STATE OF MINNESOTA FOURTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-NINTH SESSION
EDUCATION INNOVATION POLICY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Representative Erickson, Chair of the Education Innovation Policy Committee, called the meeting to order at 8:16 AM on January 22, 2015, in the Basement Hearing Room of the State Office Building.
The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.
Members present:
ERICKSON, Sondra, Chair
BENNETT, Peggy, VC
BLY, David
CHRISTENSEN, Drew
DAVNIE, Jim
KRESHA, Ron
LUCERO, Eric
MARIANI, Carlos
MORAN, Rena
NORNES, Bud
PETERSON, Roz
PIERSON, Nels
SELCER, Yvonne
URDAHL, Dean
WARD, JoAnn
WHELAN, Abigail
WILLS, Anna
WINKLER, Ryan
YARUSSO, Barb
A quorum was not present when the meeting came to order at 8:16 AM.
A quorum was present at 8:18 AM.
Representative Eric Lucero moved to approve the minutes of January 20, 2015. THE MOTION PREVAILED.
Eugene Piccolo from the Minnesota Association of Charter Schools gave a background on the success of charter schools in Minnesota.
Roger Aronson from School Principals advocated for professional development of school leaders.
Scott Croonquist from the Association of Metropolitan School Districts presented on the importance of student achievement in the classroom.
Josh Downham from Serve Minnesota advocated for the AmeriCorps program.
Frank Forsberg and Nancy Jost from MinneMinds advocated for the importance of expanding early childhood scholarships.
Bob Wedl from Innovative Quality Schools spoke on the development of charter schools in Minnesota.
Steve Allen from Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs spoke on alternatives to classroom testing and supporting a requirement for alternative learning opportunities in schools.
Josh Crosson from MINNCAN advocated for a more streamlined process for out-of-state teachers to be licensed in Minnesota.
Fred Nolan from Minnesota Rural Education Association advocated for redeveloping the teacher evaluation process and better preparing students for a career, as well as reforming the Minnesota Teacher Licensure Examination.
Shep Harris from Minnesota Association of Independent Schools and Minnesota Optometric advocated for freedom of choice in schools and requiring optometry exams for all students before kindergarten.
Kenneth Eban from Students for Education Reform spoke on improving remedial education.
Holly Kragthorpe from Educators 4 Excellence Minnesota spoke on alternatives for licensing teachers.
Elaine Keefe from the Coalition for Children with Disabilities spoke on reforming disciplinary measures for students.
Al Fran from Charter School Partners spoke on closing the opportunity gap by creating high performing charter schools.
Muneer Karcher-Ramos, Sondra Samuels, and Maureen Ramirez spoke on the Cradle to Career Partnership and the success of the St. Paul Promise Neighborhood.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:03 AM.
Representative Sondra Erickson, Chair
Ethan Hellier, Committee Legislative Assistant