- Calculus and equity in college admissions
- Steven Pinker weighs in on ChatGPT
- Daniel Willingham on research-based study habits
- Principles for effective mathematics instruction in Japan
- Dealing with mediocre and poor grades in college
- Career and technical education: progress and impact
- A baker's dozen of reasons for strong science instruction
- Handling student crushes in elementary school
- Recommended comic books with African-American heroes
- David Brooks on the human skills we need in the age of bots
- School librarians suss out ChatGPT
- A problem-solving classroom approach to contentious issues
- A teacher-led, soup-to-nuts ELA curriculum revision
- Was Gatsby black?
- Working with educators who are resistant to change
- Wait time: a refresher
- Illustrated books on African-American songs
- Can you add to these mixed metaphors?
In This Issue:
by Jane A.G. Kise and Ann C. Holm
Click here for summary.
The education policy committees processed the Governor’s Policy bill last week. The bills are authored by Rep. Pryor and Sen. Cwodzinski, the respective Chairs of the Policy Committees in the House and Senate. It is a longstanding tradition that the committee chairs author the Governor’s bill. And while it is called the “Governor’s Policy bill” the majority of the provisions come directly from the Department of Education. Both bills passed out of their respective committees but took a different path in each body. The House bill was sent to another committee to be bundled up with education funding. The Senate version was sent straight to the floor.
The passage of the bills is troubling news on several levels. Both bills contain significant changes in student discipline. Given that nearly identical provisions appear in both bills, it is highly likely that these provisions will be enacted into law by the time session is over.
Both bills mandate the use of nonexclusionary discipline in place of suspension. The proposed change in Minnesota law states: No school shall dismiss any pupil without attempting to use nonexclusionary disciplinary policies and practices before dismissal proceedings or pupil withdrawal agreements, except where it appears that the pupil will create an immediate and substantial danger to self or to surrounding persons or property.”
The Senate version of the bill states: Nonexclusionary disciplinary policies and practices require school officials to intervene in, redirect, and support a pupils behavior before removing a pupil from class or beginning dismissal proceedings. (The House deleted “before removing a pupil from class”).
Both bills prohibit any suspension of a student in grades K-3 for any reason. Both bills also prohibit the withholding of recess as a form of discipline.
Both bills require schools to adopt a complaint process for individuals to challenge the implementation of the districts discipline policies. Upon the filing of a complaint the school district will have to begin an investigation within three school days, generate a record of the investigation, have a procedure for a corrective action plan on the students record, provide relevant staff with training and require the implementation of “other accountability practices”.
The language will directly affect schools. At the elementary level, a K-3 student engaging in behavior constituting a safety threat to staff or students cannot be suspended. A student engaging in sexual harassment, racial harassment, drug possession, theft, or other inappropriate behavior would be subject to “nonexclusionary discipline” rather than suspension.
This year the word “trifecta” is being used around the capitol. Legislative leaders and the Governor have all used it. The reference is to Democratic control of the House, Senate and Governorship. The impact is that this year, legislation is relatively easy to pass for the Democrats. The policy bill is a good example of this power. The long-term impact of a trifecta is significant—legislation passed this year will remain in effect for a significant period of time, if ever.
The policy provisions will all be incorporated into the omnibus education bill in the House. Once the policies are joined to school funding, passage is all but guaranteed. While some fighting may occur on the House and Senate floors, the majority appears firm its plan to pass significant changes in the operation of schools, with these provisions representing only a small part of the changes that are coming.
MASSP and MESPA advocated extensively for changes to the language that was adopted in both of the bills. We met with legislators as well as the Department. We outlined what we believe to be the potential negative impact of the language on our schools. We submitted alternative, workable language. Letters to the Committees were submitted from both MESPA and MASSP prior to the hearings on the provisions. Public testimony was provided in both bodies. In the end, the Department rejected our proposals, and the committees adopted the language. The rejection came with a pledge to continue working with us, but at this point we are not optimistic.
Last week the Pension Commission took testimony on several popular changes to TRA qualifications and benefits. The Commission is not meeting Monday (today) as the House engages in activities for Sovereignty Day. The activities involve several presentations from the Indian Tribes of Minnesota and discussions of the issues facing American Indian people in Minnesota.
