READ Act millions didn’t close education funding gap, administrators say

Major money went to Minnesota schools throughout the last two years as legislators changed the state’s approach to reading.

Budget boost

What they're saying:

In their first meeting with legislators this year, school leaders said those budget boosts came with strings attached and haven’t helped them avoid cuts.

Several superintendents and principals weighed in on education policy on Wednesday afternoon.

Most of them told Senators the READ Act should have a positive impact on test scores, but they don’t have the money to pay for everything they need.

Math isn't working

The backstory:

Much of the math isn’t working well for public schools.

Lower enrollments, the end of federal pandemic relief, and inflation dug a financial hole, so a lot of districts have made cuts.

And the budget knives are still out.

"If that does not sound alarm bells, I don't know what does," said Sen. Zach Duckworth, (R-Lakeville).

When help doesn't help

By the numbers:

The READ Act was designed to help.

Democrats sent more than $110 million to Minnesota schools along with instructions to change to a more scientific approach to teaching reading.

Superintendents say it’s the right idea with too little funding to meet the mandates.

"We have been a leader in the READ Act training – almost 1,000 of our teachers already and have committed to that," said Cory McIntyre, Anoka-Hennepin Schools Superintendent. "And yet we're still about $7 million short when it comes to the materials we're going to need for purchasing, especially of our elementary adoption that is happening right now."

"Curriculum instruction and adequate staff development fell short," said David Law, Minnetonka Schools Superintendent. "In Minnetonka, our response was to shift money that you're currently spending supporting students in reading to pay for those things."

What could help?

READ Act author Sen. Erin Maye Quade (DFL-Apple Valley) said she's still listening to school leaders about how to keep them moving forward instead of looking back.

But she says a lot of the problems stem from education funding failing to keep up with inflation.

"We are suffering the consequences of many, many, many decisions over decades," said Sen. Maye Quade.

A big increase in education funding is unlikely because of budget constraints this session, so there’s probably no big bailout coming.

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