The following column was originally published in the Northfield News.
Taking pride in bipartisan efforts to improve education in Minnesota
Education is one of the few issues that seems to cut across party lines. Education is what drives our economy; it produces the skilled workers who fill our manufacturing businesses and our agricultural economy; and it is how we train the next generation of leaders and innovators. Even though Minnesota bears a high tax burden, businesses still want to be located here because we have such a strong education system.
This year, Republicans and Democrats continued our shared commitment to education. On April 4, we passed our 2017 Advancing Minnesota education budget bill with bipartisan support and input. It represents an $18.5 billion total investment in our schools − a $1.1 billion increase from the last biennium, and $300 million more than the forecast called for. Most of this new funding goes directly to the classrooms by way of the general education formula, which gives schools the flexibility to meet their specific needs. Our budget helps schools prepare for enrollment increases, which are projected to be an additional 35,000 students by 2021, as well as a growing special education population and the services those students require to be successful.
For comparison, when Democrats controlled the senate over the last few years, they funded the general education formula – which determines an amount schools will receive on a per-pupil basis – with 1 percent increases each year. As they did this, they proudly exclaimed they were making huge investments into our schools. This year, Republicans are boosting that funding by 1.5 percent each year. Those percentages may be confusing or seem minute to some readers, but they translate into big dollars for our schools.
Republicans also committed funding to long-term facilities maintenance. This program helps small school districts or districts with small property tax bases pay for upgrades to their facilities, so students can learn in safe and sound buildings.
Republicans have always stressed the importance of reforms in conjunction with funding increases. Our bill includes a number of important improvements, such as changes to our teacher licensure procedures. Minnesota – particularly greater Minnesota – is suffering from a teacher shortage. Our education bill will get more qualified teachers in the classroom, whether they are entering the profession from another career, or simply moving to Minnesota after teaching elsewhere. We desperately need strong, passionate teachers, and the process should be tailored to consider their unique experience. Local principals and superintendents will be given more flexibility over these decisions, because they know their students’ needs the best.
Research shows being able to read proficiently by third grade is a critical milestone – students who meet that benchmark are far more likely to be successful in their school career. That’s the age where students stop learning to read and start reading to learn. Republicans strengthened third grade reading requirements to make sure every student is meeting that mark.
Minnesota has some of the best schools in the country. I’m proud that Republicans and Democrats agree on the importance of making sure we remain a national education leader.