This week there were a number of big conversations in the Minnesota State Legislature’s education committees. Several pieces of the legislation have moved forwards in committee and most major pieces of legislation have been introduced in the Minnesota House and the Minnesota Senate.
- The House Education Finance committee met on Jan. 23 to discuss two bills. One bill was aimed at “nonexclusionary discipline,” which basically says students cannot be “excluded” from their school community as a punitive action, and a second bill discussed interpreter requirements.
- The Senate Education Finance committee met on Jan. 24 to hear legislation aimed at hiring and supporting education support professionals across the state. Several education support professionals testified including MPS school psychologist Taherah Shamsulbahri-Cobb. Shamsulbahri-Cobb noted in her testimony, which can be viewed online, that education support professionals like school psychologists are meant to meet students’ academic, social, and emotional needs in a “multi-tiered system of support.”
- OnJan. 24, the Senate Education Finance committee heard legislation and several testimonies that would require every school district in the state to provide free menstrual products to all menstruating students in their respective districts.
- Discussed in several committees this week, including House Education Finance on Jan. 24 was universal school breakfast and lunch for all Minnesota students. The Senate version of this bill was heard Jan. 26 in the Senate Education Finance committee. Also discussed several times this week, including in the House Education Policy committee on Jan. 24, was legislation aimed at increasing Minnesota’s teachers of color and American Indian teachers, as was the House’s version of legislation banning “nonexclusionary discipline.”
Legislative Calendar: Jan. 30 - Feb. 3:
On Jan. 30, the Senate Education Policy committee will hear legislation requiring that Indigenous students be allowed to wear regalia or objects of cultural significance if they so choose. The legislation is being brought forth by Sen. Mary Kunesh (DFL - District 39).
On Jan. 31, the House Education Policy committee will hear legislation to fully-fund special education in Minnesota, as well as legislation to fund full-service community schools.
On Feb. 1, in the House Education Finance committee, legislation around English learner funding and the English-learner cross-subsidy will be heard, as well as legislation related to funding for education support professionals.
And on Feb. 2, the House Education Finance committee will hear legislation around making state support for voluntary pre-k and school readiness programs permanent
You can find the daily legislative calendar on the State’s website. Some meetings are available to view virtually.
