EE has seen real progress on several of our key priorities this session—protecting education access for all kids, stabilizing school funding, imagining more student-centered assessments, and unlocking educator-led school innovation.

But nearly all education bills have stalled out in the House of Representatives. Why? A 67-67 tie in the chamber means no one’s priorities stand a chance without bipartisan cooperation. Even non-controversial bills are getting caught in an increasingly political stalemate these final weeks of the legislative session.

One glimmer of hope? The parties came together to unanimously nix a $250 million special education funding cut. We’ll need more where that came from to get anything done before the hard May 18 deadline.

What’s happening with our priorities?

We entered the year with four specific top priorities—as well as a broader policy platform of issues we watch, weigh in on, and support.

Protecting Access to Public Education—Education Protection Bill (HF3409/SF3803)

This bill protects K-12 public education access for all students regardless of immigration status—building on and strengthening protections in a landmark 1982 federal court ruling. The tragedy and trauma of the last couple of months here in Minnesota have underscored the critical need for these protections.

In the Senate, the one-seat DFL majority advanced it to Judiciary and Public Safety and finally to the Senate floor where it is likely to pass.

In the House, the bill halted on a party-line vote in a tied Education Policy committee.

We continue to work on this alongside our partners in the Push Forward Coalition to see this priority through.

Unlocking School-Level Innovation—Site-Governed Schools (HF4176/SF4453)

This bill clarifies and fixes up an existing law, so schools can access needed flexibilities already on the books—enabling the kind of site-level innovation for equity that we know produces outcomes.

It earned rare unanimous, bipartisan support when it was heard in both chambers, with bipartisan authors to boot.

The Senate version was folded into the education policy omnibus and advanced to the floor, while the House version seems to be one of those non-controversial bills receiving no oxygen in the tensely divided chamber. 

Vision of a Learner (bill dropping soon)

We are championing a bill that would establish a statewide model “Vision of a Learner,” naming as explicit state priorities the deeper skills Minnesota students need, including critical thinking, collaboration, and civic responsibility.

The bill is drafted, with several House champions onboard. We have no illusions about passage this session. We’re treating this year like the Vikings might—it’s a “building year.” We’re working to bring Senate champions and additional partners to get this done in 2027.

Assessment Relevancy (HF4984)

Our latest bill dropped last week, legislation based on our prior recommendations. This bill would make state assessments more student-centered—growth-focused, timely, relevant, and useful for educators and families. This is another priority on which we are shaping the conversation and laying groundwork for future policy change.

Notably, Governor Walz’s budget included a charge to develop a working group on assessment relevance, consistent with our recommendations.

Other items we’re watching this session

In addition to bills we’ve led on, EE has actively watched, weighed in on, supported partners, and showed up as a voice for students, educators, and communities on bills related to:

• Compensatory Revenue Reform. We’re helping to coordinate the Push Forward Coalition action committee focused on this issue, alongside other partner organizations.
• READ Act Pre-Service Preparation (HF3421/SF4011). We testified in support of pre-service preparation providing literacy field experience, which aligns with our work around student-centeredness and teacher retention.
• Career Pathways Legislation, which aligns with our Vision of a Learner framework above.
• Civic and Climate Learning Seals (HF2372/SF2565), consistent with our Badging recommendations.
• K-3 Suspension Limits, where we stood in support of the position Solutions Not Suspensions, of which we are a member.

What’s next?

EE will end the session with meaningful action across all our top priorities and beyond. Anything more depends on whether bipartisan compromise can be struck in the House. We will stay in the hunt, shaping the conversation for more equitable, student-centered learning and laying groundwork for future policy change.