Minnesota's Due North Education Plan: What Minnesotans are Saying

Press Release

Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the Due North Education Plan, a sweeping agenda for the future of education in Minnesota. Developed from a robust engagement effort with educators, school leaders, students, and families across the state, the Due North Education Plan is centered on ensuring every child in Minnesota receives a high-quality education, no matter their race or zip code. Here is what Minnesotans around the state are saying about the Due North Education Plan:

R.T. Rybak, President and CEO of the Minneapolis Foundation, Governor's Education Roundtable participant

"The Governor's recent efforts acknowledge that a major reason progress in education has been so slow is that we have a deeply fractured landscape. We're excited the Governor's office is building coalitions across the state to move forward and develop plans that will help address the impact of the pandemic, longstanding racial inequities and provide opportunities for students in every corner of our state to thrive."

Christine Tucci Osorio, Superintendent of North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale Schools, Co-Chair of the School Finance Working Group, Governor's Education Roundtable participant

"The educational and economic impacts of this pandemic won't be fully realized for years to come. I am thrilled to hear that our Governor and education leaders are swiftly and boldly prioritizing public education through a lens of equity during these unprecedented times."

Angela Jerabek, Founder and Executive Director of Building Assets, Reducing Risks (BARR), Governor's Education Roundtable participant

"Making sure that each and every student across the state, and country reaches their highest potential is our Due North. Things that seemed impossible a year ago are not. Equity demands that we prioritize relationships to nurture a unified and personalized culture of support and success for every student."

Bob Indihar, Executive Director of Minnesota Rural Education Association (MREA)

"Minnesota Rural Education Association (MREA) has been advocating for many of the priorities Governor Walz outlined today in his Due North 7- point plan. From the immediate concern of lost revenue to districts because of the loss of pupil count to finding long term solutions to put quality teachers, specifically teachers of color in rural classrooms we are in alignment with what the governor is proposing. We appreciate what Governor Walz is trying to do for students. As MREA continues to put learners first, we will commit our time and effort to help the Governor make the Due North plan a reality for public education in all corners of Minnesota."

Sue Abderholden, Executive Director of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Minnesota

"The mental health of our children has been negatively impacted by the pandemic. We are pleased to see that Governor Walz's Due North Education Plan includes important programs to support and improve the mental wellness of our students such as Social-Emotional Learning, school support personnel, family engagement and a focus on learning skills, rather than punishment. Returning to the classroom will not be easy for many children who have experienced trauma, anxiety and depression and we need to support school staff to have the tools and resources necessary to guide students through this difficult time and be able to learn."

Justice Alan Page, Former Associate Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court, Governor's Education Roundtable participant

"For me, this is about justice. Our educational system has systematically failed children of color, Indigenous, disabled, and poor children. It is important that the plan recognizes this failure, and acknowledges that systemic change is needed. It is also important that the plan calls for putting children first so every child has the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential."

Denise Specht, President of Education Minnesota, Governor's Education Roundtable participant

"If Minnesota is to prepare its students for a multicultural, multiracial future, it's time to change our schools and provide those schools with the resources they need to do the job right. The fact that we're talking about doing so many good things at once speaks to the urgency and complexity of the challenges, and the political courage of Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan."

Tanis Henderson, Minnesota School Counselor Association President

"Students across Minnesota deserve an education that prepares them academically but also that supports their mental health and wellbeing. To achieve these goals we must ensure that social emotional learning is taught alongside academics and mental health supports, such as access to school counselors, are a priority. Additionally, if we are student focused, we need to continue to strengthen partnership and collaboration with families and the community so that all students feel belonging and success. The Due North plan is a critical step in guiding us toward making student centered education a reality."

Kirk Schneidawind, Executive Director of Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA)

"Offering exceptional education opportunities to more than 850,000 Minnesota students across this great state is the overarching focus of the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA). The Due North education plan marks an important step in the path on which MSBA members have demonstrated unwavering commitment: teaching each and every student and supporting our local public school districts fully and fairly."

Rebecca Crooks-Stratton, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Secretary/Treasurer, Governor's Education Roundtable participant

"Through the Governor's Education Roundtable, we have been having crucial and long overdue conversations about education and equity in Minnesota. In our state, most curricula about Native Americans are focused in the past and does not acknowledge the existence and vitality of Minnesota's modern tribal communities. We hope to improve our curriculum so that we can enhance students' understanding of tribes and Native peoples."

Deb Henton, Executive Director of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators

"The Minnesota Association of School Administrators shares Governor Walz's goal of a high quality education for all of Minnesota's children no matter their race or zip code. Our organization is eager to learn more about implementation plans for Due North and how Governor Walz's upcoming budget proposal aligns resources to the education plan."

Heather Starks, President of the Minnesota Parent Teacher Association (PTA), Governor's Education Roundtable participant

"We are encouraged to see a plan that emphasizes not just educators and students, but values the role of all families and communities as well."

Scott Croonquist, Executive Director of the Association of Metropolitan School Districts

"The Association of Metropolitan School Districts (AMSD) shares Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan's commitment to ensuring each and every student receives an equitable and excellent education. The Due North Education Plan aligns well with the strategies outlined in the Reimagine Minnesota Plan developed by AMSD's superintendents. We look forward to learning more about the Governor's education budget proposal and working together to achieve our common goals.

Eugene Piccolo, Executive Director of the Minnesota Association of Charter Schools

"The Governor's Due North Education Plan focuses on significant systemic issues which public education is facing that have come to the forefront due to events over the last year. It is critical if we are going to prepare Minnesota's young people to be economic players, life-long learners and engaged citizens that each student have equitable opportunities for rigorous academics, social and emotional support networks, a safe and nurturing learning environment, and qualified and creative teachers. Our hope is that Due North Plan provides the catalyst for moving public education into a new era of opportunities and service to students."

Source