Education Minnesota unveils two proposals to immediately tackle the achievement gap in schools
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St. Paul, Minn., March 16, 2010 – Education Minnesota President Tom Dooher unveiled two proposals Tuesday to immediately address the persistent achievement gap in Minnesota schools.
Dooher called on the state to immediately begin work on a phase II Race to the Top application for federal funding. That money would also be used to address the achievement gap.
Dooher said he was concerned about recent public statements from the governor’s office and the education department that a phase II application might not be attempted unless the Legislature passes Gov. Tim Pawlenty's so-called reforms.
Dooher said Education Minnesota is eager to share ideas and work in collaboration with state education officials to make a second application successful.
“Admittedly we have differences with the administration on education policy,” he said. “But that just means we need to get started now in finding common ground and doing all we can to win the second time around. Money is too scarce and our children’s education is too precious to turn down any option.”
He also announced that Education Minnesota is sponsoring an achievement gap bill at the state Legislature. Some highlights of that measure include:
- Creating centers for innovation and teaching excellence in schools where large numbers of students are struggling.
- Reducing class sizes to a maximum of 18 in those schools.
- Employing longer school days or school years if warranted.
- Ensuring staff development and planning time.
- Developing new ways to attract teachers of color, including a loan repayment plan.
- Using a variety of techniques to get parents more involved, such as home visits by teachers and transportation to school conferences.
“It’s long past time for us to take bold action to address this issue,” Dooher said. “Years of research and our own experience in Minnesota schools tell us these steps will work.”
About Education Minnesota
Education Minnesota represents 70,000 professionals working together for excellence in education for all students. Education Minnesota’s members include teachers and educational support professionals in Minnesota’s public school districts, faculty members at Minnesota’s community and technical colleges and University of Minnesota campuses in Duluth and Crookston, retired educators and student teachers. Education Minnesota is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and AFL-CIO.
March 16, 2010