Senate GOP rolls out school safety and academics package
Minnesota Senate Republicans unveiled a package of education bills at the Capitol aimed at tightening school safety and raising academic performance, proposals that would hit metro districts directly if they pass. The plan centers on the SHIELD Act, sponsored by Sen. Zach Duckworth, which would create grants for "hard" security upgrades like electronic access systems, ballistic‑resistant glass and security‑staff training. Other bills would require schools to notify parents about safety incidents, protect staff who report safety concerns, allow schools to remove disruptive students from class for a day, and give districts the option to retain third‑graders who are not reading‑proficient. The caucus also wants to expand Safe School Aid to non‑public schools, boost counselor funding, create a federal tax‑credit scholarship mechanism, and temporarily let school boards waive certain mandates adopted after July 1, 2023 to gain budget flexibility. For Minneapolis–St. Paul parents, teachers and administrators, the package lays out the Republicans’ counter‑agenda on safety, reading policy and mandates that will shape this session’s fights over how classrooms in the metro are run and funded.
đź“Ś Key Facts
- Senate Republicans Julia Coleman, Zach Duckworth, Karin Housley and Jason Rarick announced the plan Tuesday at the Minnesota Capitol.
- The SHIELD Act would fund security upgrades such as electronic access controls, ballistic security glass and training for security staff through state grants.
- Bills in the package would allow retention of third‑graders who are not reading‑proficient, permit one‑day removals of disruptive students, expand Safe School Aid to non‑public schools, increase counselor funding, and let school boards waive some post‑July 1, 2023 mandates through the 2028–29 school year.
đź“Š Relevant Data
In Minnesota, the number of assaults on teachers increased by 36% from the 2021-22 school year to the 2022-23 school year, with 3,600 assaults reported in 2022-23.
New data shows assaults, weapons reports up in MN schools — KARE 11
In 2025, 6% of Minnesota high school students reported witnessing people shooting at or toward each other in the past year.
2025 Minnesota Student Survey results show improvements — Minnesota Department of Health
In Minnesota, only 47% of third-grade students in public schools test proficient in reading as of recent data.
Educational Opportunity / One Minnesota Plan — Minnesota Management and Budget
In Minnesota, about 52% of White students met grade level standards in math, compared to just 21% of Black students in 2025.
Minnesota students' academic performance stagnates after pandemic declines — Minnesota Reformer
Mandatory retention policies for third graders not proficient in reading can lead to cumulative improvements in district-level reading achievement over time.
Does State-Mandated Third-Grade Reading Retention Policy Enhance Student Achievement? The Role of Autonomous Decision-Making — EdWorkingPapers
Minnesota public schools carried an average of $20,718 in debt per student in 2023.
Minnesota public schools owe over $20,000 per student — Center of the American Experiment
Minneapolis Public Schools face a projected $50.5 million budget gap for the 2026–27 school year.
Minneapolis Public Schools officials say the district is now facing a projected $50.5 million budget gap for the 2026–27 school year. — Alpha News (via Facebook)
In Minnesota, Black students received 32% of expulsions and out-of-school suspensions in the four years after 2018, down from 40% in 2018, despite making up about 11% of the student population.
Black students are still kicked out of school at higher rates despite reforms — MPR News
In Minnesota schools, boys are involved in about 73% of disciplinary actions (suspensions and expulsions) and girls about 27%.
Lesson NOT learned — Center of the American Experiment
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