Missing and questionable coverage about Gov. Tim Walz and Education

The following column originally appeared in the SunThisWeek,  Sun Sailor,  Sun Sailor, MilleLacs Messenger, Union Times, Owatonna People’s Press, Monticello Times,  and other APG of East Central Mn newspapers during August 2024

 

Missing and questionable coverage about Gov. Walz and education

 

Having spent time one-on-one with Gov. Tim Walz, as well as interviewing him several times, I think local and national coverage accurately described some of his efforts but missed other important parts of his work with educators and youth. I’ve found him to be an open-minded, pragmatic problem solver who strongly supports public schools, students and families.

Let’s start with some that had a huge direct impact on thousands of Minnesota high school students. I haven’t seen it mentioned since he was named as a vice-presidential candidate.

During the pandemic, thousands of Minnesota high school students were laid off from their part-time jobs. This was a huge problem for many of them and their families. As 18-year-old Cole Stevens, of Bloomington, explained, “The money I earned helped pay for rent and food for me and my father.”

Cole Stevens

Encouraged by employers who had paid into Minnesota’s unemployment fund for them, Stevens and other students applied for state unemployment assistance. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development explained that a 1939 Minnesota law prohibited them from receiving state funds if they were in school. Ironically, if they dropped out, they could get unemployment assistance.

Students tried to change the law with assistance from Gov. Walz and legislators from both parties. But they couldn’t agree on how to do it.

Then the high school students discovered federal legislation providing unemployment assistance if they’d lost their jobs due to the pandemic and weren’t covered by state programs. Stevens, Hayat Muse, of Blaine, and other students brought this information to the state. But a DEED administrative law judge ruled that the state law prohibited students from receiving these federal funds.

Students shared their research with Attorney General Keith Ellison. He investigated and then wrote that the students were right. Referring to the federal legislation students cited, Ellison wrote, in bold, capital letters, “The CARES Act clearly and unambiguously permits eligible high school students to receive benefits pursuant to the PUA program.” I asked Walz about the AG’s opinion. He was sympathetic but felt he had to follow DEED’s position. I’m not an attorney. But I wish he had listened to Ellison.

In December 2020, with Ellison’s support, students successfully sued DEED. The Minnesota Court of Appeals unanimously, immediately supported the students. Ultimately an estimated $40 million went to Minnesota high school students who had been laid off during the pandemic.

Walz promised students that he would work with them in 2021 to change the state’s unemployment law. He kept his promise. The law was changed.

Governor Walz meeting via zoom with several students to discuss

changes in Minnesota’s unemployment compensation law.

Picture also includes Marcus Pope of Youthprise, who helped students with this campaign

 

I give Walz credit for trying to follow the law, listening to students, and keeping his commitment to them.

Two other quick stories: First, Minnesota district and charter public schools were disagreeing about how much money districts should pay charters if students with special needs transferred to the charters. Walz accurately recognized, unlike some charter opponents, that charters are part of public education. Then he recommended, and the Legislature agreed, to put more state money into the education of students with special needs. This was a win-win for all involved.

Finally, local and national media have inaccurately reported what happened with Minnesota students and free meals. For example, an Aug. 6 Star Tribune story asserted, “Walz signed a bill requiring the state’s schools to provide free breakfast and lunch for every student” A New York Times Aug. 8 front page story stated, “Mr. Walz signed into law bills that … funded free meals for all school children”.

In fact, the state law does NOT provide free meals for public high school students participating in Minnesota’s Postsecondary Enrollment Options program. PSEO permits high school students to earn free college credits on college campuses. Thousands of students participate.

An advocacy group of high school students and their allies has tried to convince the governor and legislators to change this, in part because it discourages low-income students from participating in the immensely valuable PSEO program. The People for PSEO 2024 legislative proposals suggested “a pilot program that will provide meal stipends to full-time PSEO students to fill in the gaps of the free lunch bill for students bill, ensuring that students have access to meals during the school day!”

While the newspaper stories aren’t completely accurate, research shows that feeding youngsters helps them do better in school.

Walz has proposed a pilot program to help deal with PSEO financial issues.

My column today isn’t a full accounting of Walz’s extensive record of working with education and youth. However, my conclusion is, in this area, Gov. Tim Walz is a pragmatic progressive who listens, learns and tries to fix problems.

Joe Nathan, Ph.D., co-director of the Center for School Change, formerly was a Minnesota public school educator, parent and PTA president. Reactions welcome: joe@centerforschoolchange.org.