Minnesota Agencies

Examine ways to make public funding for schools more fair, understandable, and results-oriented.

The task force will focus on three questions as it examines and makes recommendations to revamp Minnesota's K-12 finance system:

• Do Minnesota's education finance arrangements ensure resources are distributed "equitably" to students throughout the state and does Minnesota appropriately adjust state revenue allocations for legitimate cost differences between districts including additional costs for "at risk" students?
• Is Minnesota's education system understandable to the public and appropriately linked to accountability for student performance?
• Does Minnesota have a data system that enables all interests in the system, including the public, to have the same information examining school finance in Minnesota?

Governor Tim Pawlenty first announced his intention to form a task force to examine K-12 spending and equity issues shortly after he was elected governor. As House Majority Leader, Governor Pawlenty pushed for "educational audits" so that taxpayers will have information to examine a school's academic and financial performance.

On June 14, 2003, the Governor named a 19-member Task Force. The Task Force began its work on August 11, 2003, and concluded its duties on March 15, 2004. Nine Task Force meetings were conducted during the seven months. The Task Force received expertise and assistance from the Minnesota Department of Education and Management Analysis & Planning, Inc. (MAP) of Nashville, Tennessee. MAP was the consultants contracted by the Department of Education to assist in Task Force discussions and recommendation development.

The final Education Reform Task Force Report was submitted July, 2004 and is linked to below.

Includes a cross-section of leaders and experts in K-12 finance including parents, school administrators, business leaders, national experts, and other stakeholders. Twenty members.