The legislature made up for snow week cancellations with full schedules and endless meetings. Despite losing three days to snow, the committee deadlines were not changed. Basic work on education issues continued.
The overall scope of the week was significant for the education lobbying groups. The updated budget forecast was released, projecting a $17.5 billion surplus. The numbers continue to show ongoing money in the $5.3 billion range with the balance characterized as “one time money”. This has all been excellent news.
The large amounts of money have generated and equal amount of legislative proposals.
Collective bargaining would change significantly under SF 1632 (Hauschild) and HF 1691 (Jordan). These bills (heard Tuesday and Wednesday) include plans for mandatory bargaining of e-learning days; reduction of probationary periods from 120 days to 60 days; and adding staffing rations, class size, and personnel ratios to the list of bargained issues.
On Wednesday the Senate heard curriculum bills. SF 901 (Cwodinski) and SF 242 (Draheim) both require a personal finance class for graduation. The Senate Finance committee took up changes to the tiered licensure bill in an evening meeting on Thursday.
Throughout the week multiple finance bills were heard that will ultimately be in the omnibus education bills. Compensatory Revenue was discussed, safe schools revenue, community education funding—many of the typical topics essential to creating an omnibus bill. A formula increase bill proposing increases of 5% and 5% on the foundation aid was heard in the Senate. Fully funding voluntary prekindergarten and school readiness was heard in the Senate. The final decisions on these bills will be determined in the upcoming weeks as leadership decides on a financial target for education.
The House Policy committee heard a bill that would require districts to complete a half credit personal finance credit to graduate (HF 651, Hassan). The committee also heard the social studies requirement bill (HF 358 Urdahl). This annual offering by Representative Urdahl requires a course in civics (government and citizenship) in 10th, 11th or 12th grade. It is the seventh time he has offered the bill. Bills requiring ethnic studies for all students have been introduced in both the House and Senate. Finally, HF 759 (Lee) would require MDE to create a computer education position and task force.
One of the more problematic bills contains significant initiatives in school district employment HF 1348 (Tabke). This bill would create mandatory contributions toward health premiums for districts, $25 per hour minimum starting salary for non-licensed school personnel and paid professional development for paraprofessionals. The potential cost generated a major concern for school districts.
Prep time changes were of significant concern under HF 827 (Keeler). The bill creates a formula for generating additional prep time in uninterrupted blocks of time. Chuck Ochocki (Principal South St Paul) and Erick Norby (Principal Robbinsdale Armstrong) both testified as to the impact of the bill. The cost together with the scheduling would be highly problematic.
On Monday (February 27th) the Pension Commission began taking testimony on one of the major bills of the session, HF 2222 (Walgamott) and SF 1938 (Frentz). The Commission is taking testimony again this morning on the bill as well as other proposals. The crush of testifiers has resulted in significant limitations on the number of people making the agenda. HF 2222 contains a long list of pension proposals. No doubt, cost will be a significant hurdle to overcome. TRA is proposing slimmed down version allowing earlier retirements as well. The proposals are setting up a good framework to move toward equitable changes in the retirement age and qualifications of our members. Pension issues are being kept in front of legislators.
In addition to the crushing schedule of bills, the education lobbyists met with the Governor and his staff to review our position on various bills. We also met with House Leadership, the Chair of the House Education Committee, and the Chair of the Senate Education Policy committee.
On Wednesday a group of principals met with the Chair of the Senate Education Policy Committee to discuss the school discipline provisions in the education policy bill. These provisions, if adopted, will significantly alter the authority of principals to use suspension when disciplining students. The bill prohibits any suspension of a student in grades K-3. Non exclusionary discipline would have to be used for students in other grades. The proposals would make Minnesota one of the most restrictive states in the country when implementing school discipline.
The school discipline policy bills will be heard in the House and Senate this week.
Mondays and Fridays are relatively light days at the Capitol. The theory is that legislators need time to travel back and forth to the capitol, so the capitol comes to life around noon on Mondays with few hearings on Fridays.
