How do we know when enough is enough?

The Minnesota school funding story begins with the mandate to provide a “general and uniform system of education” as described in the State Constitution.

Beginning in the 1970’s and 1980’s conversations about school finance focused on Equity & Adequacy. In 1971, Minnesota created the per pupil formula by dividing existing state funds by school enrollment through legislation called the Minnesota Miracle. 

Unfortunately, this aid was not connected in any way
with what it actually costs to educate a child.

Since that time, so many layers of complexity have been added to the funding formula it has become virtually incomprehensible.

What's more, rising costs have meant school funding hasn't kept pace with inflation. In inflation-adjusted dollars per pupil, total school district revenues have grown at an average rate of about one percent per year since FY 1996. At a time when we're raising expectations for student achievement, we're being asked to lower our expectations of our schools.

With the 2003 adoption of the academic standards, Minnesota took its first serious look at linking school funding to the cost of delivering the standards and school performance. This first step began with the July 2004 report Investing in our Future, Governor Pawlenty's Education Finance Reform Task Force Report which describes a Six-Point Plan for a 21st Century Minnesota School Funding System. The report further recommends the state's role be limited to mission, means (money) and measurement. Unfortunately, the work stopped there. Instead, the Governor focused his 2006 efforts on promoting the 70% Solution in Minnesota.

Parents United is part of P.S. Minnesota, a statewide coalition of education organizations and parent groups working to carry forward the work of the Governor’s Funding Study in an effort to help Minnesota develop a school funding formula that is rationally linked to student learning.

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