| For Immediate Release | For more information contact: |
| April 19, 2002 | Shannon Robinson (651-296-5989) |
ST. PAUL On Thursday, State Representative Rich Stanek (R-Maple Grove) and his colleagues in the House made a move to force Minnesota education officials to develop a better system of standards and accountability. A repeal to the controversial Profile of Learning passed 109-22.
According to Stanek, the repeal would prohibit the commissioner of the Department of Children, Families & Learning from implementing the Profile portion of the state's graduation rule. It leaves in place currently required basic skills tests.
"The profile has not only proven to be ineffective, but has taken local control of the curriculum away from parents, teachers, and the school board the people most qualified to make those kinds of local decisions," explained Stanek.
The bill is now headed to the Minnesota Senate. This is the fourth consecutive year that the House approved a repeal or major overhaul, but the Senate and Gov. Jesse Ventura' s administration remain resistant to changes in the Profile.
"Classroom teachers and college instructors training new teachers have told us for several years that the Profile is unworkable, and students and parents agree," said Stanek. "Numerous independent groups and publications, including the respected Education Weekly, have given the Profile failing grades. Minnesota's attempt at nation-leading educational standards has taken us from being a model for other states to one that they disdain. The repeal passed yesterday is a much-needed change in our education system."
For more information on this issue, Rep. Stanek can be reached at 543 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155; by phone at (651) 296-5502; or by e-mail at rep.rich.stanek@house.leg.state.mn.us. For periodic updates of the legislative session, visit Rep. Stanek's website at www.reprichstanek.com.
###