Legislation would require goal for programs receiving funds

 

A local representative is sponsoring legislation she hopes will increase accountability in education spending.

The bill, introduced by District 27A Rep. Peggy Bennett, R-Albert Lea, last week, stipulates that each program receiving grant funding awarded by the Minnesota Department of Education must provide an educational goal. Summaries of the strategies used to meet the goal and a report summarizing the data and effectiveness of the strategies will be expected to be included in a report to the commissioner of education.

“We have a large number of educational entities, including school districts, nonprofits and others, that receive grant money from the state,” Bennett said. “Many of them come back every two years for more funding. I believe it behooves us as a state to have the information needed to make sure we are funding the most effective programs — both for the sake of our students, as well as the responsible use of taxpayer money.”

In a news release, Bennett said the bill would serve as a tool for legislative committees to make better-informed decisions when funding educational programs.

She said the legislation would “encourage groups and organizations to think in a more evidence-based way and help determine the successful programs that should be duplicated throughout the state.”

“I truly believe this plan will ultimately strengthen our educational investments, and I’m very pleased that this bill has already attracted strong bipartisan support,” Bennett said.

She said Thursday her idea for the bill came from using evidence-based teaching methods as a Sibley Elementary School.

“It’s pretty simple,” she said. “It’s not meant to be a burden on everybody.”

The legislation could be included in a final omnibus bill.

Bennett spoke highly of the Reading Corps program for being transparent in funding requests in her time on the Education Policy Committee.

Albert Lea Superintendent Mike Funk said he supports the legislation, noting it is essential that taxpayer dollars are properly spent.

“It’s a good thing for accountability,” he said.