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Overview
All-day kindergarten received $32 million
When Governor Pawlenty signed the E-12 education bill on May 30, 2007, all-day kindergarten was on the list for increased funding. The amount—$32.5 million for the biennium—is just a little over 10 percent of the amount needed to fully-fund all-day, every day kindergarten statewide. That is disappointing, but to get this far we had the support of many elected officials, education associations and teacher’s organizations. It is a modest start, but a start we can build on.
Special education funding may help kindergarten programs
The education bill also included additional funding for special education. This additional funding will allow some districts to shift funds that were being used to subsidize special education into their kindergarten programs. We say this with guarded optimism, however, because the small general formula increases of two percent the first year and one percent the second year will cause many districts to continue staff reductions and minimize significant reforms and new programs.
The Minneapolis Foundation has chosen to advocate for state funding for all-day, every day kindergarten because it is a policy that can help close the educational achievement gap that persistently plagues Minnesota students of color.
Why this issue?
Research clearly demonstrates the benefits of all-day, every kindergarten, including higher academic achievement and reduced remedial education costs. Yet, with the exception of a few targeted programs, Minnesota only pays for half-day kindergarten. Schools that offer all-day kindergarten must pay for it out of other program resources or charge parents, an obvious barrier for low-income families. We believe Minnesota should join 29 other states in funding all-day, every day kindergarten.
The Minneapolis Foundation's role on education issues
Throughout our 90 year history, The Minneapolis Foundation has invested in efforts to promote educational excellence in Minnesota. Numerous education organizations -- from preschool programs to post-secondary institutions -- have received support through our donors and our competitive grant processes.
Most recently, we have focused on systems and policy change solutions to reduce the educational achievement gap, particularly among children of color. Since 2002, The Minneapolis Foundation has awarded more than $2 million in grants to organizations seeking to improve the K-12 system and more than $1.3 million in grants to organizations seeking to strengthen early childhood education options.
In addition, the Foundation engages in community initiatives to improve education, including:
- The Destination 2010 program, The Minneapolis Foundation's student achievement and scholarship program.
- The Minnesota Dream Fund, a collaborative funding initiative to reduce the educational barriers for minorities and women.
Contact Us
For more information please contact Karen Kelley-Ariwoola at (612) 672-3829.
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