Minnesota Democrats' education bills offer more money for schools, set new graduation requirements

Minnesota House Democrats would tie school funding increases to the rate of inflation and help cover the rising cost of special education and English learner services under their education budget bill released this week.

Democrats in the Minnesota Senate are taking a slightly different approach, giving schools a bigger funding increase over the next two years but not guaranteeing inflationary boosts into the future. They would put more money toward covering school districts' special education costs.

The DFL-controlled Legislature started rolling out its spending bills this week after Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders struck a deal to increase the state's budget by nearly $17.9 billion over the next two years, including a $2.2 billion hike for education. The House and Senate must hash out spending and policy differences before they adjourn May 22.

https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-democrats-education-bills-offer-more-money-for-schools-set-new-graduation-requirements/600262969/