Annika Grassl Senior Project

8/13/2019 Annika Grassl Senior Project

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School of Environmental Studies

13

Lobbying ForSpecialEducation Funding

Annika Grassl


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Senior Project Cover Sheet

Project

Title:

Project

Creators:

Project Type:

Project Cost:

Project Status:

Special Education Funding

Annika Grassl

Desi n

None

Running


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Table of Contents

Contents

Senior Project Cover Sheet.................................................................................................. 2Statement of Purpose........................................................................................................... 4Time Log.............................................................................................................................. 5Contacts and Connections.................................................................................................. 26Narrative of the work......................................................................................................... 29Personal Reflections........................................................................................................... 37

Reflection 1................................................................................................................................. 37Reflection 2................................................................................................................................. 37Reflection 3................................................................................................................................. 37Reflection 4................................................................................................................................. 37Reflection 5................................................................................................................................. 37

Appendix............................................................................................................................ 38Appendix A; cost......................................................................................................................... 38Appendix B; Useful Terminology and Information..................................................................... 39Appendix C; important emails that I have received................................................................. 40Appendix D; Stepbystep instructions on how to get involved with the state legislature........ 43Appendix E; my proposal that I discussed with the Minnesota Department of Education and various

state Senators and Representatives .............................................................................................. 44Appendix F; first draft of key points of my proposal................................................................... 58Appendix G; final key points of my proposal.............................................................................. 59Appendix H; senior project poster.............................................................................................. 60Appendix I; senior forum presentation....................................................................................... 61Appendix J; senior forum notes.................................................................................................. 68Appendix K; senior project poster.............................................................................................. 72Appendix L; notes from meeting with Tom and George at MDE ..................................................... 74Appendix M; summary of education omnibus bill from MDE (special education) ............................ 77


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Statement of Purpose

By working closely with state Senators, Representatives, and lawyers I plan on lobbying for

more funding to go towards special education programs across the state of Minnesota. I plan on

obtaining bipartisan support to introduceand hopefully passlegislation, which would attempt

to reduce the $650 million deficit which special education, has the burden of dealing with today.


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Time Log

Date andTime

Activity Contact

FebruaryWednesdayFebruary27, 201310:30am

Pitch idea toSenator GregClausenState Capital

Greg Clausen

ThursdayFebruary28, 20132:30pm

Pitch idea toRepresentative ZachDoholtState Office

Building

Zach Doholt

ThursdayFebruary28, 2013!:00pm

Gave SenatorChuck Wigermain pointsof proposalhallway

Chuck Wiger

April

Wednesday April10, 20134:37 pm -

5:26pm

EmailZach Doholt

He agreed to stay in contact and help me however he could

ThursdayApril 11,20131:03 -1:39pm

email chuckWiger (headof E 12committee)AliceJohnson (vicechair of E 12)and SeanNienow(head

minoritymember)

No response from anyone

FridayApril 12,201311:20 -11:30am

Look upvariouscontactsonline

Found Jerry Von Korffs emial

Friday mail Jerry Email never went through


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Arpil 12,20133:52 pm -4:08pm

Von Korff torequest helpwithadvocatingmy proposal

ThursdayApril 18,20137:48am -8:16am

mailedeveryone on"specialeducationfundingcontactlis" for helpwithlobbying

Response from Jerry Von Korff

ThursdayApril 18,

201310:43am11:15

Email JerryVon Korff

back

He is interested in helping metry to set up a time to talk aboutproposal

ThursdayApril 18,201310:46am

Email myparents aboutwho theyknow whocould helpme

Ideas: Districts judge, lawyers, and special education teachers

ThursdayApril 18,

201312:08pm

Fist step toset up a

phoneconversationwith SenatorClausen

emailed with legislative assistant Jay Wiesmuller

ThursdayApril 18,20134:19pm -5:00pm

Emailed withSenatorChuck Wiger

his Education omnibus bill still had to go through the Taxescommittee, Senate floor, and conference committee, but the billadds $11.2 billion to special education

ThursdayApril 18,

20135:01pm

AskedSenator

Wiger what Ishould doabout myproject sinceit looks likehe haseverythingtaken care of

$650 million deficit for special education; information from JerryVon Kreoff


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at the Capital

ThursdayApril 18,20135:11om

Asked JerryVon Kroeffwhen hecould meet

with me inperson orover thephone

ThursdayApril 18,20135:41pm

SenatorWiger toldme to contactRep.Marquart

Marquart is chair the House Education Finance Committee

ThursdayApril 18,

20135:43pm

Found PaulMarquart's

email onHousewebsite


Told SenatorWiger that Itried to talkwith Rep.Marquart inFebruary buthe was incommittee

meetings allday


Emailed PaulMarquartabout settingup a meeting

explained proposal and how I am in contact with Senator Wiger


SenatorWiger toldme that hewill see if hecan join my

meeting if Iget one withMarquart andto let meknow howthe meetinggoes

Friday Recived an e Link to an article on the Rochester Post Bulletin about special


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April 19,201310:40am

mail fromJerry VonKreoff

education funding

FridayApril 19,

201312:25pm

Responded toJerrys e

mail

told him it looked like great information, asked when I could speakwith him on the phone

FridayApril 20,20131:54p.m

email fromZach Doholt

Rochester Post Belletin article that I had previously revieced fromJerrySpecial Education funding gap

ThursdayApril 25,20138:40a.m

emailedRepresentative PaulMarquartagain to

request ameeting

ThursdayApril 25,20138:47p.m

EmailedMary Kreger

asked if she has heard anything about the education omnibus andasked her to let me know if she hears anyone else


Rcieved aresponsefrom SenatorMarquart

There will be a 4.6% increase in special education funding this yearand next, he said nothing about setting up a meeting


Responded toRepresentative Marquart

I asked if I should contact his legislative assistant to set up ameeting

ThursdayApril 25,201312:06p.m

ResponsefromRepresentative Marquart

Paul Marquart told me he would love to meet with me and gave methe contact information for his Legislative Assistant; Joe Gould


called Rep.Marquart'sLA JoeGould toschedule ameeting

Marquart is the chair of the conference committee between theHouse and Senatemeeting Tuessday April 30 at 9:15a.m


Update from.senatorChuck Wiger(automatednews letter)

$11.2 million increase in special education funding passed bySenate, not goes to conference committee


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MondayApril 29,20138:58am

Asked if hecould joinmy meetingwith Rep.Marquart on

Tuesday at9:15a.m

I told him if he could not make it to the meeting I could meet withhim afterwards

MondayApril 29,201311:06a.m

Responsefrom Wiger

unfortunately he will be in finance committee until 11:00am

MondayApril 29,201311:17a.m

Asked Wigerif I shouldmeet him athis office at11:10a.m to

give himtime to getbeck fromcommitteeand settledinto hisoffice

MondayApril29,20132:20p.m

Told Mrs.Johnsonabout the4.6%

increase inspecialeducationfunding

She was very surprised and impressed

MondayApril 29,20134:15p.m

CalledSenatorWiger's LAKristen -Confirmedmy meetingwith Senator

Wiger at11:15a.m

She put me on the Senators schedule for the wrong day in

February, so I ran after him in the hallway


SenatorWiger e -mailed meback toconfirm ourmeeting


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I respondedto SenatorWiger

I told him that I already had his LA put me on his calendar

Monday

April 29,20136:20p.m

Emailed

Mary Kreger

Told her about the 4.6% increase in funding, asked if she has heard

anything else that would help my cause

MondayApril 29,20136:22p.m9;30p.m

Updatedproposal forlegislatures

Added numbers, suggestions, and explantion of graphs, updatedtable of contents

TuesdayApril 30,2013

8:30a.m

Saw SenatorClausen inthe fall,

walked withhim

Told him he spoke very eloquently about the tax bill and his viewson it

8:32a.m Saw SenatorWiger in hall

Told him I was looking forward to seeing him in a few hours

TuesdayApril 30.20138:42a.m

Put updatedcopy oflobbyingpropodsal onCole Traces

desk for Zach

Tuesday

April 30.20138:43

Emailed

Zach

Told him there would be something he would be interested in on

Coles desk


Cole walkedto his desk asI was leavingDolholts

office area

I told him about the updated proposal on his desk, Cole told me hewould put it on Zachs desk right away

