To the editor,
The Minnesota Department of Education recently released the latest statewide test results measuring student achievement, and scores remained disappointingly low: About 50% of tested students are not reading at grade level. Nearly 55% of students are not grade-level proficient in math. Scores have declined about 10% in each subject area since 2019, when they were already trending downward.
The trendline of reduced proficiency is extremely troubling and should be an eyeopener. As a former educator myself and member of the Senate Education Finance Committee, it was deeply frustrating to witness Gov. Walz and the Democrat majority prioritize numerous bills in their effort to warp the K-12 system into an institution of social-political manipulation depriving our children of true academic fundamentals.
The classroom is no place for these social-political agendas. We must return to prioritizing high standards on the basics including reading, writing, math, and science. Gov. Walz and Democrat policies are hurting our children’s academics and their futures.
Sincerely,
State Senator, District 30
Rockford Township | Hanover | Saint Michael | Albertville | Otsego | Elk River | Nowthen | Western Oak Grove