In a significant blow to Minnesota public schools, we learned last week that $250 million in federal “Race to the Top” grants would be going to 16 other states. Our underfunded public schools in Greater Minnesota badly needed this injection of resources. Unfortunately, the political ideology of our Governor got in the way of what is best for Minnesota students in rural schools.
The Minnesota Department of Education was responsible for submitting an application to secure a Race to the Top grant. Instead of working with education leaders and legislators on the application the Governor went at it alone. Political pet projects that had little public or legislative support were inserted in the application, including a ramped up Q-comp and significant changes to teacher tenure.
One of the criteria used by the U.S. Department of Education to award grants was collaboration among education stakeholders. By including these “poison pills” in the application the Governor all but ensured Minnesota would not receive the funds.  Simply stated, he refused to collaborate with classroom teachers and others who know kids best.
We don’t need radical and unproven education policy changes to improve our public schools. What we need is adequate school funding and smaller class sizes, especially in grades K-3. If you want evidence, I’d suggest you spend a day in a first grade classroom in any of our Elementary Schools where there are 30 kids to every 1 teacher.
For over three decades we have invested in our public schools and our students have been rewarded with a world class education. The results speak for themselves. Instead of pursuing ideological driven policies that have never been proven to be effective, we need to learn our lessons from the past and start adequately funding public schools.
Sincerely,
Tom Anzelc
State Representative
Balsam Township - District 3A