TuesdayApril 30.2013

8:55a.m

A women inPauls areawas talking

about SepcialEducation

Maybe taking up Sepewcial education next session because itwould take that long


A man andwomen weretalking abouthow theSenate wasgoing back

What I heard Senator Clausen speek about earlier on NPR


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and forth(Republicansswitchedsides) on thetax bill

(funding forstadium)


Meetingahead of mewas talkingaboutadding more

to theformula tocut crosssubsides

Crosssubsides are when schools have to borrow againstthemselces to pay for special education costs


Meeting infront of mewith Pauldiscussedevery part ofEducationOmnibus bill

They have no one in Pauls conference committee- all day Kindergarten- crosscuts from special education

TuesdayApril 30.2013

9;01

Emailed paula copy ofDistrict 196

specialeducationfunding gapgraft

Email originally sent by Mary Kregershows need for largecrosscuts


Meetingbefore meassured Paulhe wasgetting a lotof support forspecial

educationTuesdayApril 30.20139:219:45a.m

Meeting withPaulMarquart

Took notes, asked question, he gave me ideas for the end result ofmy project, and Dr. Meltchers number


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Gave SenatorClausen's LAa copy of myupdatedproposal

Set up a meeting for 11:45a.m

TuesdayApril 30.20139:58 a.m

Got an emailfrom Paul

Thanking me for the meeting, said I was well prepared


Responded toPaul

Told him it was a pleasure meeting him as well and I will stay incontact

TuesdayApril 30,201311:12a.m11:34a.m

Meetingwith SenatorDana Elling

Senator Wiger double booked himself; Dad loved my proposal,fresh ideas, and preparation

TuesdayApril 30,201311:4811:58a.m

Meeting withSenator GregClausen

discuss taxes bill and SES as well as proposal and my Capital,Policy, and Law intensive theme course that he spoke with inFebruary

TuesdayApril 30,201312:46p.m

Sent an e -mail to DanaEllington

Thanked her for meeting with me and her insight into my ideas


EmailedGreg Clausen

Thanked him for meeting with me


EmailedPaul

Marquart

Asked how his meeting with Senator Wiger went and if he couldtell me anything that was discussed


EmailedSenatorWiger

I met with Dana Elling today, she was very receptive to my ideas,finished email he same as the email to Rep. Marquart


Responsefrom Rep.Marquartabout howhis meeting

He could not give me specifics, but told me they just discussed theirbills


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with SenatorWiger went

TuesdayApril 30,

20137:30p.m

EmailedPaul

Marquart

Told him I thought he working closely with Semator Wiger was agood thing, asked what I should be sure to say to Dr. John Meltcher

when I call him tomorrow afternoon, told him I was apprehensiveabout contacting anyone at the Governor's office unless I have moreinformation -> asked for his thoughts

TuesdayApril 30,20139:58p,m

Sentelectroniccopy ofproposal toJerry

TuesdayApril 30,2013

9:54p.m

Sentelectroniccopy of

proposal toMary


Sentelectroniccopy ofproposal toZach


Sentelectroniccopy ofproposal to

ChuckTuesdayApril 30,201310:00p.m

Sentelectroniccopy ofproposal toDana

My server wouldnt let it go through


Sentelectroniccopy ofproposal toPaul


Told Chuckto email theproposal toDana

Told him to have her email me back so that I have her email

Wednesday May 1,20137:25a.m

Received anemail fromSenatorClausen

thanking me for meeting with him, he looks forward to looking overmy proposal, and wishes me a wonderful experience at Drake in thefall


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Reassuring email fromPaul

He reassured me that I had suffiecient information that was wellthought out, so I could contact someone at the Governors office atany time

Wednesda

y May 1,20139:14a.m

Chuck copied

me on anemail toDana

Enclosed was the electronic copy of my proposal


asked Paul ifhe was sure Ihad enoughinformation

Confessed that I was nervous about contacting someone at theGovernor's office


I thankedchuck forgiving Danathe copy of

my proposalWednesday May 1,20131:07p.m

Paul said hebelieves Ihavesufficientinformationthat is wellthought out

He encouraged me to set up an appointment with someone at theGovernor's office

Wednesday May 1,2013

4:02p.m

Responded toPaul

told him I now agree that I have enough information, told him I willbe calling Dr. Meltcher soon, asked who I should contact at theGovernor's office

Wednesday May 1,20134:42p.m

Paulconfirmed forme that Dr.Meltcherwould be thebest personto contact

Tom would represent the Governor's office


5:69p.m

I thankedRep.Marquart for

thisreassurance,told him Iwillhopefully calltomorrow

Seeing as it is almost 6:00 and I didn't want to disrupt his evening; Iasked Paul to confirm that Dr. Meltcher's first name is John

ThursdayMay 2,

Paul told methat Dr,

Glad I didnt call him and use the wrong name


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201310:08a,n

Meltcher'sfirst name isTom

ThursdayMay 2,

201311:22a.m

I told Paul Iwould tell

him how myconversationwith Tomwent

After I call Tom this afternoon

ThursdayMay 2,20133:483:50p.m

Called Dr.Meltcher, heagreed tolook at myproposal

He is on call with the legislature a lot so he might not be able tomake it to an in person meeting

ThursdayMay 2,

20133:514:17p.m

Updatedproposal for

Dr. Meltcher

added more solutions that I got from my meeting with Senators andRepresentatives and statistics on how much money the state pays

for welfare

ThursdayMay 2,20135:01p.m

Sent Dr.Meltcher acopy of myupdatedproposal

ThursdayMay 2,2013

5:02p.m

Emailed Paulletting himknow I spoke

with Tom

Told him I sent Tom a copy of my proposal tthat he agreed to readover

ThursdayMay 2,20135:08p,m

InformedGreg that Iadded thesuggestionsthat he gaveme in ourmeeting onTuesday tothe proposalthat I sent to

TomMeltcher


EmailedPaul

I forgot to let him know that I added in the suggestions he gave mein out meeting on Tuesday to the copy of the proposal that I sent toTom Meltcher

ThursdayMay 2,

Sent Dr.Meltcher

It apparently didnt go through the first time


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20135:16p.m

proposalagain

ThursdayMay 2,2013

5:16p.m

Email toTom failed

For the second time


Responsefrom Paul

"that's great (that you sent the proposal to Tom), I hope it goeswell"


Asked Paulwhat I shoulddo becausemy emailwon't allowme to send

Tom theproposal


Responsefrom Paul

he suggested I try a different computer to send Tom the proposal


Responsefrom Paul

He suggested I try a different computer to send Tom the proposal

Thursday

May 2,20135:45p.m

Sent Tom

proposal forthe third time

I readded him to my contacts, so hopefully that worked

ThursdayMay 2,20135L47p.m

Email failedagain


Sent the email for Tomto myself

Then I can send it through my email on my moms computer


5:48p.mReceived anemail fromthepostmaster(who I gotemails fromwhen mine

My proposal was seen as an attachment, it had an orange flag in thecorner when in my inbox, and the subject was Fwrd: SpecialEducation Funding Proposal sent by Annika Grassl so I assume it

finally got sent to Tom


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failed to gothrough)

FridayMay 3,2013

10:51a.m

EmailedSenatorClausen

Asked if he had a chance to read over my proposal, told him againthat I had added the suggestions he had given me in our meeting onTuesday. Asked if he knew of any summer opportunities that I

could participate inFridayMay 3,201310:55a.m

EmailedRep. Doholt

Asked if he had received my proposal from Cole, asked if he knewof any summer opportunities that I could participate in.

FridayMay 3,201311:0011:30a.m

Updatedproposal

Proposal given to the Senators and Representatives who I speakwithadded more statistics and solutions

Friday

May 3,201311:07a.m

Response

from Greg

He told me to keep him informed about how things go with Dr.

