ST. PAUL, MN – Today Senate Republicans introduced a “Students First” education plan that presents a better alternative to a set of Democrat-led mandate-heavy education bills. The Students First plan incorporates five key points that aim to directly assist students and address education shortfalls: 

• A 5% increase on the formula each year, with no new mandates tied to the formula 
• $1 billion to fund the special education cross-subsidy, which equates to funding the cross-subsidy at 65% 
• $100 million to fund literacy programs that get Minnesota students back on track  
• $200 million to fund “Safe Schools” initiatives to ensure every child feels safe while learning  
• $100 million to provide additional property tax relief through equalization  

 
“Because the Democrats’ bill does so little to help our students, Senate Republicans have put forward an alternative plan that puts students first. The basis of our plan focuses on students and gives schools the flexibility to meet students’ needs,” said Senator Jason Rarick (R-Pine City), who serves as the Republican Lead on the Education Finance Committee. “While the Democrats’ plan puts forward mandates that cost more than the funding that has been allocated, Senate Republicans’ Students First proposal focuses on what matters most: our students.” 

This plan sets itself apart from the Democrats’ plan by offering an alternative that prioritizes students, literacy, and funding that directly benefits learning in the classroom. The Democrats’ plan only provides a 4% increase the first year and a 5% increase in the second year on the formula, most of which is tied to funding mandates, a 47% increase for the special education cross-subsidy, only $41 million literacy and nothing for school safety. 
 
“Our number one priority should be ensuring that every Minnesota student is receiving a high-quality education that focuses on core academics and prioritizes special education,” said Senator Julia Coleman (R-Waconia), Republican lead on the Education Policy Committee. “Literacy plays a vital role in a child’s success, both in school and later in life. Yet Minnesota’s test scores continue to decrease at an alarming rate. That is why our Students First plan concentrates on funding the fundamental parts of education. We must provide critical funding directly into the classroom to get our students and teachers back on track after the pandemic.” 

In August 2022, the Department of Education released assessment results that showed a steady decrease in students meeting standards in reading, math, and science. Between 2018 and 2022, Minnesota went from 60% of students being proficient in reading to only 51%. A similar trend follows for science, decreasing from 52% to 41%, and math, also decreasing from 57% to 44%. Additionally, in 19 schools across the state, not a single student was proficient in math. 
 
“Students across the state are struggling in the classroom, and that has culminated in a shocking decline in literacy and achievement. Senate Republicans are offering a viable plan that puts ‘Students First’ and gets our education system back on track,” said Senator Zach Duckworth (R-Lakeville), who serves on the Education Policy Committee. “As a previous school board member, I know all too well the challenges being faced by students in the classroom. I’ve also heard from teachers and administrators across the state that are deeply concerned with the Democrats’ bill, which focuses on unfunded mandates. We need to do what’s best for our students, which means funding the formula, addressing the cross-subsidy, and investing in literacy programs.” 

Schools are sounding the alarm that mandates in both the Democrat’s education bills and their one-party control agenda would use all the extra funding in the proposed formula increases. It was reported than one suburban superintendent recently told his school board, “This is potentially one of the most damaging sessions I’ve seen since I’ve been a superintendent.” 

The Senate is scheduled to take up the Education Finance bill and Education Policy bill for debate and votes on Monday afternoon.