Parents United A Minnesota born, parent-led organization that exists to unite those who value public education, And help them be strong advocates for excellence in our public schools.

Where are public school decisions made? Congress State Legislature School Board Superintendent Principal Teacher

Great schools begin at the ballot box Congress State Legislature School Board

So who makes the decisions?

The Evolution of Federal Involvement in education 50’s Integration 60’s ESEA 70’s Special education 2001 NCLB 2010 Race to the Top

Education is a constitutional mandate Minnesota Constitution, Article 13, Section 1 …it is the duty of the legislature to establish a general and uniform system of public schools. The legislature shall make such provisions by taxation or otherwise as will secure a thorough and efficient system of public schools throughout the state.

The money flow State 77% Local 17% Federal 8%

How do schools get their money? Taxes collected at the state level Income Sales Property

Price of Government State and Local Revenues as % of MN Personal Income Minnesota Management and Budget Office

The state provides the lion’s share of district funding Basic formula (Set by State Legislature) x PU (Pupil Unit) = District Operating Funds The current basic formula is $5,806 Each K-6 grader = 1 pupil unit or $5,806 Each 7-12 grader = 1.2 pupil units or $6,967

Qualified funds Per pupil formula Special education English learner Qualify for free and reduced lunch Concentrated poverty

Requirements for public schools grew while revenue did not Testing Standards Special education mandates Transportation English Language Learning Health and safety mandates HIV/AIDS Sex Education Drug/Alcohol Abuse Education Bus Safety Title 1 programs 100% Rule

College and Career Ready 100

Minnesota 2010 Earnings By Education 2010 ACS

One more way to add funds Voter approved local levy

Local tax on property and businesses

Levy dependent % of school districts in the state of Minnesota had levies in place By 2013 that number rose over 92%

Minnesota’s New Normal Minnesota MiracleEvery District for Itself

A decade of education debate Reeling between centralization and local control Education policies based on standardization and uniformity Single issue reform movements “No excuses” policies Replication of “one and done” solutions

Minnesota’s new K12 majority Source: AMSD

Minnesota Students living in Poverty

AND our kids are poorer Kids Count findings Most recent data shows: – Between 2000 and 2009 child poverty increased by 62% in Minnesota – The number of children living in poverty in Minnesota is at the highest level of the decade – 75% of children in poverty have all parents in the workplace – 39% of Minnesota jobs pay too little to afford basic needs for a family of four even with two parents working – Children under 5 live in poverty at a higher rate than any other age group – 20% of Asian children, 26% of Hispanic/Latino children and 45% of African American children live in poverty – Three states had higher poverty rates among Black children than Minnesota-- Mississippi, Louisiana and Oklahoma Source: Children ’ s Defense Fund

And it matters because? Kindergarten Readiness Brookings Institute Language Mathematical thinking

Our gaps start early… Source: oneMinneapolis: Community Indicators Report, October 2011, The Minneapolis Foundation and the Wilder Foundation % of Minneapolis Kindergarteners Ready for School

Even when the achievement of all groups rises, Compiled by MNCompass, from: Minnesota Department of Education. gaps often persist

and into the world of work. Compiled by MNCompass, from: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey.

Our 21 st century students Are digital natives Live in the world of Google, Wikipedia, Facebook Live in a global world Use “just in time” learning, not “just in case” Respond best to relevant learning and assessment Have an expectation of differentiated instruction

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W.B. Pillsbury, Scientific Monthly 1921 “We can picture the educational system as having a very important function as a selecting agency. All are poured into the system at the bottom; the incapable are soon rejected or drop out after repeating various grades and pass into the ranks of unskilled labor. The more intelligent…pass into the high school; the most intelligent pass into the universities whence they are selected for professions.”

Is public school system failing, or it is doing exactly what it was intended to do? And does the system need to change?

Maybe it is time…. Equal AccessEquitable Outcomes

Student -centered schools  Authentic learning, diagnostic and relevant testing  Rigorous academics that prepare for college and career  Schools designed around student need with a variety of models, schedules and calendars  Systems that see bilingualism and multiculturalism as assets Excellent educators  Preparation and support of great teachers and principals  Research and evaluation to improve teaching and learning Engaged communities  Research-based family engagement models  Policies and investments to assist communities in ensuring healthy students Investment  Invest in early education  Predictable and dependable school funding What works

What Parents United is doing to keep the public engaged in “the work” of public schools Work with parents, foundations, educators and media around the state drawing attention to the impact of federal/state funding and policy decisions on local schools Keep a website current with articles, events and Capitol hearing schedules Build relationships with the Governor’s office, MDE, majority and minority leadership Collaborate with other education advocacy groups During session: – Monitor all education committees – Track and analyze proposed legislation – Provide this information in weekly updates during session