Meltcher

FridayMay 3,201311:16a.m

EmailedGreg back

Told him I definitely would keep him informed and asked if hecould have his L.A look into some summer opportunities for me atthe Capital or in the legislature

FridayMay 3,201312:00

12:30p.m

Updatedproposal andkey pointsdocument

To be given to Dr. Meltcher at the Governors office

FridayMay 3,201312:00p.m

Received anemail fromPaul

Paul told me he would have Joe contact me about summerinvolvement opportunities

May 3,201312:02p.m

Received anemail fromJoe Gould

He told me to send him the email that I would like Dr. Meltcherto see

FridayMay 3,2013

12:05p.m

Responded toPaul

Told Paul I look forward to hearing from Joe about summerinvolvement opportunities


Sent a copyof the e- mailthat I tried tosent to Dr.Meltcher toJoe Gould

Joe would then forward it onto Dr. Meltcher

Friday Joe copied A simple message proceeded my message to Dr. Meltcher


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May 3,201312:57p.m

me on the email he sentto Dr.Meltcher

Friday

May 3,20131:15p.m

told Joe that I

will be sureto keep Rep.Marquartinformed asto how therest of myproject goes

Via e - mail


EmailedZach

Asked if he has had a chance to read my updated proposal because Ihasnt heard from him in a while


EmailedGreg Asked if he has had a chance to read my updated proposal because Ihasnt heard from him in a while


EmailedChuck

Asked if he has had a chance to read my updated proposal because Ihasnt heard from him in a while


4:48p.m

EmailedMary

Asked if she has had a chance to read my updated proposal becauseI hasnt heard from her in a while


EmailDana

Asked if she has had a chance to read my updated proposal becauseI hasnt heard from her in a while


Email toDanabounced backasking if sheread myupdated

proposal

I sent it to chuck; that is what matters


EmailedDana a copyof theproposal thatI sent to theGovernors

office


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Wednesday May 8,20135:426:10p.m

Started poster

Wednesday May 8,20136:307:48p.m

Poster work Wrote out a rough outline of what I wanted on poster


Poster work Determined headers

Thursday

May 9,20136:487:36p.m

Poster work Fixed formatting, wrote out most information, emailed a copy to

myself


Poster work Finished posterready to be printed

FridayMay 10,

201310:3810:48a.m

Failedprinting

Dad didnt knowwhat kind of poster I needed

SundayMay 12,201312:202:08p.m

Triedprintingagain

Wallgreens in Eagan on the corner of Lexington and Diffley;

printer was down and wouldnt read flash drive

SundayMay 12,2013

2:103:40p.m

Resavedposter so itwould print

Found higher resolution images, checked that nothing was fuzzy,putposter on a CD and flash drive as :.jpeg

SundayMay 12,20134:134:43p.m

Successfullyprinted posteratWallgreensin Eagantown center

Poster printed too small; slightly larger than a piece of paper


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MondayMay 136:186:28p.m

Senior forumpresentation

Talked about my proposal and how others can get involved the wayI did

Tuesday

May 14,20131:08p.m1:17p.m

Wrote

reflectionsand laid outappendices

TuesdayMay 14,20134:33p.m

Responsefrom TomMeltcher

Expressed his interest in my proposal; said I was clearly passionateand had thought about the issue in detailcopied George Holt

TuesdayMay 14,2013

8:03p.m

Responded toTom

I was glad he enjoyed reading my proposal and asked if I could setup a meeting with him some morning after the legislature ends onMonday, since he will be on call with the legislature until the

session ends at midnight on Monday May 20Wednesday May 15,20138:52a.m

EmaileTom

Reiterated how honored I was that he shared my proposal withGeorge and said I looked forward to working with them bothclosely in the near future


Emailfrom Tom;trying to setup a meeting

Tom explained that at MDE they are very busy after the legislativesession ends informing districts how new legislation effects themasked if May 31 works for me to meet with him

Wednesday May 15,

201312:37p.m

Confirmedwith Tom

Confirmed that May 31 would work wonderfully for me to meetwith him


Responsefrom Tom

He told me he is quite busy in meetings, but has allotted 20 60minutes for our meeting; asked if I could send him a list ofquestions that I would like to address


E- mailedTom

Asked when and where the meeting will be

Wednesda

y May 15,20137:05p.m

Response

from Tom

He asked if 9a.m at the Department of Education in Roseville works

for me to meet with him


Responsefrom Tom

He said that a brief presentation would be great


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Emailfrom Tom;George wascopied on the

email

He has been asked to attend another meeting at 9am of May 31,asked George and I what works best for us; 9:30 or 10:45a.m


Georgeresponded toTom and I

Informed us that wither of the options work for him to meet with us

TuesdayMay 28,20138:55a.m

Responsefrom Tom

He said he looks forward to seeing me at 10:45 on May 31

TuesdayMay 28,

20131:49p.m

Told Lynnthat I had

something toshow her thatshe might beinterested in

I could show her my proposal on Thursday when I will bevolunteering at Woodland Elementary with Kirby and Julie

TuesdayMay 28,20139:17a.m

Confirmationfrom Tom

George will be at the meeting as well


8:53a.m

Responsefrom Lynn

Shetold me she would love to see my proposal and meet with metomorrow


Question forTom

I asked if he would like the questions that I have for the meeting onFriday in advance


Responsefrom Tom

Tom told me to send him the questions and copy George as wellbecause he (Tom) will be on the road most of the day on Thursday

Wednesday May 29,

20133:454:01p.m

Came upwith 4 more

questions forGeorge andTom onFriday

Asked for their suggestions


Sentquestions toGeorge andTom

A dozen total questions


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ThursdayMay 30,20139:41a.m

Printeddirections toMDE

Thursday

May 30,20139:439:55a.m

Printed a

copy of myproposal forLynn

To give to her tomorrow

FridayMay 31,201310:40a.m

EmailedTom fromthe lobby ofMDE

Told him I was in the lobbying, had the man at the front desk calland let him know I was here, and asked if I could use his computerfor my prezi presentation

FridayMay 31,2013

10:4611:08a.m

Meeting withGeorge andTom

They were very impressed with my proposal and interest in specialeducation


ThankedGeorge andTom formeeting withme

Asked if they had any feedback on my proposal or ideas for futureinvolvement in the issue of special education funding


Told Paulthat Tom andGeorge werereceptive to

my proposal

Asked Paul how I should continue my work


Sent sameemail to Zach

Even though we havent spoken in a while


identicalemail toDana

FridayMay 31,

20131:12p.m

identicalemail to

Chuck


identicalemail toMary

Added that I was glad to see her at graduation ceremony, but sorrywe didn't get to speak

FridayMay 31,

identicalemail to Jerry

Told him he was the first person to help me make my proposalconcrete with numbers


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20131:17p.m

FridayMay 31,2013

1:22p.m

identicalemail to Greg


identicalemail toSandra


identicalemail toNathan

FridayMay 31,

20131:26p.m

identicalemail to

Heather


identicalemail to john


identicalemail to Jean

Friday

May 31,20131:32p.m

identical

email toLynn

Thanked her for her insight yesterday


Emailfrom Sandra

She isnt sure how I should continue; she would have to speak withme in person


Emailfrom Mary

She would love to meet to discuss my proposal, said district 196 isrunning as tight as it can with overwhelmed teachers , and gushedover SES graduation ceremony and all of the talent


Forwardedemail fromMary toSandra

I was very proud of all of the accolades from Mary


Responded toMary

I would love to meet to discuss my proposal this summer - I lovedthe SES graduation ceremony as well; especially the speakers


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Responsefrom Lynn

thanked me for the update - "There has to be a better way for thefunding to be collected and then dispersed to the students saidshe would keep thinking of ways I can continue my work

Friday

May 31,20137:36p.m

Response

from Paul

Automated message - if it effects new laws we should talk when the

legislature resumes February 25


ThankedLynn for hersupport


Responded toPaul

I said thatas of right now the closest I have gotten to a change inlegislation was my meeting with MDE this morning

