November 7-January 5 will be a very active political season. The political ads will disappear, but victorious candidates and the Minnesota Department of Education Working Groups will have busy and consequential schedules.
It will be important for you and your district to be engaged. Call up your new or returning legislator and arrange a meeting, have them come to your school board. Look to MREA for resources to have substantive conversations on key issues with your legislators.
On the state level, according to the latest available schedules:
- Education Finance Working Group
Meets Nov. 13 and will adopt a final report and recommendation to the Commissioner. - MDE Assessment and Accountability Working Group
Meets Nov. 13 and at its No. 27 meeting will adopt a final report and recommendation to the Commissioner. - MDE Teacher Evaluation Task Force
Meets Nov. 15 and Nov. 27 before adopting a final report and recommendation to the Commissioner at its Dec. 13 meeting. - DFL and Republican House and Senate Caucuses
Meets separately to choose their leadership. Once leadership is chosen, committee assignments and committee chair positions will be assigned. With the large change over in membership and uncertainty today on which party will have the majority in each body, expect multiple changes in education committee membership and leadership.