>From Minneapolis Public Schools' 3/30/01 legislative update...I've highlighted the state education initiatives that would impact Minneapolis particularly, because of a high population of English language learners and/or students living in poverty. - David Brauer, list manager, Minneapolis-Issues Superintendents Carol Johnson and Pat Harvey met with Speaker Steve Sviggum and House Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty to discuss compensatory education aid. Both men confirmed that House Republicans will be cutting compensatory aid for students in the poorest schools. Although the House Republican Caucus is not unanimously supportive of their proposal, it will likely be in the House Omnibus Education Finance Bill as it emerges from committee. We are continuing to build coalitions with business, education, religious and community groups to oppose their attempt to cut funding to those students struggling academically. Superintendent Johnson and four of her counterparts from rural and suburban districts met with Governor Ventura to discuss education funding. The Governor wanted to know if reality matched the rhetoric regarding local school district budget cuts. He was also interested to hear about district efforts to be more accountable for the wise use of state revenues. Superintendent Johnson raised the issue of compensatory revenue with Governor Ventura. Commission Jax explained that the department and governor's office understood the role compensatory revenue played in settling both the St. Paul and NAACP lawsuits against the state and that significant shifts in compensatory revenue could presumably put those mediated settlements in jeopardy. Representatives from the Minneapolis and St. Paul ELL and REA departments met with DCFL staff to discuss the DCFL's recommendation that districts be required to use the department's Test of Emerging Academic English (TEAE) next school year to identify students who qualify for ELL funding from the state. Although it was agreed that a statewide assessment system for ELL student's would be helpful, both Minneapolis and St. Paul argued that the TEAE was not yet ready for implementation. The test has not yet been normed or validated nor has the district been provided the technical information needed to ensure the test does what it intends to do. DCFL staff indicated that they would be willing to delay a year the implementation date and to work with districts to iron out problems with the current test. _______________________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