SaturdayJune 1,201310:15p.m

Responsefrom Paul my proposal is very through; it looks like I want to addmore funding, they added $40 million on top of the 4.6%

automatic increase; asked if I wanted to do more

SundayJune 2,201310:49a.m

Responded toPaul

I am impressed with what has been done - wondering what Ican do to keep special education in people's focus

SundayJune 2,2013

11:01a.m

Responsefrom Paul

Told me that the next budget year isn't until 2015, but Ishould continue to share my good ideas and research withpeople

SundayJune 2,20131:35p.m

Responded toPaul

Thanked him for all of his help, told him if he ever needsanything to let me know and I will try and help in any way Ican

SundayJune 2,20131:37p.m

EmailedPaul

I hope to continue working on projects like this, because,after all; this is what I will be studying at Drake University;Law, Policy, and Society with a double major in PublicRelations, so if he would ever like to start up thisconversation again he should level free to let me know

SundayJune 2,20132:142:37p.m

Looked upsummary ofeducationomnibus billthat wasrecentlypassedfound

Looked for special education appropriations; added them toappendix


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summary onMDE website

June 25,2013

Found thatthe E12omnibus bill

had aprevisionsimilar to theone Iproposed

http://www.educationminnesota.org/en/news/edmnupdates/2013/052013-edbills.aspx
http://www.educationminnesota.org/en/news/edmnupdates/2013/052013-edbills.aspxhttp://www.educationminnesota.org/en/news/edmnupdates/2013/052013-edbills.aspxhttp://www.educationminnesota.org/en/news/edmnupdates/2013/052013-edbills.aspxhttp://www.educationminnesota.org/en/news/edmnupdates/2013/052013-edbills.aspxhttp://www.educationminnesota.org/en/news/edmnupdates/2013/052013-edbills.aspx


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Contacts and Connections

Name Occupation Contact Information He ispassionate

abouteducationsupportive ofmy cause

Gerald (Jerry) VonKorff

Lawyer at RinkeNoonan in St.Cloud, MN

[email protected](320) 656 - 3508

(received information fromRep. Doholt)

Met with himin February,supports myproposal

Senator Greg Clausen MN State Senator [email protected] His district haslots of special

educationstudents, heagrees withwhat I amtrying to do

Jay Weismuller Senator ClausensLA

Email connected to SenatorClausens

Kate Lynne Snyder Senator WigersL.A

(651) 2966820

Mary Kreger Head of specialeducation for

District 196

[email protected] Gave me dataon district

196b specialeducation formy proposal inFebruary

RepresentativeZachary Doholt

MN House ofRepresentatives

[email protected] Supports myproposal, givesme helpfulinformation onhow I can getinvolved; morecontacts

Senator Chuck Wiger Chair of MN SenateE12 Committee [email protected] Informs me ofwhat ishappeningwith theEducationOmnibus billweeklyelectronic
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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newsletter toconstituents

Senator Sean Nienow Minority leader of E12 committee

[email protected] No response tomy email

Representative Paul

Marquart

Head of House

Education Financecommittee. Chair ofconferencecommittee foreducation omnibusbill

Original message sent through

House website (inquiry form)

Additional e - mails sentthrough e - mail once I had himin my contacts

Gave me

figures onpercentages inEducationOmnibus bill

Sandra Johnson Special Educationteacher at EaganHigh School

[email protected] Personaltestimonies

John Belter Special Educationteacher at SES

former chair at EHS


Jean Unzicker Special Educationteacher at SES


Dr. Tom Meltcher MinnesotaDepartment ofEducationmanagement ofschool finances on call with thelegislure

[email protected](651) 5828828

Works for theGovernors

office

George Holt [email protected] Supervisor of

specialeducationfunding andanalysis teamat MDE

Danna Elling Senate researcher [email protected] Senator ChuckWigers officeher daughteris low vision

Lynn Henle Special Educationteacher at

WoodlandElementary

[email protected] Former specialeducation

teacher

Kirby Anderson Fourth gradeteacher

[email protected] Attended mysenior forumspeech whichwas about mylobbying

Julie Kraska Second and fifth [email protected] Attended my
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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grade teacher senior forumspeech whichwas about mylobbying

Inta Sellars Judge [email protected] parents met at

a weddingKathy Nottingham Mother

Dr.Charles Grassl father Ph.D inphysics


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Narrative of the work

My initial interest in trying to provide more special education funding began in February

when I took the Law, Policy, and Society intensive theme course. I am very passionate about

helping protect and advance the rights of people with disabilities, so lobbying for this issue at theState Capital seamed like the next logical step for me both academically and professionally (I

want to be an advocate for people with disabilities.)

While in the class, I leaned many useful tips and gained lots of practical knowledge

which I was then able to apply to my lobbying efforts at the state capital on February 27 and 28.

I prepared for my meetings by speaking with Mary Kregar - head of special education for

District 196 - and receiving some figures on our student population, costs, and the deficit that our

district's special education programs are experiencing. I then created a --- page proposal filled

with this information, statistics on how special education programs benefit test scores (andtherefore the schools get more money from the state), and personal testimonies from various

special education teachers at both SES and Eagan High School.

My first meeting at the Capital - with Senator Greg Clausen on February 27- went

flawlessly. He, being the former principal of Rosemount High School, was in complete support

of what I was trying to do. He thought my proposal was very professional and thought my

determination was admirable, since there has never been a bill signed like the one I am

proposing. Although, now the Senate is trying to pass a bill to add $11.2 million to special

education funding (I received this information from Senator Chuck Wiger who authored the bill

and is the chair of the Senate E - 12 committee.)

My second meeting at the capital - with Senator Chuck Wiger - did not got nearly as

smoothly as I would have like.... He told me to meet him outside of the room where he was in a

committee meeting, but apparently his legislative assistant forgot to put me on his calendar so I

was standing in front of the room for an hour. In that time I sat in on a part of the hearing, and

impatiently emailed him. Finally, after an hour of waiting I asked another legislative assistant

why Senator Wiger hadn't met with me yet and he told me to go up to Senator Wiger's office.

Once I finally got to Senator Wiger's office his legislative assistant persistently apologized for

the clerical error; she had put me on his colander for a completely different day. Then, to amend

the mistake; his intern took me back downstairs (to where i had been standing for the hourprior)to try and pull him out of the hearing. I, through some sort of miracle, caught him as he was

walking to the restroom. I quickly introduced myself and gave him a copy of my proposal and

the key points. He told me he already agreed with my stance just from the emails I had sent him

during the previous week.

My only meeting on Thursday February 28 was with Representative Zach Doholt. He

represents the area surrounding the Saint Cloud area. His district is unique in that there is a high


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number of children who receive special education services because there is a large population of

people who move to the area specifically for the schools. He, like Senator Clausen, loved my

enthusiasm, conviction, and determination to make my plan work. He gave me the name of a

layer who could help me; Jerry Von Kreoff.

In early April I emailed Zach Doholt and he agreed to stay in contact with me and helpme out however he could even through he was not on any education committees.

The following evening I received an email from Ms. LaChapelle which contained a link

to Education Minnesota's thoughts on the Education omnibus bill which is working its way

through the Capital.

A few days later, on April 12, I emailed Jerry Von Kreoff who is a lawyer at Rinke

Noonan in Saint Cloud. He works specifically with education issues, so I inquire about having

him be able to help me out: to add professional clout and authority to my proposal. He also told

me that the deficit for special education in Minnesota is $560 million, and in order for this tochange someone would have to sue the state.

About a week later I emailed Jerry Von Kreoff requesting, again, if he would help me

out. He agreed to help me out, although he had apparently never received my original inquiring

email. On this same day I emailed Senator Chuck Wiger, he informed me that his Education

omnibus bill still had to go through the Taxes committee, Senate floor, and conference

committee, and that the bill adds $11.2 billion to special education. In response to this

information I asked Senator Wiger what I should do about my project since it looks like he has

everything taken care of at the Capital.

