Federal E-12 Issues

MREA collaborates with rural education representatives to advocate on behalf of Greater Minnesota schools on a federal level and improve the state of the rural education across America.

MREA each year also personally visits with federal lawmakers in Washington D.C. on key education issues and helps shape the national rural E-12 platform. MREA is a member of the NREAC, a national coalition of state and national organizations advocating for educational opportunities for children who live in the rural areas of the United States.

The NREAC, which MREA is a member of, currently has four key priorities:

  • Preserve critical federal funding for rural schools
  • Expand and improve federal programs to address teacher shortages in rural communities
  • Fully fund IDEA
  • Protect rural schools from privatization schemes

Each of these goals fits well within the needs of rural schools in Minnesota.

Resource Center

The U.S. Department of Education has a Rural Education Resource Center. See resources.

Monthly Federal Updates

U.S. Department of Education, Education Almanac

View the latest update

Recent News on Federal Issues

minnesota_Lakes

Week 5: Closing Funding Gaps – Focus on Operating Levies

| Achievement & Assessment, Federal, Funding Student Needs, Other Rural News, 一 Featured, 一 HP Funding Student Needs | No Comments
Closing Funding Gaps – Focus on Operating Levies Seasonal & Recreational Tax Base Replacement Aid Important legislation, SF 4995, will be introduced today by Sen. Grant Hauschild (DFL Hermantown) and...
Indihar_Testifies

Week 4: Indihar Testifies for LTFM Revenue

| Achievement & Assessment, Federal, Funding Student Needs, Other Rural News, 一 Featured, 一 HP Funding Student Needs | No Comments
MREA Executive Director Bob Indihar testified in the House Education Finance Committee and Senate Education Finance Committee March 6 regarding the need to improve Long Term Facilities Maintenance Revenue. Click...
Budget_MREA

Week 3 – February Budget Forecast Released

| Achievement & Assessment, Federal, Funding Student Needs, Other Rural News, 一 Featured, 一 HP Funding Student Needs | No Comments
Week 3 – February Budget Forecast Released Last week Minnesota Management & Budget presented the February budget forecast, which is a formal update to the forecast previously released in December....
library

Week 2 – Districts Speak, Policy Bill Reviewed

| Achievement & Assessment, Federal, Funding Student Needs, Other Rural News, 一 Featured, 一 HP Funding Student Needs | No Comments
Week 2 – Districts Speak, Policy Bill Reviewed House Education Finance hears from School District Officials School district officials from around the state were asked to speak to the House Education...