Friends and neighbors,

The Minnesota Department of Education has released the latest student MCA scores, and the results are troubling. Only 45% of students are meeting grade-level standards in math and less than half are proficient in reading. Third-grade reading has now declined for the fifth year in a row, with more than half of our youngest learners falling behind.

Remember, behind these statistics are real children whose futures are at risk if we continue to fail them. The ability to read by third grade is one of the most important milestones for a child’s future success.

Also remember, these disappointing scores are happening despite historic levels of funding and record amounts of federal aid. When the self-proclaimed “Educator-in-Chief” Tim Walz became governor, he promised better results. Seven years later he has failed to keep his promises. Minnesota is now ranked among the worst states in projected lifetime income loss for students due to learning interruptions, according to Stanford research. Other states like Mississippi have already begun to outperform Minnesota.

Graduation rates are high but graduating students are less prepared than ever. ACT results show only 26% of Minnesota students meet all four college readiness benchmarks in math, reading, English, and science. It is the lowest percentage in at least a decade. Even more concerning, 35% meet none of the benchmarks at all! We are failing to prepare students and sending them out into the world without the skills they need for success.

To get back on track we need to return to the fundamentals of reading, math, and science. We need to take divisive, leftist political issues out of the classrooms. And we need to give schools flexibility from the budget-crushing mandates Democrats imposed in 2023 and 2024.

Some districts that emphasize phonics and structured literacy are already seeing improvements, showing that when teachers have the right tools, children do well. That is what we need more of. Not more bureaucracy, not more mandates, not more distractions, but a renewed focus on giving our children the strong foundation they need.

It is time to put students first.

If you have any questions, please reach out.

God Bless,