Governor Visits Armstrong HS, Urges Legislative Passage of Summer Learning Plan
Governor Visits Armstrong HS, Urges Legislative Passage of Summer Learning Plan
Governor Tim Walz is urging the Minnesota legislature to pass a $150 million summer learning package by next month.
The summer learning plan would address opportunity gaps and expand summer learning opportunities. It would include proposals for field trips and hands-on learning, mental health supports, summer school for preschool and college courses for graduating seniors.
The proposal must be passed by April 15 in order for schools to have time to plan for summer learning.
“There’s absolutely no excuse right now not to be working on this plan. It’s too late, the end of May, to pass something for summer. The planning needs to happen right now,” said Walz.
School leaders require guidance from the state by mid-April to accurately finalize plans and set budgets. School leaders say without immediate action by the legislature, families will face uncertainty about academic support over the summer.
“Like other districts across the state, we have seen an enrollment decline this past year. We know that our students have struggled academically, socially and emotionally. Summer programming gives us the opportunity to begin to address the immediate needs of our students,” explained Robbinsdale Interim Superintendent Stephanie Burrage.
What the Proposal Says
On February 18, Governor Walz sent a letter to legislative leaders requesting they take swift action to pass HF1064/SF973, his summer learning package. The proposal:
- Expands summer 2021 programming by providing students with opportunities to catch up on learning. It dedicates $57.5 million in federal funds to expand summer programming with small class sizes and transportation for students. The proposal creates partnerships with community organizations to offer academic enrichment. The legislature must approve federal spending.
- Expands summer 2021 preschool for 4- and 5-year-olds by providing $20 million in one-time funding for early learners to attend a star-rated public or private preschool or pre-kindergarten in-person learning program at no cost to them. Programs may be able to extend their school year, build upon summer programs they are already offering, or offer new summer programs.
- Expands mental health support in summer 2021 by providing $7 million to expand school-linked mental health services and provide access to well-being support at summer learning programs.
- Provides field trips and hands-on learning in summer 2021 by providing school districts and charter schools with $10 million in supplemental one-time funding for students.
- Accounts for pandemic enrollment loss by maintaining programming that serves all students across the state, including those who are historically underserved. The proposal would provide $25 million in one-time funding to reduce the financial hardship incurred by school districts and charter schools due to a decline in enrollment because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
More details can be found here, under “Priorities for COVID-19 Federal Funding and Summer Programming,” “Pandemic Enrollment Loss,” and “Summer 2021.”
