However, AMSD’s Board believes that its lobbying efforts are most effective when the organization plays a role in shaping the broader public debate on K-12 issues and advocates for policies that benefit the State as a whole. The following documents are position papers about critical education policy issues.
AMSD Position on Student-Centered State
Accountability Assessments
The Governor and Legislature should establish a Blue Ribbon Commission to evaluate and make recommendations to improve the assessment system to support student-centered balanced assessment.
AMSD Position on Charter Schools
The Legislature should direct the Legislative Auditor to evaluate the performance and accountability of charter schools. The study should also examine the impact charter schools have on school segregation and identify which, if any, exemptions from state law or rule allow charter schools to increase student achievement or increase efficiencies. In addition, state policymakers should ensure that school districts are fully reimbursed for the cost of providing transportation and special education services to charter school students.
AMSD Position on Compensatory Revenue
State policymakers must enhance the compensatory funding formula by adding additional criteria, beyond direct certification, to identify students eligible for compensatory services. In addition, school boards should have greater authority to allocate compensatory funding to ensure all students needing additional support are served.
AMSD Position on Early Childhood Education
The Association of Metropolitan School Districts supports expanding access to school-based prekindergarten (PreK) programs. Funding for PreK programs must be sufficient to ensure essential program components including licensed teachers, support staff, transportation and sufficient classroom space.
AMSD English Learner Position
The Association of Metropolitan School Districts supports full funding for the English learner program to ensure that English learners have the opportunities and resources necessary to achieve State and Federal standards.
AMSD Position on Facilities Funding
The Association of Metropolitan School Districts urges the Governor and Legislature to increase the per pupil allocation for the Long-Term Facilities Maintenance, Operating Capital and Lease Levy programs to recover ground lost to inflation over the last decade. In addition, the allowable uses for the LTFMR program should be expanded to include safety and security modifications and additions for instructional purposes including Pre-K programs.
AMSD Position on Mandate Reduction and Local Control
Unfunded mandates and mandates that limit the ability of locally elected school boards to establish a coherent system that addresses the unique needs of their students and community should be modified or repealed. Any new mandate adopted after March 1 during a legislative session should not be effective before July 1 of the following calendar year.
AMSD Position on Student Mental Health
The Association of Metropolitan School Districts supports enhanced funding for school-based mental health programs and suicide prevention and trauma intervention programs. In addition, AMSD supports increased and improved mental health training and resources for school staff, as well as increased, sustainable funding for student support personnel. At the same time, state policymakers must ensure comprehensive community support systems, outside of school, are available that include treatment and services, as well as short-and long-range plans, for people with serious mental illness.
AMSD Position on Student-Centered Learning
The Association of Metropolitan School Districts supports policies that enable the creation, scaling, and sustaining of student-centered learning environments.
AMSD Position on School Board Renewal of a Capital Projects Referendum
State policymakers should bring greater stability to Minnesota’s education funding system by allowing locally elected school boards to renew an existing capital projects referendum at the same level after a public hearing.
AMSD Position on School and Student Safety
State policymakers must prioritize school safety by providing necessary funding for secure facilities, staff training, and student support services. In addition, state policymakers should strengthen requirements for secure gun storage.
AMSD Position on Special Education
The Governor and Legislators should repeal the $250 million contingent cut to special education cross-subsidy reduction aid enacted in 2025 and increase state funding for special education to reduce shortfalls and ensure that all students have the resources and opportunities necessary to achieve state and federal standards.
AMSD Position on Taxpayer Subsidies for Nonpublic K-12 Education
Any school receiving public aid or enrolling students from families receiving public educational subsidies should be accessible to all students, transparent to taxpayers, and accountable to federal and state laws and rules applicable to public schools.
AMSD Position on Teacher Licensure
The Association of Metropolitan School Districts supports multiple pathways to teacher licensure including through the Tiered Teacher Licensure System, registered teacher apprenticeships, and several pathway programs to address staffing shortages and diversify the teacher workforce. State policymakers should build on these programs and authorize Minnesota to join the Teacher Mobility Compact and create additional flexibility within licensure areas to address educator shortage areas.