There are exceptions of course. The ever-popular pension commission meets on Mondays at 8:30 and Senate Education Policy meets at 12:30 on Mondays. Mondays involve short floor sessions as the House and Senate generally take care of bill introductions and technical issues. The rules require the House and Senate to meet at least once every three days. And Monday generally is used to meet that technical requirement.
This scheduled was complicated by the threatened snowstorm last week. The legislature was quick to shut down with all meetings cancelled Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Last Monday’s Senate hearing handled three bills. The first bill adds 2 support staff in the Department as resources for early childhood family education. Another bill would require the implementation of a climate justice education program starting in 2025. (SF 476 Mitchell). A third bill would establish “Innovative Educator Service Learning Grants” (SF 1401 Westlin). The Senate Policy Committee also heard a bill on the creation of an African American Registry grant program (SF 1753 Cwodzinski). The House Finance committee heard bills on equalization and local option revenue issues that I continue to rely on others to explain.
At the end of the Tuesday’s morning meeting, word circulated all activities for the remainder of the week would be cancelled. The House finished up with the policy committee handling three bills on American Indian Education, tobacco and regalia at graduation ceremonies.
During the pandemic the legislature relied on public zoom meetings. Unfortunately, the planning necessary to have virtual hearings was not in place. Instead, an unusual break was called to wait out the monster blizzard (that never quite materialized). Committee and floor sessions were suspended.
The result is that this week will be filled with additional hearings as the calendar clicks down on committee work for this session.
The Department of Education conducted two virtual meetings with principals to discuss the discipline provisions of the Governor’s policy bill. A third meeting is scheduled for Monday afternoon. Principals provided strong feedback on the bill that focused on three areas.
*The mandated use of non-exclusionary discipline. This requirement limits principals discretion and options to remove a student from class or suspend a student and creates significant issues.
*The blanket prohibition of any and all suspensions in K-3. This language poses safety problems for elementary principals.
*The creation of a complaint process for all disciplinary actions. This needs much more discussion and resources may be best used elsewhere.
These are not the only issues in the bill, but they are the most problematic. The Department has been interested in engaging on the concerns of principals. MASSP and MESPA continue to work with the authors and the Department to modify the language. These issues will all be determined in the next two weeks.
Revenue Forecast will be released today. The new forecast could include an additional $200 to $500 million. Unbelievable. This week will also start hearings on legalizing sports betting another part of leadership’s aggressive agenda.
The legislature finished its 7th week of work as leadership in both the House and Senate continues to push a large body of work forward.
On Monday the Senate heard a bill to modify the size of the High School League Board (SF 1301 Cwodinski). The Board currently has 22 members, including four members appointed by the Governor. Senator Cwodzinski’s bill to clarify legislative provisions regarding the board’s size. While the size of the board isn’t particularly interesting, the high school sports always generates conversation. Troy Stein, President of the Board did an excellent job navigating through the committee’s questions on behavior at events. (Troy is Assistant Principal and Activities Director at Edina High School.)
On Wednesday the Senate heard the Governor’s policy bill. In an unusual move, the two-hour hearing did not include any testimony from the public. The bill was presented by the department, followed by ninety minutes of questioning by senators. Many hearings are dominated by individual stories involving bad treatment by administrators. The stories, often a mix of fiction and fact, are painful. In a refreshing change, the committee avoided this, instead reviewing all of the provisions in the bill.
Little time was spent on discipline. We are working on this topic privately, with language being exchanged. Hopefully we can come to some compromise
This policy bill is slimmed down from the versions we have seen over the past four years. Provisions on suspensions, nonexclusionary discipline, withdrawal agreements, Native American mascots, teacher licensure changes, and graduation requirements will be of interest to principals. Much of the bill is non-controversial.
The House Finance Committee heard the formula increase bill. The 5% increase proposed for the formula is more than the Governor has proposed.
House policy heard PELSB licensure changes (HF 1224, 1268, and 1257 Hill). Education Minnesota is using much of its influence on teacher licensure changes.
The House Policy Committee heard Representative Edelson’s literacy bill, HF 269. This bill would establish screening and grants to school districts that adopt state approved reading curriculum. It is interesting the passion and irritation that reading curriculum generates. The “reading wars” will not be settled any time soon, but some excellent financial support is provided for in the bill.
