Statement from Senator Carla Nelson, Chair of the Senate Education Policy and Finance Committee:

 

“I applaud our school teachers and paraprofessionals that spent just eight days to prepare for three months of distance learning implementation for their schools. And I thank the parents who suddenly were tasked with guiding their child through distance learning, often while working remotely themselves. This was no easy task.

 

“We do not know how the Coronavirus will impact the 2020-2021 school year. We do know that local district leaders best know their communities, their students and families, the needs they have, and the resources they need. 

 

“Therefore, our schools need the flexibility to meet the conditions on the ground and in their communities. Top-down, one-size-fits-all orders will not suffice for the health safety and educational attainment needs of our Minnesota students, families, and communities.  

 

“That is why I have requested that Education Commissioner Ricker use federal Coronavirus relief funds to give every Minnesota public school one more tool in their toolbox by purchasing a statewide subscription to a comprehensive K12 virtual school aligned to Minnesota standards. Local teachers and school leaders can best decide if, when, and what they may wish to use digital learning for. It could be for one lesson, one course, or many courses taught in school with a teacher or delivered remotely. 

 

“While we do not know what CDC and MDH guidelines will be in the upcoming school year, we do know that education is the great equalizer. It is the moral, racial, and economic issue of our day.  Let’s make sure our teachers and students have every tool at their disposal to maximize learning in an uncertain environment. Our future depends on it.”