Dayton: Will Keep Seeking Money For Early Education
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Minnesota is number one in the nation for child well-being, according to a national report that came out Tuesday.
The study from the Children's Defense Fund examined child well-being in all 50 states, giving Minnesota the top ranking.
And while it is good news, there are some warning signals.
The report said Minnesota made significant progress in the general health and economic well-being of children in the state, but it also found that children of color face bigger obstacles to success than white children.
At an inner city Minneapolis classroom Tuesday, Gov. Mark Dayton spent part of the day encouraging young people to stay in school.
"Your friend might say, 'Oh, forget about school,'" the governor told kids at the Division of Indian Works Freedom School. "But don't."
The summer class at the school is one way to keep children of color interested in education.
It's also part of the reason the state got high marks from the Children's Defense Fund.
"[Minnesota has] been in the top five for several years," said Stephanie Hogenson of Children's Defense Fund. "The last time we ranked number one was in 2007. So it is these ongoing investments that we are committing to that are improving our outcomes."
The report ranks Minnesota:
-- second in health,
-- fourth in family and community,
-- fifth in economic well-being,
-- and 6th in education.
Still, the report includes troubling news.
Some 14 percent of Minnesota children live in poverty, and 60,000 more children live in low-income families now than in 2008.
Also, black and American Indian children are three times more likely to live in low-income families than white children.
"We got a long ways to go," Dayton said.
He says early childhood education will be his priority next year.
The governor warned lawmakers not to expect the expected budget surplus to go back entirely to taxpayers.
"I know there will be those who say, 'Give it all back,'" Dayton said. "Let's give it all back to our kids."
Early revenue reports are already showing Minnesota could have a multi-billion-dollar budget surplus next year.
Far reaching tax cuts are very likely, but Dayton says they must be paired with more money for early childhood education.