Rounding out the week was another hearing on marijuana. The Education finance committee heard the bill. Despite the concerns this bill raises for schools, it is moving forward.
On Thursday the Senate confirmed Willie Jett as Commissioner. The vote was not unanimous, a sign that the Senators are getting more cranky as the session wears on. It is quite clear the Republicans do not like being in the minority.
The House passed the paid sick leave bill (HF 19 Olson) on a vote of 69-54. The bill will extend paid sick leave to 900,000 Minnesota workers. Individuals get one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours work. This is a major initiative of the Democratic majority. The estimate is this will cost the state $5 million for the biennium.
On Friday the Star Tribune did an article about basketball athletic transfers. These articles often generate some legislation. It will be interesting to see legislative attempts to wade into the issue of high school sports transfers.
The upcoming week will have a major focus on sports betting. (It might also have a little snow.)
The week started out very strong for principals with a legislative hearing on the BARR program, (SF 494, Putnam). Erick Norby Principal of Robbinsdale Armstrong, Joe Held, AP of White Bear Lake High School, Josh Omang Principal of Detroit Lakes High School, Jason Harris of St Cloud Tech together with several teachers expressed strong support for the program. Building Assets, Reducing Risks (BARR) is a program designed to meet academic, social and emotional needs of students, inside and outside of the classroom. The bill seeks $7.6 million to expand the number of schools participating in the program. Senator Putnam, the author of the bill, is a professor at St. Johns and the spouse of school superintendent Dr. Laurie Putnam.
The bill was heard on the House side as well. The author in the House is Representative Youakim, chair of the finance committee. Without question, this bill will be in the final mix as the session moves on.
The policy committee heard a general overview of the Governor’s policy bill. This is the same bill we have seen over the past 5 years. It has multiple provisions that are of concern to school principals. The committee also heard multiple bills on PELSB and teacher licensure changes.
Details of the bills were not discussed by the committee. Instead, a general overview followed by general statements of support were entertained. This has been a typical route in the past. The details of these bills are rarely worked out in public. Chair Rep. Laurie Pryor indicated that the bill needed significant work. She stated there was a lot of material to work with, that we need good work and good policy. She reinforced that the proposals came from the Governor and that given his reelection, the bill reflected what Minnesotan’s want, but qualified that with the fact that legislators have election certificates too.
As we move through the next weeks, we will discuss specific provisions of the bill. Much discussion is taking place behind the scenes. The challenge will be to see if we are able to influence some changes in the extensive list of new policy that the Department is proposing.
The House worked on a variety of issues through the week. Bills included interpreters, sparsity aid, area learning center transportation, and the state oversight of grants to non-profits. The House finance committee had its first evening hearing on Tuesday with a presentation on the bill providing for the expansion of unemployment coverage for hourly school employees. (HF 20, Greenman). The bill makes school employees (outside of instructional, research and administration) eligible for unemployment. Basically, the coverage is for hourly employees.
Signature bills are easy to spot on agendas. Typically, they have low numbers indicating they were introduced in the beginning moments of the session. In addition, the bills have a long list of coauthors. HF 20 (SF 32) has 35 co-authors and the list will grow as the session moves on.
On Wednesday the Senate Legacy committee took up the marijuana bill, SF 73. (In a weak attempt at humor, in prior years attempts were made to have 420 as the assigned bill number.) This is the 5th committee for the bill with another dozen committees waiting to hear it. The hearing included an appearance from former Governor Jesse Ventura testifying in favor of legalizing adult-use cannabis. (Yes, I know, no surprise there.) The bill passed out of committee on a 5-4 vote.
On Thursday, the House took up the bill providing free breakfast and lunch for all students, (HF 5). The bill passed 70-58 after three hours of debate. The Senate will act on the bill in the near future.
Paul Marquart was confirmed as Commissioner of Revenue by a unanimous Senate on Tuesday. Marquart, a former state legislator was chair of both Education Finance and Taxes during his 18 years in the legislator. Well-liked by all, he will be an excellent Commissioner.
It is going to be another busy week at the capitol.
