This week, Senate Democrats passed a partisan, mandate-heavy bill. Education policy omnibus bill. The bill fails to address his three areas where schools most need help: promoting academic success, reducing mandates, and improving school safety.
“Democrats have once again passed an education bill, but this bill fails to address the flaws in the state’s education system and instead creates additional mandates that further tie the hands of local school boards.” said Sen. Andrew Lang (R-Olivia). “We face some serious challenges in Minnesota: declining graduation rates and less than half of Minnesota students performing at grade level in math and reading. Every piece of education law should focus on students and prepare them for success, but this bill does nothing to address any of that, giving students the resources to pay for them. Our schools received record levels of funding last year, but are still in the red due to all the mandates.”
The education policy bill strengthens mandates for schools even after more than 60 mandates were passed in the 2023 session.a Letter of March 14thA variety of education groups urged Congress not to pass new mandates in 2024, saying they would have a negative impact on budgets, workforces, local control and innovation efforts. senate republican I recently submitted an invoice It was proposed as an amendment during floor debate, aimed at giving local school districts more options with state funding.
The amendment called for allowing school boards to transfer new funds from one use to another by passing a resolution stating the amount and purpose of the funds they wish to transfer. These relief measures will be in place for the next three academic years and apply only to the obligations of the Education Omnibus Bill of 2023, as well as new obligations anticipated in the Education Act of 2024. Democrats refused to accept this amendment.
in the midst of Declining graduation rates and Fewer than half of Minnesota students perform at grade level in math and reading.a key element of this legislation is the controversial “no book banning” order, which places book selection decisions in the hands of authorized librarians and frees up community guardians. There is no room for opinions.
other The notable parts of the Education Policy Omnibus Bill are:
· SF1318 – Require schools to consult with trade union representatives regarding paraprofessional training
· SF2998 – Allowing smudging in public schools
· SF 3924 – Increased training required for Tier I and Tier II special education teachers
· SF 3974 – Require parents to be notified and records kept if a student is absent from class for more than 10 minutes
· SF3998 – Allow student journalism with minimal restrictions
