No More Excuses: Accountability is Non-Negotiable in Our Schools

I’ve worked as an early childhood educator for more than 15 years. I chose this work because I love children. I love the way they see the world with curiosity and unfiltered brilliance, whether it’s the questions they ask, the stories they tell, or the way they approach new challenges.

But, as their educator, loving them isn’t enough.

Caregivers send their children to school trusting that they will receive an education that will equip them to succeed in life. Every family dreams of a bright future for their kids. When caregivers hand over their children’s future to Minneapolis Public Schools, we cannot simply tell them, “Trust us, we’re the experts.” We must be able to show that we’re meeting students’ needs through clear, measurable outcomes.

During the recent MPS School Board District 6 Candidate Forum, my opponent said that the standards by which we measure grade level proficiency are “made up.” She dismissed the value of tests that measure what students in a particular grade should know and be able to do to meet Minnesota Academic Standards.

Even more concerning, my opponent declared that students living in poverty shouldn’t be held to the same standards as their peers from “a stable home.”

Yes, poverty is a real factor in many students’ lives, but it doesn’t mean they can’t learn. I’ve worked with young children whose families are experiencing poverty. Our responsibility as adults is to provide the love and also the skills, support, and opportunities students need to thrive. Because we know one truth: the best way out of poverty is through a high-quality education.

At the MPS School Board District 6 Candidate Forum, my opponent also encouraged every family to opt out of testing. I firmly believe that every family deserves to have data to assess how well we’re preparing students to thrive.

Standardized tests are imperfect. The field of education must always be innovating and seeking to improve as research, data and needs evolve. But to reject our statewide assessments without offering another solution is irresponsible. Opting out of testing won’t equip our Minneapolis children with a bright future. What’s worse, opting out of testing without another plan reinforces a historic lack of accountability in MPS, a school district that has failed to provide a high-quality education for the majority of our Black, Native, and low-income students.

Accountability matters in every part of our education system:

• Academic outcomes: We need to look at multiple measures to get a full picture of student success. Test scores are an important data point, but certainly not the only one that matters.

• Budgets and financial transparency: We must record and livestream finance committee meetings and meet the community where they are to provide regular financial updates. Our community deserves to know where their dollars are going and how they’re being used to benefit students.

• Leadership and decision-making: Accountability needs to exist from the boardroom to the classroom. Every policy, practice, and budget should tie directly to how it helps us achieve our strategic goals for improving student outcomes.

As a Montessori-trained educator, I understand that each child brings unique experiences, strengths, and abilities to the classroom. When we create environments that liberate those skills, the impact on their learning and outcomes is tremendous. It’s time to stop making excuses for why nearly half of our students — 75% of students of color — aren’t reading at grade level. Instead, let’s roll up our sleeves and figure out what it takes to get them there.

We owe it to our community to show that we are being wise stewards of their tax dollars. Families and taxpayers deserve to see that their investment is improving student experiences and moving the needle on educational outcomes. Accountability is how we ensure that every child in Minneapolis has the opportunity to succeed — and by doing so, we can build a city that thrives.