Education Minnesota: State desegregation rules need changes

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Megan Boldt
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ST. PAUL, Minn., March 22, 2016 – The following is a statement from Education Minnesota President Denise Specht regarding an administrative judge's ruling to throw out the Minnesota Department of Education's proposed desegregation rules:

“Education Minnesota appreciates the Minnesota Department of Education's attempt in its proposed rules to promote integration opportunities in a larger number of school districts across the state. For far too long, we know increasing segregation has had detrimental effects on the educational outcomes of white students and students of color.

“But we were concerned the proposed rules contained no provisions for teacher, parent or student voice in creating integration plans. Both the rules and the underlying law are also too reliant on test scores as the only measure of equity. Schools should be allowed to use integration funds for smaller class sizes and more counseling, support services and extracurricular activities to promote equity. 

“Going forward, we hope any changes focus on increasing resources available to schools with high concentrations of students of color and involving educators in the development of local integration plans. And no schools should be above the law, including charter schools. If you're going to take public dollars, you should be accountable to the public.”

About Education Minnesota
Education Minnesota is the voice for professional educators and students. Education Minnesota’s members include teachers and education 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.