Senator Wiger told me to contact Rep. Marquart who is chair the House Education

Finance Committee. I told Senator Wiger that I would try contacting Paul Marquart again,

because he was busy in committee meetings when I tried to meet with him in February. I then

emailed Representative Marquart, explained how I was told by Senator Wiger to contact hims,

and explained my proposal to him. I then emailed .senator Wiger back and told him I had just

emailed Representative Marquart, Senator Wiger told me that he would see if he can join my

meeting if I get one with Marquart and to let me know how the meeting goes.

A few days later I recieved a link from Jerry about an article from the Rochester Post

Bulletin about special education funding. I told him it looked like great information, and asked

when I could speak with him on the phone about how to further progress with my proposal. The

article gave basic statistics on Minnesota's special education unfounded mandate - the fact that

schools have to borrow money from themselves because the federal government is not keeping

true on its promise to pay 100% of special education costs - in Minnesota public schools. I

received the same article from Zach Doholt a few days later.


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I then had a wonderfully brilliant idea: having a joint meeting with Representative Paul

Marquart and Senator Chuck Wiger. Unfortunately their schedules did not match up. Luckily I

was able to set up meetings with both of them individually on the same day.Since I ran into

scheduling errors when I tried to meet with Senator Wiger in February I made sure to confirm

with him over email and his L.A over the phone. After hearing all of this encouraging

information I thought it was important to pay a visit to one of my favorite special education

teachers who simple adores me; Sandra Johnson. I talked to her in her office this afternoon for

almost 20 minutes about all of the progress I have made on my project and what great things I

have in front of me at Drake University. I promised her that I would stay in touch and keep her

informed about how my work at the Capital goes tomorrow. All of this attention makes me

nervous; I try as best I can to downplay my accomplishments as much a possible because I feel

like it sounds like I am bragging and trying to show off when I gush about my accomplishments.

Today I was at the Capital bright and early; 8:20a.m. While walking through the hall

surrounding the rotunda a converged paths with Senator Greg Clausen. I made a point to tell him

that he spoke very eloquently in regards to the tax bill which has been so controversial recently.

Then, by pure luck I am sure, Senator Wiger came breezing past Senator Clausen and I scurrying

through the rotunda. I only had time to exclaim after him in a hurried tone I look forward to

meeting with you later this morning! I believe he said okay in response, but I am not completely

sure.

After making the all so exciting (I always feel really cool while scurrying around under

the buildings) trip through the tunnel that connects the State Capital and State Office Building I

made it to my destination; the fifth floor. Since I was a half an hour early for my appointment

with Representative Marquart I decided to make a pit stop over at Zach Doholts office to drop

off an updated copy of my proposal with his L.A, Cole Trace.

As if my magic, Cole walked towards his desk at the precise moment that I was walking

away from it. I explained that I had just dropped off an updated copy of my proposal and he

assured me that he would put it on Zachs desk immediately. I emailed Zach an upbeat note

informing him that Cole had something that he would be interested in; since Zachs District

(surrounding Saint Cloud) has a high population of students who receive special education

services.)

After some confusion I successfully made it to Representative Marquarts office waiting

area. After waiting for five or so minutes his L.A Joe Gould shyly asked if I have anappointment. I confirmed that, yes, I have an appointment for 9:15. He said ok and went back to

work. I then busied myself with copying and pasting questions from my meetings in February

into a new note on my iPad in which I would be taking notes from my meeting with

Representative Marquart. After finishing my simple task and adding a few personalized

questions (since, after all, he is the chair of the conference committee for the Education Omnibus


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bill) I simply listened to the conversations around me. A women in Pauls area was talking about

Sepcial Education and the possibility of maybe taking up the funding issue next session.

When the meeting finally began Paul was more then willing to talk. He gave me many

suggestions for what I should do with my project. He also looked up how much money District

196 will be receiving during the next school year from the 4.6% inflation that is automaticallypaid out to school Districts each year. Unfortunately the number for what District 196 is

scheduled to receive is less than ideal; only $15.3 million. While in the meeting Rep. Marquart

gave me the number of a Doctor who works in the Governors office who I should contact with

my proposal. Paul also gave me two pieces of paper with information that could be of use to me.

While he was trying to copy it for me I gained another understanding for why people like this

have L.As he could not copy a double sided document. He joked to Joe that I would take his

job some day because I really knew my stuff; he was impressed that I knew what crosscuts

were.

After my meeting with Paul I made my way back through the tunnel to the State Capital.While on my journey I received an email on my phone from Paul thanking me for meeting

with him and again complimenting me on how prepared I was for the meeting. I typed out a

response but do not get reception in the tunnel so it did not send until I mounted the stairs going

to the Capital from the tunnel.

Since I arrived early to the Capital I decided to stop over at Senator Clausens office.

When I handed his L.A my updated proposal to give to the Senator Jay asked if I would still like

to set up a meeting (I had never gotten a response from my initial email request for a meeting)

for later in the day. He originally asked if I could meet with the Senator at 11:30 but I was not

sure when my meeting with Senaror Wiger would go, so I asked if 11:45 was possible. Luckilythe Senator was open for a meeting. Just like that I had set up my third meeting of the day.

To my utmost disappointment (almost anger because I had confirmed this appointment

with more than one person involved) Senator Wiger had double booked himself for his 11:15

time slot. When his L.Awho had previously been at the head of the scheduling error in

February, so I didnt completely trust her skills shook my hand the expression on her face

seamed to say I am so sorry that this has happened to you twice now. I guess this mix-up was

for the best though, because this way I got some new, fresh insight from Dana Elling, who has an

office in the same area. Interesting enough her daughter has low vision as well, so we bonded

over that and this connection helped us develop a report which made her more comfortabletelling me the specifics of what she would like to se change in regards to funding of special

education and what she would like to see from a young advocate like myself. Dana informed me

that Senator Wiger was scheduled to meet with Representative Marquert later that afternoon. I

was a little bit jealous, not going to lie, because that was my idea: bring together both houses of

the legislature to see what they agree on in regards to this issue.


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After leaving the meeting with a renewed confidence in my end produce I quickly dashed

up the stairs to the third floor where Senator Clausens office is. This meeting was very calm and

laif back. We hardly even talked about my proposal. Since he was on board with my proposal;

having also seen first hand the negative effects of special education funding when he was

principal at Rosemount High School I used my time with him to talk about other matters

regarding education. For example, the view of SES from other schools in the Districtvery

positiveand how he would like to see the special education bedget cap closed.

After sending quick emails to Greg and Dana for meeting with me today I left the

Capital to return to school. As I was leaving I had a profound pride in what I had just

accomplished; talked to some very powerful people, but I also had the scary realization that Oh

my gosh! I will be taking thisproposal to the governors office in a matter of week! Scary stuff!

I told Chuck that I had met with Dana because of our second scheduling error. I also asked both

Chuck and Paul how their meeting went and if they could tell me anything that was discussed.

Not surprisingly, Paul told me that he could not discuss specifics of what was talkedabout during his meeting with Chuck. All he told me was that they basically just discussed their

bills, which I really didnt need specifics on anyways.

Later that evening I sent electronic copied of my updated proposal to Jerry, Mary, Zach,

Chuck, and Paul. I tried to send it to Dana but the e - mail wouldnt go through, so I e mailed

Chuck and told him to forward it to her.

The first thing that I saw when I opened my email in the morning today was a very

polite and respectful note from Senator Clausen telling me how nice it was to meet with me

again and that he would be reading my proposal soon.

About an hour and a half later Paul Marquart assured me that I could contact someone at

the Governor's office at any time. Paul said he believes I have sufficient information that is well

thought out. He encouraged me to set up an appointment with the Governor's office. I then told

Paul that I would be calling Dr. Meltcher soon to discuss my proposal. Representative Marwuart

confirmed for me that Dr, Meltcher would be the best person to contact, seeing as he represents

the Governors office.

I am very glad that I asked Representative Marquart to confirm with me Dr. Meltchers

first name because I thought it is John, but it is Tom. I am so glad that I did not call him and use

the wrong name; that would have been very enbaressing and unprofessional of me.

