Education

Republicans believe students deserve to learn in classrooms with great teachers, locally developed curriculum, and the ability to reach their full potential.

Coleman leads informational hearing to review state policy effects on teacher shortages

January 29, 2025

ST. PAUL, Minn – Senator Julia Coleman (R-Waconia) today led an informational hearing in the Education Policy Committee to review state requirements affecting Minnesota’s teacher supply. The committee heard from several school officials advocating for increased flexibility in the implementation…

Coleman leads effort to listen to school concerns regarding education mandates

January 22, 2025

Today Senator Julia Coleman (Waconia) chaired the Senate Education Policy Committee as committee members heard testimony from various school representatives regarding the impacts of burdensome education mandates passed last biennium. Following the testimony, the committee took action to pass modifications…

Sen. Coleman to Serve as Republican Co-Chair on Senate Education Policy Committee

January 21, 2025

ST. PAUL – Senator Julia Coleman (R- Waconia) recently announced she will serve as the Republican Co-Chair on the Senate Education Policy Committee while the Senate’s 33-33 power-sharing agreement is in effect. Among many priorities, Senator Coleman will continue…

Farnsworth added to Senate Transportation Committee, keeps Higher Ed and Education Finance Committee assignments

January 6, 2025

The 2025 Senate committee assignments were released ahead of the January 14th start to session. Senator Robert Farnsworth (R- Hibbing) was added to the Transportation Committee, while retaining his previous assignments to the Higher Education and Education Finance Policy Committees.…

Latest case of fraud and abuse leads to parents losing tax refunds to fund deficient tutoring programs

December 16, 2024

It was recently uncovered legislation passed in 2023 has led to parents across the state being defrauded by deficient “tutoring” services. In 2023, Success Tutoring testified in favor of a bill that raised the income ceiling and increased the amount of the K-12 Education Tax…

Ethnic Studies Working Group: A Failure on All Fronts

December 13, 2024

Ethnic Studies Working Group: A Failure on All Fronts By Senator Jason Rarick The controversial Ethnic Studies Working Group recently released a number of recommendations for the Department of Education (MDE) to consider when moving forward with Ethnic Studies curriculum. These…

Senator Johnson responds to the “Blue Dog Caucus”

December 12, 2024

Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson (R- East Grand Forks) responded to the “Blue Dog Caucus” announcement by nine Democrats this morning with the following statement: “Every single one of these democrats voted for a progressive, partisan agenda that included $10…

Kreun: “Ethnic Studies Group was hyper-partisan, poorly managed, and fails to prioritize kids’ education”

December 11, 2024

The controversial Ethnic Studies Working Group recently released a number of recommendations for the Department of Education (MDE) to consider when moving forward with Ethnic Studies curriculum. The recommendations include requirements for teaching “anti-racist” policies to encourage kids as young as…

Draheim: Cost of living still dominates my conversations around town

October 30, 2024

By: SENATOR RICH DRAHEIM This month I thought I would provide a brief rundown of a few key issues I’ve been hearing about a lot in my conversations with you each day. If there is something on your mind you…

Sen. Nelson congratulates Olmsted County Cradle 2 Career for prestigious Leadership Award

October 30, 2024

State Senator Carla Nelson (R-Rochester) today congratulated Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS) and Cradle 2 Career on receiving the prestigious 2024 Betty Hubbard Maternal and Child Health Leadership Award at the community level. The award, given by the Minnesota…

Farnsworth offers preview of next session, review of new laws

October 8, 2024

Get it first in the Mesabi Tribune Farnsworth offers preview of next session, review of new laws With fall officially in season the summer has flown by; the end of last legislative session is now farther away than the start…

Senate Education Lead concerned with ethnic studies working group

October 2, 2024

Today Senator Julia Coleman (Waconia), Lead Republican on the Senate Education Policy Committee, is raising concerns over troubling comments and missed deadlines by the ethnic studies working group. “This working group is meant to be inclusive and representative of Minnesotans,…