Good Article on Representative Kresha.  MinnPost does a great job of covering the Legislature and Erin Hinrichs put together this great article on Representative Ron Kresha for last Thursday's edition.  In his legislative career that is now entering its third term, Representative Kresha has shown himself to be someone who is willing to take on the tough issues and this year has been no exception.  He is sponsoring two of the education bills--removing the word "willfull" from the description of behavior that can get a student suspended and an expansion of private school choice--that are generating the most discussion this session and the discussion on those bills is far from over.  Hinrich's article does a good job of outlining the framework surrounding both of these bills and the advocates and those opposing the bills.

Meet Rep. Ron Kresha, the man behind two of the most controversial education bills at the state Capitol

Bill Introductions.  Here are the education-related bills that were introduced on Thursday, February 23.

House

HF 1602-Urdahl-Requires Civics Class for High School Graduation

HF 1604-Fenton-Modifying Early Childhood Quality Rating System

HF 1611-Howe-Modifying Schedule for Fire Mashal Visits at School Buildings

HF 1623-Gunther-Expanding Definition of Shared Time Students

HF 1635-Kresha-Allowing for Approval of Education Programs for Care and Treatment Facilities

HF 1639-Peterson-Innovation Zones

HF 1647-Omar-Modifying Safe Schools Levy

HF 1661-Lee-Modifying Eligibility Requirements for the Graduation Incentives Program

HF 1663-Erickson-Modifying Alternative Teacher Licensure System

HF 1667-Peterson-Requiring Contracts for Mixed Service Delivery of Pre-Kindergarten Programs

HF 1680-Bennett-Establishing Child Abuse Prevention Programs

HF 1681-Slocum-Requiring a Trustee to Oversee Closure of a Charter School

HF 1684-Sandstede-Increasing Appropriation for School Readiness Program

HF 1695-Kresha-Establishing Program to Promote Educational Stability for Students in Foster Care

Senate

SF 1332-Kiffmeyer-Establishes School Options and Advancement Revenue

SF 1338-Johnson-Changes to Special Education Academic and Behavioral Strategist License

SF 1346-Ingebritsen-Establishes Child Abuse Prevention Programs

SF 1348-Hoffman-Modifies Quality Rating System for Pre-Kindergarten Programs

SF 1356-Wiklund-Grant for the Works Museum

SF 1362-Housley-Clarifies Use of School District Bond Proceeds

SF 1367-Benson-Clarifies Nonresident Tuition Rate for Certain Court-Placed Students

SF 1371-P. Anderson-Modifies Provisions Related to Remedial Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Courses