People are getting a bit testy as the session moves forward.
The legislature glided to a normal pace this past week. Monday started out with the confirmation hearing of Commissioner Willie Jett. The Commissioner’s confirmation was recommended and sent to the floor on a unanimous voice vote. The Commissioner’s mother together with his adult children attended the hearing as well.
The Committee then took up a bill regarding Indian regalia at graduation ceremonies. (SF 635, Kunesh). The hearing followed a familiar pattern with two witnesses testifying about their negative experiences when requesting permission to wear Indian regalia at graduation. No one testified that any student had ever been refused permission. The principals we consulted with indicated that this was not an issue. So it would appear that the bill will not alter any existing practice.
The Senate committee’s week included the teachers of color bill (SF 663 Kunesh) the paraprofessional bill (SF 502, Westlin), Math Corps (SF 392, Gustafson), and Community Education Revenue (SF 666, Latz).
The House Education Finance Committee heard the bill fully funding the special education cross subsidy (HF 18, Walgamott). The Governor’s proposal funds 50% of the cross subsidy, the more likely outcome this session. The Committee also heard the expansion of the prekindergarten and school readiness programs. (HF 456, Perez-Vega).
These bills are not passed and sent to the floor. Instead they continue to be processed with the goal of being included in a large omnibus bill later in the session.
On Thursday the climate change bill was taken up on the Senate floor. Again, this is one of the major initiatives of the Democrats this year (HF 7). The debate took 7 hours, with multiple party line pattern votes. Amendments were defeated 33-34 and final passage was 34-33. The next major issue will be cannabis.
The highlight of the week was the attendance of the Governor and Commissioner at MESPA’s Winter Institute. The Governor and Commissioner addressed a packed house of elementary principals on Friday morning. Both delivered a strong, positive message to the 400 plus principals in attendance. The group delivered a warm welcome for First Lady Gwen Walz as well.
The Commissioner delivered a special recognition of Executive Director Jon Millerhagen. Jon is retiring in June. Commissioner Jett’s comments were met with a well-deserved, heartfelt ovation for Jon.
The month of January passed with the legislature moving at a record pace. As set out in this report, Committees have heard multiple bills, sending two major initiatives to the Governor for signature. House and Senate floor sessions on major issues have taken hours with the results consistently determined by the majority party. One conclusion is inescapable at this point, House and Senate leadership are firmly in control of this session.
One aspect of the process continues to escape leadership’s control. Bill introductions are a key part every session. The main purpose of bill introductions is to place bills in front of committees with an eye toward incorporation into an omnibus bill. As you might expect, legislators introduce bills that affect their individual districts. Also, legislators introduce bills relevant to their committee assignments. If an issue is of particular interest to a legislator—you can expect a bill. Often a high-profile media event will trigger bill introductions.
The first year of any biennium has the vast majority of introductions. Over the last decade, bill introductions in January typically total around 500 with about 20 being reported out of committees during the month. This session has exploded with bills. As of Friday, the House has introduced 1,270 bills. Close behind is the Senate with 1,202. The House has passed 100 out of committees, 5 times the normal number.
Leadership is not happy with the number of bills being generated. Two weeks ago Speaker Hortman sent a memo out stating that members “must take direct responsibility for their drafting requests.” The memo went on to state: “Lobbyists are not authorized to initiate bill or amendment drafts.” The implication was that lobbyists are causing the large number of bills, something that comes as a surprise to most lobbyists.
The simple fact is that leadership cannot stop members from introducing bills absent some significant procedural rules on the number an individual member can request.
On Friday the Governor signed the Juneteenth bill, making Minnesota the 26th state to recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday. It’s time to celebrate Black History Month!
This will be the year of mandates and money. This week was full of both and then some.
On Monday the Senate heard the recess bill. (SF 183 Maye Quade, HF271 Edelson). The bill defines staying in for recess as “recess detention”. The bill prohibits the withholding of recess unless the student is “likely to cause serious harm” to themselves or others. (The bill prohibits “delaying” lunch as well.) One exception is if the parent consents. The bill was heard in the House policy committee on Tuesday. These bills will be included in the omnibus bills at the end of the session. Many teachers will be surprised when these mandates are put into effect.
