• The second bill deadline is April 7, 2009, at 11:59 p.m. The deadline is for committees to act favorably on bills, or companions of bills, that met the first deadline - March 27 - in the other house.
• The third deadline, April 16, 2009, is for divisions of the House and Senate Committees on Finance to act favorably on omnibus appropriation bills.

A complete listing of Events is always available at our website.

What is Happening at the Capitol?
A wonderful commentary appeared in the Star Tribune on March 31 written by Pat Gleason, chair of the Association of Metropolitan School Districts and a member of the Wayzata Board of Education. If you missed it, check it out. Pat ably defined the position our schools have been in over the last decade and just why policy makers need to begin NOW to phase in the New Minnesota Miracle proposal.

As this update is being written the Senate E-12 Education Omnibus bill is being processed through the Senate. It goes first through Senate Education then on to Finance and Taxes. The hope had been that, after it is passed on the floor of the Senate, this work would be finished prior to their holiday break next week. Meanwhile, the House is finishing their Policy Omnibus Bill and will take up their Finance bill. After both bodies complete their work, a Conference Committee made up of five House members and five Senators take up the task of reconciling the House Education Omnibus bill with the Senate’s — no small task.

As these bills work their way through their respective committees and the floor, amendments can be added which delete certain provisions and add others. Last week’s update outlined highlights of the House Policy bill — before the amendment process.

Highlights from the Senate bill as it stands right now (Note: the Senate uses no tax shifts or delayed payments to schools in their budget):

• Districts will see a decrease in funding of about $270 per student each year for the next two years
• Stimulus money will be provided from the federal government to districts in varying dollar amounts based on the number of Title 1 and IDEA students in that district
• Referenda may only be called for by the local School Board
• Provisions which reduce mandates for local school districts
• Myriad of provisions for charter schools
• Summers of Success provided for
• Myriad provisions to align state special education mandates to federal requirements
• Provides for Americorps Reading Program
• Minnesota Virtual Education Program provided for
• Provisions to provide diplomas to students unsuccessful on the GRAD test (a transitional provision)
• Provide for increased comprehensive, scientifically based reading instruction for pre-service teachers
• Requires a reading proficiency test for licensing teachers
• Provides for an alternative preparation program for teacher licensure
• Provisions for state approved alternative programs

One guarantee that I can make: this bill is sure to change as it works its way through the long tedious process of bill making. Stay tuned!
 
One amendment that drew a great deal of discussion was one to mandate one-half credit of physical education for each student before graduation. A great many purported that this would help reduce the obesity rate in our children. I was thrilled that Senator Gen Olson asked the most important question: she asked if there is any evidence-based research that supports that contention. It is so important that we require this kind of vetting process before mandating or expending any dollars -- not just for this initiative, but any that we are putting in place. If the research exists, then by all means let’s fund the program to the best of our ability. But without evidence we are only hoping that the expected outcomes will somehow occur. 

As the work at the legislature heats up, link to the Minnesota Budget Project’s blog for the most up-to-the minute budget analysis. 

In this issue

Bills to Watch