The bill, which calls on the Advisory Council to seek assistance from recognized experts and other sources to explore research-based strategies and solutions to increase by 50 percent by the year 2020 the number of students who complete a post-secondary program, is based on Smart Investments in Minnesota’s Students developed by Growth & Justice. A non-partisan advocate for fair taxation and smart public investment, Growth & Justice believes a sustainable economy provides the foundation for a just society.

Rep. Winkler said he converted Smart Investments in Minnesota’s Students and its great research into a bill because even in these tough economic times, legislators are going to ask taxpayers to make an investment in education, and this is an investment that is designed to produce results.

“I’m excited about Smart Investments in Minnesota’s Students and the bill because I’ve been looking for an education proposal that could get widespread support and deliver results for students,” Rep. Winkler said, “and finally there is a plan to do this.

“The bill isn’t bound by turf or jurisdiction, but rather focuses on the developmental and academic achievement of kids by educating the whole child and getting him or her ready for success. Rather than funding existing programs just because we’ve done it in the past, the bill translates world-class research into programs that can make a difference.”

To improve the E-16 educational system and to support outcomes, the E-16 Oversight Advisory Committee would consist of subcommittees on early learning (birth to three), prekindergarten through grade three, grades four through eight, grades nine through 12, and transition to post-secondary education.

Growth & Justice Research & Policy Director Angie Eilers, who leads Smart Investments in Minnesota’s Students, said the bill’s structure follows the project’s recommendations to aim for compound effects and make smart investments that accumulate capital.

“Educational success depends on students being ready for school, continually ready to learn, and ultimately ready for life,” Eilers said. “Gains can fade when one phase is funded at the expense of the others.

“This bill hits the mark because it provides comprehensive support for a seamless E-16 system that emphasizes sustained, high-quality interventions at every stage and smart investments that will put our students in a position to earn a decent living and support Minnesota’s high quality of life.”

Rep. Winkler has received great support for his bill and it is co-sponsored by: Speaker of the House Margaret Anderson Kelliher; House K-12 Education Finance Division Chair Mindy Greiling; House K-12 Education Policy Oversight Committee Chair Carlos Mariani; Rep. John Ward; Rep. Kathy Brynaert; Rep. Jim Davnie; and Rep. Diane Loeffler.

The bill is being authored in the Senate by Senate Education E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division Deputy Chair Chuck Wiger (DFL-Maplewood).

“I appreciate the work Growth & Justice is doing to bring forward research-based proposals that show what works at what cost,” Sen. Wiger said. “These recommendations are very helpful to legislators as we work to use taxpayers’ dollars in the most efficient manner possible.”