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Maple River Education Coalition PAC
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April 29, 2004

Edited Transcript of the Confirmation Hearing on Commissioner Yecke
While the entire transcript is not quoted word for word, it is faithful to the substance of the discussion. Emphasis is added.
Proponents: David Lannegran, Terry Tofte, Alan Jensen, Kathy Green
Opponents: MN Council for Exceptional Children  MN Middle School Association  Dr. Bert Friestedt
Senator's Comments: Steve Kelley, Sandra Pappas, Jane Ranum, Rod Skoe, Leroy Stumpf, David Tomassoni, 
Michele Bachmann, David Hann, Geoff Michel, Gen Olson

Education Committee Vote to Confirm the Commissioner:

ALL senators need phone calls from the public. (See complete list)
Talking points:
1. The governor should be able to choose his administration.
2. Commissioner Yecke is well-qualified for her position.
3. Commissioner Yecke is willing to show leadership on issues while remaining open to alternatives.
4. Commissioner Yecke should be allowed to continue the work she has begun.

Proponents of Endorsement:

Terry Tofte, Northfield Superintendent 
Change has to start somewhere. The first complaint you hear about change is "It is a flawed process." Analysis paralysis – process is criticized unfairly. We often confuse input with getting our way. Neutrality is the antithesis of leadership. The Commissioner is passionate, professional, intelligent, and engaged. [So much so that the DFL Education Committee cannot control her.] My life has been public education – I urge you to confirm and move forward to get it right. I remember in the past, new initiatives were called the "death of public education." It never happened. It is important to take the first step and trust people in the school to make it work

Alan Jensen – Elk River School District, Principal
I have seen the Commissioner work and impressed with her professionalism, intellect and understanding. There are many strongly held beliefs about how to educate kids. Step away from confrontation and focus on the important issues.

People do tend to look less positively at people with whom they disagree. Don’t make this issue politics, but qualifications and performance. I have a high level of respect for the Commissioner. I do not necessarily agree with her and continue to challenger her – different perspectives can lead to better outcomes. You should not end a professional relationship simply because you disagree.

Kathy Green, Chair of Austin School Board
See complete testimony   As I have followed the political actions of the state legislature in regards to education there were significant actions including the dismantling of the State Board of education in 1998 and the transfer of authority to the Commissioner of Education. Past practice of this committee saw Christine Jax, who was married to a democratic legislator, had a fraction of the experience and credentials of the candidate before you, recommended for confirmation in a hearing that lasted less than 30 minuets and then onto the floor for a voice vote for confirmation.

Opponents of Endorsement:

MN Council for Exceptional Children: Carol Long, Bryce, Claudine
Carol Long: If we failed to express our concerns with this Commissioner we would be betraying those we represent. Complains: lack of technical support with NCLB as it applied to IEP confusion, who to call for clarification and technical help, don't like department website.  

Bryce: Not like the new special Ed Director. Lack of evident leadership – special ed is not important enough. Cancellation of an annual training grant.

Claudine: Political administration that makes negative comments that portray public schools as failing – discouraging to all teachers. It is unsettling that significant organization are neither coming out to oppose or support her because they fear retribution. There is fear and mistrust in the field. (Not our job to verify these concerns are accurate – just know they’ve been mentioned)

Senator Hann: You say the Commissioner has made frequent negative comments that portray MN as failing. Do you have documents to prove this. I’ve heard her often say the opposite

Claudine: Points given based on feedback from members who either heard it on TV or radio. I don't have documentation – educators feel this is the attitude of the Commissioner

Hann: Concern – making substantive charges – should be some back up data 

Commissioner's response to complaints: Confusion re: IDEA & NCLB remains unresolved issues until IDEA is reauthorized. Reorganization of department – much more efficient. Grant was cancelled due to questionable expenditures – legislative auditor currently conducting an investigation

Minnesota Middle School Association    Dr. Noel Schmidt
Principle at Central Middle School in White Bear Lake – concern re: Yecke’s book – A War Against Excellence. Middle schools are the only part of public education that the Commissioner has bashed – it is a reflection of what she will do to Middle Schools.

She criticizes cooperative learning – language and rhetoric which she uses in the book are not fitting for a Commissioner...do I look like a radical middle school teacher? She makes it up because she doesn’t like it. Commissioner is out of touch. 

Senator Hann: I read Dr. Yecke’s book.  Don’t completely agree with your characterization of it. You’re painting it with a broad brush.  I’m not sure she is advocating for eliminating middle school. What is your philosophy and where is the Commissioner in direct opposition to it?

Bachmann: The Commissioner quotes directly from primary sources. She’s not cooking things up – looking at primary sources and challenges the extreme egalitarianism.  I don’t believe you would embrace nonachievement. There is an attempt at the national level to make all equal at everything Good to challenge ideas to enhance diversity in differing levels of ability

Schmidt: The research is old (1972). The National Middle School Assn has changed its positions.

Commissioner's response to complaints:  This book was not written about MN – I was not even living in MN during the time it was written.  Schmidt – says I claim he is a radical activist. Pg 2 of my book – made it clear – not all teachers are radial. Quotes from 50’s and 70’s continue into the 90’s. Accusation that work shows no research - 789 footnotes much in book – not my belief – work of primary sources.

Comments from Education Committee Members:

Senator Steve Kelley: (651) 297-8065
Can MN come together around a notion of school improvement when, as evidence, there is  high level of distrust? In this environment, can leadership from the Commissioner get us anywhere – given all that’s happened. 
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Kelley: Question on cooperative learning and 9/11 comment from page 157 of your book. Seems what they did on 9/11 was more courage v. competition. Should teachers teach kids to be more courageous?