After speaking with Dr. Meltcher briefly over the phone he agred to read my proposal, so

I spent some time making sure I had enough information to make my point and that everything

was formatted properly before sending it to such an important person. After three emails that

did not get received by Tom one finally did; what a relief! I then triumphantly informed Greg

and Paul of my recent accomplishment and told that I had included the ideas that they had both


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given me in the suggestions portion of my proposal. Paul congratulated me on this

accomplishment, wished me the best of luck, and told me to keep him informed of how things

unfold.

I sent a quick note to Senator Clausen this morning asking if he has had a chance to look

over my proposal yet and if he knew of any opportunities that I could participate in at the Capitalthis summer. I then sent Zach a similar email, but added that I hoped he had received my

proposal from Cole. Greg asked me to please keep him informed about how things go with Dr.

Meltcher. I told Greg I definitely would keep him informed. Iasked if he could have his L.A

look into some summer opportunities for me at the Capital or in the legislature. I also asked Paul

to have his L.A Joe contact me with a list of some summer opportunities that I could participate

in; Paul said he would have Joe speak with me about that soon.

Today I spent two separate half hour periods updating my proposal that I have been

giving to the various legislatures that I have spoken with. I added a few statistics about the

amount of money the state could save if there were less people with disabilities who had wellpaying jobs and could support themselves; not having to rely on welfare as their primary income.

I also updated the headings and formatting so that everything was uniform and looked as

professional as possible, after all, this was going to the Governors office, so I didnt want to

make myself look bad after I had begun to make such a name for myself at the Capital. I felt

accomplished on Tuesday when every L.A I met with remembered me; clearly I was doing

something right to make such an impression. Poor Kristin in Senator Wigers office looked so

apologetic when I showed up and he had double booked our meeting with someone else, so I was

forced to meet with Dana Elling. That worked out well in the end luckily.

Holding my breath I read over my message to Dr. Meltcher one last time before sendingit to Joe Goule who would then send it to Dr. Meltcher through the internal state government e

mail system. I felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment, worry about getting a negative

response (my worst fear was hearing you stupid teenager, leave this to the professionals), but

luckily I doubt that will happen because Dr. Melter agreed to read my proposal. I felt very

accomplished when, at the bottom of the email was the official government warning informing

anyone who was not the intended party who viewed the enclosed message could be criminally

prosecuted in a court of law. I then assured Joe that I would keep Rep. Marwuart informed to

how my conversations with Dr. Meltcher goes.

So far there has been no further response from Senator Clausen, Representative Doholt,Representative Marquart, or Dr. Meltcher in response to my inquiries.

After five days of waiting for a response from anyone about my updated proposal I

impatiently eamiled Chuck, greg, Mary, Dana, and Zach asking if they had had a chance to

look at my updated proposal yet and what they thought of it.


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Later that evening I stated my poster. I worked on the poster a total of six and three

quarters hours over the course of three days. My printed experience was lest then ideal. I worked

in perfecting my poster until 11:00p.m tonight so that my dad could print it while I am at school

tomorrow. Unfortunately, I got a text from my mom at lunch explaining that my dad had failed at

printing my poster because he didnt know what kind I needed.

Since I clearly didnt trust my dad printing my poster anymore, I took matters into myown hands. On Sunday I walked to Wallgreens on Lexington and Diffley in Eagan to print my

poster. Just my luck; the kiosk wouldnt read my flash drive and the connection between thecomputer and printer was not working. After a half hour of frustration I walked home in defeat.

After spending time making sure that everything was absolutely perfect for my second

attempt at printing I had my mom drive me to Wallgreens in Eagan town Center. After, yet

more trouble at the kiosk, I ended up having to switch kiosks. Finally, the printing began. To my

disappointment, when I returned a half hour later, the order was wrong. The result was that I had

perfectly clear pictures and text on a poster that was little bigger then a sheet of typing paper.

I find it ironic that I had such profound success with the project itself - going as far as

having my proposal reviewed by Dr. Tom Meltcher of the Minnesota Department of Education

at the Governors officebut running into more then a few obstacles when it came to printing

my final poster. This is precisely why I finished my poster early; to avoid mishaps like this and

give myself time to fix them in time for my poster to be put on display.

Today, I explained in an impatient (but polite) way how I had not heard from either Zach,

Mary, Greg, or Chuck individually is a while and was wondering if they had a chance to look

over my updated proposal yet.

Since I am yet to hear back from anyone in regards to my updated proposal; I have

decided not to contact them until after my meeting on Friday. I think this is a good idea, because

I am dealing with more important people now: the Department of Education!

George met me in the lobby after a smoke break; I could smell it on him. Tom was in a

conference call with various superintendents, so George answered most of my questions before

Tom even came in the room.I was honestly disappointed in the meeting at the Department of Education today; we

didn't discuss my proposal in detail. I was also very mad at myself for coming up with a verypoinient questions as I was walking out of the building; what they saw as the future of my

proposal and what I should do about it in the future. I honestly am more nervous now, waiting

for a response from George and Tom about my proposal, then I was before the actual meeting. I

think my upset stomach and overly worried feeling may also be partially due to the fact that I got

a total of 1.75 hour of sleep between the all night party and my meeting at the Department of


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Education. Although the meeting did not go as I had planned, I wan still pleased that I had made

it to such a high level of discussion about my ideas.

It brought a smile to my face when Mary e - mailed me back gushing over SES and

wanting to meet this summer to discuss my proposal. I beamed with pride and promptly e -

mailed the message to Sandra Johnson.

I find it ironic that the minute you put "Department of Education" into the subject line of

an e - mail people start responding immediately.


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Personal Reflections

Reflection 1

A few times thought the process of this project I got so frustrated with my lack of visual progress

with setting up meetings with people - Senator Chuck Wiger in particular - that I was going togive up on the entire project all together.

Reflection 2

I am so glad that I did not give up on the project though, because Senator Wiger gave me thename of Rep. Marquart who is the chair of the conference committee for the education omnibusbill. Paul Marquart gave me a specific goal for my project: to send a detailed list of suggestionsto the Governor's office. Paul suggested to me that these suggestions give specific, detailed planson how to implement cost - effective ways to reduce the $560 million Special Education cost. Ineffect, my proposal which details ideas in how to reduce this dramatic increase in Special

Education coats which leads to large cross - cuts by schools and districts because 33% of theeconomic burden is put onto them,; after the federal government only pays 11% of SpecialEducation costs.

Reflection 3

I found it exile rating, exciting, and intriguing spending time taking with legislatures while at theCapital and via e - mail. These experiences helped me to feel confident in my future endeavors asan advocate for people with disabilities. I liked what an insider's look I got about how the statelegislature works and how day to day goings one go at the Capital through my days workingthere with Senators and Representatives in the State office Building,

Reflection 4

I found it ironic that I sent a proposal to the Governor's office, but was unable to successfully

print my poster for three full days.

Reflection 5

I was disappointed in the way my meeting turned out today, but at least I had the opportunity to

make my voice heard at such a high level. I am trying to stay as positive about this as possible.


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Appendix

Appendix A; cost

$58.74 = senior project poster, including first messed up print

($40.00 = correct printing)


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Appendix B; Useful Terminology and Information

Terminology

Constituents: The people that live in a specific legislative Disstrictwho the Legislatures serve

Crosscuts: When individual schools and Districts have to borrow money against their ownprograms in order to cover the costs of Special Education programs

Deficit: The amount of money that a specific organization owes in debt

Unfunded mandate: The promise not kept by the Federal Government to pay 40% of all SpecialEducation costscurrently the Federal Government only pays 11%, so a majority of theeconomic burden is put onto individual School Districts to cover Special Education costs

Conference committee: A select group of Senator and Representatives who try and make anagrrement on what should be put into a bill; if both the House and Senate vote for the proposedbill, then it is sent to the Governor to hopefully be signed into law

MDE: Minnesota Department of Education

Other Useful Information

State senators are elected for 4 years

State representatives are elected for 2 years


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Appendix C; important emails that I have received

1. Sending my proposal to Dr. Tom Meltcher at the Minnesota Department of Education via

Rep. Marquarts Legislative Assistant Joe Gould.

