality teachers through out-of-state teacher license recognition, by encouraging regional reciprocity and by streamlining alternative pathways to teaching in Minnesota.
  • Strengthening and clarifying standards on new teacher licensure to ensure a firm foundation of academic skills.
  • Empowering school districts to tap community experts for vocational, technical and career education programs.

 

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Jenifer Loon represents House District 48B, which includes most of the City of Eden Prairie, in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Rep. Loon encourages constituents to contact her with questions or opinions on any state or legislative issue. She can be reached via email at rep.jenifer.loon@house.mn and phone calls can be placed to her office at 651.296.7449. U.S. mail should be sent to Rep. Jenifer Loon, 449 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.