Democratic vice-presidential candidate and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has been touting his credentials as a former public school teacher on the campaign trail. However, critics have pointed out that the education performance in the North Star State has deteriorated under his leadership. Since taking office in 2019, students‘ comprehension statewide for reading and math has seen a significant decline. Additionally, his administration has faced criticism for promoting what has been described as an extremist, ideology-influenced curriculum in the classroom.
Republican state Senator Carla Nelson, who is also a former teacher, has been vocal about her concerns regarding Governor Walz’s education agenda. She believes that Walz has been more focused on accommodating far-left demands within his party rather than addressing real education issues in the state. Nelson has criticized the burdensome mandates on schools that have led to budget shortfalls and pulled teachers away from their students to comply with requirements.
Under Governor Walz’s leadership, reading proficiency among Minnesota students has dropped to 49.9% in 2023 from 59.2% in 2019, according to the state Department of Education. Math comprehension has also decreased from 55% in 2019 to 45.5% in 2023. Furthermore, the rate of chronically absent students has more than doubled from 14% in 2019 to 30% in the 2021-22 school year.
The Minnesota Department of Education has revised the state social studies standards to include an „ethnic studies“ component for K-12 students. Critics argue that this move is aimed at influencing graduates with a radical worldview. A bill passed by the state Legislature in 2023 mandates that all schools offer some type of ethnic studies courses by 2026.
Catrin Wigfall, a policy fellow at the Center of the American Experiment think tank, has raised concerns about the shift in the education system under Governor Walz’s leadership. She believes that there has been a greater emphasis on leftist ideology and woke political statements rather than addressing legitimate challenges in the public school system. Wigfall also criticized Governor Walz for implementing strict measures to keep schools closed during the pandemic, which she believes has had a negative impact on students‘ education.
Governor Walz has defended his decisions regarding school closures during the pandemic, stating that students learned resiliency and problem-solving skills through remote learning. However, critics argue that his prioritization of teachers‘ union demands over students‘ needs has led to disastrous results. Minnesota’s national education rankings have fallen from 7th in 2021 to 19th this year, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Kids Count Data Book.
In conclusion, Governor Tim Walz’s tenure as the leader of Minnesota has been marked by a decline in education performance and criticism for promoting an ideology-driven curriculum. Critics argue that his focus on accommodating far-left demands and implementing strict measures during the pandemic has had a detrimental impact on students‘ education. As the Democratic vice-presidential candidate, Walz’s education record is likely to be a topic of debate during the campaign.