Ed policy bill vetoed by the governor

Even after the most controversial elements were removed from the bill, Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed the omnibus education policy bill, saying it did not prepare students for the 21st century and that it contained a number of unfunded mandates.

During conference committee, House elements were removed, including: an appeal of Adequate Yearly Progress, opting out of the federal No Child Left Behind Act and language directing school districts to offer responsible family life and sexuality education curriculum for students in grades seven-12.

The bill would have required additional reporting measures added to those already mandated by the federal No Child Left Behind Act, and would have required a half credit of physical education for high-school students before they graduated.

“It’s about helping equip our schools, equip our teachers, have much more reporting and accountability available to parents and holding our students to a high, high level of academic expectations,” said Rep. Carlos Mariani (DFL-St. Paul), who sponsored the bill with Sen. Chuck Wiger (DFL-Maplewood).

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