“All Kids Count Act” advances in the Minnesota Senate

MINNEAPOLIS, MN—S.F. 2597, also known as the "All Kids Count Act," was laid over yesterday for possible inclusion in the Senate's education omnibus bill, clearing its first major hurdle on its path to becoming law. The bill, which is being authored by Sen. Susan Kent (SD-53) in the Senate and Rep. Rena Moran (HD-65A) in the House, would address concerns and recommendations that local and national education advocates have shared for years. In particular, the bill would:

• Significantly improve our statewide data collection and reporting of student achievement data, which currently groups students together in broad racial categories (Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, Native American, black and white) and allows for extremely limited cross-tabulation of data. Our current system makes it impossible to know, for example, how Hmong students are doing on the MCAs or what percentage of black, male students are graduating from high school on time;
• Disaggregate, cross-tabulate and make public all student achievement data by homelessness status, race, gender, disability status, home language, migrant status, limited English proficiency status, non-native English speaker status, free and reduced price lunch status, foster care status, military family status and ethnic community; and
• Paint a much more accurate and detailed picture of student achievement across the state, allowing state leaders and educators to have a better understanding of which student groups need the most support, and which strategies are (or are not) moving the needle for learners.

Read the bill here.

"If our state leaders are serious about prioritizing students who need the most support, Sen. Kent's bill is an important first step," said MinnCAN Executive Director Daniel Sellers. He continued, "We need clear, detailed and consistent data on how our students are doing, and this bill would help us get just that."

The bill will next be considered in the House, where it is known as H.F. 3042 and being authored by Rep. Moran.

For more information, interviews with Daniel Sellers or advocates who support the push for disaggregated, cross-tabulated data, contact MinnCAN Public Affairs Manager Ariana Kiener: 612-666-3066 or ariana.kiener@minncan.org.

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About MinnCAN: MinnCAN advocates for the success of every Minnesota student, from pre-K through college and career. We improve policy to help all students thrive and share promising practices and stories to demonstrate that all kids CAN succeed. Learn more at www.minncan.org.

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