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Maple River Education Coalition PAC
105 Peavey Rd, St 116 
Chaska, MN  55318 
952-361-4931
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March 28, 2003
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Senate DFL rejects Profile Repeal

Below are the Senators who voted to repeal the Profile last year, but yesterday changed their minds. Let them know that you will not count a vote for the Kelley bill a repeal.

Rod Skoe      (SD-2) 651-296-4196
Thomas Bakk   (SD-6)    651-296-8881
Keith Langseth (SD-9)    651-296-3205
Dallas Sams   (SD-11)   651-297-8063   
Gary Kubly (SD-20) 651-296-5094
Jim Vickerman (SD-22) 651-296-5650
Steve Murphy (SD-28) 651-296-4264
Charles Wiger (SD-55) 651-296-6820
Sharon Marko (SD-57) 651-297-8060

By a vote of 33 to 32, the Senate rejected a real repeal of the Profile of Learning. 

In the Senate debate, Senator Kelley insisted that another repeal the Profile bill would be coming up for the Senate to vote on.

Unfortunately, Sen. Kelley is referring to his own bill, S.F. 639.  S.F. 639 is not a repeal.  It "fixes" the Profile, using standards that were fashioned behind closed doors during the Commissioner Jax era of the Ventura administration. They build on the Profile standards.  Kelley's bill is a Profile clone.  If you didn't like the Profile, you will hate the Kelley "repeal" bill.  Sen. Kelley thinks that he and others in the Senate can dupe the public into thinking they voted for a repeal.  They cannot.

After yesterday's vote, the real repeal has been referred to a conference committee between the House and the Senate where "differences" will be worked out.  But there will be other votes coming up.  The real battle to repeal the Profile is now setting in. 

Here is a message the House and Senate members are receiving from Profile advocates:
 
"Honorable Members of the House Education Policy Committee:

"I would bet that most rational people are tired of fights over the Profile of Learning.   I also hope that we all agree that we want the best for Minnesota students.

"Senator Steve Kelley and Representative Joe Opatz have proposed bills that attempt to find a middle ground.  They propose adding more specificity and content to the standards.  They propose making use of the work done during the past years.  This includes Reading and Math Benchmarks, curriculum frameworks, and revised standards proposed in 2002, none of which were widely distributed.

"This approach is respectful and fiscally responsible. Those who want to improve what we have and to stop the fights should not be silenced by those unwilling to
compromise.

"Sincerely,..."

Variations of this letter are arriving.  You get the message.  The Kelley bill, they say, is "middle ground." They are "tired of fighting."  They are "respectful" and "fiscally responsible."  Those who want a repeal are "unwilling to compromise."

You must speak up.  The standards that are ultimately adopted will set the standard for success.  Homeschools and private schools will come under their definition of success.  This system will dramatically define teaching and learning for the future.  Please take this to heart.  We are on the battlefield of a major battle for our children.

Your letters to the editor are needed.  In every venue, speak to your neighbors and to your elected representatives.  Support the House repeal bill.  Oppose the Kelley repeal.  Urge House members to hold their ground. They have a good bill.  Urge them not to undermine it.

EdAction - 105 Peavey Rd, Ste 116, Chaska, MN  55318 
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