Commissioner: US News and World report described 4 of the 5 men as competitive – that is how they were remembered – not necessarily noted for working in groups. Competition as part of the American dream
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The Commissioner is not in the center of the storm alone. What role does ideology play - distill our disagreement over issues to disagreement over leadership.

I worry about the rhetoric – the perceived conflict between teachers and the broader community. The generalizations. We can’t tell whose good and whose band in middle school.

Senator Sandra Pappas  (651) 296-1802

Pappas: 6,500 social studies teachers signed a petition against the social studies standards [Does such a petition exist?].  What happened in social studies standards?

Commissioner:  No matter what state it is in, social studies standards are always controversial. Document made great changes from before the public hearing to after them.
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I admire bright articulate women, but I'm confused re: who the real Commissioner Yecke is. I’ve never seen a Commissioner generate so much controversy. I don’t know what to trust. Who is there so much confusion?

Senator Jane Ranum  (651) 297-8061
Senator Michel – I know you’ve only been in the legislature for 2 years.  No one has ever tried to make education a partisan issue. [Really? What about the Profile of Learning?] Only until this Governor with only 42 or 43% of the vote...

Senator Rod Skoe: (651) 296-4196

(Senator Skoe's response letter to a concerned parent in March of 2003, writing to ask he oppose the Profile of Learning - is this not a divisive, demeaning, polarizing letter, unsympathetic to concerns?) 

"Who are you and why do you think that you know what all of the people in my district and the State of Minnesota want and need for their children's education."

Skoe:  How do you work to bridge differences with those who disagree with you?

Commissioner: More than happy to meet with others to explain strengths and weaknesses of middle schools

Skoe: You make case well – but it does not bring people together. Your statements divide – those who differ are separated out. [complained about 5-star rating]

Commissioner: 5 Star rating was created based on legislative direction.  Much of the  consternation re: 5 star was because people did not know there was a legislative directive to create it. I serve 2 constituencies: Public education establishment and parents. I have to balance desires of these 2 - the report card is such an issue. Parents mostly liked it. Teachers had some trouble. What did I do? I worked with teachers. I worked with parents. No one group owns it.

Skoe: Why do you say that parents like and  teachers don't? It seems people who disagree have no place with you. 

Commissioner: When people come forward and present their case, I listen. I’ve traveled the state wanting to listen and hear. If constituents believe I have not worked hard at outreach, I need to work harder.

Senator LeRoy Stumpf   (651) 296-8660
[It's about the Governor and the last election. They can't undo the last election, but they can refuse to confirm]

Stumpf: This is a very difficult process, with those those strongly opposed an in favor. It hinges on where we would like to see education go. If you go out and get of feeling of where educators would like to see education go – and that differs from what the governor wants, what would you do?

Commissioner: I would take concerns to the Governor and consider them – try to find the middle ground – ultimately I work for the Governor

Stumpf: Ultimately you answer to the Governor. You would have to either listen to the Governor or resign. 

Commissioner: I work for the Governor. He appointed me. He won the election
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Stumpf: For the past 1 ½ years I’ve hand an ongoing struggle with the department. I've had a difficult time getting information in a timely manner. We get it after the GOP in the House. My numerous correspondence has been very frustrating. The Senate Education Policy committee is still waiting on fiscal notes. This change from the prior administration is disturbing

Yecke: If we have been slow, can you please give me specific examples?

Bachmann: Jax never followed up. I never got answers. I never got information. What is the point of this hearing? How long does it go on? Jax confirmation took only 25 minutes

Kelley:  Did not want to give any response.
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Stumpf: My biggest question – is qualifications more than academics? The Commissioner has the academic credentials, but I see that where we’re going is not in the right direction. We need better leadership. Is that the result of the Governor

We've spent so much more time on Yecke than Jax – we should recall Jax

David Tomassoni    (651) 296-8017
I have spoken with the Commissioner and she seems like a nice person. Why are we taking all this time – something is going on out there. People are concerned with this Commissioner. This is worrisome.  We would not use all of this time if the Education Committee was not concerned. We are doing our jobs as we are supposed to be. Maybe she is provocative and polarizing

Senator Michele Bachmann   (651) 296-4351
This is a very important vote. I oppose the Commissioner on NCLB, but even though I don’t agree on this policy, there was still an election that was won. Whether I like it or not, the position has been stated. My responsibility is to make the argument for my cause. I do respect the electorate and their choice of Governor.

You can’t bring people together about everything. This is about a culture war – an ideological litmus test. It is seeing the classroom as political. Who owns philosophically the K-12 system? None of us should

We all should respect true local control and parents rights. Public schools in MN did not used to shake political stances. Teachers did not impart political beliefs. What is the mission of schools – who ha the right to shape children’s views? Parents have not asked us to teach politics. They’ve asked us to make available the highest academic standards.

Senator David Hann  (651) 296-1749
Difference of opinion is not a bad thing, but we need to ask if the Commissioner is capable and qualified. In a nonpartisan way, we need to move forward

Senator Geoff Michel   (651) 296-6238
[style v. resume] Strikes me the Committee has developed a list of what they want in a Commissioner – a healer – a bridge builder.  We should stick to the issue of qualifications and experience. I go on to suggest that given what she was given: NCLB, Budget cuts, standards, no one would get through this without controversy. This is a slippery road of judging on style v. resume.
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I'm not sure we have to look outside of the capitol for the answer to this – it reflects a very close Senate politics. The division is not so much outside as inside. We should not transfer the policy debate onto the shoulders of the Commissioner.

Senator Gen Olson  (651) 296-1282
This time we’ve spent with Yecke may be comparable to the full amount of time Jax spent with us. I move we recommend her confirmation to the full Senate

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