EdAction
Maple River Education Coalition PAC
105 Peavey Rd, St 116 
Chaska, MN  55318 
952-361-4931
http://www.EdAction.org
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May 2, 2000

Capitol Blacks-Out on Committee!
Committee Reconvenes at About 1:00 p.m. Today

Monday evening the Profile Conference Committee convened at 5:00 p.m.  By about 10:15 they were clearly on the verge of reaching an agreement that would have brought the North Star Standard under the Profile of Learning tests (Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments -- MCA's).  These are the tests that are fashioned specifically to reveal how well the schools are progressing toward teaching the Profile of Learning.  The teachers teach to the test, which is the Profile.  They must teach to the test if their school is to do well.

The MCA's (not the same as the Basic Skills Test in 8th grade) drive the Profile curriculum.  Placing the NSS under the umbrella of the MCA's would undermine the integrity of the NSS. It would no longer be an independent, separate standard of academic achievement.  This is a major issue in the validity of having an option out of the federally driven Profile.

Sen. Pogemiller announced with satisfaction that, "We will have a bill tonight," then he recessed, intending to complete the job on their return. The House conferees gave signals they were willing to give in to the Senate demands on this essential issue. 

Then the entire Capitol building lost power and the meeting room was thrown into darkness.  After unsuccessfully attempting to repair the electrical problem for about an hour, the committee was forced to adjourn without an agreement.  No one could discover the source of the problem.

The conferees will meet again today at 1:00 p.m. in Room 112 in the Capitol building.  This time, the House runs the meeting.  The time may change, so please check our HOTLINE (507-345-0595) before heading out.  Channel 17 also intends to carry the meeting live.

The agreement that the House conferees were apparently willing to accept is wholly unacceptable.  It is not a genuine academic achievement option to the Profile.  The House and Senate conferees are poised to produce a bill with no genuine choice for students, parents and teachers in spite of the massive public outpouring.  Fixing the Profile is meaningless to the public who wants an option out of the Profile of Learning.

These conferees must hear from us today...even this morning yet.  The House, especially, has passed the NSS as an academic achievement on three different occasions.  The House has voted twice to eliminate the Profile. The House conferees must hold firm!  Please be polite. We are all able to communicate effectively without losing tempers.

Tell them there is no support in the public for bringing the North Star Standard under the Profile mandate.  It must be a clear, clean option, fully funded, with no ties to the Profile of Learning and with no federal mandates.

Thank you!

Legislative Contacts

Minnesota House Primary Contacts

Representative Ness (R)
Capitol phone: (651) 296-4344

Representative Kielkucki (R)
Capitol phone: (651) 296-1534

Representative Otremba (DFL)
Capitol phone: (651) 296-3201

Steve Sviggum (R), Speaker of the House
463 State Office Building
St. Paul, MN 55155
651-296-2273

Minnesota Senate Primary Contacts

Senate K-12 Education Budget Committee Chair
Larry Pogemiller (DFL) SD 59, Senate Conf. Comm.
651-296-7809
235 Capitol Building
St. Paul, Minnesota 55155

Roger Moe (DFL) SD 2 - Senate Majority Leader 
208 Capitol Building
St. Paul, MN 55155
651-296-2577

EdAction - 105 Peavey Rd, Ste 116, Chaska, MN  55318 
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