Know the Issues

In order to speak or write effectively about an issue, you must have accurate information and stay abreast of the latest developments. Unfortunately, education issues are complex and the learning curve is steep.

Where to Start

Step 1. Learn About the Issues

Parents United provides resources to help you learn about emerging education issues at Education Issues and News & Events. In addition, you can sign up to receive Weekly Updates and Action Alerts by subscribing to the Parents United E-List.

Parents United is also part of P.S. Minnesota, a statewide coalition of education organizations and parent groups working to help Minnesota develop a school funding formula that is rationally linked to student learning.

Step 2. Monitor the Media

Watch what's being reported in the media to learn about the issues and get to know which media outlets support your cause. The Parents United News Archive provides links to timely education news and links to major media and other education news sources.

Step 3. Learn About the Work of the Key Education Committees

Step 4. Bill Tracking—Getting Down to Brass Tacks

There are a few different ways you can monitor the progress of bills during the legislative session.

1. For bill introductions and tracking use Minnesota Legislation & Bill Status.
2. Set up a "MyBills" subscription to follow specific bills (once you find out about them!).
3. For the financial impacts of bills (what's this going to cost?), check the resources offered by the:
   
   House Fiscal Analysis Department
   
   Senate Office of Counsel, Research and Fiscal Analysis
   
   These offices support the work of the committees by preparing fiscal analyses and budget tracking sheets.
4. Legislator Voting Records and Ratings - Resources to find out how legislators voted, Minnesota Legislative Reference Library.
5. AMSD tracks bills related to K-12 legislative proposals at their Legislative Updates page.
6. Ready4K and Child Care WORKS provide updates on early childhood legislation.
7. Minnesota Public Radio maintains Votetracker, a log of key votes taken in committees and on the House and Senate floor.
8. Minnesota Chamber of Commerce offers a Legislative Bill Tracker on Education.
9. Keep an eye on which bills are sent to the Governor at the Governor's Legislation Page.
10. To get a sense of the broader conversation it can be helpful to scroll through the bill summaries prepared by House Research and Senate Counsel, Research and Fiscal Analysis.

NOTE: Look up federal legislation at Thomas.gov - Legislative information from the Library of Congress.

After a Bill Becomes Law

You can look it up in Current Minnesota Statutes maintained by the Office of the Revisor of Statutes.

Also check the Minnesota Department of Education's Law Summaries after the legislative session closes.