The first step in reforming the Minneapolis education experience is to not tweak the system, but to overhaul it. In November the citizens in Minneapolis are going to be asked once again to pony up to the school referendum bar. They are being asked to order a $30 million per year cup of some toxic beverage to keep the current glass from becoming empty, and an additional $30 million per year toxic beverage to “make improvements” to the glass. However, as of right now they can’t, or won’t, tell you where that money will be spent to improve the glass. They better come up with something good because people aren’t feeling very charitable, especially for a school system that hasn’t produced any results. The old argument of we need to improve doesn’t wash anymore, and Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) have been losing support among even it’s most hard nosed supporters. Lack of results and continued crying about lack of funding are the top reasons.
The school board keeps talking about trimming down, but the evidence just isn’t there. However, all the “trimming” in the world won’t produce better academic results. It’s time for a wholesale change of direction and programming. More classroom time, longer school year, more focus on bridge the knowledge gaps, more localized control, less administration, more parental and student “skin in the game”, and more discipline are what is required.
Without these improvements clearly spelled out THERE SHOULD BE NO MORE MONEY GIVEN TO MPS AT ALL! NO REINSTATEMENT OF THE FIRST $30 MILLION, OR INCREASE OF $30 MILLION UNTIL IT IS CLEAR WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING.
What do you think?
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2 comments:
350 teaching positions will be cut if this referendum doesn't pass. That's a pretty tangible outcome of not passing the referendum.
Ona - Thank you for your comment. You are correct 350 teaching positons will be cut if it doesn't pass and the school board doesn't develop a plan to cut waste or a plan that will work to improve the district. It's not one sided here. Real reform is needed instead of just more money. Some of these cuts are going to be needed because Minneapolis has less of a student population to serve.
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