WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) recently sent a letter to Governor Tim Walz expressing his concern about the decline in Minnesota’s educational performance. The letter cited a recent report that found Minnesota’s education system has fallen in the national ranking from #7 to #21 in five years, noted declining reading and math proficiency, and called on the Walz administration to conduct a comprehensive review of education policies and performance.
“It is extremely disappointing to see Minnesota’s educational performance decline under Governor Walz,” said Rep. Finstad. “I am committed to the education of our youth, and I am calling on the Walz administration to conduct a comprehensive review of current education policies, strengthen accountability for academic outcomes, expand literacy and mathematics instruction, and ensure taxpayer investments translate to higher student achievement.”
Background:
- Governor Tim Walz entered office in 2019, after previously serving as a teacher and frequently emphasizing education as one of his top priorities. During his tenure, Minnesota enacted significant education legislation, and increased education spending. Yet, statewide academic outcomes have not improved, and several key performance indicators continue to lag behind historical standards.
- According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2026 Kids Count Report, Minnesota’s education system has fallen in the national ranking from #7 in 2021 to #21 in 2026.
- Between 2019 and 2024, the share of fourth graders who weren’t proficient in reading rose seven percentage points in Minnesota compared to the national average, which was four points. During the same period, the share of eighth graders not proficient in math rose 10 percentage points in Minnesota. Furthermore, in 2025, less than half of all students tested as grade-level proficient on either math or reading state tests.
- While historically low-ranking states like Mississippi and Louisiana have been spending real time on reform and policy renewal and improving their rankings, Minnesota has been refusing to put equal time and effort into education policy overhauls.
