Friday, June 02, 2006
Here is an update from R4K on the Governor’s action to veto QIRS funding…
Ready4K has learned that Governor Pawlenty has vetoed funding for the QIRS. Here is a statement from Ready4K President Todd Otis.
Here is what the Governor said in a statement about vetoing the QIRS:
What’s Next:
The Governor’s veto does not mean the QIRS is finished. We know that the Minnesota Early Learning Foundation (MELF) has funding from private contributors that is dedicated to implementing a demonstration of the QIRS. And we'll be back next year at the Legislature to push for quality improvements, including the QIRS. We can also express our disappointment with this veto throughout the election season. Our elected officials -- and especially Governor Pawlenty -- need to hear from constituents about this unwise decision.
We need to make the point loud and clear that Minnesota needs a QUALITY early care and education system for the youngest Minnesotans and we expect our elected officials to help us get there. Governor Pawlenty announced his candidacy yesterday; it may not be in his best interest to line item veto the QIRS, the heart of the quality measure to ensure that children receive high quality care and education. It's up to the voters to make that decision...
Ready4K has learned that Governor Pawlenty has vetoed funding for the QIRS. Here is a statement from Ready4K President Todd Otis.
Supporters of improved school readiness throughout Minnesota are surprised and very disappointed in Governor Pawlenty’s veto of legislation that would have created a quality improvement and rating system (QIRS).You can still call the Governor’s office to express your disappointment. The phone number is 1-800-657-3717 or 651-296-3391.
The concept of a QIRS is being adopted throughout the United States as a parent-friendly way to identify quality early care and education, and to improve the skills of early childhood professionals and others who care for young children.
The Governor’s veto sends a very negative message to parents, those who care for children, and those who were excited to see Minnesota take this step forward to embed early education in child care. It represents a regrettably short-sighted reaction to a measure that passed with bi-partisan support in the 2006 session of the Minnesota legislature.
Business and community leaders also see the value of a QIRS. The elements that go into a highly rated early childhood program are central to assuring children are ready to succeed in kindergarten, in the workplace, and in life. Business leaders understand that these young children are their future employees, and that quality early care and education helps assure good outcomes for children.
As public support grows for a quality improvement and rating system, Minnesota needs to catch up with the rest of the United States. We sincerely hope that the legislature and the Governor will support this strategically important concept in 2007.
Here is what the Governor said in a statement about vetoing the QIRS:
“The appropriation for the NorthStar Quality Improvement and Rating System has been line-item vetoed. This system considers input driven indicators, rather than measuring meaningful outcomes. For the past ten years, the state has been moving to an accountability system that measures results and outcomes in K-12 public schools. If the objective for quality child care is to ensure that young children are ready for kindergarten, then a child care rating system should be aligned with the K-12 accountability system. An input-driven rating system is not the best way to provide parents with meaningful results regarding the quality of the child care facility.“Therefore, I am directing the Departments of Education and Human Services to collectively review the concept of a Quality Rating System, and to make recommendations on what would be the necessary components to better align kindergarten readiness of a child to the rating of a child care facility,” Governor Pawlenty said.Ready4K Response:
The Governor’s statement is incorrect. The QIRS is completely aligned with the MN Department of Education’s Early Childhood Indicators of Progress, which are aligned with the K-12 standards. This is confirmed in a March 2005 report from the Minnesota Department of Education, Alignment of Minnesota K-12 Kindergarten Academic Standards with the Early Childhood Indicators of Progress. The report is available here:http://education.state.mn.us/mde/static/002627.pdf.
What’s Next:
The Governor’s veto does not mean the QIRS is finished. We know that the Minnesota Early Learning Foundation (MELF) has funding from private contributors that is dedicated to implementing a demonstration of the QIRS. And we'll be back next year at the Legislature to push for quality improvements, including the QIRS. We can also express our disappointment with this veto throughout the election season. Our elected officials -- and especially Governor Pawlenty -- need to hear from constituents about this unwise decision.
We need to make the point loud and clear that Minnesota needs a QUALITY early care and education system for the youngest Minnesotans and we expect our elected officials to help us get there. Governor Pawlenty announced his candidacy yesterday; it may not be in his best interest to line item veto the QIRS, the heart of the quality measure to ensure that children receive high quality care and education. It's up to the voters to make that decision...
// posted by Tammy Wachter @ 6:15 PM 
