Education Minnesota responds to GOP education plan with a better vision for parents, students and schools
For more information, contact:
CHRIS WILLIAMS
651-292-4816 (work)
651-247-5539 (cell)
ST. PAUL, Minnesota. Feb. 14, 2022 – Education Minnesota responded Monday to the “Parents Bill of Rights” package of legislation from Republican senators that would micromanage the distribution of school syllabi and create a new voucher program for K-12 schools.
The following statement may be attributed to Denise Specht, the president of Education Minnesota:
“Most Minnesotans believe all children should receive an education that gives them the freedom to pursue their dreams as critical thinkers in our increasingly diverse state. Unfortunately, certain politicians seem more interested in following the lead of the national big money groups’ plans to inflame division about what’s taught about race and gender than in presenting coherent policies to engage parents in their local schools.
“Every educator I know welcomes conversations with parents about the lessons being taught in school, but GOP senators today presented a plan to drop a crushing amount of extra paperwork on already exhausted teachers without a plan for how it would work, how parents would use the information, or even if it was necessary. When mandating more work for every teacher in the state, the details matter.
“The senators also called for a return to the old, discredited idea of school vouchers. Instead of having the debate about how to equip every school with the resources to deliver a high-quality education that prepares every child for the future, no matter their color, background or ZIP code, we’re once again being asked to siphon taxpayer money away from schools used by nearly all students to schools that can, and do, turn students away on the basis of their parents’ faith, sexual orientation, gender identity, health condition and disability.
“At Education Minnesota, we’re working to give every parent, no matter where they live or what they look like, the opportunity to send their children to a public school with small class sizes, enough counselors and nurses, trained and joyful educators, and a learning environment that welcomes and nurtures every child so they can grow up to live and lead in the multiracial, multicultural Minnesota they will inherit one day. We’re looking forward to discussing THAT agenda with any elected official who wants to listen.”
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.
