Minnesota parents would have a much easier time deciding if schools are putting their children in the best possible position to succeed under a new bill from Sen. Roger Chamberlain (R-Lino Lakes).

The bill would direct the Commissioner of Education to create a simple, easy-to-understand 5-star rating system using existing data from a variety of sources. The Minnesota Department of Education already collects extensive information about school performance, but the results are difficult for parents to unravel because they are not presented in an easily-digestible format.

“This bill is about one thing, and one thing only: giving parents clear information so they can make good decisions about the schools their children attend,” said Sen. Chamberlain. “Parents are desperate for simple, meaningful, and transparent information about how their children are being educated; we have a responsibility to give it to them.”

According to a recent poll, 89% of parents support a common-sense rating system.