The House K-12 Finance Committee on Tuesday (March 25) voted to end Minnesota's participation in the federal testing program, No Child Left Behind (NCLB).

The House K-12 Finance Committee on Tuesday (March 25) adopted an amendment offered by Rep. Pat Garofalo, R-Farmington, that directs the state commission of education to nullify the state's No New Child Left Behind plan with the federal government - to opt-out of the testing program. Rep. Debra Hilstrom (left), DFL-Brooklyn Center, frames an argument during committee debate. (Photo by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)

by T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol reporter

The House K-12 Finance Committee on Tuesday (March 25) voted to end Minnesota's participation in the federal testing program, No Child Left Behind (NCLB).

The committee on a bipartisan vote adopted an amendment by Rep. Pat Garofalo, R-Farmington, for the state to drop out of NCLB.

"If it feels good, do it," Garofalo urged committee members of voting for his amendment, several of whom expressing sourness over the mandated testing but also qualms about opting out. "I would say we are smart enough to run our schools," Garofalo said.

Loss of $200 million in funding

Opting out of NCLB could mean the loss of about $200 million in federal funding, he argued. But that's not even covering the cost, Garofalo opined.

The House K-12 Finance Committee on Tuesday (March 25) adopted an amendment offered by Rep. Pat Garofalo, R-Farmington, that directs the state commission of education to nullify the state's No New Child Left Behind plan with the federal government - to opt-out of the testing program.

House K-12 Finance Committee Chairwoman Mindy Greiling, DFL-Roseville, backed Garofalo's amendment, saying her stance on NCLB had evolved from "mend it to end it."

E-12 Education Committee Chairman Carlos Mariani, DFL-St. Paul, called the amendment "very tempting" but also praised NCLB for shining light on the achievement gap dodging students of students of color.

Rep Denise Dittrich, DFL-Champlin, argued that the Legislature had a history of promoting education reforms only to later abandon them - pull the rug out from under the school districts.

"It would be just one more failed policy," said Dittrich of the state opting out of NCLB.

But on a voice vote, followed by a show of hands, the K-12 Finance Committee adopted the amendment.

Commissioner Seagren surprised

"I'm a little surprised at it," said Education Commissioner Alice Seagren after the vote.

Last session lawmakers had a good discussion about NCLB, she explained.

"We really brought together a bipartisan group of people and we decided to mend it, not end it," said Seagren.

Currently, the state is seeking additional flexibility from federal authority for implementing NCLB, Seagren explained.

"I think we're moving in the right direction on No Child Left Behind. None of us, I think, want to move away from accountability," said Seagren.

Rep. Denise Dittrich, DFL-Champlin, argued that dropping out of the program would just be another example of the state adopting a education program only to later abandon it.

The program has forced policy makers to really focus on solving the achievement gap, she explained. "It has really caused us to look at what we need to be doing to help those children that have been so far behind for so many years," said Seagren.

The K-12 Finance Committee passed its finance supplemental budget bill, now containing the Garofalo amendment, out of committee.

The legislation has further House committee stops.

(Photos by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)