MN education funding dips below nat'l average

[katinmn]

It seems like only yesterday that Minnesota led the nation in support for schools...Something's wrong in the land of Pawlenty.

http://parentsunited.extranet.urbanplanet.com/12Jan2005.html

January 2005 - AMSD Issues Wake-Up Call for Minnesota Legislators
Minnesota’s Education Spending Falls Below National Average

(AMSD = Advocates for Minnesota Public Schools)

Two national studies show Minnesota has fallen below the national average in per pupil spending for the first time since 1970.

According to AMSD Chair, Lori Grivna, “Educators and citizens in Minnesota are proud of the state’s history of above average results in education. The fact that Minnesota has fallen below the national average in education spending for the first time in 35 years should be a wake-up call for legislators.”

Another comment by Grivna: “School districts cannot continue to produce above average results with below average funding. The Governor and the 2005 Legislature must re-commit to making Minnesota a national leader in educational excellence by investing in our future.”

Sign up for action alerts on legislative activity impacting your schools: http://parentsunited.extranet.urbanplanet.com/E-List.html

[katinmn]

1. The papers are reporting that Pawlenty will propose

a small increase ($230 million) for schools in his budget later this month.

School administrators are saying it's not NEAR enough.

With two parent advocates among the new House members elected this fall, and parent activists becoming more aggressive, it should be a more productive year for public schools.

[Deja Q]

2. Ventura did it!

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Pawlenty addressing the needs did it. Nothing more.