Equity in higher education is a fundamental right that every student in Minnesota deserves. However, the current system perpetuates significant achievement gaps, disproportionately affecting students of color, first-generation students, and low-income students. To address this pressing issue, we are urging the Senate to include language in the Higher Education Omnibus bill (SF3097/HF3130) that directs the MN Office of Higher Education to review, analyze, and report on Minnesota State Colleges and Universities course placement practices.
Your voice can make a difference. We encourage you to reach out to your Minnesota representative and urge them to support this crucial legislation. Use the information below to take action and help create a more equitable and just education system in Minnesota.
Template for your email:
Click to view the template "Accept Report on MN State Colleges and Universities Course Placement Practices during Higher Education Conference Committee Negotiations"
Subject Line:
Accept Report on MN State Colleges and Universities Course Placement Practices during Higher Education Conference Committee Negotiations
Email Body Message:
Dear Chair Pelowski, Representatives Wolgomott, and Representative O'Niel,
My name is [YOUR NAME], I am part of LatinoLEAD’s Education Action Team and have been part of this coalition for the past 3 years as a committed educator, parent, and community leader.
Today, we write to ask you to accept the language the Senate included in their Higher Education Omnibus bill that instructs the MN Office of Higher Education to review, analyze and submit a report to the MN Legislature regarding Minnesota State Colleges and Universities course placement practices. (SF3097/HF3130). The Office of Higher Education reviewed and approved the language.
We are working on this issue because we know that increasing college graduation among students of color, first-generation students, and low-income students is essential to dramatically increasing economic and social stability for the students, their families, and their communities. We know that students of color and low-income students are far more likely to be placed in remedial education, and consequently, far less likely to ever graduate and obtain a college degree.
We really appreciate Sen. Fateh and Rep. Noors’ efforts to review why students of color are far less likely to earn postsecondary credentials and what can be done to address this significant challenge that contributes to the large achievement gaps in postsecondary education.
Thank you all for your commitment to Minnesota and all our students. Please support and adopt this language during conference deliberations.
Use the templates above to email your representative. You can also email any or all of the following:
Representative Gene Pelowski (rep.gene.pelowski@house.mn.gov)
Representative Dan Wolgamott (rep.dan.wolgamott@house.mn.gov)
Representative Marion O’neill (rep.marion.oneill@house.mn.gov)
CC: Owen.Wirth@house.mn.gov, Alayna.Smieja@house.mn.gov, rep.mohamud.noor@house.mn.gov, Sebastian.Gonzalez-Navarro@house.mn.gov, JR.Swanson@house.mn.gov
Please send directly to your representatives as well. You can find your representative, click this link.