This email is important because it shows the first step in my attempt to get my concerns andideas heard by someone high up in the political world. Tom Meltcher is very influential anddedicated to the causes related so Special Education; seeing as he is the Director of the ProgramFinance Division at the Minnesota Department of Education.

2. Bottom of the email Joe sent to Dr. Meltcher and copied me on


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3. Response email from Dr. Meltcher detailing how he thought my proposal was verywell thought out and informed me that he would be sharing it with


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This email shows what positive results can come from hard work and determination; my finalgoal was achieved, and I plan to take this success to even higher and brighter heights in thefuture


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Appendix D; Stepbystep instructions on how to get involved with the state legislature

Three steps to get involved

1. Find your local state representatives2. Contact your local legislatures via phone oremail to set up a neeting

3. Go to the meeting well prepared with exactly what you want them to know, a clear

explanation as to why the issue is important to you (and therefore should be important to

them because they represent you), and it may be handy to leave the meeting by handing

them a small hand out with the main points of your argument on it


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Appendix E; my proposal that I discussed with the Minnesota Department of

Education and various state Senators and Representatives

13

Lobbying For

SpecialEducation Funding

Annika Grassl


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History and background: loss of special education funding- Costs are going up, but is funding going down across the state

- A loses of funding means less one - on - one time for students with teachers, fewer

direct service hours, and less available equipment

- MCA test proficiency showed significant improvement with the use of modified tests for

special education students

The Numbers- Without special education programs the difference in graduation rates between students

with and without disabilities would be far greater

- It costs about twice as much to educate students who receive special education services

than those who do; $12,100 for special education students and only $5,800 for regular- 112,000 of Minnesota's 824,000 public school students receive special education

services

- Over the past decade the amount of students in Minnesota public schools has

decreased 3%

- The amount of kids receiving special education services has increased 11% from 2000

to 2011


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- The federal government promised to pay 100% of special education costs, they only pay

11%

The State of Minnesota has to pay 56% of costs

Individual School Districts pay the remaining 33%

o They usually have to take money from other programs like math and

science to cover costso The act of schools borrowing from their own budgets is called cross

subsides

- today $560 million is used to pay for special education

- By 2015 the cost of special education is predicted to reach $650 million

- Governor Dayton and the DFL plan to raise taxes to $1.4 - $2 billion

If signed, would lead to an additional $100 million in special education funding

- Governor Dayton has proposed raising income taxes on Minnesotas wealthiest citizens

Facts and Relevant ResourcesBasic Economics

- It costs about twice as much to educate students who receive special education services than

those who do not

- On the average in fiscal year 1995, Minnesota public schools spent about 2.1 times as much

on special education students ($12,100) as on regular education students ($5,800)

- The cost of educating special education students includes disability-related services, some

regular instruction, and all the usual costs of public education

- Special education students accounted for about 21 percent of school districts total

expenditures in fiscal year 1995

- A declining number of students per staff explained about 66 percent of the growth in spendingon designated special education services between fiscal years 1988 and 1995, after adjusting

for inflation and enrollment growth

- During fiscal year 1995, Minnesota school districts spent approximately $1.13 billion for special

education students, including $693 million that was designated for special education services

and $432 million for regular education and indirect services

Source:auditor.leg.state.mn.us/ped/pedrep/

- The Governors budget replaces the current special education formula with a new one in FY

2015 that will allocate funds to districts with the most need and boost overall funding by 13% in

the 2014-15 fiscal year

Source:minnesotabudgetbites.org

-The more higher quality education (through funding of support and programs), the more likely

these children are to have jobs as adults, and the less likely they are to be on welfare (which

costs the State government about $283 billion per year) which would save the State a large

amount of money in the long term

Past Legislation at the Federal Level
http://auditor.leg.state.mn.us/ped/pedrep/http://auditor.leg.state.mn.us/ped/pedrep/http://auditor.leg.state.mn.us/ped/pedrep/http://minnesotabudgetbites.org/http://minnesotabudgetbites.org/http://minnesotabudgetbites.org/http://minnesotabudgetbites.org/http://auditor.leg.state.mn.us/ped/pedrep/


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- Last fall, U.S Congress debated the issue but failed to reach agreement needed to reauthorize

the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

- U.S. Department of Education has proposed amendments

thatwouldputgreateremphasisonstudentperformance

Source:auditor.leg.state.mn.us/ped/pedrep/- Individuals With Disabilities Education Act Reauthorized was a piece of legislation that

encouraged more students with disabilities to be acclimated into main stream classes in an

attempt to keep up with that these students be taught the same curriculum and participate in the

same standardized tests as other students. The bill was signed into law by President Clinton on

June 4, 1997

Source:clinton5.nara.gov/

Minnesota is Effected

- In fiscal year 1996, Minnesotas public schools provided special education to about 101,000

students, or 10.9 percent of Minnesotas total elementary and secondary school enrollees

- Just over half of Minnesotas special education students had learning disabilities (38 percent)

or emotional/behavioral disorders (17 percent) in fiscal year 1996

- Minnesota allows special education for more students than federally required but has a lower

than average percentage of special education students

- Minnesota makes special education available to a broader population than is required by

federal law.

- The percentage of special education students increased from 7.4 percent in fiscal year 1977 to

10.9 percent in 1996

- State and local policy makers could do more to contain special education costs and improve

services


- School district spending for special education services grew 22 percent in constant dollars

between 1988 and 1995, mainly because the number of students per staff member dropped

from 6.6 to 5.2

- The average cost to educate a special education student is about $12,100 compared with

$5,800 per regular education student.

Minnesota allows special education for more students than federally required but has less thanthe average percentage of special education students.

Compared with the federal government, Minnesota imposes more administrative

responsibilities on special educators.

http://auditor.leg.state.mn.us/ped/pedrep/http://auditor.leg.state.mn.us/ped/pedrep/http://auditor.leg.state.mn.us/ped/pedrep/http://clinton5.nara.gov/http://clinton5.nara.gov/http://clinton5.nara.gov/http://auditor.leg.state.mn.us/ped/pedrep/http://auditor.leg.state.mn.us/ped/pedrep/http://auditor.leg.state.mn.us/ped/pedrep/http://auditor.leg.state.mn.us/ped/pedrep/http://auditor.leg.state.mn.us/ped/pedrep/http://auditor.leg.state.mn.us/ped/pedrep/http://auditor.leg.state.mn.us/ped/pedrep/http://auditor.leg.state.mn.us/ped/pedrep/http://clinton5.nara.gov/http://auditor.leg.state.mn.us/ped/pedrep/


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Education and Advocacy Groups for People with Disabilities in Minnesota

- Pacer Center

- Courage Center

- State Services for the Blind (SSB)

-mn.gov/public/content

Relevancy to constituency

You should seriously consider trying to find a way, based on the suggestions that I have

proposed - or the proposal of other solutions, to add more funding to special education

programs across the state for many reasons. The more basic of which is because more funding

leads to a better education for students in special education. The results of improved education

of students in special education can be seen directly in higher standardized test scores which

lead to an increase in state funding by the state to the school which has the opportunity to invest

more in its special education programs because of an increase in funding.

Sides of Argument

who is involved: school districts who are strapped for cash, teachers who will lose their jobs,

students who have a lower quality of assistance from teachers and fewer technologies available

to them which could help them succeed in school

View of funding cuts issue from special education teachers:

"We are trying to be smarter and more efficient; Rather than a building, we have a moving triageteam with a plan that can be implemented"

"the problem is that when funding is cut we have no option but to cut service minutes by trying

to put more students back into main stream classes"

"special education, as a department, has been asked to do more and more with the same
http://mn.gov/public/contenthttp://mn.gov/public/contenthttp://mn.gov/public/contenthttp://mn.gov/public/content


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amount of money"

"more kids are getting service and less people are replacing retirees which leads to a decrease

in the amount of time a services that each individual student is able to receive from teachers"

"if we had more funding we could finally buy the technology that we need for kids to use: thingslike computers, sound systems for lectures, rooms with doors to cut down on noise and

distractions"

"We would like to see a consolidation in the amount of redundant paperwork which we have to

do. This consolidation would give us more time to work with students who need our help"

"If the decrease in funding and increase in expenses continues we are going to see more

teachers getting fed up and leaving as a result"

"Minnesotas regulations are more specific and demanding than federally required, which leads

our school districts to focus on how well paperwork is complete, rather than student

achievement."

