Paul Thissen: Innovation in Action

Education en español

(K-12)

The Vision:

Minnesota must reexamine its priorities and recommit its resources so that all our children have the educational opportunities they need to succeed.

The Details:

Over the last seven years, school districts throughout the state have faced nearly insurmountable budget problems.  As a result, class sizes have ballooned and educational resources have been depleted.  In this era of globalization, where economic competition is increasingly fierce, the trend towards educating with the bare minimum is incredibly alarming. We need to upgrade our public schools, investing in early education through college, and recruiting top-notch teachers.

Early Care and Learning:

We all know that a child’s first years are critical. Some children are entering school a year or two behind the rest of their class, a setback with long-term consequences. It’s time we did something about this.  My Early Care and Learning Act creates a strong framework for improving our early childhood programs.

Broadening The Curriculum Beyond Reading and Math:

Currently, the only measure of our schools’ success are reading and math test scores. Strong reading and math curriculum are critical, but we sell our kids short by judging their schools using these standards alone. We need to strive for more. Every public school in Minnesota should have: a faculty with the talent and the time to build one-on-one relationships with their students; tailored learning environments that meet each child’s particular learning needs; offerings in visual arts and music to ignite the creative power in every child; a focus on health, through physical activity and good nutrition; and the technological tools that can properly – and cost effectively — prepare kids for the 21st century world.

Increasing the Number of Minnesotans with Post-Secondary Degrees:

In an increasingly competitive world, a post-secondary education holds great importance. Nevertheless, rising tuition costs in Minnesota are making higher education programs less and less affordable.  The imperative lies with government to assist when possible the thousands of Minnesotans striving to gain additional skills for the work force. Our kids should be financially rewarded for pursuing a secondary education, and deciding to do so within our state’s borders.

Also, our commitment to post-secondary education cannot be limited to graduating high school seniors. We must also remember adults looking to reenter the academic world. The state should work in partnership with private businesses and their employees to increase the number of non-traditional, older students who earn college degrees. We should approve a tax credit to employers who are willing to cover the costs of college tuition and educational fees for employees who return to school.

Our Teachers:

Great teachers are at the heart of every great community. But recently, public schools have struggled to recruit and maintain great teachers. Competitive salaries are important, but we must also create a working environment that supports teachers as professionals and empowers them excel at work. And we need strong, stable teacher pensions, an area where I’ve been a leader in the legislature. Teaching must always be recognized as a viable, sustainable, and revered profession.

(Higher Ed)