The Teachers of Color bill was heard on Tuesday in House Education Policy. (HF320 Hassan, SF619 Kunesh). While not new, this bill strengthens previous versions of the bill, particularly with regard to American Indian teachers.
The House Policy hearing also included a bill that adds a new layer of policies on existing bullying and harassment statutes. HF368 (Hanson) requires the adoption of a policy prohibiting malicious and sadistic conduct connected to harassment and bullying.
The K-3 suspension bill was heard in both the House and Senate. (HF69 Mann and HF58 Richardson) This bill has been around for several years. MESPA proposed a compromise in the past that has been routinely rejected by the bill’s proponents. The language in the bill prohibits any suspension of a K-3 student for any reason. (The MESPA proposal was to limit suspensions to students who posed a safety threat instead of an outright prohibition.) The only discipline allowed would be expulsion in the case of posing “an ongoing serious safety threat”.
The proponents of the bill argue that behavior issues could be handled by “removal from class” rather than suspension so there is nothing to worry about. This argument begs the question. The primary rationale for the bill is the disparate suspension of minority students. If it is wrong to suspend them, how can it be right to remove the student from class? The false assumption is that we have the staff to teach and supervise hundreds of students removed from class on a daily basis. The unanswered question will be the impact on the classroom.
Principals Nancy Antoine (Northfield) and Jason Luksik (Bemidji) testified on the bill in both the House and Senate. In addition to both being excellent principals, Nancy is MESPA’s national Distinguished Principal and President of the Board of School Administrators. Jason is the current president of MESPA. Both did an excellent job of describing current practices of school principals and the need for highly disregulated students to be home with a goal of returning and succeeding in school.
The free breakfast & lunch bill (HF5 Jordan and SF123 Gustafson) was heard in both the House and Senate. This bill is a high priority of the Governor Walz. Initial presentations of the Governor’s budget filled out the rest of the week.
The free menstrual products bill was heard in the House and Senate (SF50 Cwodzinski and HF 44 Feist). Senator Cwodzinski and Representative Feist were quite willing to work with school advocates to make this an even better bill. As a result, an amendment was crafted behind the scenes to make the bill much more workable for schools. The bill addresses three concerns: embarrassment, affordability for some students and loss of school time.
On Wednesday the Senate Education Committee met in the capitol (Room 15, a much smaller hearing room) rather than its typical room in the Senate Office building. A quick check of the schedule revealed why—the Senate Judiciary needed the larger room for the cannabis hearing.
The Senate heard the civics bill (SF 618 Cwodzinski). The bill requires the addition of a credit in civics as a graduation requirement. The amended graduation standard would provide: “three and one-half credits of social studies, including one credit in civics in either 11th or 12th grade for students beginning 9th grade in the 2024-2025 school year and later, and a combination of other credits encompassing at least United States history, geography, government and citizenship, world history, and economics sufficient to satisfy all of the academic standards in social studies”
The author, Senator Cwodzinski, is both a retired social studies teacher and the chair of the committee. Odds on passing a bill with an author with those credentials—very high.
Rounding out the week, the Senate conducted a long floor session Friday. The Senate does not typically meet on Fridays, allowing rural members to travel home for the weekend. Departing from this practice, the Senate scheduled SF1, the reproductive rights bill. The Senate met from noon Friday until 3AM Saturday.
The Democrats hold a one vote majority, 34-33 in the Senate. The slim majority defeated several amendments throughout the night. Passion, emotion, and commitment were all in play on both sides in the hours long debate. In the early morning hours of the weekend, the Democrats passed one of their major initiatives, 34-33.
Governor Walz and Commissioner Jett spoke at the MASSP conference Friday morning to a warm reception. Both the Governor and Commissioner expressed strong support for school principals. After going over budget highlights, the Governor offered some sound advice. He told principals—“in addition to your work, have some fun and remember, we have your back.”
The committees will be busy again the coming week. The Senate Education Policy committee will take up the confirmation of Willie Jett as Commissioner of Education. Both MASSP and MESPA submitted letters in support of Commissioner Jett’s confirmation.
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