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

In this issue

What is Happening at the Capitol?
On the federal level to our state......
On Monday, the Education Commission of the States (ECS) presented at a joint hearing of the House and Senate education committees. The ECS, whose stated mission is "helping states develop effective policy and practice for public education by providing data, research, analysis and leadership" and whose core purpose is "to enlighten, equip and engage key education leaders...to work side by side to improve education across the 50 states and U.S. territories," is currently chaired by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. It is a site worth exploring.

Michael Griffin from the ECS presented information on the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act and its intended use. While the information is valuable, it is clear there appears to be a disconnect. Whereas many states -- ours included -- are using the money to "backfill" state education coffers, the federal government has expectations that this money will be used to make investments that will help school districts go above and beyond to increase student achievement. Much of the federal stimulus money has a proviso that disallows supplanting existing dollars, instead requiring "supplementing."

Okay --- what that means: School districts are expected to use the money to add to programs, but the state is designating the money to replace current funding. AND the money goes away in two years. By the way, Minnesota is not the only state using the dollars this way.

The IDEA (special education) and Title 1 dollars will go directly to the districts and there is little state control over its use. There are other dollars that can be "won" through a competitive grant program, most interestingly a Race to the Top state grant that uses four reform priorities as criteria:

1. Making progress toward rigorous college and career-ready standards and high quality assessment that are valid and reliable for all students, including ELL and students with disabilities;
2. Establishes pre-K to college and career data systems that track progress and foster continuous improvement;
3. Making improvements in teacher effectiveness and in the equitable distribution of qualified teacher for all students, particularly students who are most in need;
4. Providing intensive support and effective interventions for the lowest performing schools.

The state as a whole applies for the Race to the Top grant. Minnesota is in fairly good shape in each of these areas. If we succeed in winning this grant, these dollars have the potential to truly help our students in Minnesota reach higher levels of achievement!

Parents United is happy to have been asked to be part of a coalition that will be carefully monitoring the spending of the federal stimulus money: "This non-partisan coalition will work to bring together conservative and progressive groups to ensure that the distribution of the federal stimulus is open and transparent."

In this issue

And here at home.....
The House and Senate Education Omnibus Bills have passed through all committees and off the floor in each chamber. A bill passes off the floor after its third and final reading. Now that all bills have passed "off the floor" we can expect the appointment of a conference committee. These appointments are made in the House by the Speaker and in the Senate by the Majority Leader. The conference committee is made up of five members from each chamber and the purpose of the conference process is to reconcile both bills into one that is acceptable to both the House and the Senate. After another passage from both bodies, the bill needs to be signed into law by the governor. Within the next few days, a comparison of the bills will be ready for you.

On April 23 the House Education Omnibus Bill, HF2, had its third reading passing off the floor on a vote of 85 yeas and 48 nays.

The Senate Omnibus Bill, SF 1328, had its third reading and passed on a vote of 37 yeas and 29 nays.

Also on April 23, the Early Childhood Omnibus Bill, HF2088, received its third reading and passed on a vote of 84 yeas and 47 nays.

Really good resources for more information, in addition to our website, are Brad's Blog, AMSD's website, and for daily updates try the Minnesota School Boards Association lobby line, 1-800-864-6722.

In this issue

A Look Ahead
I can't stress enough how important the next weeks are for education. A simple email once a week that shows you are watching and that you care can make all the difference in the world. It is imperative that we stay engaged in this process for the next few weeks. Please lift your voice with the rest of us.

What Can I Do?
Join the effort -- Get Mad - Get Moving!

In this issue

Questions? Email Mary Cecconi

Parents United for Public Schools
1667 Snelling Avenue N., St. Paul, MN 55108
651-999-7391
www.parentsunited.org