What’s working well in public schools?

• The teachers in this area are enthusiastic about teaching.
• There are highly qualified, dedicated teachers.
• The basics are being taught.
• Teachers and schools have learned to be flexible while funding has decreased.

What are some of the challenges schools face?

• Communication among parents, teachers and administrators needs improvement.
• The funding formula is awful for Greater Minnesota schools. Students and schools need to be treated equally, regardless of geography.
• The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act discourages funding for electives.
• Education expectations and changes in education laws typically stem from problems unique to metro schools. But the rules change things for all schools, which makes Greater Minnesota feel less valued.
• School board meetings aren’t accessible to all groups of people.
• Funding.
• There’s a trend toward teaching to the average students.
• There are not enough choices for community service.
• NCLB has forced us to focus too much on testing.
• More social workers are needed in the schools.
• Health insurances costs have skyrocketed.
• Testing accountability has created tunnel vision when it comes to priorities.
• The loss of funding for vocational education causes some students to drop out.

What do schools need to provide?

• More electives.
• Up-to-date technology and technology training courses.
• Safe schools.
• Early childhood education.
• Public schools need to prepare students for the real world.
• Students need to learn basic living skills: how to balance a checkbook, how to understand a credit card statement, how to budget their money, etc. Most students aren't taught how to not end up in financial trouble. It's those types of electives that every student should have to take.

How can we all help schools provide those goals?

• Elected officials need to be supportive of our schools.
• We need to communicate and create regular dialogue within the community. 
• Greater Minnesota cities need a stronger voice/say in statewide decisions.
• Education Minnesota needs to help greater Minnesota districts have the same opportunities as metro districts. 
• Federal funding. State funding. It all ties into making our schools better places. It isn’t just the people. Teachers can have all the good will and idealism in the world, but they need support.
• Education Minnesota needs to unite so Greater Minnesota districts have a voice in the state.