Why special education funding is being cut instead of other programs: there have been cuts

across the board, but in many Minnesota school districts special education is seen as an area

which can be effectively continued with less funding. These special education departments are

often seen as "less important" then other, main stream departments like Science and Math. The

students in these programs are seen as having less of a potential, so they are seen as a place

where funding can be cut in order to save other programs which are seen as more "vital" to a

school district.

Solutions to the Funding Gap

Issue: public schools in Minnesota are losing funding for s

Email education programs

why it matters to you, the legislator: better funding to special education programs would lead to

more available services to help children in public School's special education programs to reach

their full potential and perform better on standardized tests. This better performance on

standardized tests scores would reflect positively on the school district and individual schools

would in turn receive more funding from the state

Possible Solutions:

- Allocate more funds from the federal government; follow through with a continuation of

Clinton's Individuals With Disabilities Education Act

- Receive grants from technology companies like Apple and Microsoft for technologies (like

iPods, tablets, and computers) for visually and hearing impaired students


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- Adopt a funding model similar to Europe's throughput funding which gives funds to schools

who meet or exceed certain expectations and guidelines; much like No Child Left Behind which

was put into effect under the Bush administration

- Institute a national self - governing organization to represent the interest of special education

programs across the U.S, much like the European Agency for Development in Special Needs

Education which represents 33 individual European countries

- Institute a tax on alcohol where all of the proceeds from the tax would go directly to funding

special education programs

- Institute an increase on the tax that is put onto cigarettes in the state and have the proceeds

go directly to funding special education programs

- The Legislature should help individual school Districts find individual ways of reducing their

costs while keeping the same high level of support that their students need, this partnership

could be done through various tax levies and other forms of public funding for school programs

- Enforce laws or statutes that make it mandatory for, at the very least, the State Government topay its share of special education costs; currently we arent even keeping up on paying the

inflation on general education costs

- Discuss with School Districts a way to narrow down the requirements for a student to be

eligible for special education services in an attempt to decrease the amount of money spent on

services for children who could be put into mainstream classes each year

My Personal Convictions: I believe that there should be more funding available to special

education programs in public schools because I have seen firsthand the benefit that theseprograms have on students in the special services which I have received while in the public

school system have propelled me from a struggling student who was behind her peers in every

subject to a student who is attending Drake University in the fall and relieving all A's and B's this

year. I have also been a personal witness to the devastating effects of these budget cuts when

my CCTV - camera to help me see the board - was given to another student who needed it

more when my school was unable to buy two of these machines which cost about $3000 a

piece.

Recommended Solutions

- School Districts should not need to pay the special education cost of students who enroll

from outside the district

- The Legislature should work more closely with the Minnesota Department of Education

(MDE) to strengthen the relationship

In extension, make the necessary economic changes more transparent


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o Make the changes that MDE sees necessary, which will benefit

thousands of students

Special Education Funding Key Points

- funding is down, but the cost of services is going up across the state

Leads to a deficit

- it costs about twice as much to educate a special education student

Regular: $5,800 Special: $12,100

- bigger caseloads for teachers lead to increases in spending

Leads to bigger deficit which has to be paid by other program areas

Leads to a larger school deficit that has to be paid off to state

- the governor is proposing to invest $80 million on education

Not clear where they funds will go towards

- MCA test proficiency showed significant improvements when special education students were

given modified tests

The increase in test scores translates to more money for schools which would reduce deficits

- without special education programs the dichotomy between graduation rates of students with

and without disabilities would be far greater

- the amount of students in special education programs is increasing

- funding went up by 22% between 1988 and 1998

Ratio of students per staff member dropped significantly which meant more money could be

spent on each individual student

- Minnesota requires special education teachers to do more paperwork then is federally required

This increase in redundant paperwork allows teachers less time to work with students


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Visual Representation of the Benefit of Special Education on

schoolsIf kids do better on standardized tests, then schools receive more money from the Federal Government


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An Example of a Special Education Deficit: District 196


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Benefits of Special Education Programs: Increased Math

Proficiency


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Works Cited

Courage Center. Courage Center , n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2013. .

http://www.auditor.leg.state.mn.us/ped/pedrep/9703-sum.pdf>.Minnesota Budget Bites. Minnesota Budget Project, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013. .

Minnesota.gov.DisabilityMinnesota, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013..

Pacer Center. Pacer Center, n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2013. .

Positively Minnesota. State Services for the Blind, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2013.

.

"Special Education." MN State Legislature. MN state legislature, n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2013.

"Special Needs Education in Europe." N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2013. .

"The Clinton - Gore Administration: A Record of Progress." nara.gov. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2013.

.

"Our View: Close the special eduation funding gap." Rochest Post - Belletin17 Apr. 2013[Opinion]. Web.

11 Apr. 2013.

Minnesota State Auditor. Evaluation Report:Special Education.Minnesota State Auditor. Saint Paul:Minnesota Office of the Legislature, 2013. N. pag. Web. 29 Apr. 2013.

"CRS Report: Welfare Spending The Largest Item In The Federal Budget." United States Senate Comitee on The Budget. united

States Senate, 18 Oct. 2012. Web. 28 Apr. 2013.
http://www.calvin.edu/library/knightcite/index.phphttp://www.calvin.edu/library/knightcite/index.phphttp://www.calvin.edu/library/knightcite/index.phphttp://www.calvin.edu/library/knightcite/index.phphttp://www.calvin.edu/library/knightcite/index.phphttp://www.calvin.edu/library/knightcite/index.phphttp://www.calvin.edu/library/knightcite/index.phphttp://www.calvin.edu/library/knightcite/index.phphttp://www.calvin.edu/library/knightcite/index.phphttp://www.calvin.edu/library/knightcite/index.phphttp://www.calvin.edu/library/knightcite/index.phphttp://www.calvin.edu/library/knightcite/index.phphttp://www.calvin.edu/library/knightcite/index.php


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Appendix F; first draft of key points of my proposal

- funding is down, but the cost of services is going up

Leads to a deficit

- it costs about twice as much to educate a special education studentRegular: $5,800 Special: $12,100

- bigger caseloads for teachers lead to increases in spending

Leads to bigger deficit which has to be paid by other program areas

Leads to a larger school deficit that has to be paid off to state

- the governor is proposing to invest $80 million on education

Not clear where they funds will go towards

- MCA test proficiency showed significant improvements when special education students were

given modified tests

The increase in test scores translates to more money for schools which would reduce deficits

- without special education programs the dichotomy between graduation rates of students with

and without disabilities would be far greater

- the amount of students in special education programs is increasing

- funding went up by 22% between 1988 and 1998

Ratio of students per staff member dropped significantly which meant more money could be

spent on each individual student

- Minnesota requires special education teachers to do more paperwork then is federally required

This increase in redundant paperwork allows teachers less time to work with students

- as a special education student I have seen effects of the cuts in less service and direct service

hours but teachers

- I would like to see special education funding seen as more valuable then school currently see it

I have seen that educators in main stream classes see these students as having less potential then

others

- statistics show that when special education is invested in their is more of an economic payout

which can be seen through better test scores and graduation rates

- Correlation between money invested and an increase in economic payout:

Less people on welfare -> government paid

More people have jobs so they can contribute to the economy more


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Appendix G; final key points of my proposal

K e y P o i n t s o f S p e c i a l E d u c a ti o n F u n d i ng P r o p os a l

T h e r e a r e 1 1 2 ,0 0 0 s t u d en t s i n M i n n es o t a p u b l ic s c h o o

Annika Grassl Senior Project

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