2008 Legislative Platform
The Alliance for Student Achievement believes that providing every child in Minnesota with a high-quality education that prepares him or her to compete in the 21st century global economy is the highest priority facing the state. We must ensure all children are ready to enter kindergarten and provide them with rigorous and relevant opportunities throughout a quality E-12 educational experience.
There have been a number of initiatives undertaken during the past several years --most notably Minnesota’s Promise, PS Minnesota and Growth and Justice’s “Investments in K-12 Education for Minnesota: What Works?” -- that seek to create an education system that will meet the important goals of preserving strong, vital communities and a vibrant economy in Minnesota. The Alliance for Student Achievement believes these endeavors provide a strategic framework to guide education policy, and future efforts should build upon this important work.
It will be necessary to generate considerable amounts of financial resources and political will to meet the goal of comprehensive funding reform. The Alliance is under no illusions that, given the probable absence of these factors, major funding reform can occur during the 2008 Legislative Session. The Alliance remains dedicated to the creation of an education funding system that truly meets the needs of all Minnesota students and would appreciate any legislative measures that move in this direction in the year ahead.
Alliance Priorities for the 2008 Session
1. The general education formula must be adjusted by at least 2 percent over current law for the 2008-09 school year.
2. All children should have access to kindergarten readiness programs, and districts should be fully reimbursed for the actual costs of early childhood screenings.
3. The state must pay for its special education mandates.
Fifteen education organizations ... one voice
Association of Metropolitan School Districts
Education Minnesota
Minnesota Association of School Administrators
Minnesota Association of School Business Officials
Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals
Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association
Minnesota Parent Teacher Association
Minnesota Rural Education Association
Minnesota School Boards Association
Schools for Equity in Education
Partners
Minnesota School Public Relations Association
Parents United for Public Schools
Minnesota Community Education Association
Minnesota Association of Special Education
Ready4K