Minnesota lawmakers recently passed an education policy bill that prohibits book bans, mandates cell phone policies in schools, and revises literacy instruction requirements. After nearly an hour of debate, the Minnesota House approved the bill 68-59, mostly along party lines, following earlier Senate approval. The bill now awaits Governor Tim Walz's signature.

The legislation updates previous measures and introduces new mandates for schools. Rep. Laurie Pryor (DFL-Minnetonka) described the bill as the best option for Minnesota's children and families. The bill allocates an additional $43 million for school funding next year and introduces several notable policies.

Key Provisions

One controversial aspect is the ban on book bans in public libraries. The bill stipulates that libraries cannot restrict book access based on their viewpoints. This measure has garnered mixed reactions. Jessica Bertoni of Edina, who believes some books are inappropriate for public libraries, acknowledges that families should guide their children according to their own values.

The bill also mandates that school districts implement cell phone policies to reduce the devices' impact on student behavior, mental health, and academic performance. Additionally, it addresses absenteeism and truancy through a pilot program in 12 school districts, reflecting concerns that students cannot effectively learn if they are not present in school. State Rep. Heather Edelson highlighted absenteeism as a significant issue the program aims to mitigate.

Another key provision is a $6.5 million pilot program to financially support student teachers at eight Minnesota colleges and universities, easing their financial burden for the first time. Mental health education is also emphasized, with the bill requiring such education for students in grades 4 through 12. Bertoni supported this initiative, noting its potential positive impact, especially for children with learning disabilities, and advocating for greater tolerance and mental health awareness in schools.

The $43 million funding increase will notably support the READ Act, which focuses on enhancing literacy programs. Edelson pointed out the critical need for such initiatives, as only about half of Minnesota's students are reading at grade level, and there are significant literacy disparities across the state.

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Concerns From Lawmakers

Several Republicans, including Rep. Peggy Bennett of Albert Lea, criticized the bill for imposing excessive school requirements. Bennett argued that mandates already overwhelm schools and need adjustments and delays to manage effectively.

The bill builds on the READ Act, designed to reform literacy education in Minnesota by requiring retraining for teachers and adopting new structured literacy curricula. This year's amendments increase the frequency of student progress screenings and allow reduced in-class instruction time for teachers to learn new methods.

Republicans expressed concerns about the mandate for literacy curriculums to be culturally responsive, fearing it would delay the READ Act's implementation. Rep. Kristin Robbins of Maple Grove voiced disappointment, feeling the changes undermine bipartisan support for the science of reading.

Senator Carla Nelson (R-Rochester) also commented on the bill's recent passage. While she acknowledged positive aspects, she also highlighted several concerns. Sen. Nelson praised the restoration of funding for Rochester's P-TECH program, an innovative career partnership model, and supported the implementation of the READ Act, emphasizing the need for proper teacher training in evidence-based reading instruction.

However, she criticized the exclusion of charter schools from receiving Safe Schools aid despite their similar safety needs to other public schools. Additionally, she opposed a provision allowing the Minnesota Department of Education to mandate statewide health curriculum standards, arguing it undermines local control.

Sen. Nelson expressed concern over the significant increase in education spending amid declining enrollment, stressing the importance of prioritizing charter school student safety and maintaining local control over health curriculum decisions.

Despite these concerns, Rep. Pryor assured that the adjustments provide more flexibility for schools and aim to address classroom diversity without compromising literacy teaching standards. Rep. Pryor highlighted that the bill maintains best practices while recognizing the need for culturally responsive education.

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