T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol ReporterThe Pawlenty administration Monday proposed $4.5 million in one-time money to Greater Minnesota school districts to assist with the cost of Internet access.
The proposal is part of a series of proposals included in the governorís latest education initiative.
ìIf it works, letís run with it,î Gov. Pawlenty said of new ideas, adding that the administration is willing to consider all proposals ó including those from DFLers ó that could improve education.
Although Minnesota should be proud of its schools, difficulties lurk beneath the student averages, Pawlenty warned.
DFLers downplayed the latest initiative.
Sen. Steve Kelley, DFL-Hopkins, Senate education committee chair, described Pawlentyís latest plan as a serving of rehashed pilot projects.
Rep. Mindy Greiling, DFL-Roseville, House K-12 education finance committee lead Democrat, argued the administration is starving public education with the ultimate goal of having school vouchers.
ìIíve always been convinced of that,î she said.
Pawlentyís latest initiative has as much to do with the upcoming election as education, Greiling explained.
Internet access
In the metro, Internet access runs as low as 73 cents per student for some school districts while in rural districts access costs can top $100 per student ó the Plummer school district pays $290 per student, according to the administration.
Pawlenty proposes to share the fiscal burden for Greater Minnesota school districts facing the steepest access cost.
It also proposes to share the aid with private schools.
Internet access costs vary greatly among rural school districts: Caledonia, about $40 per student; Cambridge-Isanti, $10; Chisago Lakes, $13; Elk River, $5; Foley, $14; Forest Lake, $5; Mora, $15; North Branch, $12; Princeton, $11.
Charter schools
Beyond the Internet access, the administration proposed several initiatives dealing with charter schools.
One would have the Department of Education approving up to five single-purpose charter schools, the state paying for the start-up funding.
Pawlenty is seeking authorization to allow the department itself to become a charter school sponsor.
Examples of charter schools that might qualify for sponsorship include English immersion for immigrants and year-round schools.
Currently, there are about 100 charter schools in Minnesota, according to the Minnesota House.
Minnesota used to be a national leader in charter schools, Pawlenty said.
ìCandidly, we have lost some of the momentum and leadership to other states,î he said.
Other initiatives
Other initiatives include:
ïSchool innovation and cooperation grants: financial incentives for rural school districts to band together for regional coordination of non-classroom services.
ïTeacher recruitment: Department of Education to development recruitment and placement center to help school districts find teachers.
ïGovernorís Seal of honor and advanced honor: Seal of excellence to be placed on high schools diplomas to acknowledge student excellence.
ìIf you think what motivates people itís recognition, recognition, recognition,î said Rep. Barb Sykora, R-Excelsior, House education policy chair.
ïGovernorís scholars of distinction: state to provide funding to recognize students achieving highest standards in specific subject areas.
ïLeadership academies: a co-operative venture between education organization and business. Goal to provide greater efficiency in education.
ïReconstitute underperforming districts: based on the federal No Child Left Behind Act, corrective actions could be taken against school districts failing to show adequate yearly progress for two years.
Pawlenty said he will consider actions against school districts who have ìflatlinedî ó showed academic ìstagnation.î
Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke explained corrective actions could mean taking power away from local school boards.
Currently, there are no school districts in Minnesota potentially facing corrective action, she explained.
ìThereís only so long you can look the other way,î Pawlenty said.
Minnesota should accept the loss of federal education dollars, said Greiling, and refuse to comply with the No Child Left Behind Act.
Itís a question of preserving local control, she said.
But Greiling didnít know how much federal funding the state would lose.
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